Making the move from the bustling city life of Toronto to the peaceful, scenic landscapes of Prince Edward County (PEC) is an exciting and rewarding journey. With its slower pace, natural beauty, and strong sense of community, PEC offers a lifestyle that many are eager to embrace.

But before you start packing your bags and planning your new life in the County, there’s one crucial question: Should you buy or sell first?

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer—this decision depends on your personal circumstances, financial situation, and how much risk you’re willing to take.

Why This Decision Matters

The real estate markets in Toronto and Prince Edward County behave quite differently. In the city, homes often sell within days of listing. In PEC, particularly for unique properties like waterfront lots, heritage homes, or hobby farms, the process can take significantly longer. That means timing is everything—and being strategic about when you buy or sell could make all the difference.

Buying First: When It Makes Sense

If you’ve been searching for a very specific property—a century farmhouse, acreage with scenic views, or a waterfront estate—it might make sense to buy first.

These rare finds don’t come up every day, and if the right property appears, you don’t want to miss out. However, buying first comes with a significant risk: You’ll need to sell your Toronto home quickly—ideally within weeks—to avoid carrying two mortgages.

To make this work, you must have your current home staged, photographed, and ready to go on the market immediately after accepting an offer in PEC. It’s a high-pressure situation that requires careful planning and flexibility.

Selling First: The Safer Path

Alternatively, selling your Toronto home first offers more peace of mind and clarity. By selling before you buy, you’ll know exactly how much equity you have to work with and avoid the stress of managing two properties at once.

This approach gives you more flexibility in your search—especially important in PEC’s slower-moving market. If you’re open to exploring a variety of options and willing to wait for the perfect property, selling first can give you the breathing room needed to make a confident purchase.

That said, it’s essential to negotiate a longer closing period in the city to allow time for house hunting in PEC. This ensures you won’t feel rushed or overwhelmed during your transition.

Ask Yourself These Key Questions

Before making a move, consider these important factors:

• What’s your risk tolerance? Owning two homes—even for just a few weeks—can be financially and emotionally taxing.
• How flexible are you? Are you open to a range of options, or are you waiting for a rare find?
• How market-ready is your Toronto home? Its location, layout, and condition all play a role in how fast it sells.
• What’s the season? Both Toronto and PEC markets shift with the calendar. Spring and fall tend to be busier, while summer may slow things down. Timing your move around these cycles can impact both buying and selling success.

The Bottom Line

Moving from Toronto to Prince Edward County is more than just changing addresses—it’s a lifestyle shift. To make that transition smooth, it’s crucial to treat buying and selling as part of a single, well-coordinated plan rather than two separate, disconnected events.

Whether you choose to buy first or sell first, the goal is the same: align your moves so they happen under similar market conditions. That way, you protect your budget, reduce stress, and set yourself up for a seamless transition into the County lifestyle.

Ready to make your move? Let us help you navigate the process—whether that means buying first, selling first, or planning both together. Your dream County life is just one smart decision away.

Need help crafting a strategy tailored to your goals? Contact me today for expert guidance on navigating the Prince Edward County real estate market.

After nearly two decades, Prince Edward County is revamping its comprehensive zoning bylaw to align with its updated Official Plan and the 2024 Provincial Planning Statement. A near-final draft was recently presented to Council, introducing significant changes—especially for rural and agricultural lands.

Key highlights include the consolidation of three rural zones into a single Rural (RU) zone with a minimum lot size of 10 hectares. A new Agricultural zone will require a 40-hectare minimum to better protect farmland. On-farm diversified uses—such as agritourism, home industries, and value-added products—are now recognized, with strict limits on land area and impact.

Updated definitions for wineries now include estate and farm wineries, allowing for on-site food services (tied houses). Trailers and RVs are also proposed as permitted, but subject to conditions.

While many in the farming community welcome the focus on agricultural longevity, some, like vineyard owner Dan Sullivan, worry the new severance rules may push wineries into less suitable rural areas. Others, like ostrich farmer Brittany Denouden, are concerned about costly site plan requirements for small-scale creative ventures.

Environmental advocates, including the Prince Edward County Field Naturalists, are urging clearer definitions and stronger safeguards for sensitive lands like wetlands.

County staff say there’s flexibility in the site plan process and that fees could be adjusted to better suit small farms. The public is encouraged to review the draft zoning bylaw available on the County’s website. Final adoption is anticipated in June.

This major update aims to balance growth, agriculture, and environmental protection—making it a crucial moment for landowners to get involved.

Port Picton Homes has received approval to develop 870 new residences over five phases on an 80-acre site near Sandy Hook Road and the Loyalist Parkway, including town homes and apartments. The first phase will feature about 35 entry-level town homes priced between $375,000 and $450,000. Despite strong opposition from the Waring’s Creek Improvement Association (WCIA) due to environmental concerns over the nearby Cold Creek watershed, the project is moving forward.

The development faced multiple setbacks, including two deadlocked votes at the Planning Committee and Council. However, a revised application was presented in February 2025, incorporating further environmental studies and measures to protect the watershed, such as 50m setbacks around wetlands and Low Impact Development (LID) practices. The project will undergo additional peer reviews to ensure its environmental integrity.

The WCIA continues to raise concerns, seeking legal reviews and requesting a Cumulative Impact Study to assess the development’s long-term effects on the watershed, particularly in light of climate change. Despite these challenges, developer David Cleave remains optimistic, emphasizing the need for affordable housing while respecting environmental concerns. The subdivision will feature energy-efficient heat pumps, geothermal technology, underground parking, and public pathways to the Millennium Trail, with wetland and forest areas preserved.

While the development will contribute to the area’s growth, some, like Councillor Kate MacNaughton, remain cautious about its potential impact on the surrounding natural spaces, particularly the Millennium Trail.