Downsizing in Kawartha Lakes— The Complete 2027 Guide by SRES® Jami Joy

Friday, Oct 09, 2026

Jami Joy, SRES® | Team Leader, TeamJoy💜
RE/MAX All-Stars Realty Inc. Brokerage | www.TeamJoy.ca

A guide for homeowners planning their next chapter. Market information checked October 4, 2026; 2027 figures are forecasts, not results.

A home can hold decades of family dinners, celebrations and everyday memories. Deciding to leave it is rarely just a real estate decision.

Perhaps the stairs are becoming inconvenient. The yard takes more work than you want to give it. Or you would rather spend your time travelling, visiting family and enjoying life than maintaining rooms you no longer use.

Downsizing starts with a simple question: What would make your next chapter easier and more enjoyable?

I’m Jami Joy, Team Leader of TeamJoy and a Seniors Real Estate Specialist® (SRES®). If you are considering downsizing in Kawartha Lakes in 2027, this guide will help you think through the market, your options and the practical steps involved.

What does the current Kawartha Lakes market tell us?

The Central Lakes Association of REALTORS® reported 107 home sales in Kawartha Lakes in August 2026, with an average selling price of $683,335. That was below July’s average of $702,431, but slightly above August 2025’s $679,291. There were 298 new listings, and homes sold spent an average of 45 days on the market. [1]

Those numbers provide context, but they do not tell you what your own home is worth or how quickly it will sell. An average selling price also changes with the mix of properties sold; it does not mean every home gained or lost the same amount of value.

For a homeowner planning a move, the practical lesson is to leave room in your schedule for preparation, showings and negotiations. Forty-five days is an average for homes that sold, not a promise or a deadline for your property.

A bungalow in Lindsay, a waterfront property near Fenelon Falls and a rural home outside town need different comparisons. Your pricing plan should reflect recent comparable sales, competing listings, condition, location and property features.

What is predicted for 2027?

Published forecasts suggest gradual improvement rather than a dramatic market rebound.

In its July 15, 2026 forecast, the Canadian Real Estate Association projected Canadian home sales would rise 3.7% in 2027, with the national average home price increasing 1.1% to $694,164. These are national projections, not a forecast for Kawartha Lakes. [2]

CMHC’s July 22, 2026 outlook also anticipated a gradual recovery in sales during 2027 and 2028, with modest price growth following weakness in 2026. However, it identified Ontario and British Columbia as markets likely to face weaker growth because of affordability pressures, slower population growth and higher supply. [3]

These organizations use different assumptions, and their forecasts are not identical. Neither gives us a reliable percentage increase to apply to your Kawartha Lakes home.

My planning advice: build a move that works with conservative numbers today. If conditions improve, that may help—but your next home may also become more expensive. Waiting for a higher selling price does not automatically leave you better off.

Start with the life you want to live

Before choosing a neighbourhood or browsing listings, write down what matters most:

Main-floor bedrooms, bathrooms and laundry.
Fewer entrance steps and comfortable movement throughout the home.
Less outdoor maintenance.
Space for visitors, hobbies or a home office.
Convenient access to shopping, appointments and people you want nearby.
Monthly costs that fit your retirement plans.

A smaller home is not necessarily easier to live in. A compact house with steep stairs, a large driveway and an aging roof may create more work than a larger home with a practical layout.

Keep three lists: must-haves, nice-to-haves and deal-breakers. Bring them to every viewing.

Compare your housing options

Kawartha Lakes offers different settings to explore, including Lindsay, Bobcaygeon, Fenelon Falls and surrounding rural communities. Check actual listings and availability rather than assuming a particular community has the home or services you need.

Option	What to check before deciding
Smaller detached home or bungalow	Entrance steps, layout, property taxes, heating, roof condition and yard work
Condominium	Fees, services included, rules, accessibility, parking and the status certificate
Rental	Total monthly cost, accessibility, lease terms, maintenance responsibilities and suitability over time
Retirement residence	Accommodation, services, additional charges and whether available support fits your needs
Staying and adapting your current home	Cost and feasibility of changes, ongoing maintenance and access to support

Visit prospective neighbourhoods at different times. Consider winter driving, snow clearing, travel to appointments and how you would manage if driving became less convenient. For rural properties, investigate well, septic, heating and road access where applicable.

