Early June 2026 Real Estate Stats!

It was a slow start to 2026. Sales were down significantly in the first quarter, though April and May both came in roughly even with 2025:

• May 2026: 59 sales vs. 60 in May 2025
• Year to date through May: 194 sales, down 13.78% from 225 in 2025
• For context: YTD sales at end of May were 214 in 2024, 203 in 2023, and 330 in 2022

New listings also softened. There was a flurry heading into the May long weekend, but things quieted in the final two weeks of the month:

• May new listings: 122, down 6.87% from last May
• Year to date new listings: down 13.37%, nearly mirroring the sales decline
• Active inventory at end of May: 499 listings, down 7.93% from May 2025 and down 14.26% from May 2024

In some cases, the lack of selection in specific locations and property types is part of why sales have lagged. 

Short answer: no, not significantly, and flat is the most likely outcome in the near term. Prices tend to drop when inventory rises, not when it shrinks. With listings declining, there is no real downward pressure. That said, prices do not appear to be rising either. 

The biggest mistake sellers can make right now is overpricing. No marketing or photography will overcome it. Days on market are already climbing:

• Average days on market for May sales: 68 days, up 10.97% from last year
• Year to date average: 94 days, up 7.63% from 2025
• Average sale price as a percentage of list price: 94.61% year to date

Days on market is worth watching closely. Rising numbers signal a softening market; falling numbers signal stronger demand and faster-moving new listings. 

So far in 2026, the market has been noticeably recreational in character:

• Condos in Invermere, Radium, and Panorama have been active
• RV lots and properties at Valley's Edge RV Resort in Edgewater have been moving after years of sitting
• Lakefront and properties in Timber Ridge and Lakeview Meadows remain competitive, particularly those not affected by highway noise

On the other hand, mid-range and upper-range single family homes have been soft:

• Homes in the $700K to $900K range in and around Invermere have been sitting
• Properties over $1 million without lake access have been largely quiet
• Subject-to-sale offers are much more common on these types of properties, reflecting that buyers often need to sell elsewhere first

There have also been some encouraging local moves. When the market is hot, local buyers are frequently outbid by cash or subject-free offers. A slower market gives locals the opportunity to upsize, downsize, or make a first purchase. That said, many of these buyers are working within tight affordability limits and cannot stretch much past $700K. 

The recreational buyer tends to have stronger net worth and is less exposed to market uncertainty. Buying a second property in a place like this is not a high-stakes financial decision for them. 

Full-time relocation buyers are a different story. Selling a home elsewhere, packing up, and starting over in a new area takes more planning and requires confidence in both markets. 

An uncertain economic environment can slow that process. But it feels like that buyer may be returning, and if things have stabilized enough, the shift could be felt through summer and fall.

In a small market like this, even 10 to 20 out-of-area buyers purchasing single family homes over the next three months would have a noticeable impact on supply and the overall feel of the market.

Last summer was reasonably strong: 50 sales in June, 53 in July, and 55 in August. A similar pace this year seems plausible, but I would be surprised if we exceed last year's numbers. The lost volume from the spring is likely gone.

A few things to watch:

• Whether recreational buyers continue to carry the market or if single family activity picks up
• Whether new listings continue through summer or dry up
• Whether days on market begin to decrease as a sign of improving demand

It is not a boring market, and there is still plenty of opportunity for buyers and sellers who are priced and positioned well.