Ranked #86 of the best 100 cities in the world, Edmonton is celebrated for its fantastic choice of neighbourhoods, excellent infrastructure, high employment rates and overall positive quality of life. In addition, the Edmonton real estate market recorded massive year-over-year gains in 2021, with buyers eager to take advantage of ultra-low interest rates and steady home prices.
What can we expect from Edmonton’s thriving real estate market in 2022?
Here’s what you need to know.
Interest Rates Will Remain Low (For Now)
2019 and 2020 saw Edmonton’s lowest mortgage interest rates in decades. While the Bank of Canada’s current policy rate is predicted to remain at a steady 0.25%, rates are expected to increase by 0.75% by the end of 2022.
This means Edmontonians can anticipate a return to “normal rates” of between 1.75 and 3% over the next 24 months. While a return to regular rates may seem less than ideal, they will have a positive impact on overheated seller’s markets caused by low inventory (which often result in overcrowding and frequent bidding wars).
For the time being, however, Edmonton home buyers can still take advantage of record-low rates and benefit from thousands in interest savings over the lifetime of their mortgage loans.
Buyer Demand Will Remain High
Despite high buyer demand, decreased levels of inventory have been consistent across the country. Here again, fewer homes on market paired with current low rates will lead to more competition among buyers, further reinforcing Edmonton’s already established seller’s market.
Edmonton’s low-inventory and seller’s market conditions have also been attributed to 2020’s inter-provincial migration trend – which saw buyers from British Columbia and Ontario driving up demand, despite low supply. Edmonton’s market has also seen an influx of out-of-province real estate investors who have found themselves priced out of the country’s more aggressive markets.*
Supply chain disruptions (particularly lumber) are also slowing down new home inventory within Edmonton and area, in addition to a shortage of skilled trades workers and construction delays.
*While the surplus of out-of-province buyers and investors have resulted in increasingly competitive conditions for Edmonton buyers, RBC’s provincial outlook predicts Alberta will be ahead of all others in terms of economic growth in 2022.
Seller’s Market to Continue
If you’ve been thinking of putting your Edmonton home on the market, now is the time to take advantage of favourable seller conditions. With more potential buyers than homes, Edmonton home sellers can look forward to less time on market, increased buyer offers and potentially higher-than-anticipated sale prices. In addition, seller’s markets often lead to more favourable negotiations, with less pressure to give in to buyer demands.
Note: Edmonton’s hot seller’s market is expected to cool with the gradual increase in interest rates, expected by the end of the third quarter, 2022.
How much is your Edmonton home worth? Find out today with our Free Market Evaluation.
Home Prices Will Increase
Though Canadian home prices are predicted to climb 9.2 percent in 2022, Edmonton will see only a 7% increase. According to RE/MAX’s 2022 Canadian Housing Market Outlook Report, Edmonton’s average home prices will rise from $377,848 (a 2% year-over-year increase from 2020) to $404,297 over the next 12 months. With Canadian home buyers looking for more affordable markets to invest in, the capital region will continue to draw out-of-province buyers (and higher home prices) in 2022.
Other Regional Sales Trends:
- With an economic boom also predicted for the Alberta economy in 2022, Edmonton’s affordable real estate opportunities paired with job and income growth are expected to yield a strong market.
- Move-up buyers are anticipated to drive housing demand in 2022.
Virtual Tours: The New Real Estate Reality
Many Edmonton REALTORS® have turned to virtual home tours and open houses to improve client safety and adhere to provincial regulations. Not only do virtual home tours allow agents to reach a wider audience (buyers are no longer restricted by city or province), but they also enable buyers to perform property “walkthroughs” at their own pace, on their own time.
Over the last 24 months, REALTORS® have seen a shift in how buyers prefer to interact with new real estate listings, opting to check the latest properties, market conditions, etc., instantly from their devices. What began as a means of adapting to pandemic restrictions is expected to become the new norm for real estate transactions in Edmonton and across Canada.
In Summary:
- Experts predict Edmonton’s housing market will remain healthy and strong regardless of any transitional ups and downs over the last 12 months.
- Interest rates are expected to remain low throughout the first half of 2022, with gradual increases occurring in the third quarter.
- Move-up buyers will continue to drive real estate market demand, particularly out-of-province buyers looking to capitalize on Edmonton’s affordable home prices and low-interest rates.
- Home prices are expected to see an increase of approximately 7% in 2022, which remains 2% lower than the predicted national average.
- Virtual tours are here to stay, with buyers less than eager to return to the traditional method of buying homes.
Are you thinking about purchasing a home in the Edmonton area? Get started with our Dream Home Finder and Buyer Resources, including:
- Home Buyer’s Guide – Step by step, we’ll walk you through the home buying process from start to finish.
- Six Essential Tips That Make Home Buying More Affordable – Learn how to make buying a home in Edmonton more affordable with these simple, easy-to-follow tips!
- 20 Common Mistakes to Avoid When Buying a Home – Avoid common (and costly) home buyer mistakes with the help of our free guide
- The Terry Paranych Real Estate Group Home Buyer Blog – Whether you’re a first-time home buyer or an experienced Edmonton real estate investor, our home buyer blog offers the latest tips, advice and trends on all things real estate.
