Sabrina's Blog

If you’re wondering whether 2026 is a good time to buy a home in Calgary, you are not alone. Many buyers are watching interest rates, inventory levels, and home prices closely before making a move.

The short answer? It depends on your situation, but for many buyers, 2026 could offer a great opportunity.
Let’s break it down clearly.

What Is Happening in the Calgary Real Estate Market in 2026?

The Calgary real estate market has shifted from the intense seller’s market conditions we saw in previous years, to a more balanced market. While demand remains steady, inventory levels are improving in many segments. For a full indepth read about the Calgary market, the Calgary Real Estate Board came out with their FORECAST (click here). 

In short, here’s what we’re seeing:

• More balanced conditions in certain price ranges

• Stabilizing home prices in some communities

• Buyers having slightly more negotiating power than before

• Continued population growth supporting long-term demand

• (Downtown) Condo market softening

Overall this means as a buyer that you have more choice and typically a bit more time to decide if the home that you are looking at, is the right one for you. The crazy demand of previous years, often resulted in multiple offer scenarios. Quite nerve wracking as a buyer and many lost out on many homes. 

Calgary continues to attract interprovincial migration thanks to relative affordability compared to markets like Toronto and Vancouver.

Are Calgary Home Prices Expected to Drop in 2026?

This is one of the most searched questions and not always easy to answer!
While minor price adjustments can happen in specific segments, most forecasts do not suggest a major crash. Instead, we’re seeing:

• Moderate price growth or stabilization

• Strong demand in entry-level and detached homes

• Increased competition for well-priced properties

• Condo market softening with some price decreases

Trying to time the absolute bottom of the market is extremely difficult. The better question is whether buying makes sense for your financial goals.

How Do Interest Rates Affect Buying in 2026?

Interest rates play a major role in affordability. If rates soften or stabilize, buyers may regain purchasing power. However, lower rates often bring more competition back into the market.
The higher rates over the past several years have come down and seem to be stabilizing. Overall a great opportunity to take advantage of these (lower) rates.
Every situation is different, which is why reviewing your numbers carefully matters.

Who Should Consider Buying in 2026?

2026 may be a good time to buy in Calgary if:

• You plan to stay in the home for 5+ years

• You have stable income and manageable debt

• You want to lock in housing costs instead of renting

• You’re upsizing, downsizing, or relocating

If you’re buying purely to “flip” short-term, market timing becomes much more important. It does not always makes sense right now to do this unless you have a strong plan in place.

Is 2026 a Good Time to Sell in Calgary?

If you’re also wondering about selling, properly priced homes are still moving. Detached Homes in desirable communities and within realistic price ranges continue to attract serious buyers. Preparation, pricing, and marketing matter more than ever in a more balanced market.
If you are selling in the condo market, a well researched marketing strategy and realistic pricing is more important than ever. This market has quite a substantial supply and standing out on condition, location and price is a key marketing strategy. 

Final Thoughts: Is 2026 a Good Time to Buy a Home in Calgary?

The Calgary real estate market in 2026 is no longer a strong sellers market , and that can be a good thing. For the first time in years we are seeing some buyers successfully negotiate a sale of buyers home condition to their offer. Upsizing became a lot more palatable. It’s more strategic. More balanced. More thoughtful.

For the right buyer, with the right plan, 2026 can absolutely be a smart time to purchase a home in Calgary.

If you’re unsure, the best next step isn’t guessing, it’s running the numbers and understanding your options. I would love to sit down with you to help you out with this. Help you gain a full understanding on what this looks like for you. 

About the Author

Sabrina Stevenson is an award-winning Calgary REALTOR® with over 18 years of experience helping families buy and sell homes across the city & surrounding areas. A member of Royal LePage Benchmark, Sabrina brings both professional insight and personal perspective as a parent of three.  Contact her to discuss the best communities for you to buy in when considering buying in Calgary. 

We’re continuing to see the real estate market trend I’ve highlighted in recent updates carry into early 2026. The January 2026 CREB statistics point to a slower start for Calgary’s high-density housing market. Condo and townhouse sales have been quieter, while inventory levels in these segments continue to rise.
As we move further into 2026, this growing supply is expected to remain a key market trend, putting ongoing downward pressure on condo and townhome prices. For sellers, this reinforces the importance of pricing strategically and staying informed on current market conditions.
For buyers, this shift creates opportunity. Some prices are beginning to trend down, improving affordability in the condo and townhome market. Higher inventory also means more choice, allowing buyers to be more selective and confident in their decisions.

If you’re considering a move-up home (upsizing to get more space) or have questions about buying or selling in today’s Calgary real estate market, I’m always happy to help, you can contact me here. Please find the media release of CREB for January 2026 below. Sabrina

CREB Media Release: January 2026 Housing Market Update

Calgary, Alberta, Feb. 2, 2026 – Calgary reported 1,234 sales in January, a year-over-year decline of 15 per cent, but in line with typical levels of activity for the month. While sales declined across all property types, the steepest declines occurred in higher-density homes. 

