A summary analysis of Calgary, Cochrane, and Airdrie residential real estate sales and housing market for October 2023.

Courtesy of CREB®

Updated November 15, 2023

Residential real estate sales in October were seasonally robust in Calgary, but less so in Cochrane, and Airdrie. Housing inventories remain tight in October particularly in the more affordable housing options.

Calgary Housing Market for October 2023

October sales activity in Calgary and area slowed over the last month in alignment with typical seasonal patterns. However, with 2,171 sales, levels were 17 per cent higher than last year and amongst the highest levels reported for October. Sales activity has been boosted mainly through gains in apartment condominium sales as consumers seek affordable housing options during this period of high-interest rates.

New listings also improved this month compared to last year, reaching 2,684 units, reflecting the highest October levels reported since 2015. Despite the gain, relatively strong sales prevented any significant shift in inventory levels, which remain over 40 per cent lower than levels traditionally available in October.

“Despite some recent improvements in new listings, supply levels remain challenging in our market,” said CREB® Chief Economist Ann-Marie Lurie. It will take some time to see a shift toward more balanced conditions and ultimately more price stability.”

With a months of supply of one and a half months, we continue to experience upward pressure on home prices. The unadjusted benchmark price in October reached $571,600, a gain over last month and nearly 10 per cent higher than last October.

Airdrie Housing Market for October 2023

Sales in the city eased in October, contributing to the year-to-date decline of 29 per cent. Much of the decline has been driven by detached home sales. Limited supply choice in the lower price ranges has contributed to some steep drop in home sales priced below $500,000. While Inventory levels have improved over last year’s low levels, the growth was driven by homes priced above $500,000.
 
While adjustments in both sales and inventory levels did cause the months of supply to trend up over the last month, with less than two months of supply, conditions remain tight, supporting further price gains. In October, the benchmark price rose over the last month, reaching $521,400, a year-over-year gain of nearly 10 per cent.

Cochrane Housing Market for October 2023

New listings improved over last month’s and last year’s levels, likely supporting some of the monthly gains in sales. Nonetheless, year-to-date sales have eased by nearly 22 per cent as sales have eased across all property types. While sales have slowed, levels remain far higher than long-term trends for the town. Despite the monthly improvement in new listings, inventory levels were lower than last year and remain well below long-term trends.
 
Persistently tight market conditions supported further price growth this month. In October, the unadjusted benchmark price reached $539,900, a monthly gain of over one per cent and a year-over-year increase of seven per cent. Price growth has occurred across all property types, with the largest year-over-year gains occurring in the apartment condominium sector.