Justin Cook (j8cook@uwaterloo.ca ), Dr. Jennifer Dean (jennifer.dean@uwaterloo.ca ), and Dr.
Dawn Parker (dcparker@uwaterloo.ca)
Executive summary
Researchers at the University of Waterloo School of Planning (Justin Cook, a master’s student,
supervised by Professor Jennifer Dean, overseen by Professor Dawn Parker) undertook an
investigation into the perceptions of realtors regarding the impacts of the ION Light Rail Transit
(LRT) on the real estate market in the Region of Waterloo. This qualitative research aimed to
develop a deeper understanding of how the implementation of the LRT and changes in the
central transit corridor (CTC) were affecting the real estate market in the Region of Waterloo.
Real estate agents were identified and invited to participate in focus groups and interviews as key
informants using a purposeful sampling technique, which sought to include the insights of
Realtors from a diversity of client base, location, and brokerage affiliation. The qualitative
methods employed in this study are intended to complement several of the quantitative research
projects being conducted by the Urban Growth & Change Research Group. The findings of this
research will ultimately benefit the Region and the research community by providing an
understanding of the nature of the relationship between changes in built form, demographics
and land value in the Region.
A total of 25 agents participated in focus groups, and 5 agents participated in interviews to date;
with data collection on going. There was a broad range of experience among the participant real
estate agents, which included agents with 2 years of experience to agents with 33 years of
experience. All the real estate agents who participated in the study were active as agents or
brokers in the Region of Waterloo. While several agents mentioned also working in nearby
municipalities, most focused on the City of Kitchener and the City of Waterloo, and the
surrounding townships. Agents were recruited as key informants to share the perspectives of
their clients but in a few cases where appropriate, they shared their own perspectives as buyers,
sellers and investors.
The data derived from the Realtor’s perceptions indicated that the implementation of the LRT
and the development of the CTC were influencing change within the Region’s real estate market
in several ways. The real estate agents generally viewed the LRT as positive for existing residents,
while also helping Kitchener-Waterloo gain status as a “world class” city. Of note, the
development of the CTC was seen as attracting a wide range of investors, who saw the LRT as a
key piece of infrastructure that would further develop on the success of the “tech hubs” and
intensify desirable lifestyle amenities. The LRT was also discussed as shifting the perceptions of
the Region as it was described as acting as a symbol of a “world class city”. Lastly, while the Realtors described long t
