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!
Central Alberta remains in a seller’s market, but we are starting to see signs of a shift. Compared to the same time last year, sales activity has only slowed slightly, while the number of new listings has increased noticeably. If this trend continues over the next few months, inventory levels should continue improving, and the market could move toward a more balanced market – with the possibility of buyer-favoured conditions developing by the end of the year.
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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 1 | May 13 | June | July | Aug | Sept | Oct | Nov | Dec |
| properties currently for sale | 122 | 112 | 128 | 129 | 182 | |||||||
| avg # of homes selling ea. month | 50 | 53.5 | 71.5 | 78.5 | 93 | |||||||
| M.O.I. in Red Deer* | 2.4 | 2.1 | 1.8 | 1.6 | 2 |
Red Deer, AB (for sale inventory overall)
| Date 2026 | Jan 05 | Feb 11 | Mar 5 | Apr 1 | May 13 | June | July | Aug | Sept | Oct | Nov | Dec |
| properties currently for sale | 177 | 180 | 212 | 218 | 280 | |||||||
| avg # of homes selling ea. month | 82.5 | 83.5 | 108.5 | 128 | 157 | |||||||
| M.O.I. in Red Deer* | 2.1 | 2.2 | 2 | 1.7 | 1.8 |
(SELLER’S MARKET)with an inventory rate below 3.9 months!
Inventory numbers under 2 M.O.I. still. It could remain a seller’s market in Red Deer for a while.
Sylvan Lake, AB (for sale inventory overall)
| Date 2026 | Jan 05 | Feb 11 | Mar 5 | Apr 1 | May 13 | June | July | Aug | Sept | Oct | Nov | Dec |
| properties currently for sale | 75 | 74 | 94 | 99 | 95 | |||||||
| avg # of homes selling ea. month | 23 | 18.5 | 25 | 34.5 | 47.5 | |||||||
| M.O.I. in Red Deer* | 3.3 | 4 | 3.8 | 2.9 | 2 |
(SELLER’S MARKET)with an inventory rate below 3.9 months!
Sylvan Lake sees higher inventory numbers at the start of the year, but see how it tightens up in the Spring
Penhold/Springbrook, Ab (for sale inventory overall)
| Date 2026 | Jan 05 | Feb 11 | Mar 5 | Apr 1 | May 13 | June | July | Aug | Sept | Oct | Nov | Dec |
| properties currently for sale | 11 | 12 | 15 | 15 | 16 | |||||||
| avg # of homes selling ea. month | 9 | 7 | 7.5 | 8.5 | 7.5 | |||||||
| M.O.I. in Red Deer* | 1.2 | 1.7 | 2 | 1.8 | 2.1 |
(SELLER’S MARKET)with an inventory rate below 3.9 months!
Penhold/Springbrook follows Red Deer most of the time. The same number of listings in May this year, but more sales last May.
Blackfalds, AB (for sale inventory overall)
| Date 2026 | Jan 05 | Feb 11 | Mar 5 | Apr 1 | May 13 | June | July | Aug | Sept | Oct | Nov | Dec |
| properties currently for sale | 28 | 35 | 29 | 34 | 47 | |||||||
| avg # of homes selling ea. month | 18 | 17 | 22 | 22.5 | 21 | |||||||
| M.O.I. in Red Deer* | 1.6 | 2.1 | 1.3 | 1.5 | 2.2 |
SELLER’S MARKET)with an inventory rate below 3.9 months!
Very low inventory in Blackfalds, Alberta, still. Fewer listings this month than the same month last year, but sales are a little slower, too.
Lacombe, AB (for sale inventory overall)
| Date 2026 | Jan 05 | Feb 11 | Mar 5 | Apr 1 | May 13 | June | July | Aug | Sept | Oct | Nov | Dec |
| properties currently for sale | 36 | 42 | 41 | 45 | 57 | |||||||
| avg # of homes selling ea. month | 8.5 | 9.5 | 12.5 | 14.5 | 18.5 | |||||||
| M.O.I. in Red Deer* | 4.2 | 4.4 | 3.3 | 3.1 | 3.1 |
(SELLER’S MARKET)with an inventory rate below 3.9 months!
Higher inventory than some other local communities, but maybe a healthier market is being closer to balanced.
Innisfail, AB (for sale inventory overall)
| Date 2026 | Jan 05 | Feb 11 | Mar 5 | Apr 1 | May 13 | June | July | Aug | Sept | Oct | Nov | Dec |
| properties currently for sale | 21 | 20 | 23 | 24 | 25 | |||||||
| avg # of homes selling ea. month | 9.5 | 8 | 11 | 13 | 10 | |||||||
| M.O.I. in Red Deer* | 2.2 | 2.5 | 2.1 | 1.8 | 2.5 |
(SELLER’S MARKET)with an inventory rate below 3.9 months!
“Seller’s market” still in Innisfail, Alberta, but it is above 2 m.o.i 4 of the 5 months this year.
Rocky Mountain House (for sale inventory overall)
| Date 2026 | Jan 05 | Feb 11 | Mar 5 | Apr 1 | May 13 | June | July | Aug | Sept | Oct | Nov | Dec |
| properties currently for sale | 15 | 16 | 14 | 12 | 26 | |||||||
| avg # of homes selling ea. month | 5 | 3.5 | 5 | 7.5 | 9 | |||||||
| M.O.I. in Red Deer* | 3 | 4.6 | 2.8 | 1.6 | 2.9 |
(SELLER’S MARKET)with an inventory rate below 3.9 months!
Rocky Mountain House, Alberta, inventory increases to a more normal number in May.
Ponoka, AB (for sale inventory overall)
| Date 2026 | Jan 05 | Feb 11 | Mar 5 | Apr 1 | May 13 | June | July | Aug | Sept | Oct | Nov | Dec |
| properties currently for sale | 8 | 12 | 16 | 29 | 33 | |||||||
| avg # of homes selling ea. month | 9 | 6.5 | 8 | 8 | 11 | |||||||
| M.O.I. in Red Deer* | 0.9 | 1.8 | 2 | 3.6 | 3 |
SELLER’S MARKET)with an inventory rate below 3.9 months!
Ponoka, Alberta, real estate inventory numbers nudge closer to a balanced market but dip a bit in May.
Stettler, AB (for sale inventory overall)
| Date 2026 | Jan 05 | Feb 11 | Mar 5 | Apr 1 | May 13 | June | July | Aug | Sept | Oct | Nov | Dec |
| properties currently for sale | 13 | 15 | 15 | 13 | 17 | |||||||
| avg # of homes selling ea. month | 4.5 | 1.5 | 2.5 | 4 | 7 | |||||||
| M.O.I. in Red Deer* | 2.9 | 10 | 6 | 3.3 | 2.4 |
SELLER’S MARKET)with an inventory rate below 3.9 months!
Stettler AB looked bad in Feb and Mar but is in a healthier spot now still.
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