If you are thinking about buying a home in Edmonton, whether that is next month or next year, 2025 offered some very clear lessons about what actually affects outcomes.

The biggest mistake I saw buyers make this year was not choosing the wrong time to buy.
It was waiting too long to start planning.

After eight years in real estate, more than 300 home sales across Edmonton, and leading the Iconic YEG Real Estate Team at RE/MAX Real Estate, I spent 2025 helping buyers navigate timing, competition, pricing, and risk. The buyers who did best were not the fastest. They were the most prepared. That pattern matters as we move into 2026.

Edmonton Buyer Market Snapshot (Single Family Homes, City Only)

Before getting into strategy, here is the context every buyer should understand about the Edmonton Real Estate Market in 2025.

• 12,036 single family homes sold in Edmonton in 2025

• Median days on market: 22

• 26.1 percent sold over list price

• 34.7 percent sold at or over list

This was not a market where everything was competitive.
It was a market where competition showed up in specific price ranges, seasons, and neighbourhoods.

When Is the Best Time to Buy a Home in Edmonton?

Spring Was the Most Competitive Period

March through May was the tightest window for buyers.

• March had the highest over-list activity, around 39 percent

• Median days on market dropped to about 15 days

• By December, only 11 percent sold over list and median days on market increased to 39 days

What this means for buyers in 2026

• Expect the most competition in spring

• Late summer and fall often provide more room to negotiate

• Spring buyers need financing, strategy, and decision clarity in place early

Which Price Range Was Most Competitive for Buyers?

The $400K–$600K Range Was the Pressure Zone

This is where the majority of buyers were active in 2025.

• $401K–$500K: 3,968 sales

• $501K–$600K: 2,693 sales

This is where multiple offers showed up most consistently.

Buyer guidance

• Below $500K, competition appears first and fastest

• Above $500K, buyers often have more room to be strategic

• Knowing which side of this line you are on matters

Where Homes Sold Over Asking Price in Edmonton

Homes selling over list price clustered in specific communities, not across the entire city.

Areas with consistent over-list activity included:

• Summerside

• Ottewell

• Chappelle Area

• Keswick

• The Hamptons

• Terwillegar Towne

• Alberta Avenue

• Klarvatten

What this means for buyers

If you are shopping in these areas, being “almost ready” can cost you.
Offer strategy matters more than speed.

Buying a Single Family Home Under $400K in Edmonton

Value still exists, but it clusters.

Communities with the most activity under $400K included:

• Alberta Avenue

• Parkdale

• Eastwood

• Montrose

• Calder

• Beverly Heights

• Kiniski Gardens

Buyer guidance

• This segment is sensitive to interest rate changes

• Condition, lot value, and inspection strategy matter more than finishes

• Planning ahead gives you leverage

Move-Up and Luxury Buyers: What Changed in 2025

Above $650K, the market became increasingly neighbourhood-specific.

• $650K–$749K: Keswick, Aster, Glenridding Ravine

• $750K–$999K: Keswick, Windermere, Westmount

• $1M plus: Windermere, Glenora, Parkview

Buyer guidance

Buyers at these levels are informed and selective.
Being clear on trade-offs matters more than urgency.

What I Focused on for Buyers in 2025

Being ready did not mean being rushed. It meant:

• Understanding financing early

• Reviewing documents and risk properly

• Knowing where competition actually existed

• Being comfortable walking away when something was not right

For condo buyers especially, document review is not a formality. It is a decision-making tool. I break down what actually matters and what to look for in Edmonton condo documents here:
👉 Condo Document Review in Edmonton: What Buyers Need to Know Before Purchasing

How Buyers Should Prepare for 2026

Start planning early.

Early planning also means understanding the buying process before pressure sets in. I have written a detailed guide that walks through what buyers need to know about rebates, programs, timelines, and realistic expectations when buying a home in Edmonton:
👉 Everything You Need to Know About Buying a Home in Edmonton in 2025

Understanding your price range, neighbourhood options, and competition before emotions enter the picture creates leverage. Leverage creates better decisions.

Before You Rely on Online Tools Alone

If you have been relying on generic online advice or AI tools to guide your decision-making, it is worth understanding what those tools miss when it comes to Edmonton real estate:
👉 What ChatGPT Doesn’t Tell You About Buying a Home in Edmonton

Who I Work Best With

I work best with buyers who value:

• Honest, direct advice

• Understanding the why behind decisions

• Calm guidance in high-stakes moments

• Realistic expectations and long-term thinking

If you are looking for pressure or shortcuts, I am likely not the right fit.

Final Thought for Buyers

The strongest buyers I worked with in 2025 were not rushing to win.
They were planning to choose well.

If you are thinking about buying in Edmonton in 2026, even if it still feels early, having a conversation sooner gives you clarity, options, and leverage. There is no obligation and no pressure. Just information, strategy, and an honest look at what makes sense for you.

When the right opportunity appears, being prepared changes everything.

Caitlin Heine
Iconic YEG Real Estate Team
RE/MAX Real Estate

Edmonton Leads the Nation in Real Estate Activity

While much of Canada is cooling, Edmonton is quietly leading the nation — not through speculation or hype, but through steady growth, affordability, and resilience.

According to RE/MAX Canada’s 2025 Fall Housing Market Update, Edmonton remains one of the country’s brightest real estate markets, defying national slowdowns thanks to affordability and interprovincial migration.

