Fort McMurray real estate just wrapped its busiest summer in 10 years. Across Wood Buffalo, 409 homes sold from June to August. That's more than any summer since at least 2017, and 21% more than last summer.
And we're heading into fall with homes selling faster than they have in years. September listings sold in an average of 49 days, compared to 64 days last September.
Everyone in town is talking about the pipeline news too. Fair enough. But here's what the numbers said before any of that hit: inventory in Fort McMurray is down almost a quarter from last year, and we're sitting at just 3.1 months of supply.
September sales came in at 102, down 7.3% from last September. Don't let that number fool you. Sales aren't slipping because buyers went home. They're slipping because there's less to buy. Year to date, sales are still up 5%.
So let's look at the summer, break down September, then talk about the buzz.
Fort McMurray's Busiest Summer in 10 Years
I pulled 10 years of board data for the Wood Buffalo region, which covers Fort McMurray and the surrounding communities. Here's how every summer since 2017 stacks up:
This wasn't one big month. June, July and August were each the busiest of their month in 10 years. July's 146 sales were the second-highest month of any kind in that whole stretch, behind only April 2022.September kept the pace in a different way:
Fewest homes for sale of any September in 10 years. 327 listings across Wood Buffalo, down from 430 last September and 756 in September 2017.
Lowest months of supply of any September in 10 years. 3.11 months.
Faster sales. 49 average days on market, down from 64 last year. Only September 2021 was quicker, at 48 days.
Strong offers. Homes sold for 96.6% of list price on average.
Year to date, Wood Buffalo has 1,030 sales. That's the second-busiest January to September in 10 years, just behind 2022 (1,039). So we're not calling a record year yet. But we're close, and October through December will decide it.
Source: Wood Buffalo Monthly Statistics, September 2026. Data supplied by Pillar 9.
September 2026 at a Glance
Data source: Alberta Real Estate Association (AREA), Fort McMurray Monthly Statistics, September 2026. Data supplied by Pillar 9.
Want the full picture over time? My Fort McMurray real estate statistics page tracks it month by month.
What the September Numbers Actually Mean
Inventory is the story
We had 316 homes for sale in September. A year ago it was about 23% more. New listings were down 11.5% too, so supply isn't catching up anytime soon.
With 102 sales against 316 listings, that's 3.1 months of supply. Here's the quick rule of thumb:
Under 4 months: seller's market
4 to 6 months: balanced
Over 6 months: buyer's market
At 3.1 months, Fort McMurray is still on the seller's side of the line. It's a little looser than August, when we sat at 2.72 months, so buyers have slightly more to choose from heading into fall. But it's nowhere near a soft market.
Seven out of ten new listings sold
The sales-to-new-listings ratio was 70%. For every 10 homes that came on the market in September, 7 sold. That tells you demand is keeping pace with almost everything that lists.
Why the average price looks flat
The overall average price was $347,335, down 0.1% from last year. Sounds like nothing happened, right?
Look closer. Three of the four property types were up year over year, some by more than 20%. An average is a blend of everything that sold that month, so it moves when the mix of sales changes, not just when values change. Detached homes made up 58 of the 102 sales, and the detached average dipped 1%. That's what held the overall number flat.
A flat average price doesn't mean flat values. It's why I always look at each property type on its own before I talk pricing with anyone.
Fort McMurray Home Prices in September 2026
Detached: Basically holding steady. Detached had 3.86 months of supply, the most of any type, but still under the 4 month line. Buyers have a bit more choice here than anywhere else.
Semi-Detached: Up 21%, but only 4 sales. Treat this one as directional, not settled. Year to date, semi prices are up 9%, which is the more reliable read.
Row/Townhouse: The biggest jump at 23%. With 17 sales it's still a smaller sample, but the year-to-date trend backs it up: row prices are up 9% so far in 2026.
Apartment/Condo: The tightest segment in town. 23 condos sold against just 22 new condo listings. More sold than came on. If you're shopping for a condo, you're competing.
Is It a Good Time to Sell in Fort McMurray?
If you've been thinking about it, the numbers are on your side. Inventory is low, 7 in 10 new listings are selling, and townhouse and semi values are up year over year.
That doesn't mean every home sells itself. Buyers have a little more choice than they did in August, especially in detached. The homes that do best are priced on real comps from the start and show well on day one.
And don't count out a fall or winter listing. Fewer homes on the market can mean less competition for your buyer's attention. Our winters are bright and sunny, and the buyers out looking in November are usually serious.
Curious where your home lands? Request a free home evaluation and I'll pull the actual comps for your street. You can also check what your neighbour sold for or read through my Sellers Guide.
What Fort McMurray Buyers Should Know Right Now
Condos are the most competitive. More condos sold in September than were listed. If you see one you like, be ready to move.
