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Central Alberta house sales trail 2024

Blackfalds bucks the trend with residential sales up 48%
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(Black Press Media file photo)

Central Alberta residential sales continue to lag behind 2024 numbers.

To the end of May, there were 2,167 residential sales of all kinds, down 5.7 per cent from the 2,298 sales over the same period in 2024.

However, many of those who have sold are getting good prices. The average sale price through five months was $431,858, up from $410,480 last year.

Among 13 central Alberta communities, only three, Blackfalds, Lacombe County and Penhold have seen more residential sales this year.

Blackfalds is the leader by far. Its 148 sales, represent a 48 per cent increase over the 100 sales recorded through the first five months of 2024. The interest from buyers has translated into rising prices. The average sale price in Blackfalds last month was $427,214, compared with $389,143 in 2024.

Devon Ptashnik, a realtor with Blackfalds-based Lapp Realty, said the strong sales numbers largely reflect the demand for property in central Alberta in general.

"Last year for example, I sold a few houses to folks who work in Calgary half a week, and they're OK commuting that far."

"What has been appealing for Blackfalds for a long time too was that you were close enough to Red Deer and close enough to the amenities, but you aren't paying Red Deer prices," said Ptashnik.

Someone looking to buy a new townhome, can typically save in the range of $20,000 by buying in Blackfalds, he said.

Some new buyers to the area don't realize until they get here how close communities such as Blackfalds, Penhold or Sylvan Lake are to Red Deer.

He's had clients whose pre-approved mortgage isn't enough to get them the house they want in Red Deer so they look nearby in places like Blackfalds.

"Depending on where you work in Red Deer, Blackfalds might only be 10 minutes."

While the Blackfalds population has been growing modestly – 1.2 per cent over the last three years to 11,415 in 2024 – the community has been getting new schools, which is attractive to many home buyers. A new high school opened last fall and a Catholic K-4 school is set to open in 2027.

Lacombe County has also seen a surge in residential sales. This year's 222 sales is up about 32 per cent from the 168 sales in 2024. Penhold offers a smaller sample size, but its 32 sales are up 23 per cent from 26 last year.

At the other end of the spectrum, Sylvan Lake has seen sales slump the most – falling 16 per cent to 204 from 243. Red Deer County sales were down 13.5 per cent to 401 sales from 464, and Red Deer sales were down 6.1 per cent to 736 from 784.

Other central Alberta sales (2024 in brackets)

• Innisfail – 53 (63)

• Lacombe – 101 (102)

• Ponoka – 48 (65)

• Ponoka County – 105 (119)

• Rocky Mountain House – 45 (46)

• Stettler – 46 (53)

• Stettler County – 68 (79)



Paul Cowley

About the Author: Paul Cowley

Paul grew up in Brampton, Ont. and began his journalism career in 1990 at the Alaska Highway News in Fort. St. John, B.C.
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