🎶 Faithful Work. 📉 Market Reset. 🌅 Forward Hope.
✨ FAMILY & HOME UPDATE
Christmas was wonderfully full this year, marked by music, fellowship, and meaningful moments shared with others. December included several performances and services, each one a reminder of how powerful music can be in drawing people together. Henk sang with the Oxford Collegium Singers to a full house for A Festival of Lessons & Carols, and together we helped lead an Advent and Christmas sing-along at Winona Gospel Church. On Christmas Eve, Emese conducted while Henk played the organ for the annual Candlelight Service, a cherished tradition and a beautiful way to mark the celebration of Christ’s birth.
We also hosted a turkey dinner with friends, smaller and more intimate than usual, but deeply enjoyable. In the midst of all the music and gatherings, Henk returned to skiing for the first time in nearly eight years while chaperoning the ski club at Smithville Christian High School. Jacob joined the ski club as well and is currently discovering that learning to snowboard comes with sore muscles and bruises that only time and practice can heal.
Work remained unusually busy right through the Christmas season. Buyer activity continued right up to the holidays, and we even firmed up a purchase for a client on Christmas Eve. As some clients prepare to take advantage of falling prices and a slower winter market, Emese spent countless hours staging and preparing listings. Many of these buyers also need to sell their current homes, which adds complexity and makes it all the more important to work with a realtor who understands the full picture and is willing to do what it takes. Emese’s care and attention in preparing these homes was exceptional.
As we step into the new year, we’ve taken time to reflect on 2025. It has been one of our most successful years, largely because we were intentional with every client, doubled down on service, and focused on protecting our clients while helping them take advantage of a slower market. For the first time in our careers, we achieved national top 10 percent status within Royal LePage and ranked among the top 40 teams in our brokerage. We are deeply thankful for our clients’ trust and confidence.
Looking back, we remember those we have lost and give thanks for the relationships we’ve gained and strengthened. These are uncertain times, but then again, aren’t all times uncertain? We move forward knowing that God is in control, with purpose and resolve, trusting that our times are in His hands.
You may have also noticed a lighter note entering the new year: Henk has begun posting a daily video of the socks he wears. His “fancy socks” have become a bit of a signature, and this small creative project has been a fun reminder that consistency in the little things often matters more than we realize.
📊 HAMILTON MARKET UPDATE
💵 Median Price: $637,500 ▼ 8.07 %
💰 Average Price: $676,002 ▼ 6.04 %
🏘️ Unit Sales: 248 ▼ (from 338)
⏱️ Median Days on Market: 70 ▲ (from 45)
📦 Inventory: 5.89 months (179 days) — unchanged
🆕 New Listings: 359, the lowest since December of 2023
These numbers are typical for December, as activity tends to slow while families pause real estate plans in favour of the holidays. The combination of fewer listings and reduced sales volume reflects seasonal behaviour more than any sudden market shock.
🛠️ WHAT WE’RE SEEING ON THE GROUND
While December statistics often look quieter on paper, we continue to see real activity beneath the surface. Buyer interest remains steady, particularly among those who are well prepared and ready to act when the right opportunity appears. The slower winter market has created more negotiating room, and falling prices are drawing buyers back who had previously stepped aside.
At the same time, many buyers also need to sell their current homes, which makes careful planning and strong representation critical. This is where experience, preparation, and advocacy truly matter. Our role is to protect our clients on both sides of the transaction, ensuring they secure a strong purchase while maximizing value on their sale.
🏡 FEATURED LISTING
4 Cindy Court, Grimsby
This well-located family home sits on a quiet cul-de-sac beside a park and just steps from the lake. With a spacious layout, a beautiful in-ground pool, and thoughtful updates throughout, it offers a combination of location, lifestyle, and value that is difficult to replicate. Homes like this continue to attract strong interest, even in a slower market, offering long term value.
🕯️ A REFLECTION FOR THE NEW YEAR
January always seems to invite a reset of sorts, as well as a longer view. After the fullness of December, the return to a more predictable schedule and quieter evenings give space for reflection, recalibration, and renewed focus. We enter 2026 thankful for what has been and hopeful for what lies ahead, trusting that faithfulness in the small things continues to shape the bigger picture.
🎁 LOOKING AHEAD
Looking forward with optimism, 2026 may present even stronger opportunities for buyers. The pricing correction that began in February of 2022 may be approaching its later stages. Historically, timing the absolute bottom of the market has proven nearly impossible. Those waiting for perfect clarity often miss meaningful opportunities.
For buyers who are financially prepared and thinking long-term, entering the market sooner rather than later may be worth serious consideration. As always, our focus remains on helping clients navigate these decisions with clarity, confidence, and care.
🤝 THANK YOU
Thank you for your continued trust and support. We are grateful for every conversation, every referral, and every opportunity to serve.
As always, we are never too busy for your referrals.
