The Market Is Shifting — Here’s What That Means for You

After years of low inventory and intense competition, Calgary buyers are finally seeing more listings hit the market in 2025. And while that’s great news, it also comes with a new challenge: how to make smart decisions when you suddenly have more options.

Because rising inventory doesn’t automatically mean great deals.
It means opportunity — if you know how to navigate it.

Here are the three insider strategies I’m coaching my buyers on right now.

1️⃣ Zoom In on Your Micro-Market

Calgary isn’t “one market.”
It’s 100+ micro-markets — each with its own pricing trends, demand cycles, and buyer profiles.

For example:

• Detached homes in Mahogany behave differently than acreages in Foothills.

• Infill markets like Killarney or Capitol Hill have different timelines than suburban new builds in Livingston.

• Townhomes in Auburn Bay aren’t following the same pattern as condos downtown.

The buyers who win in 2025 are the ones who study their specific segment — not the city as a whole.
The more focused your search, the faster you can identify a true deal.

2️⃣ Watch Days-on-Market + Price Drops (This Is Where Leverage Hides)

This is the #1 negotiation insight most buyers miss.

A listing that’s been sitting for:

• 10–20 days = the seller is watching closely

• 20–30 days = they’re getting motivated

• 30+ days = negotiation window opens

Price adjustments are your biggest clue.
When a seller drops their price, it usually means one thing: they’re ready to work with the next qualified buyer who shows up.

This is where you can:

• Negotiate terms

• Negotiate price

• Negotiate possession timing

• Compete without competing

Inventory rising doesn’t eliminate competition — it just shifts which homes attract it.

3️⃣ Lock Your Financing Early (This Is Your Hidden “Edge”)

Even with more listings on the market, the best properties still move quickly.
And when the next wave of buyers enters (think: rate drops or new migrants), things can heat up again fast.

You want to be the buyer who’s already:

• Pre-approved

• Rate-locked

• Deposit-ready

• Able to write a clean offer

Speed + preparedness = strength.
It’s the difference between “We’ll think about it” and “We’re ready to write today.”

🔍 Bonus Tip: Don’t Wait for the “Perfect” Timing

Some buyers think rising inventory means they should wait longer…
But inventory can change overnight based on:

• Seasonal swings

• Rate cuts

• Migration waves

• New product launches

The smartest buyers make decisions based on their timeline — not headlines.

🧭 Final Thoughts: Inventory Is Up — Strategy Matters More Than Ever

Rising inventory is good news.
It gives you breathing room, choice, and leverage.

But the key to buying smart in Calgary’s 2025 market is approaching every decision with:
✔ Data
✔ Focus
✔ Preparedness

This is how you buy with confidence — not chaos.

If you want a clear plan tailored to your price point and communities, I put it all in my Calgary Buyer Strategy Guide.

📩 DM me “BUY SMART” and I’ll send it to you personally.

❓ FAQ

Q: Does rising inventory mean prices will drop?
A: Not necessarily. Calgary’s strong migration and employment often keep prices stable even when inventory rises.

Q: Is now a good time to buy?
A: For prepared buyers — absolutely. Rising inventory brings opportunities you didn’t have last year.

Q: Will competition return?
A: Almost certainly. Especially if rates ease again or migration spikes.

Q: How do I know if a listing is overpriced?
A: Look at DOM, price reductions, and comparable sales. I break all of this down in the guide.

📚 Related Reading

• 📉 Is Now a Good Time to Buy in Calgary? Here’s the 2025 Reality Check

• 💥 Inventory Just Exploded in Calgary — Here’s How Smart Sellers Are Still Winning

• 🏡 Top 5 Calgary Neighborhoods Everyone’s Talking About in 2025

About Kristen Edmunds

Kristen Edmunds is a Calgary-area REALTOR® and Associate Broker with KIC Realty, specializing in acreages, luxury homes, and smart buy/sell strategies. With expertise in rural properties (water wells, septic, equestrian facilities) and a client-obsessed approach, Kristen helps buyers and sellers achieve their real estate goals with confidence and ease.

The Question Every Buyer Is Asking

If you’ve been wondering whether now is the right time to buy a home in Calgary, you’re not alone.
Rates have shifted, prices have steadied, and the headlines seem to say something different every week.

So, what’s the real story? Let’s unpack the 2025 Calgary housing market — and help you decide if this is your moment to make a move.

🔎 Calgary’s Market in 2025: A Balanced Reset

After a few years of roller-coaster activity, the Calgary market has settled into a new rhythm.

• Prices have levelled off across most communities — especially for detached and semi-detached homes.

• Inventory remains low by long-term standards, keeping the market steady rather than sluggish.

