Ongoing economic uncertainty, driven by tariff threats, has weighed on consumer confidence and impacted housing activity in March. Sales declined by 19 per cent year-over-year, totaling 2,159 units. Sales slowed across all property types, with the steepest declines seen in higher-density segments.

Inventory levels saw substantial year-over-year growth for the second month in a row, rising by 76 per cent to 4,145 units in February. 

Following three consecutive years of limited supply choice, inventory levels in January rose to 3,639 units. While the 70 per cent year-over-year gain is significant, inventory levels remain lower than the over 4,000 units we would typically see in January. 

The year ended with 1,322 sales in December, a three per cent decline over last year, but nearly 20 per cent higher than long-term trends. 

As we transition into winter, Calgary's housing market is following typical seasonal trends, with activity slowing compared to the fall. 

Sales gains for homes priced above $600,000 offset declines at the lower end of the market, resulting in October sales that were similar to last year. The 2,174 sales in October increased over September and stood 24 per cent above long-term trends for the month.

Rising sales in the upper price ranges were not enough to offset the pullback occurring in the lower price ranges, as sales in September were 2,003, 17 per cent below last year's record high. Despite the decline, sales this month were still over 16 per cent higher than levels traditionally achieved in September.

Housing activity continues to move away from the extreme sellers’ market conditions experienced throughout the spring. Easing sales, combined with gains in supply, pushed the months of supply above two months in August, a level not seen since the end of 2022.

With the busy spring market behind us, we are starting to see some shifts in supply levels. With 2,380 sales and 3,604 new listings, the sales-to-new listings ratio fell to 66 per cent, supporting a gain in inventory. 

Today’s the day – CREB^®’s virtual Forecast conference is in full swing and the 2021 housing market report is now available.