Q1 2026 Real Estate Update — Invermere & Area

Posted on Apr 08, 2026


Q1 2026 Real Estate Update — Invermere & Area

Let’s talk about what actually happened in the first quarter of 2026 across the Invermere region (from Canal Flats to Spillimacheen, including Panorama).The headline: sales are down—but the story isn’t quite that simple.March saw 39 sales, compared to 48 last year (↓18.75%). Zooming out, year-to-date sales sit at 83, down from 115 in Q1 2025 (↓27.83%). On paper, that looks rough.


But here’s the context:
83 sales is low- it hasn’t been that low over the last few years, but it is not unprecedented. You have to go back to early COVID in 2020 (82 sales) to see similar numbers. Before that?
  • 2019: 78
  • 2018: 86
  • 2017: 67
In fact, it’s actually an improvement. Just a month ago, the December–February stretch was down 41% year-over-year. That’s a meaningful shift in the right direction.
Supply is starting to wake upFebruary listings were sharply down (↓38% vs. 2025), but March bounced back with 96 new listings, almost identical to last year’s 94.Inventory is still tight overall:
  • End of March 2026: 337 active listings
  • End of March 2025: 388 listings (↓13% this year)
But early April is already telling a different story. Listings have climbed to 354, and with spring kicking in, more are likely on the way.
Buyers are…

The clearest signal right now? 

No urgency.

Days on market are up:

  • 2026 YTD: 113 days
  • 2025 YTD: 97 days (↑16.49%)
That matches what I’m seeing first-hand—buyers are cautious, patient, and taking their time. Quick decisions are rare.
Prices: don’t let the averages fool you

March’s average sale price jumped to $660,969 (vs. $481,129 last year). Sounds dramatic—but it’s misleading.With only 39 sales, a handful of higher-end properties can skew the numbers fast. This isn’t a sudden price surge—it’s a mix-of-sales effect.Year-to-date average price is $561,800 (↑19%), and while that’s notable, it points to something more important:

There’s a shortage of affordable homes.

Finding a single-family home under $600K is increasingly difficult.
What’s actually happening on the ground

  • Single-family homes are in demand especially in central Invermere
  • Full-time buyers are driving interest
  • Condos and townhomes are less of a priority for many buyers right now
     
I have mentioned it before but short term rentals and Airbnb is not sexy anymore, increased regulations, higher interest rates, and not the best returns locally has made this category a lot less interesting. There are very few ‘investors’ looking in our market.

The sad truth, a lot of buyers simply can’t afford what’s available —especially above $800K. Financing is tighter. Lenders are cautious. Qualifying is harder. That’s a real constraint on the market.
A market of waves (again)Last year had clear ups and downs—and 2026 is shaping up the same way. Is it:

  • global uncertainty?
  • politics?
  • interest rates?
  • gas prices?
  • or just timing, weather, and the school calendar?
Honestly… it’s probably all of it (plus maybe the moon?).What I can say:

  • Late February → early March: busy
  • Late March → early April: quieter for buyers, but more listings

Now, with winter (hopefully) behind us and more inventory hitting the market, we should see a pickup in activity in the coming weeks.
What’s next? If history is any guide:

  • Late April → mid-May could be active
  • June often slows down

But no guarantees—my crystal ball is a bit fuzzy!
Bottom line: 
The data matters—but so does experience on the ground.And right now, this is a slower, more thoughtful market:

  • Buyers are cautious
  • Sellers are returning
  • Inventory is rising
  • Affordability is the real pressure point

If you’re thinking about buying or selling, the best advantage you can have isn’t a crystal ball—it’s good advice. And that part? Team Taft has you covered; let’s have a chat!

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