Calgary Real Estate: Strong Momentum Building Toward a Promising 2026

The Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA) has released updated housing market forecasts that paint an encouraging picture for Calgary’s real estate future, despite a transitional 2025 marked by economic uncertainty and shifting buyer sentiment.

Understanding the National Landscape

According to CREA’s October 16 report, Canada’s housing market experienced an unexpected detour in early 2025. What began as a promising recovery year fueled by pent-up demand and lower interest rates hit a temporary speed bump when tariff chaos and economic uncertainty sent many buyers back to the sidelines. British Columbia and Ontario felt the most significant impact, with activity declining and prices experiencing additional downward pressure.

However, the story doesn’t end there. Since March 2025, home sales activity has been climbing steadily upward, suggesting that buyer interest wasn’t eliminated, just delayed. CREA now forecasts 473,093 residential properties will trade hands across Canadian MLS® Systems in 2025, representing a modest 1.1% decline from 2024. The national average home price is projected at $676,705, down 1.4% year-over-year.

What This Means for Calgary’s Real Estate Market

Here’s where the news gets particularly exciting for Calgary: while provinces like British Columbia and Ontario are experiencing price declines, most other provinces, including Alberta, are seeing price gains ranging from 4% to 8% in 2025.

Calgary continues to stand out as a market with strong fundamentals. Our city’s relative affordability compared to Vancouver and Toronto, combined with robust economic diversification beyond the energy sector, positions us favorably in the current landscape. The brief pause in buyer activity earlier this year has created opportunities for well-positioned buyers, while sellers continue to benefit from Calgary’s competitive market conditions.

2026: The Return to Momentum

The real excitement lies in CREA’s 2026 forecast. National home sales are expected to rebound by 7.7% to 509,479 transactions, the highest level since 2021. Historically, national sales have only exceeded the half-million mark seven times, with the first occurrence in 2007, making this a significant milestone.

The national average home price is forecast to increase by 3.2% to $698,622 in 2026, marking the sixth consecutive year where prices hover around the $700,000 range, a sign of market stability and maturation.

For Calgary, this national upward momentum bodes exceptionally well. As buyers who sat on the sidelines in early 2025 re-enter the market, Calgary’s value proposition becomes even more compelling. Our city offers:

• Affordability advantages compared to Canada’s most expensive markets
• Economic growth driven by diverse industries including technology, finance, and energy
• Quality of life that attracts both interprovincial and international migrants
• Strong rental market fundamentals supporting investment property demand

The Silver Lining of Uncertainty

CREA acknowledges that forecasts remain subject to higher-than-normal uncertainty levels, though conditions have stabilized considerably since the first half of 2025. For Calgary buyers and sellers, this environment actually presents opportunities:

For Buyers: The temporary market softness in early 2025 created windows of opportunity that savvy purchasers leveraged. As momentum builds into 2026, those who position themselves now may benefit before competition intensifies further.

For Sellers: Calgary’s resilient market conditions mean that well-priced, quality properties continue to attract strong interest. The building momentum toward 2026 suggests that sellers who list strategically can capitalize on improving market sentiment.

For Investors: Calgary’s combination of positive price growth, strong rental demand, and relative affordability makes it an attractive market for long-term real estate investment.

Looking Ahead with Confidence

The delayed but not derailed recovery that CREA describes mirrors what many of us have observed in Calgary’s neighborhoods. The fundamentals supporting our market remain strong: population growth, economic diversification, and lifestyle appeal continue to draw people to our city.

While early 2025 tested buyer confidence, the steady climb since March demonstrates the underlying strength and resilience of Calgary’s real estate market. As we move into 2026 with forecast gains in both activity and prices, Calgary is well-positioned to outperform many other Canadian markets.

The key takeaway? Calgary’s real estate market is entering a phase of renewed momentum, supported by solid fundamentals and recovering buyer confidence. Whether you’re considering buying your first home, upgrading to accommodate a growing family, or exploring investment opportunities, the outlook for Calgary real estate remains decidedly positive.

Source: Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA), “CREA Updates Resale Housing Market Forecasts for 2025 and 2026,” October 16, 2025.