Peshke Real Estate Team : MaxWell Capital Realty : Archived blog posts for : November 2026

Is Your Home Ready For An Alberta Winter?

Posted on November 4, 2026 by Yasin Peshke

Simple steps to help protect your home, prevent costly surprises and stay comfortable through the colder months.

Alberta winters can be unpredictable. One week may bring milder temperatures, while the next delivers a deep freeze, blowing snow and icy conditions. Taking a little time to prepare your home before winter settles in can help prevent unexpected repairs, improve energy efficiency and make the season more comfortable for your family.

Whether you own a newer home, an older property or an acreage, here are some important things to check before the temperatures drop.

1. Give Your Furnace Some Attention

Your heating system works hard during an Alberta winter, so it’s worth making sure it’s ready for the season.

Replace or clean your furnace filter according to the manufacturer's recommendations.
Book a professional furnace inspection if you haven't had one recently.
Check that vents and air returns aren't blocked by furniture or rugs.
Make sure your thermostat is working properly.
Test your carbon monoxide alarms and smoke detectors.

Homeowner tip: A clean furnace filter helps maintain proper airflow. Check it regularly throughout the heating season, especially if you have pets.

2. Protect Your Pipes From Freezing

Frozen pipes can lead to expensive water damage, particularly during extended cold snaps.

Disconnect garden hoses and drain outdoor faucets where appropriate.
Insulate exposed pipes in unheated areas, such as garages, crawl spaces and unfinished basements.
Seal drafts around plumbing penetrations in exterior walls.
Know where your main water shut-off valve is located.
If you're leaving home during a cold spell, keep the indoor temperature at a safe level and arrange for someone to check on the property.

Homeowner tip: If you have plumbing in an especially cold area, consider asking a plumber whether additional insulation or other protection is needed.

3. Check Windows and Doors for Drafts

Small gaps can let cold air in and warm air out, making your home less comfortable and increasing heating costs.

Inspect weatherstripping around exterior doors.
Check window seals and caulking for visible gaps or deterioration.
Replace worn door sweeps where needed.
Use properly fitted window coverings to help reduce heat loss.
Check for drafts around electrical outlets and other openings on exterior walls.

Addressing minor drafts now can make a noticeable difference in comfort throughout the winter.

4. Clear Gutters and Check Drainage

Leaves, debris and standing water can contribute to drainage problems and ice buildup as temperatures fluctuate.

Clear leaves and debris from eavestroughs and downspouts.
Make sure downspouts direct water away from the foundation.
Look for loose or damaged gutter sections.
Check that the ground around your home slopes away from the foundation where possible.

If you notice significant roof damage, persistent ice buildup or drainage concerns, consider having a qualified professional assess the issue.

5. Prepare Your Outdoor Spaces

Before snow and ice arrive, take care of the outdoor jobs that become more difficult once winter sets in.

Store or secure patio furniture, cushions and seasonal decorations.
Drain and store garden hoses.
Shut off and winterize exterior water lines according to your plumbing setup.
Put away garden tools and inspect outdoor steps and handrails.
Make sure snow shovels, ice melt and winter equipment are accessible.
Trim hazardous branches that could threaten your home, while following safe practices or hiring a professional for larger trees.

For acreage owners, this is also a good time to check access roads, exterior lighting, gates and outbuildings before heavy snowfall.

6. Make Safety a Priority

Winter brings shorter days, icy walkways and increased reliance on heating systems. A few simple precautions can help keep everyone safe.

Test smoke and carbon monoxide alarms.
Keep walkways and exterior steps clear of snow and ice.
Check that outdoor lighting is working.
Keep emergency supplies handy in case of a power outage.
Have fireplaces, wood stoves and chimneys inspected and maintained as recommended.
Never use outdoor fuel-burning equipment indoors or in enclosed spaces.

7. Don't Forget Your Home's Interior

Winter is a good time to look for small issues before they become larger problems.

