The Bank of Canada has announced it will maintain the policy interest rate at 2.25%, choosing stability over reaction as inflation continues to trend toward its 2% target.

For homeowners considering selling, this decision matters more than most headlines suggest.

Stability Creates Buyer Confidence

When rates hold, uncertainty drops. Buyers can qualify with more confidence, lenders can underwrite with consistency, and fewer deals fall apart due to last-minute financing changes. That stability directly benefits sellers by keeping serious buyers active and committed.

Unlike periods of rapid rate movement, today’s environment allows buyers to plan—and when buyers can plan, they act.

Demand Remains Supported

While economic growth is projected to be modest, employment has improved and consumer spending has held up. At the same time, housing supply remains constrained in many Canadian markets. That imbalance continues to support demand, particularly for well-priced and well-presented homes.

For sellers, this means:

• Fewer speculative buyers

• More qualified, intentional purchasers

• Stronger negotiating positions when pricing is right

Pricing Strategy Matters More Than Ever

A stable rate environment doesn’t mean sellers can overreach. Today’s buyers are informed, cautious, and selective. Homes that are priced accurately for current market conditions continue to sell efficiently. Those that chase yesterday’s peak pricing often sit and invite unnecessary negotiation.

The advantage right now belongs to sellers who:

• Price based on current data, not past markets

• Prepare their home properly before listing

• Understand buyer psychology in a rate-stable environment

Timing Over Guesswork

Many sellers wait for “the next rate cut” or try to time the market perfectly. In reality, strong outcomes come from preparation and execution—not prediction.

With rates holding, inflation easing, and demand still present, sellers have clarity. And clarity is valuable.

Bottom Line

The Bank of Canada’s decision to hold rates at 2.25% creates a more predictable environment for real estate transactions. For sellers, that predictability supports buyer confidence, keeps demand engaged, and rewards disciplined strategy.

If you’re considering selling, this isn’t a market to watch from the sidelines. It’s a market to enter with a clear plan, strong positioning, and experienced guidance.

If you’re a homeowner, you’ve probably wondered at some point, “What is my home worth right now?”

It’s a great question, and it’s one I hear all the time. Whether you’re planning to sell soon, considering a move down the road, thinking about renovations, or you’re just curious, understanding your home’s value helps you make smarter decisions.

That’s where a Comparative Market Analysis, also known as a CMA, comes in.

What Is a Comparative Market Analysis (CMA)?

A Comparative Market Analysis (CMA) is a report created by a real estate professional that estimates a home’s current value by comparing it to similar properties in the same area.

Instead of guessing, relying on online estimates, or going off what a neighbor says their home sold for, a CMA uses real data from your local market to give you a much more accurate picture of where your home stands today.

It’s a helpful tool for:

• Buyers

• Sellers

• Homeowners who aren’t selling but want clarity

Why a CMA Matters for Buyers

If you’re buying a home, a CMA can help you make informed decisions before you submit an offer.

A CMA helps buyers by:

• Helping you make an informed offer

• Offering guidance on price

• Providing market clarity

In competitive markets, having a clear understanding of value can mean the difference between overpaying or losing out, or making a confident offer you feel good about.

Why a CMA Matters for Sellers

For sellers, a CMA is one of the most important first steps before listing a home.

A proper CMA:

• Determines what your home is likely to sell for

• Ensures your home is competitively priced

• Provides negotiation leverage

Pricing is everything. If a home is priced too high, it may sit longer and require price reductions. If it’s priced too low, you risk leaving money on the table. A CMA helps set a strategy based on the realities of the market, not assumptions.

Why a CMA Matters for Homeowners Who Aren’t Selling

A CMA isn’t only for people getting ready to list.

Even if you’re staying put, a CMA can still be valuable because it:

• Provides a baseline for a future decision to stay or sell

• Tracks home equity and value

• Helps plan for renovations and improvements

Knowing how your home compares to others nearby can help you decide whether upgrades are worthwhile and how your equity has grown over time.

What Information Is Included in a CMA?

A detailed CMA will include a mix of property details and real market data. Most reports include:

1) Property Data

This includes the key facts about your home, such as:

• Size

• Number of rooms

• Age

• Condition

• Unique features

2) Comparable Sales (Comps)

Typically, a CMA includes 3 to 5 homes sold recently that are similar to yours. These sales are one of the strongest indicators of value because they show what buyers were actually willing to pay.

3) Current Listings

This section shows similar homes that are currently for sale. It helps show your competition if you are listing, or what options exist if you are buying.

4) Pending Sales

Pending homes are properties that are under contract but not sold yet. These can offer clues about where the market is moving, especially if conditions are changing quickly.

5) Market Analysis

This may include additional insights like:

• Days on market

• Local pricing trends

• Activity levels in your neighborhood

6) Adjustments

Not all homes are identical. Adjustments account for differences such as:

• Garage vs no garage

• Renovated vs original condition

• Lot size

• Finished basement

• Extra bathrooms

• Pools, decks, landscaping, and more

7) Valuation Range

A CMA typically provides a suggested price range rather than one exact number. That range helps you understand how your home fits into current buyer demand.

Online Home Value Tools vs a CMA

Online estimates can be helpful for a quick look, but they often miss key details that influence value, such as:

• Condition and upgrades

• Layout and functionality

• Lot location and exposure

• Renovation quality

• Street appeal and overall presentation

A CMA takes the local market and your specific home features into account, which is why it’s often the most useful and realistic option.

Want a Free, No-Obligation CMA?

If you’re interested in knowing what your home could sell for, or you simply want a clearer picture of today’s market, I’d be happy to run a free, no-obligation Comparative Market Analysis for you.

Just reach out and I’ll take care of the rest.

And by the way, I’m never too busy for any of your referrals.

As Edmonton enters 2026, many single-family homeowners are taking a closer look at the real estate market before deciding whether to sell. The most recent data from the end of 2025 offers helpful insight into what sellers can expect.

December is traditionally a slower month for real estate activity, and 2025 followed that pattern. Despite the slowdown, detached homes continued to show strength. Single-family home prices finished the year more than 5 percent higher than in December 2024, even as sales volume and new listings declined.

This tells us the market has become more selective, not weaker. Buyers are still present, but they are careful and value-focused. Homes priced correctly and prepared properly continue to attract interest, while mispriced homes are often forced to adjust.

For Edmonton single-family homeowners, success in this market comes down to planning. Understanding your home’s current value, knowing how buyers are behaving, and choosing the right timing can significantly impact your results.

If selling your single-family home in Edmonton is something you’re considering in 2026, having a clear plan in place early allows you to move forward with confidence when the timing is right.