Will downsizing actually save you money?

It can, but a lower purchase price is only part of the calculation.

Estimated cash remaining = sale proceeds − mortgage payout − selling and moving costs − next-home purchase and closing costs.

Include real estate fees and applicable tax, legal expenses, preparation costs, moving, storage, mortgage discharge costs or penalties, and any temporary accommodation. On the purchase side, allow for land transfer tax, legal fees, inspections, adjustments and immediate repairs.

For example, under Ontario’s current general land transfer tax rates, a $550,000 purchase would attract $7,475 in provincial land transfer tax, before any applicable rebate or additional tax. That is an illustration, not a complete closing-cost estimate. Confirm the rules and your circumstances with your lawyer before buying. [4]

Then compare the monthly budgets. Condo fees, utilities, insurance, taxes and maintenance can change the outcome. If you plan to rent, compare the ongoing rent and related costs with the costs of owning.

Ask your financial adviser to assess how the move fits your retirement income and savings. The useful measure is how much cash remains after the move and whether the new monthly budget is comfortable.

Should you sell first or buy first?

There is no single answer for every household.

Selling first provides more certainty about your proceeds and buying budget. It may also mean arranging temporary accommodation or storage if you have not secured your next home.

Buying first gives you a destination, but creates risk if your existing home takes longer to sell or sells for less than expected. You need a clear plan for financing and potentially carrying two properties.

Discuss conditions, closing dates and financing before making commitments. Bridge financing is not automatic; confirm eligibility and requirements with your lender.

At TeamJoy, the starting point is to look at the sale and the next home together: your budget, available options, timing and how much uncertainty you are comfortable carrying.

Prepare your home without overdoing it

Before investing in renovations, get advice about which work makes sense for your property and price range.

Begin with cleaning, decluttering, lighting and addressing known maintenance concerns. Gather useful records such as renovation permits, warranties and service information where available. A major renovation should have a clear purpose; it should not be an automatic step before selling.

Make sorting manageable. Start with one drawer, cupboard or room. Separate what you will keep, offer to family, donate, sell or discard. Measure the next home before deciding which furniture comes with you.

Allow time for sentimental belongings. You do not have to make every decision in one weekend.

A practical planning timeline

Use this as a flexible starting point, not a market forecast or guaranteed schedule.

Six to twelve months before your preferred move: Clarify your goals, discuss finances, explore communities and begin sorting belongings.

Three to six months before: Review your home’s likely market range, investigate suitable housing, get moving estimates and decide what preparation is worthwhile.

One to three months before listing: Update comparable sales and competing listings, complete agreed preparation and settle on a sale-and-purchase strategy.

Once agreements are in place: Coordinate your lawyer, lender, movers, utilities, insurance and address changes. Keep important documents and everyday essentials accessible during the move.

Why work with an SRES®?

The Seniors Real Estate Specialist® designation includes education focused on helping clients aged 50 and older with their real estate needs. [5]

For me, a downsizing conversation should include more than the listing price. It should include the home you need next, the costs involved, the timeline and the decisions that feel difficult.

You remain in control. If you would like family or trusted advisers involved, we can make them part of the conversation with your permission.

Your next chapter starts with a conversation

You do not need a listing date to begin planning. You may simply want to understand your options and whether a move makes sense.

Let’s talk about what you want life to look like in 2027, review your home in the context of the current market and work through the next steps at a pace that suits you.

Connect with Jami Joy, SRES®, and TeamJoy💜 at www.TeamJoy.ca.

RE/MAX All-Stars Realty Inc. Brokerage

Market conditions and forecasts can change. This guide provides general information; obtain advice specific to your legal, tax and financial circumstances.