There’s something about a chilly November evening that makes a warm bowl of soup sound like the perfect dinner. Add some crusty bread and a generous sprinkle of cheese, and you’ve got a good reason to stay in! 🥣❤️
For this week’s Food Friday, we’re sharing Creamy Loaded Baked Potato Soup—a cozy recipe with tender potatoes, crispy bacon and plenty of cheddar.
We spend a lot of time helping people find a place to call home. Our Food Friday series is a chance to share some of the little things that make being home feel special, including something delicious simmering on the stove.
Pull up a chair, grab your favourite bowl and give this one a try!
Ingredients
4 large russet potatoes, peeled and diced
6 slices bacon, chopped
1 small onion, diced
3 tbsp butter
3 tbsp flour
4 cups chicken broth
2 cups milk
1 cup heavy cream
1½ cups shredded cheddar cheese
Salt and pepper, to taste
Green onions, sour cream and extra cheese for topping
Instructions
Cook the bacon. In a large pot over medium heat, cook the chopped bacon until crispy. Remove with a slotted spoon and set aside. Carefully drain excess bacon fat, leaving a little for the onion.
Build the base. Add the onion and sauté until softened. Stir in the butter, then add the flour and cook, stirring, for about 1 minute.
Add the liquids and potatoes. Slowly whisk in the chicken broth and milk until smooth. Add the diced potatoes and bring to a gentle simmer. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the potatoes are fork-tender.
Make it creamy. Lightly mash some of the potatoes directly in the pot, leaving plenty of pieces for texture.
Add the finishing touches. Reduce the heat to low. Stir in the heavy cream, cheddar cheese and most of the bacon. Stir gently until the cheese melts and the soup is warmed through. Season with salt and pepper.
Load it up! Ladle into bowls and top with the remaining bacon, extra cheddar, sliced green onions and a dollop of sour cream.
A Little Kitchen Tip
For a smooth finish, freshly grate your cheddar and add it over low heat. Avoid boiling the soup after adding the cream and cheese.
You can also set out the toppings in small bowls so everyone can finish their soup just the way they like it.
What’s your must-have baked potato topping? We’d love to hear!
If you make this recipe, tag @TheRizTeam so we can see your creation. From our team to your table, have a warm and wonderful weekend.
From our team to your table, enjoy a little comfort this Food Friday. ❤️
The Riz Team | Royal LePage Wolle Realty Don’t put it on HOLD…call The Riz Team to get it SOLD!!!™
Home is where we build our lives, share everyday moments and look ahead to the future. Everyone deserves to experience that sense of belonging in a place where they feel safe.
At The Riz Team, this belief makes the work of the Royal LePage Shelter Foundation especially meaningful to us.
The Foundation has announced that it has raised $60 million since its establishment in 1998, supporting women’s shelters and intimate partner violence prevention programs across Canada. It is a milestone worth recognizing—and an opportunity to bring greater awareness to the work that continues.
A Collective Effort Across Canada
Behind this achievement are Royal LePage professionals, donors and communities contributing through commission donations, fundraising events and awareness initiatives. These efforts help support local women’s shelters and national programs focused on preventing family violence and helping young people develop healthy relationships.
Every contribution is part of a broader commitment to helping people find safety and move forward with support.
Why This Matters to The Riz Team
As real estate professionals serving Waterloo Region, we spend our days talking about home: what people need, where they want to live and what their next chapter might look like.
This milestone invites us to reflect on something fundamental to those conversations. Feeling safe at home matters deeply.
As members of Royal LePage Wolle Realty, we are proud to recognize the Foundation’s achievement and help share its purpose with our clients, neighbours and community.
“Buyers and sellers in Waterloo Region continued to take a cautious approach in September, with sales down 18.9% year-over-year and new listings falling 16.7% over the same period,” said Bill Duce, CEO of Cornerstone. “Even with less activity, Waterloo Region had the tightest supply at 3.8 months, suggesting the market remains relatively balanced, with modest price declines despite the slowdown. Buyers and sellers will benefit from a local REALTOR® on their side who can speak to activity and trends in their local neighbourhood.”
