If you’ve been waiting for the right moment to enter the Edmonton real estate market, your patience may be about to pay off. The busy summer season is behind us, and a unique set of factors is aligning to create a promising window for homebuyers.

While many people press pause on their property search as the temperature drops, savvy buyers understand that the current market offers distinct advantages. Here’s a factual look at what’s happening in Edmonton and why it could be the right time for your move.

1. Good News on the Interest Rate Front

The most significant factor in affordability has just shifted in buyers' favour.

On October 29, 2025, the Bank of Canada cut its key policy rate by 25 basis points to 2.25%. This was the second consecutive rate cut, signaling a clear move toward easing borrowing costs.

• What this means for you: This cut is already causing banks to lower their prime rates. This directly impacts variable-rate mortgages and can improve affordability on new fixed-rate mortgages. Even a small reduction in interest rates can save you thousands of dollars over the life of your loan and lower your monthly payments, giving your budget more breathing room.

2. More Choice: Inventory is Up Significantly

One of the biggest frustrations for buyers over the last few years has been a lack of options. That trend has officially reversed.

According to the latest 2025 market reports from the REALTORS® Association of Edmonton, the number of active listings has seen a major increase.

• By the numbers: At the end of September, total inventory (the number of homes for sale) in the Greater Edmonton Area was up 25.6% compared to the same time last year.

• What this means for you: More choice means less competition. Instead of the high-pressure bidding wars that defined previous markets, buyers now have more "breathing room" to view properties, make thoughtful decisions, and negotiate. This is a shift toward a more balanced market, where buyers have more power.

3. The Surprising Advantages of a Winter Move

Don't let the Edmonton winter deter you. Moving during the colder months offers strategic benefits that you simply can't get in the spring or summer.

• See a Home’s True "Winter-Readiness": This is a huge advantage in our climate. When you view a home in winter, you get to see how it really performs. You can feel for drafts, check the window insulation, and see how well the furnace keeps up. You'll also see how the property handles snow and ice—valuable information you can't get in July.

• Less Competition from Other Buyers: The market is traditionally quieter in the winter. With fewer buyers competing for the same properties, you have a much better chance of securing your dream home at a good price and on your terms.

• More Motivated Sellers: Sellers who list their homes between November and February are often doing so out of necessity—perhaps for a job relocation or a change in family circumstances. This motivation can make them more open to negotiation on price, closing dates, and other terms.

• Better Availability for Services: Moving companies, home inspectors, and lawyers are in their off-season. This often translates into lower moving costs, more flexible scheduling, and potentially faster closing times as professionals have more availability.

The Takeaway

The market is currently presenting a rare opportunity. We have a fresh interest rate cut improving affordability, a significant jump in inventory giving you more choice, and the strategic advantages of a winter purchase.

If you’re ready to explore your options, this is the time to act.

Interest rates are coming down, Canada lowered rates by 25 basis points bringing the policy rate to 3%. What does this mean for you as a buyer? The cost to mortgage your home will cost you less each month, you’ll have more money to put towards other expenses & a lower overall cost of living. 

The Edmonton housing market is still one of the most affordable markets in Canada, but that’s slowly changing. While as recently as December we were in a strong sellers market with a ratio of 104% of sales to new listings, we’ve since started to recover and we’re now in a 65% ratio of sales to new listings, meaning we have far more options for home buyers. Our market is heated up with no signs of slowing down, word has spread across the country of our affordability, and it's evident with the buyers we’re seeing today.

In December 2024, Edmonton saw 1.13K properties sold, marking a 25.14% increase compared to December 2023.
For the year-to-date (YTD) 2024, there were 20.4K sold properties, a significant 26.73% increase from the previous year.

Tariff Questions? The U.S. tariffs could impact Alberta's housing market in several key ways:

1. Higher Construction Costs

• Tariffs on building materials: The U.S. has imposed tariffs on Canadian lumber, steel, and aluminum—key materials in home construction. This could drive up the cost of new homes as builders pass the higher costs onto buyers.

• Uncertainty in pricing: Developers may struggle to forecast costs, leading to project delays or increased pre-construction pricing.

2. Reduced Housing Affordability

• Higher construction costs mean more expensive homes, which could push some buyers out of the market.

• First-time homebuyers, already dealing with rising interest rates, may face additional affordability challenges.

3. Slower Housing Development

• With higher costs and economic uncertainty, some developers may delay or cancel projects, reducing the supply of new homes.

• A slowdown in new builds could further strain the market, especially as Alberta continues to experience strong population growth.

4. Broader Economic Effects

• Impact on Alberta’s economy: Sectors like manufacturing and energy, which rely on U.S. trade, could also be affected. A slowdown in these industries could lead to job losses, reducing homebuyer demand.

• Inflationary pressures: Higher costs of goods and services, including household items and renovations, could put financial strain on homeowners.

5. Potential Government Response

• The federal and provincial governments may introduce incentives, subsidies, or tax relief measures to offset the impact on builders and buyers.

• Industry groups are already pushing for policy adjustments to ease the burden on the housing sector.

In summary, U.S. tariffs could make Alberta’s housing market more expensive and less accessible, with ripple effects across the economy. Buyers, builders, and policymakers will need to adapt to these challenges in the months ahead.