Notable luxury real estate trends taking place in Edmonton
Tight inventory levels continued to challenge luxury buyers in the Edmonton real estate market first three months of 2023, with high-end sales over $1 million hovering at 40, down significantly from year-ago levels during the same period. Despite pent-up demand and an ongoing influx of buyers from Ontario and British Columbia, listings available for sale have slowed to a trickle, especially at the coveted $1 million to $1.2-million price point. Buyers are squeezed between what they want and what is currently available, and they seldom match up. Close to 260 listings are currently available between $1 million and $14 million. Values, however, are holding up fairly well, with no big dip, given that the cost to build is so much higher.
Move-up buyers, usually in their late 30s to late 40s with teenage children, represent the lion’s share of high-end purchasers. Most are seeking large homes and substantial lot sizes in mature neighbourhoods, a trend that ticked up during the pandemic. Existing stock, including spec properties, is most sought-after, with fewer buyers choosing to build or buy newer homes from plans due to the uncertainty of spiralling construction costs. The strongest demand is found in west end neighbourhoods such as Crestwood and Laurier overlooking the river valley, while Windsor Park and Belgravia are popular destinations sough of the river by the University of Alberta. Upper-end buyers seeking larger lots typically look to Edmonton’s luxury communities such as Windemere with its estate properties on the ravine or in Summerside, where homes backing onto the lake are coveted. Downsizing and lateral moves are also occurring, albeit to a lesser extent, with homeowners in older, established neighbourhoods trading large, tired homes for smaller and newer infill properties within similar areas.
The foreign buyer ban has had an unintended consequence in the Edmonton area as corporate transfers and professional sports players get caught up in the net. With no exemptions in sight, many have chosen to rent. As the spring market takes shape, luxury REALTORS® are fielding more calls from both interested buyers and much-needed sellers but some sort of catalyst is necessary to really kick-start the housing market. A decline in interest rates would be the ideal impetus, providing a boost to consumer confidence and mindset. Until then, we expect activity to be somewhat tempered in the months ahead, with the luxury market kicking into high gear by the fall.