If you are considering to SELL your home or BUY a home in the next short while,
it would be highly beneficial for you to connect with one of our Team Agents at
Do you want to know what your home is worth today? Click Below for our Online No Obligation Market Evaluation:
Waterloo Region Area Highlights:
Waterloo Region home sales decreased 14.2% month-over-month.
The number of newly listed properties increased by 38.4% on a month-over-month basis.
In Kitchener-Waterloo, the MLS® Home Price Index (HPI) was $630,200 in September 2026, up 0.3% month-over-month and down 5.6% year-over-year. In Cambridge, the HPI was $662,700, down 0.6% month-over-month and down 4.1% year-over-year.
The supply of inventory across the market decreased by 12.8% on a year-over-year basis, and there was a 3.8-month supply of all property types by the end of September, which was 5.0% lower than in September 2025.
Waterloo Region Housing Statistics
Analyze the thriving Waterloo Region real estate market, home to leading tech companies, prestigious universities, and diverse communities. Our comprehensive statistics track this dynamic market across cities, townships, and property types. click on the Cornerstone Image to access full report
“Buyers and sellers in Waterloo Region continued to take a cautious approach in September, with sales down 18.9% year-over-year and new listings falling 16.7% over the same period,” said Bill Duce, CEO of Cornerstone. “Even with less activity, Waterloo Region had the tightest supply at 3.8 months, suggesting the market remains relatively balanced, with modest price declines despite the slowdown. Buyers and sellers will benefit from a local REALTOR® on their side who can speak to activity and trends in their local neighbourhood.”
If you are considering to SELL your home or BUY a home in the next short while,
it would be highly beneficial for you to connect with one of our Team Agents at
Do you want to know what your home is worth today? Click Below for our Online No Obligation Market Evaluation:
Waterloo Region Area Highlights:
Waterloo Region home sales decreased 14.2% month-over-month.
The number of newly listed properties increased by 38.4% on a month-over-month basis.
In Kitchener-Waterloo, the MLS® Home Price Index (HPI) was $630,200 in September 2026, up 0.3% month-over-month and down 5.6% year-over-year. In Cambridge, the HPI was $662,700, down 0.6% month-over-month and down 4.1% year-over-year.
The supply of inventory across the market decreased by 12.8% on a year-over-year basis, and there was a 3.8-month supply of all property types by the end of September, which was 5.0% lower than in September 2025.
Waterloo Region Housing Statistics
Analyze the thriving Waterloo Region real estate market, home to leading tech companies, prestigious universities, and diverse communities. Our comprehensive statistics track this dynamic market across cities, townships, and property types. click on the Cornerstone Image to access full report
“Waterloo Region’s market continued to reflect the broader trend of cautious buyer activity, with sales down 10.9% year-over-year and new listings falling 14.8% over the same period,” said Bill Duce, CEO of Cornerstone. “While the pullback in both sales and listings may seem concerning on the surface, Waterloo Region remains the tightest market across our coverage area, yet buyers still have more selection than in previous years. It’s also worth noting the differences between communities, with the Kitchener-Waterloo benchmark price down 6.0% year-over-year to $628,300, while Cambridge showed more resilience, with a modest 4.2% decline to $666,400 and a slight uptick month-over-month. These differences are a good reminder that Waterloo Region is not a single market, and connecting with a local REALTOR® who knows your community and neighbourhood is the best way to navigate what this market means for you specifically.”
If you are considering to SELL your home or BUY a home in the next short while,
it would be highly beneficial for you to connect with one of our Team Agents at
Do you want to know what your home is worth today? Click Below for our Online No Obligation Market Evaluation:
Waterloo Region Area Highlights:
Waterloo Region home sales decreased 18.9% month-over-month.
The number of newly listed properties decreased by 24.5% on a month-over-month basis.
In Kitchener-Waterloo, the MLS® Home Price Index (HPI) was $628,300 in August 2026, a decrease of 0.8% month-over-month and a 6.0 % decline on a year-over-year basis. In Cambridge, the HPI was $666,400, a 0.7% increase month-over-month and a decline of 4.2% on a year-over-year basis.
