Calgary's Two-Speed Housing Market: What Buyers and Sellers Need to Know Right Now

Calgary’s housing market isn’t moving as one unit anymore. Detached homes and condos are telling two very different stories this summer, and knowing which one applies to you could change your next move.

Detached homes: still holding firm

If you own a detached house, or you’re trying to buy one, the market has stayed tight. The benchmark price for a detached home in Calgary sat at $743,900 in July, down less than 2 percent from a year ago. That’s a small adjustment, not a correction. Inventory in this segment remains limited enough that well priced detached homes, especially in the west and south districts, are still moving quickly. If you’ve been waiting for detached prices to drop meaningfully before buying, the data so far doesn’t support that bet.

Condos and townhouses: a genuine buyer’s market

The story is very different once you look at higher density housing. The benchmark price for an apartment condo was $297,600 in July, about 13 percent below the 2024 peak. Townhouses fared a bit better but still fell 6.1 percent year over year to $418,500. Years of record high condo construction have pushed inventory in this segment to roughly 4.9 months of supply citywide, and well above that in pockets of northeast Calgary, where some areas are sitting at 6 to 8 months. That’s real oversupply, and it’s going to take time to work through.

What this means if you’re buying

If a condo or townhouse fits your life, this is one of the more buyer friendly moments Calgary has seen in years. Sellers in this segment are negotiating, timelines are longer, and there’s genuine room to ask for concessions. Detached buyers should expect a different experience. Homes are still receiving solid interest, so having financing ready and a clear sense of your must haves before you start touring will matter more than it did a year or two ago.

What this means if you’re selling

Detached sellers are in a comparatively strong position, but this isn’t 2021. Realistic pricing from day one still outperforms testing the market high and adjusting later. If you’re selling a condo or townhouse, expect longer days on market and be prepared to price competitively against a deep pool of comparable listings. A strong presentation and a sharp initial price matter more in this segment than they have in a long time.

The bottom line

Calgary isn’t one market this year. It’s at least two, and where your property or your search falls on that spectrum should shape your strategy.

Numbers only tell you so much. If you want to know exactly where your home, your neighbourhood, or your next purchase fits into this picture, let’s talk it through. Call or text me at (403) 689-2255, or email robyn@sky4.ca, and I’ll put together a straight answer for your situation, no pressure, no generic market report.

Robyn Schidlowsky
LPT Realty
(403) 689-2255 | robyn@sky4.ca | sky4.ca