Market Statistics for Fort McMurray – September

The September stats are officially out from the Alberta Real Estate Association.  While we can just focus on the numbers being provided, we need to remind ourselves of the larger picture that affects our local market.  I am not going to step into any political discussion but I would like to bring light to the very nature of Fort McMurray.  Fort McMurray’s real estate market has a rhythm of its own, and fall is when it hits its stride. Every year, the city’s real estate scene sees a predictable slowdown in the summer as many residents head east for vacations, especially to the Maritimes or Newfoundland.  This migration naturally quiets the market, with fewer listings and buyers actively looking for homes. Come fall, it’s like flipping a switch. People return, schools are back in session, and the city comes alive again. That energy spills over into the housing market. Sellers, knowing the influx of returning buyers, feel more comfortable listing their homes. Buyers, refreshed from their summer travels, are ready to settle down before the winter. The result is an uptick in both inventory and competition, as the market heats up compared to the slower summer period.