The supply of inventory across the market decreased by 10.3% on a year-over-year basis, and there was a 3.5-month supply of all property types by the end of August, which was 2.8% lower than in August 2025.
Waterloo Region Housing Statistics
Analyze the thriving Waterloo Region real estate market, home to leading tech companies, prestigious universities, and diverse communities. Our comprehensive statistics track this dynamic market across cities, townships, and property types. click on the Cornerstone Image to access full report
“Sales activity in Waterloo Region was sluggish in July, down 12.2% month-over-month and 10.0% compared to the same period last year. New listings also pulled back significantly, down 14.3% on a year-over-year basis; however, they were in line with the previous ten-year average for the month,” said Bill Duce, CEO of Cornerstone. “At 3.9 months, Waterloo Region had the lowest months of supply across our market areas, but inventory remained well above the 10-year July average of 1.92 months. This means buyers had more choice than is typical for this time of year, even as new listings moderated. The MLS® Home Price declined moderately across the region, as well as the average sale price, which was down 3.8% year-over-year. Whether you’re buying or selling, Waterloo Region has distinct communities that each tell their own story, and partnering with a local REALTOR® is an important first step to help you make an informed decision.”
If you are considering to SELL your home or BUY a home in the next short while,
it would be highly beneficial for you to connect with one of our Team Agents at
Do you want to know what your home is worth today? Click Below for our Online No Obligation Market Evaluation:
Waterloo Region July 2026 Statistics
“Sales activity in Waterloo Region was sluggish in July, down 12.2% month-over-month and 10.0% compared to the same period last year. New listings also pulled back significantly, down 14.3% on a year-over-year basis; however, they were in line with the previous ten-year average for the month,” said Bill Duce, CEO of Cornerstone. “At 3.9 months, Waterloo Region had the lowest months of supply across our market areas, but inventory remained well above the 10-year July average of 1.92 months. This means buyers had more choice than is typical for this time of year, even as new listings moderated. The MLS® Home Price declined moderately across the region, as well as the average sale price, which was down 3.8% year-over-year. Whether you’re buying or selling, Waterloo Region has distinct communities that each tell their own story, and partnering with a local REALTOR® is an important first step to help you make an informed decision.”
Waterloo Region Area Highlights:
Waterloo Region home sales decreased 12.2% month-over-month.
The number of newly listed properties decreased by 17.5% on a month-over-month basis.
In Kitchener-Waterloo, the MLS® Home Price Index (HPI) was $633,300 in July 2026, a decrease of 1.3% month-over-month and a 5.5 % decline on a year-over-year basis. In Cambridge, the HPI was $662,100, which was a 1.3% decrease month-over-month and a drop of 6.3% on a year-over-year basis.
The supply of inventory across the market decreased by 9.4% on a year-over-year basis, and there was a 3.9-month supply of all property types by the end of July, which was 4.9% lower than in July 2025.
Waterloo Region Housing Statistics
Analyze the thriving Waterloo Region real estate market, home to leading tech companies, prestigious universities, and diverse communities. Our comprehensive statistics track this dynamic market across cities, townships, and property types. click on the Cornerstone Image to access full report
“While sales activity in Waterloo Region picked up in June compared with the previous month, year-over-year figures show a 2.9 per cent dip, marking the slowest June on record, just nine sales short of June 2024. Both Kitchener and Waterloo posted double-digit declines; meanwhile, Cambridge boasted a 15.2 per cent increase in sales year-over-year,” said Bill Duce, CEO of Cornerstone. “The number of new listings added to the market remains lower than last year, reducing months of supply in all areas except Kitchener. Waterloo Region continues to have the tightest market conditions compared with our other regions, highlighting why using a local REALTOR® is beneficial for both buyers and sellers as they navigate the local market.”