Even though resales are expected to decline about 4% year-over-year by the end of 2025, the market still favours sellers, with demand continuing to outpace supply — especially for well-priced, move-in-ready homes.

RE/MAX projects the average home price will rise about 6% by year’s end, reaching roughly $488,000. That’s a far cry from markets like Vancouver or Toronto, where single-family homes can exceed $1.9 million, making Edmonton one of the few major cities in Canada where homeownership remains within reach.

“Out-of-town buyers are still continuing to play a big role in Edmonton’s sales,” says Don Kottick, President of RE/MAX Canada. “We anticipate that will continue for the balance of the year.”

Affordability Is Edmonton’s Superpower

In a national market defined by high costs and hesitation, Edmonton stands out as Canada’s affordability success story.

With the average detached home at around $570,000, up roughly 4.5% year-over-year, Edmonton offers more value per square foot than almost anywhere else in the country.

That’s attracting buyers from Toronto, Vancouver, and even Calgary, where detached homes average $781,000.

This unique mix of high median incomes, lower cost of living, and steady employment makes Edmonton a magnet for families, first-time buyers, and investors seeking long-term stability.

Trends in the Edmonton Housing Market

The Edmonton housing market continues to evolve as one of Canada’s most balanced and opportunity-rich.

Market Outlook

• Average sale price: expected to rise 6%

• Number of sales: forecast to drop 4%

• Market type: remains a seller’s market, though balance is improving

While out-of-province buyers continue to drive demand, local families and couples are also stepping in with confidence. The city’s strong employment base and ongoing infrastructure development make Edmonton ideal for those seeking something lasting — not just a short-term investment.

Inventory & Buyer Behaviour

The biggest challenge right now? Not enough quality inventory that aligns with what buyers want. There are homes on the market, but many aren’t meeting modern expectations for updates, layout, or value.

At the same time, condos are beginning to sit longer, as a surge of new construction units comes online. Sellers holding firm on unrealistic pricing are finding that buyers are no longer willing to chase the market.

Still, urgency remains among those looking to buy before construction and renovation costs climb again — a lesson many remember from the post-pandemic years.

Iconic Neighbourhoods to Watch

• Gold Bar: A charming, established community with tree-lined streets, great schools, and proximity to the river valley. Buyers are drawn to its sense of stability and mid-century homes ready for modern updates.

• Prince Rupert: Gaining attention for its affordability and central location, with growing interest from buyers seeking character homes close to downtown and NAIT.

• Rundle Heights: Offering a balance between affordability and access to green space, this neighbourhood is ideal for first-time buyers and families who value parks, schools, and a strong community feel.

These central communities continue to attract a diverse mix of residents — from young professionals to retirees — all drawn to Edmonton’s authentic charm and long-term livability.

Edmonton’s Construction Boom: Building the City of Tomorrow

According to the CBC, Edmonton is building more homes than ever before — issuing over 15,000 building permits in 2024, the highest since 2005.

More than 75% of those permits were for communities between 41st Avenue SW and Anthony Henday Drive, including The Orchards, Keswick, and Chappelle.

That surge reflects Edmonton’s population growth of more than 100,000 people in just two years, a testament to its reputation as one of Canada’s most livable and affordable cities.

While much of the new housing is happening at the city’s southern edge, Mayor Amarjeet Sohi emphasizes that half of future growth should occur within established neighbourhoods — areas like Griesbach, which is leading redevelopment efforts with new mid- and high-density projects.

“I’m very proud of what we’ve achieved,” says Sohi. “But the need continues, and we need to build more.”

What It Means for Buyers and Sellers

For Buyers

• Act now while Edmonton remains one of Canada’s most affordable major markets.

• Explore growing communities like Keswick, Orchards, and Griesbach for long-term value.

• Watch interest rates — with the Bank of Canada expected to ease, affordability could improve through early 2026.

For Sellers

• Price strategically. Overpricing can cost valuable time in a market where buyers are data-savvy and discerning.

• Presentation matters. Homes that show well — staged, decluttered, and professionally marketed — continue to command premium offers.

• Timing is opportunity. Fall remains active as buyers aim to close before winter, with fewer listings creating a competitive edge.

Edmonton’s Strength Is Its Balance

While many cities are struggling to correct after years of rapid appreciation, Edmonton’s growth is measured, sustainable, and real.

The city continues to build, attract, and retain — offering buyers and sellers alike the rare opportunity to move confidently in a market that values both stability and opportunity.

For homeowners, investors, and newcomers alike, Edmonton isn’t just a great place to live — it’s a smart place to plant roots.

Work With the ICONIC YEG Team

At Iconic YEG, we don’t just sell homes — we help you build a future.
Whether you’re buying, selling, or investing, our team brings deep market insight, strategic marketing, and a people-first approach to every move.

Let’s make your next step an ICONIC one.

Connect with Caitlin Heine

Buying, selling, or just curious about where you fit in Edmonton’s changing market?
I’m here to help you make confident, informed moves — whether that’s finding your first home, listing your property, or exploring investment opportunities in central Edmonton.

Let’s talk about your next chapter.

Caitlin Heine

REALTOR® & CEO, Iconic YEG Real Estate Team
RE/MAX Real Estate

📍 200-10835 124 Street NW, Edmonton, AB T5M 0H4
📞 587-336-3176
📧 caitlin@iconicyeg.com
🌐 iconicyeg.com