• Migration continues to boost demand, with thousands of Canadians relocating to Alberta for affordability and lifestyle.

• Interest rates are easing slowly, but not enough to cause a major price surge (yet).

The bottom line?
2025 is shaping up to be a year of balance — and that’s good news for informed buyers.

💡 What This Means for Calgary Buyers

When the market stabilizes, you gain something you didn’t have in the frenzy of 2023-2024:
time and leverage.

• You can negotiate without fifteen competing offers.

• You can schedule a proper inspection and due diligence.

• You can actually sleep on it before writing an offer (imagine that!).

But success in this market still comes down to strategy — not luck or timing.

📍 Focus on Your “Micro-Market”

Instead of following citywide headlines, look at the micro-market — your preferred community and property type.

For example:

• Detached homes in Silverado might behave differently than duplexes in Auburn Bay.

• Acreages near Priddis or Springbank often move at their own pace.

• Inner-city infills may dip briefly, then bounce once construction slows.

Working with data specific to your price band and neighbourhood helps you move faster when a real opportunity appears.

🧭 5 Steps to Buy Smart in 2025

1️⃣ Get pre-approved and secure a rate hold.
Even if rates drop later, this locks in peace of mind while you shop.

2️⃣ Define your non-negotiables.
Know what you must have versus what’s a “nice-to-have.” It saves time and stress.

3️⃣ Track listings weekly.
Watch for price adjustments, days on market, and homes that return to market — those often hold value.

4️⃣ Negotiate strategically.
Use data — not emotion — to support your offer. The goal is fair, not flashy.

5️⃣ Stay ready.
When “the one” hits the market, having your paperwork and deposit ready makes all the difference.

🐴 Special Note for Acreage & Lifestyle Buyers

If you’re exploring rural properties around Calgary, add these due-diligence checkpoints:

• Well flow & water quality tests

• Septic capacity & age

• Zoning, fencing, and access easements

• Outbuilding permits & utility sources

The right professional support makes this process smooth — and protects you from costly surprises.

💬 Should You Wait?

Some buyers are still holding out for a “market correction.”
Here’s the reality: Calgary doesn’t usually behave like Toronto or Vancouver.

Our economic fundamentals — strong employment, steady in-migration, and relative affordability — act as a cushion.
That means instead of dramatic price drops, we tend to see short windows of opportunity where buyers have leverage.

2025 is one of those windows.

🎯 How I Help Calgary Buyers Win

• Customized Calgary Buyer Briefs: local comps, days-on-market stats, and negotiation tips.

• Pro network access: lenders, inspectors, acreage specialists, and legal support.

• Private/off-market opportunities: agent-to-agent previews and early access.

• Data-backed negotiation strategy: protecting your budget while getting you into the right home.

🏁 Final Thoughts

Is now a good time to buy in Calgary?
If you’re prepared, yes.

The frenzy is gone, balance is back, and informed buyers finally have breathing room to make smart moves.

Want a custom look at what’s happening in your neighbourhood or price range?
📩 DM me “REALITY CHECK” and I’ll send you my free Calgary Buyer Brief — with local data, market insights, and a clear game plan for 2025.

Let’s help you buy with confidence, not headlines. 🏡

❓ FAQ

Q: Will Calgary home prices drop in 2025?
A: Broadly, no. Expect small dips in some communities but overall stability.

Q: Is now a good time for first-time buyers?
A: Yes — you face less competition and can negotiate conditions again.

Q: What about interest rates?
A: Modest rate cuts are expected, but affordability gains may be offset by renewed demand.

Q: Should I wait until spring?
A: Spring brings more listings — and more competition. Buying earlier can give you leverage.

Q: What’s different for acreage buyers?
A: More due diligence: wells, septic, and zoning. (I provide a detailed acreage checklist with every brief.)

📚 Related Reading

• 🏡 Stop Waiting for Prices to Drop — Calgary’s Secret Buyer Advantage Right Now
  Why “waiting” might be the most expensive move you make in 2025 — and how to buy smart instead.

• 💰 Under-Market Offers Are Back — Here’s How to Handle Them Like a Pro
  When to go low, when to walk away, and how to negotiate strategically in Calgary’s shifting market.

• 🌄 Equestrian Properties Near Calgary: What You Need to Know Before You Buy
  From zoning to water wells — everything acreage and lifestyle buyers should check before falling in love with the view.

About Kristen Edmunds

Kristen Edmunds is a Calgary-area REALTOR® and Associate Broker with KIC Realty, specializing in acreages, luxury homes, and smart buy/sell strategies. With expertise in rural properties (water wells, septic, equestrian facilities) and a client-obsessed approach, Kristen helps buyers and sellers achieve their real estate goals with confidence and ease.