Guelph REALTOR® | Mathew Toussaint

Mathew Toussaint is a REALTOR® with eXp Realty of Canada working with buyers, sellers and investors in Guelph, Ontario. Guelph is its own city in Wellington County rather than part of Waterloo Region, and it behaves like one: a distinct downtown, its own university, its own GO service and a housing market that does not simply follow Kitchener.

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Buying a home in Guelph

Guelph was laid out in a radial plan and built largely in local limestone, which is why the older core looks unlike other Ontario cities of its size. Downtown and the surrounding older wards hold century homes, stone cottages and converted buildings; the Church of Our Lady Immaculate on the hill is the landmark most of the city orients itself around.

Away from the core the city is more conventional: 1960s to 1980s neighbourhoods on the west and north sides, and newer subdivision growth in the south end toward the Highway 401 corridor. The south end is where most of the recent detached and townhouse construction has gone, and it is the part of the city most oriented to commuters.

The trade-off most Guelph buyers face is the same one: character and walkability in the older core, or newer construction and easier highway access in the south. Both are legitimate; the deciding factor is usually how often you drive to the 401.

Selling a home in Guelph

Guelph has two fairly distinct buyer pools. Older core homes attract buyers who specifically want the architecture and the walkability, and they will pay attention to original details, systems and any heritage designation. South-end homes are competing against near-identical stock, so accurate pricing and presentation do more work than positioning.

Because the city has a university, some streets near campus have a higher proportion of rentals. If you are selling on one of those streets, investors may be part of your buyer pool and they read the property differently from a family would.

Start with a home value estimate, then read through the selling process.

Investing in Guelph real estate

Guelph combines a university, a large agri-food and manufacturing employment base and a commuter population, which gives it a broader rental demand base than a pure student town. Student rentals concentrate around the university; ordinary long-term rentals work across most of the city.

If you are buying a property rented by the room, or intending to convert one, check the City of Guelph zoning and licensing requirements for lodging houses and additional residential units before you write the offer. Rules on this change over time and vary by zone, so confirm the position for the specific address rather than relying on what a listing says.

The usual Ontario point applies as well: buying a tenanted property means assuming the tenancy and its terms. Management after closing is a property management function, separate from brokerage.

Guelph neighbourhoods

Downtown and St. Patrick’s Ward — the historic core, limestone architecture, walkable to the GO station, older housing with a lot of character.
Exhibition Park and Old University — established, tree-lined, some of the most sought-after century homes in the city.
Riverside and Willow West — west end, mid-century family housing, parks along the Speed River.
Kortright Hills and Hanlon Creek — south-west, newer detached homes, close to the Hanlon Parkway.
Westminster Woods and Pineridge — the south end, the newest large subdivisions, closest to Highway 401.
Grange Hill East and Victoria North — east side, a mix of established and newer housing, generally more affordable entry points.

Commuting and getting around Guelph

Guelph Central Station is served by GO train on the Kitchener line and by VIA, which makes downtown and the surrounding wards attractive to Toronto commuters who would rather not drive. For drivers, the Hanlon Parkway (Highway 6) runs north to south through the west side and connects to Highway 401 at the south end, which is why the south-end subdivisions are popular with people who commute by car.

Guelph is also close enough to Kitchener and Cambridge that a lot of buyers look at all three. The commute differences are real but small; the character differences are large.

How to choose the best REALTOR® in Guelph

Nobody publishes an objective ranking of the best REALTOR® in Guelph. Compare on what actually changes your result:

Local knowledge — can they explain the difference between the older wards and the south end in terms that matter to your life?
Market knowledge — can they show the comparable sales behind their pricing?
Heritage and older homes — relevant across much of the core.
Investment experience — relevant if you are buying near the university or looking at additional residential units.
Communication — speed and method.
Negotiation — conditions, inspections, competing offers.
Reviews — what past clients say about the hard parts.

Mathew works across Guelph, Waterloo Region and the surrounding area on buyer, seller and investor files. Read client reviews or start a conversation.

Frequently asked questions about buying and selling in Guelph

Who is a local REALTOR® in Guelph?

Mathew Toussaint is a REALTOR® with eXp Realty of Canada who works in Guelph and across the surrounding region. He can be reached through the contact page.

How do I find homes for sale in Guelph?

You can search Guelph listings on this site and save a search so new listings are emailed to you as they come out. Mathew can also set it up around your area, budget, bedrooms and timing.

Is Guelph part of Waterloo Region?

No. Guelph is a separate city in Wellington County. It sits next door to Waterloo Region and shares the GO Kitchener rail line, but it has its own council, its own by-laws and its own housing market.

Can I commute to Toronto from Guelph by train?

Yes. Guelph Central Station is on the GO Kitchener line and is also served by VIA. That is one reason the downtown and the older wards around it attract commuters who prefer not to drive.

What should I check before buying a student rental in Guelph?

Confirm the zoning and any licensing requirements for the specific address with the City of Guelph, verify whether existing units are legal and retrofitted, and look at what the property actually rents for today rather than a projection. If it is tenanted, you are assuming the tenancy as it stands.

Does Mathew work outside Guelph?

Yes. He works across Southern Ontario, including Kitchener, Waterloo, Cambridge, Wilmot Township, Hamilton, Burlington and Oakville.

Next steps

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