Understanding real estate inventory levels, or Months of Inventory (M.O.I.), is crucial because it can significantly influence your decision when buying or selling property. It is important to grasp the reasons behind its importance in the real estate landscape.
SUMMARY!
February’s data showed a slight rise in Months of Inventory (MOI) across several Red Deer communities, which initially suggested that inventory levels might begin trending higher in early 2026. However, early March numbers tell a slightly different story. Most communities are now showing lower inventory again, indicating that supply remains tight. A couple of the smaller surrounding towns did see modest increases, but the changes were minor. Overall, while there were early signs that inventory might begin building this year, the most recent data suggests the market is still operating with relatively limited supply
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To foster “normal growth” in a real estate market, it’s essential to maintain months of inventory (M.O.I.) rates below the 5-month range. Please scroll down for this month’s inventory rates across Central Alberta.
When buying or selling a property, it’s essential to consider the local inventory levels. This is key information, especially if you’re thinking of selling your home. If there are many homes for sale, prices typically remain the same or decrease. But if there are fewer homes available, they tend to sell quickly, which can drive prices up.
(Seller’s market) with an inventory rate below 3.8 months of inventory
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(Balanced market) with inventory between 3.8-4.2 months of inventory
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(Buyer’s market) level A (4.3 – 5.9 months of inventory)
(Buyer’s market) level B (6 – 7.2 m.o.i.)
(Buyer’s market) extreme (7.3+ m.o.i.)
Here are the overall for-sale inventory levels in Red Deer and towns across Central Alberta. The average number of homes sold monthly is calculated based on the last 60 days of sales.
Red Deer, AB (inventory of *detached homes)
| Date 2026 | Jan 05 | Feb 11 | Mar 5 | Apr | May | June | July | Aug | Sept | Oct | Nov | Dec |
| properties currently for sale | 122 | 112 | 128 | |||||||||
| avg # of homes selling ea. month | 50 | 53.5 | 71.5 | |||||||||
| M.O.I. in Red Deer* | 2.4 | 2.1 | 1.8 |
Red Deer, AB (for sale inventory overall)
| Date 2026 | Jan 05 | Feb 11 | Mar 5 | Apr | May | June | July | Aug | Sept | Oct | Nov | Dec |
| properties currently for sale | 177 | 180 | 212 | |||||||||
| avg # of homes selling ea. month | 82.5 | 83.5 | 108.5 | |||||||||
| M.O.I. in Red Deer* | 2.1 | 2.2 | 1.95 |
(SELLER’S MARKET)with an inventory rate below 3.9 months!
After Jan 05, with higher inventory numbers, I thought we might see levels stay above 2 M.O.I.
Sylvan Lake, AB (for sale inventory overall)
| Date 2026 | Jan 05 | Feb 11 | Mar 5 | Apr | May | June | July | Aug | Sept | Oct | Nov | Dec |
| properties currently for sale | 75 | 74 | 94 | |||||||||
| avg # of homes selling ea. month | 23 | 18.5 | 25 | |||||||||
| M.O.I. in Red Deer* | 3.3 | 4 | 3.8 |
(SELLER’S MARKET)with an inventory rate below 3.9 months!
Sylvan Lake generally isn’t as active as other towns in Central Ab. Spring sees more buyers.
Penhold/Springbrook, Ab (for sale inventory overall)
| Date 2026 | Jan 05 | Feb 11 | Mar 5 | Apr | May | June | July | Aug | Sept | Oct | Nov | Dec |
| properties currently for sale | 11 | 12 | 15 | |||||||||
| avg # of homes selling ea. month | 9 | 7 | 7.5 | |||||||||
| M.O.I. in Red Deer* | 1.2 | 1.7 | 2 |
(SELLER’S MARKET)with an inventory rate below 3.9 months!
