Rom’s Opinion about the Okanagan Real Estate Market
The Central Okanagan real estate market remains essentially flat in January 2026 after correcting through 2023 and stabilizing mid-2024. The absorption rate is 9.68% (percentage of properties sold in a given period), technically this means a buyer’s market (below 12%), but other indicators suggest more balanced conditions. January recorded 91 sales, compared to 110 in 2025 and 79 in 2024. Inventory has been declining since May 2025, signalling improving supply-demand balance. Average prices remain steady at approximately $1.06M-$1.07M over the past three months. With inflation near 2% and interest rates stabilizing, the outlook for 2026 is continued stability with a slight recovery, though global uncertainty may temper confidence.Also, people are starting to cautiously step off the fence, not jump though, and most REALTORS® , including myself, are reporting an increase in activity in February. Although many factors are diminishing consumer/buyer confidence, people are still being transferred, having babies, getting new jobs etc. Pent-up demand means these needs are sometimes postponed but not eliminated. A general rule is that the longer and further away a market swings from the 10-year averages, the more pressure it experiences to return to that average. We have been away from the 10 year average for a while. (See Graph Below).
INTERIOR OF BC JANUARY 2026 STATS
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Community Events Okanagan March 2026
March 2, 2026 – Josh Ross: Later Tonight Tour
Venue: Penticton Trade and Convention Centre, Penticton, BC
March 3, 2026 – Peachland Thunder Fastball – Dinner & Comedy
Venue: Kelowna Curling Club, Kelowna, BC
March 4 – 6, 2026 – 2026 BC Tourism Industry Conference
Venue: Delta Hotels by Marriott Grand Okanagan Resort, Kelowna, BC
March 7 – 22, 2026 – 2026 CSSHL Western Championships (Hockey)
Venue: South Okanagan Events Centre Complex, Penticton, BC
March 8, 2026 – Okanagan Symphony Orchestra
Venue: Cleland Community Theatre, Penticton, BC
March 20, 2026 – Ben Bankas Concert
Venue: Prospera Place, Kelowna, BC
March 21, 2026 – Mexican Cooking Class
Venue: Bialto Bed and Breakfast, Penticton, BC
March 22, 2026 – Paint and Sip (Okanagan Wine Festivals)
Venue: Gray Monk Estate Winery, BC
March 23, 2026 – Goo Goo Dolls
Venue: Prospera Place, Kelowna, BC
March 26, 2026 – Aging Gracefully – Pinot Noir Vertical
Venue: Ex Nihilo Vineyard (wine event), BC
March 28, 2026 – Winter Dinner Series – Mediterranean
Venue: Ex Nihilo Vineyard (wine event), BC