Calgary Real Estate Market: December 2025 Update & My Outlook for 2026

As we head into the final stretch of 2025, a lot of people are asking me the same question:

“What is the Calgary real estate market going to look like in 2026?”

If you’d asked me a couple of months ago, I would’ve said, “Probably flat, maybe even a bit of a correction.” We had more inventory coming on, some segments softening—especially condos and certain new developments—and buyers were clearly cautious.

But recently, something important has shifted.

It’s not one single announcement or headline. It’s a change in confidence.

When enough buyers and sellers feel confident making decisions again, the market moves. And over the past several weeks, I’ve seen a noticeable pickup in showings, inquiries, offers, and accepted deals. That activity is giving me more optimism about how 2026 is shaping up.

The Numbers: A More Balanced Market

Let’s look at what I’m seeing in the data for November:

• Sales are down compared to 2024
  
• Inventory is up, giving buyers more choice
  
• Months of supply sits in that balanced zone where not everything sells—but good homes still do
  

On paper, that might sound a bit underwhelming. In reality, it’s what I’d call a “normal, healthy” market.

2024 was an unusually strong year. So when we compare 2025 to that, it can look like a slowdown. But if we zoom out and look at previous years, the level of activity we’re seeing right now isn’t a crash—it’s the market catching its breath and normalizing.

Higher inventory means:

• Buyers can be a bit more selective
  
• Some homes will sit, cancel, or expire
  
• Sellers need to be sharper on price, presentation, and marketing
  
  

But the sky is not falling. It’s just not the frenzy we got used to.

How Different Property Types Are Performing

Here’s how I’d break things down by segment:

Detached Homes

Detached homes are sitting in what I’d call a balanced range overall. Not everything is flying off the shelf, but well-priced, well-presented homes are moving.

The most active band I’m seeing continues to be that $600,000–$800,000 sweet spot. There’s still a solid pool of buyers here, and when a home in this range checks the boxes—location, condition, layout, and price—it gets attention.

Semi-Detached / Duplex

Semi-detached homes are a bit more uneven. In some inner-city pockets, especially where there’s been a lot of small-builder activity, we’re flirting with buyer’s market conditions.

There’s simply more choice, and buyers are very quick to spot:

• Poor layouts
  
• Rushed finishes
  
• Overly ambitious pricing
  

The well-designed, well-built product still sells. The rest tends to linger.

Condos

The condo segment is where the market feels most like a buyer’s market right now.

We’re seeing:

• Lots of inventory in certain buildings and areas
  
• More days on market
  
• A lower percentage of listings actually selling
  
  

For buyers, this is where some of the best value opportunities exist today. For sellers, it means you absolutely have to be realistic on price and very intentional about how your unit is positioned.

If You’re Thinking of Selling in 2026

For sellers, the message isn’t doom and gloom—it’s strategy.

In this type of market, there are really two kinds of listings:

1. The ones that are priced and presented properly and sell in a reasonable timeframe.
   
2. The ones that chase the market down, sit for months, and eventually cancel or expire.
   
   

If you’re planning to list in 2026, here’s what I’d focus on:

• Price: Anchor to what’s happening right now, not what a neighbour got at the peak or what you “need” to net.
  
• Condition: Small improvements—paint, lighting, minor repairs, decluttering—make a big difference in how buyers perceive value.
  
• Marketing: Professional photos, strong copy, video, social media, and smart digital targeting are no longer “nice to have”; they’re required if you want to stand out.
  
  

I’m happy to walk you through a custom plan if you’re wondering what it would take to get your home sold in this environment.

If You’re Thinking of Buying

If you’ve been waiting for things to “cool off” and become more balanced, this is the market you’ve been asking for.

Right now, you’re benefiting from:

• More selection than we’ve had in recent years
  
• Less urgency and fewer bidding wars
  
• Softness in certain segments, especially condos and some inner-city semis
  

That doesn’t mean you should drag your feet on good opportunities—desirable homes, in good locations, priced properly, still move. But it does mean you can be thoughtful, look at more than one option, and don’t have to make every decision in 24 hours.

My advice if you’re buying: get clear on your priorities (location vs. size vs. finish), get pre-approved, and be ready to act when the right fit appears.

Why I’m More Optimistic About 2026 Than I Was

A couple months back, my outlook for 2026 was much more cautious. I could easily have seen a flat year or even a bit of price pullback across more segments.

Now, I’m leaning toward cautious optimism, for a few reasons:

• Activity in late 2025 has been stronger than I’d normally expect
  
• We’re seeing balanced conditions in key segments—not a flood of distressed sellers
  
• Calgary and Alberta continue to have solid fundamentals tied to employment, migration, and investment
  

Could we see pockets of softness? Absolutely—especially in overbuilt or oversupplied segments. But assuming no major external shocks, I like how the market is setting up.

Let’s Talk About Your 2026 Plan

Every property and every situation is a little different. National headlines and even city-wide stats can only tell you so much.

If you’re:

• Thinking about selling in 2026
  
• Wondering whether to move up, downsize, or buy your first place
  
• Curious about opportunities in the condo or luxury market
  
  

…I’d be happy to sit down with you, go over the numbers that actually apply to your home or your target area, and build a plan that makes sense.

If you’d like a personalized market review or want to know what your home could realistically sell for in today’s market, get in touch anytime.