2 Months of Inventory is higher than before, but still at seller’s market levels.
Blackfalds, AB (for sale inventory overall)
| Date 2026 | Jan 05 | Feb 11 | Mar 5 | Apr | May | June | July | Aug | Sept | Oct | Nov | Dec |
| properties currently for sale | 28 | 35 | 29 | |||||||||
| avg # of homes selling ea. month | 18 | 17 | 22 | |||||||||
| M.O.I. in Red Deer* | 1.6 | 2.1 | 1.3 |
SELLER’S MARKET)with an inventory rate below 3.9 months!
Very low inventory in Blackfalds right now.
Lacombe, AB (for sale inventory overall)
| Date 2026 | Jan 05 | Feb 11 | Mar 5 | Apr | May | June | July | Aug | Sept | Oct | Nov | Dec |
| properties currently for sale | 36 | 42 | 41 | |||||||||
| avg # of homes selling ea. month | 8.5 | 9.5 | 12.5 | |||||||||
| M.O.I. in Red Deer* | 4.2 | 4.4 | 3.3 |
(SELLER’S MARKET)with an inventory rate below 3.9 months!
Another town with surprising inventory levels after some higher months at the start of the year.
Innisfail, AB (for sale inventory overall)
| Date 2026 | Jan 05 | Feb 11 | Mar 5 | Apr | May | June | July | Aug | Sept | Oct | Nov | Dec |
| properties currently for sale | 21 | 20 | 23 | |||||||||
| avg # of homes selling ea. month | 9.5 | 8 | 11 | |||||||||
| M.O.I. in Red Deer* | 2.2 | 2.5 | 2.1 |
(SELLER’S MARKET)with an inventory rate below 3.9 months!
“Seller’s market” still in Innisfail, Alberta. Another community we thought might see higher inventory.
Rocky Mountain House (for sale inventory overall)
| Date 2026 | Jan 05 | Feb 11 | Mar 5 | Apr | May | June | July | Aug | Sept | Oct | Nov | Dec |
| properties currently for sale | 15 | 16 | 14 | |||||||||
| avg # of homes selling ea. month | 5 | 3.5 | 5 | |||||||||
| M.O.I. in Red Deer* | 3 | 4.6 | 2.8 |
(SELLER’S MARKET)with an inventory rate below 3.9 months!
Rocky Mountain House, Alberta, inventory hit buyer market levels, but back to seller’s market in March.
Ponoka, AB (for sale inventory overall)
| Date 2026 | Jan 05 | Feb 11 | Mar 5 | Apr | May | June | July | Aug | Sept | Oct | Nov | Dec |
| properties currently for sale | 8 | 12 | 16 | |||||||||
| avg # of homes selling ea. month | 9 | 6.5 | 8 | |||||||||
| M.O.I. in Red Deer* | 0.9 | 1.8 | 2 |
SELLER’S MARKET)with an inventory rate below 3.9 months!
Another community keeps lower inventory numbers in the second month.
Stettler, AB (for sale inventory overall)
| Date 2026 | Jan 05 | Feb 11 | Mar 5 | Apr | May | June | July | Aug | Sept | Oct | Nov | Dec |
| properties currently for sale | 13 | 15 | 15 | |||||||||
| avg # of homes selling ea. month | 4.5 | 1.5 | 2.5 | |||||||||
| M.O.I. in Red Deer* | 2.9 | 10 | 6 |
SELLER’S MARKET)with an inventory rate below 3.9 months!
Stettler, Ab, sees super high inventory levels because of low purchase activity.
Homes can sell in any market, but the crucial factor is pricing. If you list your property even slightly too high, it risks lingering on the market indefinitely, especially if home prices aren’t increasing. Allowing your home to remain ‘for sale’ for months can harm its current and future value.
Blake King manages iOnRealEstate.ca, catering to Central Albertans eager to stay informed about the local real estate market. Access to more information enhances decision-making, and when dealing with an asset as significant as your home, it becomes crucial to strive for the best possible decisions!
Blake King
Big Earth Realty
(403) 350-7672