Check under sinks for signs of leaks.
Look for damp spots or musty smells in basements and storage areas.
Check bathroom and kitchen exhaust fans to ensure they're working properly.
Use kitchen and bathroom exhaust fans to manage moisture.
Keep an eye out for condensation on windows, which can indicate excess indoor humidity or cold surfaces.

Managing indoor moisture is particularly important during Alberta's colder months, when condensation can contribute to mould and material damage.

Your Alberta Winter Home Checklist

Before winter arrives, take a few minutes to check off these essentials:

☐ Furnace filter checked and heating system serviced as needed

☐ Smoke and carbon monoxide alarms tested

☐ Garden hoses disconnected and outdoor water lines winterized

☐ Exposed pipes inspected and insulated where needed

☐ Windows and doors checked for drafts

☐ Gutters cleared and downspouts directing water away from the foundation

☐ Outdoor furniture and seasonal equipment stored

☐ Snow shovels and ice melt ready to use

☐ Main water shut-off located

☐ Emergency supplies checked

A Little Preparation Goes a Long Way

Preparing your home for winter doesn't have to mean tackling everything in one weekend. Start with the essentials, work through the checklist as time allows, and arrange professional help for anything that needs attention.

A little preventative maintenance now can help you avoid unwanted surprises when the temperatures drop.

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Supply Levels Ease As We Move Into Winter

Posted on November 3, 2026 by Yasin Peshke

Calgary, Alberta, Nov. 2, 2026 – October sales slowed to 1,592 units, contributing to a year-to-date decline of nearly 11 per cent. While sales have slowed this year, much of the decline was driven by steep pullbacks in resale apartment condominiums and row-style units. Although sales have fallen across all property types, we have seen a pickup in sales of homes that are priced above $1.5 million, which account for less than four per cent of all sales activity.

The overall pullback in sales was met with further declines in new listings, causing inventories to trend down in October. In line with typical seasonal behaviour, inventories slowed from September, leaving inventories nearly five per cent lower than October 2025 levels. With 6,173 units in inventory and 1,592 sales, the months of supply remained just below four months. The elevated months of supply is mostly due to shifts in the higher-density apartment and row sectors of the market, which both tend to favour the buyer. Meanwhile, detached and semi-detached markets remain relatively balanced.

“Supply choice in the new, rental and resale markets has taken much of the pressure off prices this year. However, supply choice can vary significantly within the market, resulting in divergent impacts on prices,” said Ann-Marie Lurie, Chief Economist at the Calgary Real Estate Board (CREB^®). “Much of the downward pressure on prices is occurring in the oversupplied higher-density segments of the market, while detached and semi-detached prices have remained more stable. Even within the detached market, we see variation as the City Centre and West districts continue to report price gains over 2025, while prices have declined by more than six per cent in the North East district.”

In line with seasonal expectations, October’s benchmark price eased compared with September, and remained similar to last year’s levels. While much of the price adjustment in the market occurred in the second half of 2025, we did not see the same seasonal lift in prices in spring 2026, leaving year-to-date prices nearly three per cent lower than October 2025. Year-to-date benchmark prices ranged from stable in the semi-detached sector to a decline of nearly nine per cent in the apartment condominium sector.

Detached

October detached sales eased to 847 units, down from September and nearly 16 per cent lower than last year's levels. The monthly decline in new listings was more significant than the pullback in sales, causing the sales-to-new-listings ratio to rise to 56 per cent. This also caused inventories to trend down from September, but with 2,832 units in inventory, levels were comparable to October 2025 and typical October levels. Overall, with just over three months of supply, conditions remained relatively balanced, preventing monthly price declines beyond typical seasonal behaviour. In October, the unadjusted benchmark price was $735,100, less than one per cent lower than last year. Year-to-date price gains in the City Centre and West districts were not high enough to offset declines occurring mostly in the North East, North and East districts, leaving total detached prices two per cent lower than 2025.