Detached gives you the most room. At 3.86 months of supply, it's the segment with the most options right now.
Townhouses and semis are climbing. Both are up 9% year to date. Waiting for those prices to come back down isn't a strategy I'd build a plan around.
Get pre-approved before you start looking. In a market this tight, a solid pre-approval could help you win the offer. Need a lender? My professional network has people I trust.
Here's what that looks like on the ground. In September I helped a couple buy a condo that never hit the MLS. More condos sold than came on the market that month, so I went looking off-market. They got it without competing against a single other offer. Sometimes the right home isn't on the app yet.
Start with the Buyers Guide, run your numbers on the mortgage calculator, then search current listings.
The Pacific Link Pipeline: What It Could Mean for Fort McMurray Real Estate
Okay, the buzz. On October 1, the Pacific Link pipeline was announced right here in Fort McMurray. Here are the facts:
It's a proposed pipeline from Alberta to a tanker export terminal in southern B.C.
Planned capacity is one million barrels per day.
It's the first project designated under Canada's 2025 national interest legislation, which gives it a streamlined review.
It's still at the review stage. It's an announcement, not a shovel in the ground.
(Read the full coverage here.)
Does it change the market today? No. None of this shows up in September's numbers. The data above was already set before the announcement.
Could it matter down the road? Housing here has always followed jobs and people. If a project like this moves forward and brings more workers to the region, more people need places to live, and that could add demand to a market that's already short on supply. Even the announcement itself was framed as sustained growth rather than a boom, and that's how I'd look at it too.
My take: don't make a move based on a headline. Make it based on your goals, your timing and the actual numbers. I'll keep tracking what shows up in the data every month, right here.
Fort McMurray Real Estate Year-to-Date: January to September 2026
More homes have sold this year than last, with fewer listings coming on. That's why prices are up 3% year to date, with row and semi-detached leading the way at 9% each.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Fort McMurray real estate market like right now?
It's a seller's market. In September 2026 there were 316 homes for sale and 102 sales, which works out to 3.1 months of supply. Inventory is down 22.9% from last year, and 70% of new listings sold. Buyers have a bit more choice than in August, especially in detached homes.
Is it a good time to sell a home in Fort McMurray in 2026?
For a lot of sellers, yes. Inventory is low, year-to-date sales are up 5%, and average prices are up 3% so far in 2026. Pricing still matters. Homes priced on real comparables from day one tend to do best.
What are Fort McMurray home prices in 2026?
In September 2026, the average detached home sold for $457,077, semi-detached for $401,100, row/townhouse for $243,959, and apartment/condo for $137,652. The overall residential average was $347,335. Year to date, the average is $378,953, up 3%.
Which property types are selling the fastest in Fort McMurray right now?
Condos. In September, 23 condos sold against only 22 new condo listings. Townhouses (68% of new listings sold) and detached homes (67%) were close behind.
Was summer 2026 a busy real estate season in Fort McMurray?
Yes. It was the busiest summer in 10 years. Across Wood Buffalo, 409 homes sold from June to August 2026, the most of any summer since at least 2017 and 21% more than summer 2025. June, July and August were each the busiest of their month in that 10-year stretch.
Will the Pacific Link pipeline affect Fort McMurray house prices?
It's too early to say, and it isn't in the data yet. The pipeline was announced on October 1, 2026, and is still under review. Housing demand here tends to follow jobs, so a project that brings more workers to the region could add demand over time. I'll be watching the monthly numbers for any real change.
Why are Fort McMurray average prices flat when most property types went up?
An average blends every sale together, so it moves when the mix of what sold changes. In September, row, semi-detached and apartment prices were all up year over year, but detached homes (58 of 102 sales) dipped 1%, which held the overall average flat.
Who should I call about selling my home in Fort McMurray?
Kate Arnold with Coldwell Banker United. Kate studies the Fort McMurray market every day and will give you a pricing plan built on real comps for your street. Contact Kate here or call 780-792-9944.
Thinking About Your Next Move?
Whether the pipeline news has you thinking about selling, buying or just wondering what your place is worth, let's talk. I'll start with your goals and where you're at, then we'll build a plan from there.
Curious what you could walk away with? Try my seller net proceeds calculator. Plug in a price and see your estimated take-home in about a minute.
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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 buyers and sellers who want clear, data-backed guidance on one of the most significant decisions they will make. Contact Kate today.
Data source: Alberta Real Estate Association (AREA), Fort McMurray Monthly Statistics, September 2026 (published October 2026), and Wood Buffalo Monthly Statistics, September 2026, for the 10-year summer, days on market and sale-to-list figures. Data supplied by Pillar 9. Small-sample segments, such as semi-detached with 4 September sales, should be read as directional.