If you are considering to SELL your home or BUY a home in the next short while,
it would be highly beneficial for you to connect with one of our Team Agents at
Do you want to know what your home is worth today? Click Below for our Online No Obligation Market Evaluation:
Waterloo Region June 2026 Statistics
“While sales activity in Waterloo Region picked up in June compared with the previous month, year-over-year figures show a 2.9 per cent dip, marking the slowest June on record, just nine sales short of June 2024. Both Kitchener and Waterloo posted double-digit declines; meanwhile, Cambridge boasted a 15.2 per cent increase in sales year-over-year,” said Bill Duce, CEO of Cornerstone. “The number of new listings added to the market remains lower than last year, reducing months of supply in all areas except Kitchener. Waterloo Region continues to have the tightest market conditions compared with our other regions, highlighting why using a local REALTOR® is beneficial for both buyers and sellers as they navigate the local market.”
Waterloo Region Area Highlights:
Waterloo Region home sales increased 4.3% month-over-month.
The number of newly listed properties decreased by 4.0% on a month-over-month basis.
In Kitchener-Waterloo, the MLS® Home Price Index (HPI) was $642,000 in May 2026, a decrease of 1.1% month-over-month and a 5.5 % decline on a year-over-year basis. In Cambridge, the HPI was $671,000, which was a 0.8% decrease month-over-month and a drop of 6.6% on a year-over-year basis.
The supply of inventory across the market increased 1.2% on a year-over-year basis, and there was a 4.1-month supply of all property types by the end of June, which was 2.4% lower than in June 2025.
Waterloo Region Housing Statistics
Analyze the thriving Waterloo Region real estate market, home to leading tech companies, prestigious universities, and diverse communities. Our comprehensive statistics track this dynamic market across cities, townships, and property types. click on the Cornerstone Image to access full report
“Waterloo Region is navigating one of its slowest Mays for sales in the past 15 years, yet the steady month-over-month progress since the start of the year is encouraging. A 9.8 per cent increase in sales from April, combined with a modest uptick in new listings, speaks to a market that is gradually finding its footing,” says Bill Duce, CEO of Cornerstone.
If you are considering to SELL your home or BUY a home in the next short while,
it would be highly beneficial for you to connect with one of our Team Agents at
Do you want to know what your home is worth today? Click Below for our Online No Obligation Market Evaluation:
Waterloo Region May Statistics
“Waterloo Region is showing encouraging signs of spring vitality, with sales up 14.0 per cent and new listings surging nearly 28.0 per cent month-over-month. The HPI increased by 0.1 per cent and 1.5 per cent month-over-month in Kitchener-Waterloo and Cambridge, respectively. Inventory levels across the region indicate a 3.6-month supply, which is consistent with the same time last year. However, this supply is higher than the historical average. Each area within Waterloo Region performed differently in April, highlighting the importance of partnering with a local REALTOR® who understands the distinct dynamics across the region.” – Bill Duce, Cornerstone CEO
Waterloo Region Area Highlights:
Waterloo Region home sales increased 14.0% month-over-month.
The number of newly listed properties increased by 27.8% on a month-over-month basis.
In Kitchener-Waterloo, the MLS® Home Price Index (HPI) increased by 0.1% month-over-month and declined 6.7% on a year-over-year basis. In Cambridge, the HPI increased by 1.5% month-over-month and was down 5.4% on a year-over-year basis.
The supply of inventory across the market decreased 5.0% on a year-over-year basis, resulting in a 3.6-month supply of all property types by the end of April, which was similar to levels reported in April 2025.
Waterloo Region Housing Statistics
Analyze the thriving Waterloo Region real estate market, home to leading tech companies, prestigious universities, and diverse communities. Our comprehensive statistics track this dynamic market across cities, townships, and property types. click on the Cornerstone Image to access full report
“The real estate market has gained positive momentum this spring, with steady month-over-month growth in sales and new listing activity since the start of the year, although at a more moderate pace than the same period in 2025,” said Bill Duce, CEO of Cornerstone. “It is encouraging that we are still early in the spring market. These April numbers are just the beginning, and May and June are typically among the strongest months of the year. The Bank of Canada’s decision last week to hold the policy rate was a welcome signal of stability, giving both buyers and sellers greater confidence to move forward with their real estate goals. For those who have been waiting on the sidelines, now is a great time to re-engage with the market.”
