The 2026 Stay or Sell Radar: Infrastructure & Equity

In real estate, we often obsess over "comps"—what the neighbour's house sold for last week. But in 2026, looking backward is a mistake. The true driver of your equity this year isn't the granite countertop you just installed; it’s the heavy equipment parking down the street and the zoning amendments being signed at the Civic Centre.

York Region is undergoing a massive infrastructure overhaul. For some, this means four years of dust, noise, and lane closures that will crush curb appeal. For others, it means a "Winning Lottery Ticket" in the form of new density allowances.

The difference between losing equity and gaining a windfall comes down to one question: Which Zone are you in?

1 The Disruption Zone: Markham’s 16th Ave Widening

If you live along 16th Avenue between Leslie Street and Kennedy Road, your timeline just accelerated. York Region has confirmed that the massive widening project—expanding the road from four lanes to six—is entering its construction phase in Late 2026.

The Reality: For the next four years (2026–2030), "front yard living" will effectively end. Expect lane reductions, heavy truck vibration, and dust coating your windows.

The Sell Strategy: If you were planning to move in 2027 or 2028, consider moving now. Selling a luxury home with a bulldozer parked in front of the driveway is incredibly difficult. Buyers will discount your property for the "nuisance factor." List in Spring 2026 before the pylons go up to capture maximum value.

2 The Gold Zone: EG’s Zoning Lottery

While Markham residents brace for noise, landowners in East Gwillimbury (specifically Sharon and Queensville) are staring at a silent gold mine. The Town is advancing its Complete Communities Secondary Plan, with a critical Public Information Session scheduled for Tuesday, February 17, 2026.

This plan redesignates "Community Areas" (formerly Whitebelt lands). If your large lot is rezoned to allow for townhomes, garden suites, or higher density, your land value just detached itself from "residential" pricing and moved to "development" pricing.

The Strategy: Do not sell your home based on the number of bedrooms. If you are in a designated growth node, you are selling land potential. I urge all my clients in these zones to wait for the Feb 17 outcome before setting a list price.

3 The Patience Zone: Holland Landing’s Revitalization

Finally, for my clients along the Yonge Street corridor (Mount Albert Rd to Doane Rd), the advice is simple: Wait.

You have endured the "Disruption Zone" for years. The Yonge Street Revitalization project has made commuting a headache, but the finish line is visible. Road preservation and multi-use path construction are scheduled to wrap up by June 2026.

The Strategy: Do not list in March or April while the final paving is happening. Wait until July 2026. You want buyers to see the finished product—the walkable, beautiful streetscape—not the construction chaos.

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