Semi-Detached

Unlike other property types, sales improved in October compared with September. While this was not enough to offset earlier pullbacks, year-to-date sales fell by less than two per cent compared to last year. At the same time, new listings eased in October, lifting the sales-to-new-listings ratio to 61 per cent, the highest among the four property types. This also caused a steeper decline in inventory levels, bringing the months of supply back down to three months, compared with nearly four months in September. Relatively tighter market conditions throughout the year have prevented any significant change in prices. In October, the unadjusted benchmark price was $685,200, similar to September and nearly one per cent higher than last year. Overall, year-to-date prices have remained stable compared to October 2025.

Row

Sales continued to slow in October, contributing to the year-to-date decline of over 15 per cent. Meanwhile, new listings eased, but not as much as sales, leaving the sales-to-new-listings ratio below 50 per cent for the second month in a row. This also prevented any significant adjustment in inventory levels, which were stable compared with September and five per cent higher than October 2025. With 241 sales and 1,069 units in inventory, the months of supply pushed up to 4.4 months, showing more persistent signs of oversupply. Competition from the new home market and added rental supply choice has weighed on resale row homes, resulting in persistent downward pressure on prices over the past four months. In October, the unadjusted benchmark price was $407,500, more than five per cent lower than October 2025. While year-to-date prices are lower than last year across every district, the North East and East districts reported the steepest declines at more than 11 per cent.

Apartment Condominium

With over five months of supply, apartment condominiums continue to struggle with excess supply and price declines. Easing rental rates and competing product in the new home market have lowered demand for resale condominiums. In October, the pullback in new listings helped drive further inventory declines. However, the 1,691 units in inventory were still 13 per cent higher than typical October levels. Persistent price adjustments have left the unadjusted benchmark price at $288,800 in October, eight per cent lower than last year and 15 per cent below the peak price reached in August 2024. Downward pressure on prices over the past two years has erased much of the gains reported since prices recovered in 2023. Prices have eased across all districts in the city, with the largest declines occurring in the North East and East districts.

REGIONAL MARKET FACTS

Airdrie

Sales continued to trend down in October, contributing to a year-to-date decline of 13 per cent. While sales declined across all property types, the largest year-to-date declines occurred in row and semi-detached homes. Competition from the new home market as well as competing supply in other centres and Calgary has weighed on resale activity this year. In October, new listings also slowed, contributing to further pullbacks in inventory levels and keeping the months of supply at just over four months. The additional supply choice has weighed on resale prices, which are down by nearly five per cent on a year-to-date basis. Prices eased across all property types. In October, the unadjusted detached benchmark price dropped to $587,300, bringing the price difference between Airdrie and Calgary back to 20 per cent.

Cochrane

Easing sales in October were not enough to offset earlier gains, as year-to-date sales remained nearly four per cent higher than 2025 levels. The 62 sales in October were met with 142 new listings, keeping the sales-to-new-listings ratio relatively low at 44 per cent. This caused inventories to rise at a time when inventories typically decline. Higher inventory levels compared to sales caused the months of supply to approach six months for the first time since early 2020. The increase in supply was partly due to a rising share of new homes being listed on the resale market in October. The benchmark price was $571,100, down from September and nearly two per cent lower than October 2025 and on a year-to-date basis.

Okotoks

An increase in new listings compared to sales caused the sales-to-new-listings ratio to fall back into the 50 per cent range, following elevated levels over the past four months. This also caused inventories to increase from September and remain similar to levels reported in October 2025. With 137 units in inventory and 45 sales, the months of supply reached three months, reflecting relatively balanced conditions but still the highest level recorded this year. As conditions have been relatively tight in Okotoks, there has not been as much pressure on prices. While prices eased in October, this is not unusual for this time of year. Year-to-date benchmark prices are one per cent lower than they were last year.

Chestermere

New listings continued to rise in Chestermere compared with sales activity, causing the sales-to-new-listings ratio to remain in the 30 per cent range. This kept inventory levels elevated, with the months of supply remaining just below six months. Elevated supply levels over the past several months have caused prices to trend down since July. In October, the unadjusted benchmark price was $683,800, more than three per cent lower than October 2025. Despite recent declines, year-to-date benchmark prices are only one per cent lower than levels reported last year.