If you are considering to SELL your home or BUY a home in the next short while,
it would be highly beneficial for you to connect with one of our Team Agents at
Do you want to know what your home is worth today? Click Below for our Online No Obligation Market Evaluation:
Waterloo Region April Statistics
“Waterloo Region is showing encouraging signs of spring vitality, with sales up 14.0 per cent and new listings surging nearly 28.0 per cent month-over-month. The HPI increased by 0.1 per cent and 1.5 per cent month-over-month in Kitchener-Waterloo and Cambridge, respectively. Inventory levels across the region indicate a 3.6-month supply, which is consistent with the same time last year. However, this supply is higher than the historical average. Each area within Waterloo Region performed differently in April, highlighting the importance of partnering with a local REALTOR® who understands the distinct dynamics across the region.” – Bill Duce, Cornerstone CEO
Waterloo Region Area Highlights:
Waterloo Region home sales increased 14.0% month-over-month.
The number of newly listed properties increased by 27.8% on a month-over-month basis.
In Kitchener-Waterloo, the MLS® Home Price Index (HPI) increased by 0.1% month-over-month and declined 6.7% on a year-over-year basis. In Cambridge, the HPI increased by 1.5% month-over-month and was down 5.4% on a year-over-year basis.
The supply of inventory across the market decreased 5.0% on a year-over-year basis, resulting in a 3.6-month supply of all property types by the end of April, which was similar to levels reported in April 2025.
Waterloo Region Housing Statistics
Analyze the thriving Waterloo Region real estate market, home to leading tech companies, prestigious universities, and diverse communities. Our comprehensive statistics track this dynamic market across cities, townships, and property types. click on the Cornerstone Image to access full report
“Sales activity in March continued to rebound month-over-month but dipped slightly on a year-over-year basis. The month of March also saw important announcements from the Federal and Ontario governments to remove the HST from most new homes, reduce development charges, and simplify the approvals process. These measures should encourage buyers to consider the new home market and support long-term supply,” says Bill Duce, CEO of Cornerstone. “Removing these fees will help more buyers enter the market, but further solutions, such as a down payment assistance program or increasing the provincial land transfer tax rebate, are needed to get more first-time buyers into the market.”
If you are considering to SELL your home or BUY a home in the next short while,
it would be highly beneficial for you to connect with one of our Team Agents at
Do you want to know what your home is worth today? Click Below for our Online No Obligation Market Evaluation:
Waterloo Region February Statistics
“Waterloo Region is showing resilience with a significant monthly increase in sales, potentially renewing seller confidence. The stable prices from January to February in Kitchener-Waterloo and a slight uptick in Cambridge HPI could signal the bottoming out of price declines we’ve seen over the past year and reflect a market adapting and finding its footing despite broader economic pressure.” – Bill Duce, Cornerstone CEO
Waterloo Region Area Highlights:
Waterloo Region home sales increased 25.5% month-over-month.
The number of newly listed properties decreased 1.6% on a month-over-month basis.
In Kitchener-Waterloo, the MLS® Home Price Index (HPI) did not change month-over-month and declined 9.3% on a year-over-year basis. In Cambridge, the HPI increased 1.0% month-over-month and was down 8.2% on a year-over-year basis.
The supply of inventory across the market decreased 8.0% on a year-over-year basis, resulting in a 2.6-month supply of all property types by the end of February, which was the same level compared to February 2025.
Waterloo Region Housing Statistics
Analyze the thriving Waterloo Region real estate market, home to leading tech companies, prestigious universities, and diverse communities. Our comprehensive statistics track this dynamic market across cities, townships, and property types. click on the Cornerstone Image to access full report
MLS®, REALTOR®, and the associated logos are trademarks of The Canadian Real Estate Association.
The data included on this website is deemed to be reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate by the Kitchener-Waterloo Real Estate Board.
The trademarks REALTOR®, REALTORS® and the REALTOR® logo are controlled by The Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA)
and identify real estate professionals who are members of CREA. Used under license.
