Each month I go through the latest figures from the REALTORS® Association of Edmonton (RAE) and turn them into a plain-language summary. This update covers September 2026, released by RAE on October 2.
The short version
The fall slowdown has arrived. Fewer homes sold in September than in August or a year ago, while more homes came on the market and inventory is up sharply from last year. Prices are broadly flat: the benchmark is within half a percent of last September. Buyers have more choice and more negotiating room than they've had in several years, especially on townhouses and semi-detached homes.
September 2026 by the numbers
- Sales: 1,959, down 8.8% from August and down 10.3% from September 2025
- New listings: 3,864, up 7.2% from August and up 11.3% year over year
- Inventory: essentially unchanged from August (+0.1%) and up 16.7% from a year ago
- MLS® HPI composite benchmark price: $423,100, down 0.9% from August and down 0.3% year over year
- Average price, all residential: $466,080, down 0.8% from August and up 2.9% year over year
The benchmark price is the more reliable measure of what a "typical" home is worth, because it adjusts for the mix of homes that sold that month. Average prices can swing simply because more expensive or cheaper homes happened to sell.
RAE's board chair put it this way: "Sales activity has slowed with the arrival of the new school year, and although new listings are up, typical seasonal trends suggest sales will not rebound until after year end."
Average prices by home type (September 2026)
- Detached: $569,820, down 1.1% from August, up 2.9% year over year
- Semi-detached: $412,974, down 2.7% from August, down 4.8% year over year
- Row / townhouse: $289,640, down 2.9% from August, down 4.5% year over year
- Apartment / condo: $208,672, down 3.1% from August, up 0.6% year over year
Detached homes are holding up best, with sales down only 6.5% from last year. Townhouses are the weakest segment: sales were down about 20% and prices down 4.5% year over year. Semi-detached prices also slipped noticeably.
Interest rates
The Bank of Canada held its policy rate at 2.25% on September 2, citing trade uncertainty with the U.S. and inflation running around 3%. The next announcement is on October 28, 2026. Check current mortgage rates with your lender or broker. They vary between lenders and change more often than the Bank's rate.
What this means if you're buying
Fall and winter are typically the quietest months, and this year that comes on top of higher inventory. That combination gives buyers the most room to negotiate in a while. Conditions on financing and inspection are normal, and well-supported offers below asking are realistic on homes that have been sitting. Townhouses and semi-detached homes in particular are seeing softer prices.
New builds deserve a close look too. When resale inventory is up, builders often compete with incentives, upgrades or lot discounts, especially on homes that are already built. First-time buyers purchasing a new home may also qualify for the GST rebate of up to $50,000.
What this means if you're selling
Pricing matters more than it did in the spring. With inventory up nearly 17% from last year, buyers can compare more options, and homes priced above recent comparable sales tend to sit and then need price cuts. If you don't need to sell this fall, it's worth weighing whether a spring listing suits you better. If you do, price to the market from day one and make sure the home shows well.
If you're thinking about selling in the next six months, a free market evaluation based on recent sales on your street is the best place to start.
Sources
- REALTORS® Association of Edmonton — "New inventory is still being added, but sales have slowed for fall," October 2, 2026
- TD Economics — Bank of Canada announcement, September 2, 2026
Figures cover the Greater Edmonton Area and change month to month. For current numbers on a specific neighbourhood or home, contact me directly.