Red Deer’s Housing Market in One Snapshot: What 227 Active Listings Tell Us About Where We’re Heading

by Kaden Hunter

November 28, 2025 | Red Deer, Alberta

Red Deer’s market continues to shift, and today’s active inventory tells a clearer story than any headline. With 227 homes currently for sale, buyers and sellers are navigating a market that’s no longer driven by the “pandemic-era frenzy,” but also nowhere near a true buyers’ market.

The reality sits somewhere in between, and the distribution of listings across price ranges reveals exactly where the leverage is, where competition is tightening, and where the opportunities are quietly emerging.


A Market Dominated by the Middle, Not the Bottom

If you look at the numbers by price range, one thing becomes immediately clear: Red Deer’s market is no longer an entry-level-first environment.

Here’s the breakdown:

1 home under $100,000
12 homes from $100,001 to $200,000
24 homes from $200,001 to $300,000
49 homes from $300,001 to $400,000
57 homes from $400,001 to $500,000
31 homes from $500,001 to $600,000
27 homes from $600,001 to $700,000
16 homes from $700,001 to $800,000
10 homes above $800,000

The takeaway?

👉 Only 37 homes in the entire city are under $300,000. That’s less than 17% of total inventory, a sharp contrast from just a few years ago when Red Deer was known primarily for its affordability at the lower end.

For first-time buyers, this means two things:

• Inventory under $300K is tight and moves quickly
• Expectations around size, finish level, and location may need to shift

Meanwhile, the $300K to $500K range dominates, representing almost half of the city’s available inventory. This is where today’s families, upgraders, and value-driven buyers will find the best selection.


The “Deal Zone” Is Not Where Most People Think

In today’s Red Deer market, deals aren’t hiding at the bottom. They’re sitting comfortably in the middle.

With 57 listings between $400K and $500K, and 31 more between $500K and $600K, buyers in these ranges have:

• More selection
• Less competition than the entry-level segment
• Better negotiating room
• Access to newer builds or more updated properties

It’s a quiet shift, but an important one. The move-up market is where leverage lives right now.


Detached Homes Are Still King, But Alternative Options Are Limited

When you break inventory down by property type, the imbalance becomes even clearer:

167 detached homes
23 townhomes
16 half-duplexes
21 apartment-style condos

Detached homes make up an incredible 74% of all active listings. This isn’t surprising, since detached homes have always been the backbone of Central Alberta, but it does create real challenges for buyers in the “missing middle” categories:

• Townhomes
• Duplexes
• Entry-level attached products

These segments are critically tight, which explains why entry-level buyers are increasingly priced into either older detached homes or apartment-style condos if they want affordability.


Condos: Still the Quiet Affordability Anchor

With 21 apartment-style condos available, they remain one of the strongest entry points into Red Deer’s market.

For buyers willing to trade yard space for:

• Lower payments
• Simpler maintenance
• Newer interiors
• Walkable locations

Condos continue to offer some of the best cost-per-square-foot options in the city. This segment should not be underestimated, especially as detached home prices trend upward.


What This Means for Buyers Right Now

  1. If you’re shopping under $300K:
    You’re in the tightest part of the market. Be prepared to act quickly, compromise on wish lists, and get pre-approved before viewing.

  2. If you’re in the $400K to $600K range:
    This is the strongest leverage position we’ve seen in months. More homes, more choice, more negotiating room.

  3. If you’re a move-up buyer:
    This is a prime window. The value you gain on your purchase may outweigh the competitiveness on your sale.

  4. If you’re a first-time buyer:
    Condos remain a legitimate, predictable, and often under-valued way to enter the market and build equity.


What This Means for Sellers

Sellers in the $300K to $500K range are still seeing consistent activity, especially if their home is priced well and presents cleanly.

Higher-end sellers ($700K and up) will need patience. That segment is slower and more price-sensitive. Presentation and strategic pricing matter more than ever.


The Bottom Line

Red Deer’s market isn’t overheated, and it isn’t softening dramatically either.

It’s stabilizing into a balanced but shifting environment where:

• Entry-level inventory is tight
• The middle market is thriving
• Higher-end buyers have room to negotiate
• Detached homes dominate supply
• Condos continue quietly powering affordability

For anyone trying to time the market, this snapshot speaks for itself. The opportunity today isn’t about waiting. It’s about knowing where the leverage is.

If you want a personalized breakdown of what your budget actually gets you in today’s Red Deer market, I’m always happy to help.

 

Kaden Hunter, Realtor

403-598-3360

Rob Levie Real Estate Team

Coldwell Banker OnTrack Realty

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