Is Calgary a Buyer's Market Right Now? September 2026 Numbers Explained

by Jay Patel

The short answer: no — Calgary is in a balanced market, not a buyer's market. September 2026 brought 3.9 months of supply and a residential benchmark of $566,700, down just 0.8% from last year (CREB). But the city average hides the real story: apartment condos are firmly buyer-friendly, while well-priced detached homes still draw competition. Your leverage depends on what you are buying, not the headline.

Verified news snapshot

September 2026: residential benchmark price $566,700 (down ~0.8% year over year); 1,650 residential sales; 3.9 months of supply — balanced territory (mortgagesforless.ca).
Detached: benchmark $739,400 (down ~1% y/y), 3.3 months of supply, selling in about 38 days — still competitive for well-priced homes (mortgagesforless.ca).
Row/townhouse: benchmark $412,400 (down 5.5% y/y), about 50 days on market (mortgagesforless.ca).
Apartment condo: benchmark $291,400 (down 8.3% y/y), 5.3 months of supply, about 55 days on market — the segment with the most negotiating room (mortgagesforless.ca).

What counts as a buyer's market?

Real estate watchers generally call it a buyer's market when supply exceeds about 4–6 months, a seller's market below about 2–3 months, and anything in between balanced. At 3.9 months, Calgary sits squarely in balanced territory — neither side dictates terms across the board. That is a big change from the frenzied seller's market of a few years ago, but it is not the deep discount environment some buyers are waiting for.

Which property types favour buyers?

Apartment condos are where buyers hold the cards: 5.3 months of supply, 55 days on market, and prices down 8.3% from last year. Sellers here are the most open to negotiation on price and conditions. Townhouses sit in the middle — softer than detached, at 50 days on market. Detached homes remain the strongest segment: 3.3 months of supply and 38 days on market means a well-priced detached home in a good neighbourhood still attracts attention and can still see competing interest.

What does a balanced market mean for your offer?

It means you get something buyers have not had in years: time. At 44 days average on market, you can view more homes, write a considered offer, and keep your financing and inspection conditions in place instead of waiving them to compete. You can ask for price reductions backed by comparable sales, request repairs or credits after inspection, and negotiate possession dates that suit you. None of that was realistic in a hot seller's market.

Should you wait for prices to drop further?

That depends more on your situation than on market timing. Detached prices are holding relatively firm (down just 1%), so waiting for a major detached correction could mean missing good homes. In the condo segment, patience has already been rewarded — and buyers still have leverage. The practical move: get pre-approved, know your budget, and buy the right home when you find it rather than trying to time the exact bottom. Markets rarely announce their turning points in advance.

Frequently asked questions

Is Calgary in a buyer's market right now?
No — with 3.9 months of supply in September 2026, Calgary is in balanced territory. Apartment condos lean buyer-friendly (5.3 months supply), while detached homes remain competitive.

Are Calgary home prices dropping?
The overall benchmark was down about 0.8% year over year in September 2026. Detached slipped about 1%, townhouses 5.5%, and apartment condos 8.3% — the weakness is concentrated in higher-density housing.

How long are homes taking to sell in Calgary?
Roughly 38 days for detached, 50 days for townhouses, and 55 days for apartment condos as of September 2026.

Do buyers have negotiating power in Calgary now?
Yes, especially for condos and townhouses. A balanced market means room to negotiate on price and terms and to keep financing and inspection conditions.

Should I buy now or wait in Calgary?
If you are financially ready and plan to stay long term, buying the right home now beats trying to time the market. Condo buyers have the most leverage; detached buyers should still move decisively on well-priced homes.

Thinking of buying while it's a buyer's market?

I'll set you up with new listings in your price range the day they hit. Call or text Jay Patel at +1 (825) 889-5383, visit jaypatelhomes.com, or DM me on Instagram @jaypatel.albertarealtor. First conversation is free — no pressure, just real numbers.

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Jay Patel

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+1(825) 889-5383