Rural Strathcona County Real Estate Market Update – January 2026

The 2026 acreage market is officially underway in Rural Strathcona County, and while January numbers are typically quieter due to seasonality, the data reveals something important: pricing strength remains very strong, even as overall sales volume slowed.

If you're buying or selling an acreage this year, these early numbers give us valuable insight into what we can expect for the spring market ahead.

Let’s break down what happened in January 2026.

📊 January 2026 Market Snapshot

According to the official January 2026 report

• Sold Properties: 6 (↓ 71.43% vs January 2025)
• New Listings: 26 (↓ 10.34%)
• Average Sale Price: $1.01M (↑ 12.36%)
• Average Asking Price: $1.11M (↑ 3.08%)
• Days on Market: 114 (↓ 35.96%)
• Ask-to-Sell Ratio: 0.994 (↑ 3.08%)

Even with fewer sales, the story here is clear: acreage values remain strong and buyers are paying close to asking price. Noting 1 sale was at $1,450,000

   

Bar graphs below are interactive

Strathcona County -Acreage Listings

🆕 New Listings: Inventory Building Ahead of Spring

There were 26 new acreage listings in January, slightly down 10.34% from last year.

This is typical for early Q1:

• Some sellers wait until March/April.
• Others list early to capture motivated winter buyers.

If this pace continues, we may see tighter inventory heading into the spring market — which could support continued price growth.

Strathcona County - Average Acreage List Price

💵 Asking Prices Continue to Climb

The average asking price in January was $1.11M, up 3.08% year-over-year.

While this increase is more moderate than the jump in sale price, it suggests:

• Sellers are confident in the market.
• Pricing strategies are aligning more closely with buyer expectations.
• The gap between list price and sale price is tightening.

Strathcona County -Acreage Sales

🏡 Sales Activity: A Typical Seasonal Slowdown

Only 6 acreages sold in January 2026, compared to 21 in January 2025. That’s a 71% decrease year-over-year — but context matters.

January is historically one of the slowest months in the rural market due to:

• Weather conditions
• Holiday carryover
• Fewer active buyers
• Sellers waiting for spring

This drop does not indicate weakness in the market — it reflects seasonality.

What matters more is pricing behaviour — and that’s where things get interesting.

Average Sale Price

💰 Average Sale Price Surpasses $1 Million

The average sale price in January 2026 reached $1.01M, marking a 12.36% increase over January 2025.

This is a major milestone.

Despite lower transaction volume:

• Buyers paid significantly more.
• Luxury and upper-tier properties likely dominated the sales mix.
• Sellers maintained strong pricing power.

The chart on page 1 of the report shows a noticeable upward trend in the monthly sales price line entering January 2026 — reinforcing that pricing momentum carried into the new year.

For acreage owners, this is a powerful signal: values remain elevated heading into spring.

🤝 Ask-to-Sell Ratio: Nearly Full Price Sales

One of the strongest indicators in this report is the 0.994 ask-to-sell ratio.

That means homes sold for 99.4% of asking price.

This is exceptionally strong — especially in January.

For sellers:

• Negotiation margins are minimal.
• Properly priced acreages are commanding near-full price.
• Overpricing remains risky, but correct pricing is rewarded.

For buyers:

• There is very little room for deep discounts.
• Strong, clean offers are necessary to secure desirable properties.

Strathcona County Acreage Average Days on Market

⏱️ Days on Market: Significant Improvement

January acreages averaged 114 days on market, which is actually a 35.96% improvement from January 2025’s 178 days.

That’s a substantial shift.

Although 114 days may seem long compared to city homes, acreage properties naturally have longer timelines due to:

• Larger price points
• More complex inspections (well, septic, outbuildings)
• Specialized buyer pool

The improvement tells us:

• Serious buyers are still active.
• Well-priced homes are moving faster than last year.
• Market efficiency is improving.

📈 YTD 2026 vs YTD 2025 Comparison

Since January is the first month of the year, YTD reflects January only — but the comparison still shows important shifts:

Metric	YTD 2026	YTD 2025	% Change
Sold Properties	6	21	↓ 71.43%
Average Sale Price	$1.01M	$903K	↑ 12.36%
Average Asking Price	$1.11M	$1.08M	↑ 3.08%
Days on Market	114	178	↓ 35.96%
Ask-to-Sell Ratio	0.994	0.964	↑ 3.08%

strathcona county

The takeaway?

Lower volume. Higher value. Faster turnover. Stronger negotiating power for sellers.

That’s a powerful combination entering spring.

🔎 What This Means for Buyers in 2026

If you're planning to buy an acreage this year:

• Expect continued strength in pricing.
• Be prepared for near-asking-price negotiations.
• Move quickly on well-maintained properties.
• Ensure financing is fully pre-approved before shopping.

The January data suggests buyers are not aggressively negotiating — they’re paying close to list price for quality properties.

🏡 What This Means for Sellers in 2026

If you're considering selling your acreage this year:

• The $1.01M average sale price is a strong signal.
• Inventory is not flooding the market.
• Buyers are paying nearly full price.
• Days on market are improving.

You may not need to wait until late spring to list.

Strategic early listings can capture:

• Relocation buyers
• Lifestyle movers
• Buyers who sold in Edmonton in late 2025

📊 Visual Trends from the Report

The graph on page 1 of the report shows:

• A consistent upward trend in average sale prices since mid-2024.
• A notable price spike entering January 2026.
• Sales volume dipping seasonally but not collapsing structurally.

This confirms that January’s lower sales volume is cyclical — not market weakness.

🔮 What to Expect for Spring 2026

Based on January’s data, here’s what I anticipate:

• Strong spring pricing.
• Potential upward pressure if inventory remains moderate.
• Competitive conditions for move-in-ready acreages.
• Continued strength in $900K–$1.2M price brackets.

If rates remain stable, the acreage market in Strathcona County could see another strong Q2.

🌾 Final Thoughts

January 2026 may have started quietly in terms of volume, but it started loudly in terms of value.

With:

• Sale prices up 12.36%
• Ask-to-sell ratio at 99.4%
• Days on market improving
• Inventory moderate

The Rural Strathcona County acreage market enters 2026 in a position of strength.

📞 Thinking About Buying or Selling an Acreage?

If you’d like a customized market evaluation for your acreage or want to start planning your spring purchase:

Chris Reid – Century 21 Leading
📞 (780) 717-5267
🌐 chrisreidedmonton.com
📧 creid@chrisreidedmonton.com

Acreage real estate is different — and working with someone who understands wells, septic systems, zoning, shops, and rural negotiations makes all the difference.

Data provided by the REALTORS® Association of Edmonton and subject to change. Always consult with a real estate professional for the most current market information. 

Looking to Buy or Sell Acreages in Strathcona County?

Whether you're a buyer eager to find your perfect rural retreat or a seller ready to capitalize on this favourable market, I’m here to help. Reach out to explore available properties or to discuss your goals.

CONTACT ME HERE

Strathcona County Website