RSS

🏡 Detached or Condo? The Surprising Shift in Calgary’s 2025 Market

Wait… condos are competitive again?

If you’ve been watching Calgary’s market over the last few years, you’re probably thinking:
“Detached homes dominate. End of story.”

Well… 2025 said: plot. twist. 😅

Because for the first time in a long time, condominiums are stepping out of the shadows and saying:
“Excuse me, it’s my turn now.”

Let’s break down what’s actually happening — and what it means for your buying or selling strategy this year.


🏢 1️⃣ Condos Are Having Their Moment

Yes, really.
In 2025, condos in Calgary are almost as competitive as detached homes.

But why?
Here’s the big one: affordability.

When buyers compare:
💸 Mortgage on a $480K condo
vs.
💸 Mortgage on an $850K detached

The decision becomes… practical.
Condos are giving budget-conscious buyers a clean entry point, and it’s causing a surge in demand.

Add in the fact that vacancy rates are insanely low and rents are high?
Condos suddenly make a lot of financial sense.


📈 2️⃣ Investors Are Back — and They’re Hungry

Investors took a step back when rates climbed…
But now?
They’re returning — strategically.

Condos often offer:
✔ Lower purchase prices
✔ Strong rental demand
✔ Simpler maintenance
✔ Predictable carrying costs

Which means every good unit gets attention fast.
Competition is real, even across the $300K–$450K range.


🏡 3️⃣ Detached Homes Are Still the Dream — But Competition Has Shifted

Don’t get it twisted — detached homes are still the most desired product in Calgary.

The difference in 2025 is:

  • More options

  • Slightly more balanced competition

  • Buyers being more selective

  • Less panic-buying compared to past years

Detached homes still offer:
🌳 Space
🐶 A yard
🚗 A garage
😊 Privacy
📈 Strong long-term appreciation

But the “I’ll write an offer on anything with walls” energy of 2021–2023 is gone.
Buyers want value.
Which brings us back to… condos.


😅 4️⃣ First-Time Buyers Are Done Waiting

Rent is high.
Vacancy is low.
And people are tired of throwing money into the void every month.

So in 2025, first-time buyers are saying things like:
“Do I want a detached? Yes.”
“Can I comfortably afford one right now? No.”

Enter:
➡️ Condos
➡️ Townhouses
➡️ Smaller detached homes in outer communities

Calgary continues to be one of Canada’s most affordable major cities — and buyers want in.


🏘 5️⃣ Townhouses: The Middle Child Who Holds Everything Together

Townhouses are quietly becoming the “best of both worlds”:

  • More space than condos

  • Lower price than detached

  • Less maintenance than acreages

  • Strong demand

  • Good value retention

They’re the middle child of the 2025 real estate family — keeping everyone sane while detached and condos fight for attention.


💡 What Does This Mean for YOU?

It depends who you are:

If you’re a first-time buyer:

Condos and townhomes are great value right now.
You can enter the market without stretching your budget thin.

If you’re an investor:

Pay attention — the numbers are back in your favour.
Condos in certain pockets are renting extremely well.

If you’re a move-up buyer:

Detached and semi-detached homes offer more room for negotiation than they have in years.

If you’re a seller:

Understanding which product type is moving fastest is key.
Price and presentation matter more than ever.


🧭 Final Thoughts: 2025 = The Year of Smart Choices

No product is “the winner” — but Calgary’s market is giving buyers more choice, more balance, and more ways to make their budget work.

Detached homes = space + long-term upside
Condos = affordability + high demand
Townhouses = the steady middle lane

If you want the full breakdown — appreciation trends, price charts, community-by-community shifts — I’ve put it all into my 2025 Market Shift Guide.

📩 Comment or DM “2025 SHIFT” and I’ll send it to you personally.


❓ FAQ

Q: Are condos a good investment in 2025?
A: In many NW, NE, and inner-city pockets — yes. High rental demand + lower prices = strong opportunity.

Q: Are detached homes dropping in price?
A: Not dropping — but stabilizing. Still strong long-term value.

Q: Which product type is the safest long-term?
A: Detached, historically. But 2025 is about affordability and strategy.

Q: Are townhouses still a good option?
A: Absolutely — especially for buyers who want space without the detached price tag.


📚 Related Reading


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.


Read

Calgary Housing Market Update – June 2025

The Calgary real estate market continued its shift in June 2025, with sales activity cooling while new listings surged, creating more balance for buyers and sellers. According to the latest CREB® (Calgary Real Estate Board) market update, June marked another month of important changes in pricing, supply, and demand.


Key Highlights from June 2025

  • Home Sales: 2,286 homes sold in June 2025, down 16% year-over-year compared to June 2024.

  • New Listings: 4,223 new listings hit the market, up 11% year-over-year, helping boost supply.

  • Benchmark Price: $586,200, down 3.6% annually and 0.6% monthly, signaling slight but steady price adjustments.

  • Sales-to-New Listings Ratio (SNLR): 54%, reflecting a balanced market.

  • Inventory: Supply levels continued to climb, reaching levels not seen since pre-pandemic years.


Home Prices by Property Type

  • Detached Homes: Average price of $820,000, down 1.1% year-over-year.

  • Semi-Detached Homes: Average price of $701,000, up 5.4% year-over-year, showing strength in this segment.

  • Townhouses: Average price of $466,000, down 2.6% year-over-year.

  • Condo Apartments: Average price of $352,000, down 1.6% year-over-year.

Detached and townhouse sectors saw modest declines, while semi-detached homes bucked the trend with healthy annual growth. Apartment condos remain the softest segment, with both prices and sales under pressure.


What This Means for Buyers

For buyers, June’s market conditions offered more choice and negotiating power than in 2024. Rising inventory and balanced conditions mean fewer bidding wars and more opportunities to find the right property at the right price. Mortgage rates—hovering around 3.94% for a 3-year fixed term—also provided some relief for qualified buyers.


What This Means for Sellers

Sellers are facing a more competitive environment as new listings outpace sales. Pricing strategically and preparing homes for sale are critical in this environment. While detached and semi-detached homes are holding value relatively well, row and condo sellers may need to adjust expectations given softer demand.


Looking Ahead

The Calgary housing market is rebalancing after years of tight supply. With more inventory coming online and sales activity moderating, we can expect prices to remain under slight pressure through the summer. That said, Calgary’s relative affordability compared to other Canadian cities continues to support long-term demand.


Final Thoughts

The June 2025 CREB® housing report highlights a market that’s shifting toward balance. Whether you’re buying your first home, upgrading, or considering selling, staying informed on the latest stats is key to making confident decisions.

If you’d like a personalized market analysis for your Calgary community or property type, feel free to reach out—I’d be happy to provide you with tailored insights.


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.

Read
Data is supplied by Pillar 9™ MLS® System. Pillar 9™ is the owner of the copyright in its MLS®System. Data is deemed reliable but is not guaranteed accurate by Pillar 9™.
The trademarks MLS®, Multiple Listing Service® and the associated logos are owned by The Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA) and identify the quality of services provided by real estate professionals who are members of CREA. Used under license.