Published: April 2026 | Kate Arnold, REALTOR® | Data Source: FMREB / Pillar 9
March numbers are in, and there is a lot to unpack. If you have been watching the Fort McMurray market closely, the data tells a clear story: buyers are moving faster, sellers are pricing sharper, and certain neighbourhoods and property types are genuinely hard to find right now. Here is what the official FMREB statistics show for March 2026 and what it means if you are buying or selling this spring.
March 2026: By the Numbers
Source: Fort McMurray Real Estate Board (FMREB) / Pillar 9
Buyers Are Deciding Faster
The single most telling number in this month's report is days on market. In March 2026, the average property sold in 46 days compared to 64 days in March 2025. That is a 28% improvement in pace, and it matters more than almost any other metric for both buyers and sellers right now.
Alongside that, the sale-to-list price ratio tightened to 97.16% from 96.1% a year ago. Sellers are getting closer to their asking price, and the gap between what a home is listed for and what it sells for is narrowing. Properly priced homes are not sitting. They are moving, and they are moving well.
Homes priced correctly are selling in 46 days on average and closing within 3% of list price. Accurate pricing from day one is the most valuable tool a seller has right now.
New Listings Down, Inventory Even Tighter
New listings in March came in at 160, which is down 20% year-over-year. Fewer sellers are coming to market compared to this time last year, which means buyers are competing for a smaller pool of available homes.
Total inventory sits at just 290 active listings, down 24.1% from March 2025. With only 2.87 months of supply, Fort McMurray is holding firmly in seller's market territory. The rule of thumb for a balanced market is 4 to 6 months of supply. We are not there.
If you have been thinking about listing and waiting for the right time, this spring window is it. With both new listings and total inventory declining, your property faces less competition than in a more saturated market, and motivated buyers are actively searching with fewer options to choose from.
Prices by Property Type
The headline average residential price of $368,560 is essentially flat year-over-year (+0.1%), but the story varies significantly by property type.
Detached homes: The average sale price sits at $464,278, and year-to-date the detached benchmark is $472,598, unchanged from this time last year. Detached homes remain the most stable and in-demand segment of the Fort McMurray market. If you own a detached home, you are holding value.
Semi-detached: Up 3% year-over-year at $380,500. Strong relative performance in this segment.
Row/Townhouse: Average price of $239,889, down 4.9% year-over-year. More affordable entry point for buyers, and a softer segment for sellers. Pricing strategy is especially important here.
Apartments: The standout. Average price of $157,252, up 36.7% year-over-year. Apartment demand is real and growing, driven by first-time buyers, investors, and newcomers entering the market at an accessible price point.
Detached home values are holding firm year-over-year. For homeowners in this segment, the market is supporting strong equity positions heading into spring 2026.
In-Demand Neighbourhoods Right Now
Certain areas are seeing consistent buyer interest this spring. If you are searching in any of the following neighbourhoods, move with intention because well-priced listings are not lasting long.
Abasand — An established neighbourhood with character homes, mature lots, and strong community appeal. Buyers looking for detached homes with value are active here.
Beacon Hill — One of Fort McMurray's quieter, well-established communities. Consistent demand from buyers who want a traditional neighbourhood feel.
Parsons Creek — A newer north-end development with modern builds and family-friendly infrastructure. Demand here is driven by buyers seeking newer construction. [Add link to Parsons Creek neighbourhood page when live]
Stone Creek — A premium pocket attracting buyers at the higher end of the market. Strong activity in the $600,000-plus range. [Add link to Stone Creek neighbourhood page when live]
Wood Buffalo Way area — Consistent buyer interest in this corridor. [Add link to Wood Buffalo neighbourhood page when live]
Saprae Creek Estates — Acreage living within reach of the city. Buyers seeking space, privacy, and triple-car garages or shop-ready lots are actively looking here.
Anzac — The rural market south of the city continues to attract buyers looking for acreages, larger lots, and a different pace of life. Inventory here is very limited, which means well-priced rural properties are moving quickly.
Searching in one of these areas? Browse current listings: [View all Fort McMurray properties.]
What Buyers Are Looking For
Beyond neighbourhood, certain property types are seeing disproportionate demand right now. If you own one of the following and are considering selling, you are in a strong position.
Condos and apartments: With apartment prices up 36.7% year-over-year and months of supply tightening in this segment, condo demand is real. First-time buyers and investors are competing for well-located units. Affordability in the sub-$200,000 range is driving urgency.
Homes with suites: Legal suites and mortgage helpers are among the most requested features from buyers right now. With rental costs high in Fort McMurray and buyers increasingly cost-conscious, a home that helps offset carrying costs commands a premium.
Homes priced above $700,000: The upper end of the market is more active than the headline average suggests. Buyers in this range are looking for quality finishes, newer construction, and properties that justify the price. Inventory is limited and qualified buyers are ready.
Triple-car garages: A consistent top request, particularly from buyers who have work vehicles, recreational equipment, or simply want the flexibility. Homes with triple-car garages or large heated garages sell at a premium in this market.
Acreages: Rural properties in the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo, including Saprae Creek Estates, Anzac, and surrounding areas, are seeing strong interest with very limited supply. If you own acreage and have considered selling, call me. The buyers are there.
What the RMWB Census 2025 Tells Us About Housing Demand
The Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo released its Census 2025 results in January, and the findings are directly relevant to anyone buying or selling here right now.
The total population of the RMWB came in at 107,740, a 1.6% increase from 2021 and the first period of growth the region has seen in a decade. Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo That headline number matters, but the story underneath it matters more for real estate.
Since 2021, the permanent resident population has grown by over 11%, while the number of temporary workers living in camps or short-term accommodations has dropped by more than 22%. Work camps declined from 68 facilities to 25. Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo That is a fundamental shift in the character of this community. Fewer transient workers, more permanent residents. More people buying homes, not bunking in camps.
Fort McMurray Wood Buffalo remains a young, working-age community, with 43% of residents between the ages of 20 and 44. The largest age cohort has shifted from the 35 to 39 range in previous census cycles to 40 to 45 in 2025 Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo, which points to a population that is settling in, not passing through. People continue to move here from across Canada, with family connections, available housing, and employment all cited as top reasons for relocating. Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo
What this means for the housing market is straightforward. A growing permanent population, with fewer temporary workers cycling in and out, creates sustained, year-round demand for residential real estate. These are people who need homes, not camp beds. Combined with inventory that sits 24% below year-ago levels, the census data reinforces what the March numbers already show: this market is not short of buyers. It is short of homes.
The shift from a transient workforce to a permanent, family-rooted population is one of the most significant long-term drivers of housing demand Fort McMurray has seen in years. The Census 2025 data confirms it.
My Read on the Market
March confirmed what I have been seeing on the ground. Buyers are serious, they are moving quickly, and they know what they want. Sellers who price accurately and present their homes well are getting strong results. Those who overprice or under-prepare are sitting longer than they need to.
The combination of tight inventory, rising sale-to-list ratios, and improving days on market points to a spring season with real momentum. If you have been on the fence about listing, the window is open now.
If you want to know what your specific home is worth in this market, I will give you a data-backed answer with no pressure attached. [Request your free evaluation: Home Evaluation.]
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About Kate Arnold
Kate Arnold is a REALTOR® with Coldwell Banker United in Fort McMurray, Alberta. She has been active in the Fort McMurray real estate market since 2016 and specializes in residential, commercial, and rural properties. Kate works with sellers and buyers who want clear, data-backed guidance on one of the most significant decisions they will make.