“Following the typical December slowdown, potential buyers for high-density homes were more hesitant to return to the market in January, as increased supply choice across all aspects of the market has reduced the sense of urgency,” said Ann-Marie Lurie, CREB®’s Chief Economist. “At the same time, sellers were quick to bring their listings onto the market, causing the sales-to-new-listings ratio to drop to 44 per cent, mostly due to shifts in apartment and row-style homes. Overall, this is not entirely uncommon for January, as both buyers and sellers weigh their options ahead of the spring market.” 

The rise in new listings compared to sales caused inventory levels to increase to 4,391 units, the highest January level since 2020. However, as with sales, conditions vary by property type, with row and apartment homes facing higher levels of inventory compared to long-term trends. The result is months of supply that ranges from under three months in the detached sector to five months for apartment-style homes. 

Due to declines in the later part of 2025, benchmark prices are lower than levels reported at the start of last year. However, seasonally adjusted figures point to stable levels in January compared to the end of 2025. Nonetheless, year-over-year total residential benchmark prices have declined by nearly five per cent, as steep declines reported in the oversupplied row- and apartment-style homes weighed on total residential prices compared to last year.

Detached

There were 657 sales and 1,243 new listings in January, comparable to levels reported last year. However, new listings did rise over December levels, causing inventories to reach 1,753 units, just shy of long-term averages for the month. With less than three months of supply and a sales-to-new-listings ratio of 53 per cent, conditions remained relatively balanced in the detached market. 

The January unadjusted benchmark price was $724,000, slightly lower than the previous month and over three per cent lower than last January, as prices trended down over the second half of 2025. Price movements varied throughout the city, with year-over-year declines ranging from less than one per cent in the West district to over six per cent lower in the North East. While unadjusted prices did ease over December, this was mostly due to pullbacks in the City Centre and North West districts.

Semi-Detached

There were 118 sales in January and 251 new listings, representing 10 per cent of the market activity in the city. While both sales and new listings improved over December, the growth in new listings was higher, causing the sales-to-new-listings ratio to ease to 47 per cent. Inventory levels improved but conditions remained relatively balanced, with three and a half months of supply.  

Rising supply, which started in the latter part of 2025 and continues into 2026, is creating more price stability. As of January, the benchmark price was $667,000, similar to last month and only one per cent lower than last January. Year-over-year prices in both the North West and West districts remain higher than last year but are lower in every other district.

Row

There were 186 sales in January, down by nearly 25 per cent compared to last year. Meanwhile, supply continued to rise both in terms of new listings and inventory growth, causing the months of supply to push above four months. 

Despite the added supply, the unadjusted benchmark price remained similar to December's levels, but was five per cent lower than last January. The month-over-month stability was due to gains in the City Centre and West districts. Year-over-year price adjustments have been the highest in the North East and East districts, followed by the North and South East districts, which have faced significant competition from the new-home market. 

Apartment Condominium

Apartment-style units continue to struggle with supply. New listings reached 787 units, which is not as high as last year but a significant jump over December and much higher than the 273 sales reported in January, pushing the sales-to-new-listings ratio down to 35 per cent. This drove further gains in inventory, which reached 1,435 units, the highest levels ever reported for January. 

With over five months of supply in January, it is not surprising that prices trended down further. The unadjusted benchmark price was $301,200, nearly one per cent lower than the previous month and eight per cent lower than last January. Prices have been falling across every district, with year-over-year declines ranging from 13 per cent in the North East to six per cent in the City Centre.

REGIONAL MARKET FACTS

Airdrie

While down from last January, sales activity remained relatively strong. With 106 sales and 227 new listings, the sales-to-new-listings ratio dropped to 47 per cent, slightly lower than typical for January. This resulted in some further gains in inventory levels, keeping the months of supply just above three months and in line with long-term trends. The unadjusted benchmark price was $513,900, reporting a modest monthly gain consistent with seasonal trends. However, thanks to pullbacks last year, prices remain five per cent lower than levels reported in January 2025.  

Cochrane

New listings rose to 149 units, the highest level ever reported in January. With only 54 sales, the sales-to-new-listings ratio dropped to 36 per cent, causing inventories to rise and keeping months of supply at five months. After several months of slightly higher months of supply, prices have trended down on a month-over-month basis for three consecutive months. As of January, the unadjusted benchmark price was $550,800, nearly two per cent lower than both December and the start of last year.

Okotoks

Okotoks continues to struggle with lower inventory levels compared to long-term trends, limiting sales activity. January reported 33 sales and 52 new listings, resulting in a sales-to-new-listings ratio of 63 per cent and keeping inventory levels low at 79 units. The months of supply remained just above two months, and prices remained relatively unchanged compared with the previous month. However, thanks to some price adjustments last year, the total residential benchmark price of $599,500 in January was two per cent lower than levels reported last year.

If you’re considering making a move or have questions about buying or selling in today’s Calgary real estate market, I’m always happy to help, you can contact me here. Sabrina