Alberta Real Estate Market Brief — Jan 1, 2026 (New-year game plan)

Written By Abraham AlGendy
Updated: Coverage: Alberta-wide + Edmonton + Calgary Read time: ~2 minutes

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Jan 1 is a clean slate: the best outcomes in 2026 come from a simple game plan. Buyers win by tracking the right segment. Sellers win by pricing to comps and reducing friction.

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Fast answers (New-year game plan)

What’s the best buyer plan for January?

Pick 3 target areas, track 10–20 listings weekly, and compare each to 3–5 sold comps before offering.

What’s the best seller plan for January?

Price to recent sold comps, launch with strong photos, and make access easy—certainty beats “stretch pricing.”

What’s a simple rule to win negotiations?

Compete on price only when necessary; otherwise win on clean terms (possession, conditions, inclusions) and strong documentation.

Today’s theme: pick a lane, track your segment, and execute consistently.

New-year game plan (simple + repeatable)

Buyer game plan

  • Define: 3 areas + 1 property type + a max payment.
  • Track: new + price-changed listings daily (10 minutes).
  • Validate: compare to 3–5 sold comps in the same segment.
  • Execute: offer fast when value is obvious; negotiate hard when DOM rises.
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Seller game plan

  • Price: anchor to sold comps (not wishful actives).
  • Present: clean, bright, staged basics; strong photos on day 1.
  • Access: reduce friction (showing windows, clear instructions).
  • Negotiate: know your floor on price + conditions + timing.
Home Value Selling

Want this tailored to your exact neighbourhood/price band? Ask for “3 comps + a 2026 game plan”. Start at /home-value.

Edmonton spotlight

Edmonton is easiest when you narrow your segment: specific neighbourhoods and a defined home type. Sellers win early by removing objections (condition, access, docs) right away.

Edmonton St. Albert Sherwood Park Spruce Grove Beaumont

Calgary spotlight

Calgary buyers often respond fastest to obvious value and clean terms. Your edge is tracking DOM and knowing when to compete vs negotiate.

Calgary Airdrie Cochrane Okotoks Canmore

What to do next

Buyer move (today)

  • Build a watchlist of 15–25 homes in your segment.
  • Pick 3 sold comps that define “fair value” for your target.
  • When the right home hits, move quickly with clean terms.

Seller move (today)

  • Confirm your “pricing lane” using recent sold comps.
  • Prepare photos + access plan before you publish.
  • Set your negotiation floor (price + conditions + possession).

FAQ (game plan)

How do I choose the right neighbourhoods?
Start with commute + lifestyle needs, then validate with sold comps (price per sqft, lot, condition). Pick 3 areas to track consistently.
What’s the most common January mistake?
Browsing too broadly. Tight criteria creates faster decisions and better negotiation—especially when a great home appears.
What’s one seller move that boosts results?
Reduce friction: clean docs, clear inclusions, easy access, and realistic pricing aligned with sold comps.

Explore: MLS® Search • Free Home Value • Alberta hub

Quick links

MLS®/market note: This brief is general information (not legal/financial advice). For a precise plan, request a CMA + strategy call.

About the author

Abraham (Ibrahim) AlGendy — REALTOR® and former corporate commercial lawyer. Edmonton-based, serving clients across Alberta with a calm, evidence-led approach. Learn more: /about.

Abraham AlGendy
Next

Alberta Real Estate Market Brief — Dec 31, 2025 (New-year reset checklist)