Key Takeaways
- Residential sales across the Association of Interior REALTORS® region fell to 1,141 in August 2026, down from 1,496 in July 2026 and 13.4% lower than August 2025, as wildfire evacuations disrupted communities.
- New listings dropped 17.9% year-over-year to 2,062, while total active inventory declined 7.7% to 9,378 units, reflecting both reduced seller activity and tighter supply.
- Single-family home benchmark prices rose in most Okanagan and Shuswap sub-regions compared to August 2025, while the South Okanagan was the only area to post year-over-year gains in townhome and condominium prices.
- Days to sell a single-family home increased to 73 days in August 2026, up 10.6% year-over-year, signaling slightly less competition despite lower inventory.
- The South Okanagan outperformed other sub-regions, with townhome benchmarks reaching $504,700 (up 2.7% year-over-year) and condominium benchmarks at $435,900 (up 1.1%).
Wildfire Evacuations Slowed August Activity
August 2026 was marked by wildfire evacuations that displaced families and destroyed homes across the Interior, including Kelowna and the broader Okanagan. The Association of Interior REALTORS® reported 1,141 residential sales during the month, a sharp decline from 1,496 in July 2026 and 13.4% below the August 2025 figure. Association President Ryan Mayne acknowledged the difficult circumstances, noting that activity slowed as communities focused on safety and recovery rather than real estate transactions.
New residential listings totaled 2,062 in August 2026, down 17.9% compared to August 2025 and a significant drop from July's 2,569. Total active listings across the Association region reached 9,378, down 7.7% year-over-year and slightly below July's 9,630. The simultaneous decline in both sales and new supply suggests that the wildfire disruptions affected both buyers and sellers, creating a temporary pause in market activity rather than a fundamental shift in demand or pricing.
Single-Family Home Sales and Inventory Trends
Single-family homes accounted for 581 sales across all Association regions in August 2026, down 24.6% from July and 9.5% lower than August 2025. Inventory stood at 4,036 units, down 3.8% month-over-month and 11.3% year-over-year, indicating that supply remained constrained even as sales slowed. New single-family listings totaled 958 in August 2026, down 22.6% from July and 20.0% below the August 2025 level.
The average time to sell a single-family home increased to 73 days in August 2026, up 19.7% from July and 10.6% higher than August 2025. The longer selling period reflects reduced urgency among buyers during the wildfire disruptions, but the year-over-year increase was modest, suggesting that the market had not shifted dramatically toward buyers despite the temporary slowdown.
Benchmark Prices: Single-Family Homes Rise, Townhomes and Condos Mixed
Benchmark prices for single-family homes increased in all Okanagan and Shuswap sub-regions except Shuswap/Revelstoke, where the benchmark declined 0.5% year-over-year to $748,400. Across all Association regions, the single-family home benchmark stood at $781,200 in August 2026, down 0.5% from both July 2026 and August 2025, reflecting the Shuswap/Revelstoke decline and modest softness in other areas.
Townhome benchmark prices decreased in all sub-regions except the South Okanagan, which posted a 2.7% year-over-year increase to $504,700. Condominium benchmarks followed a similar pattern, declining in all sub-regions except the South Okanagan, where prices rose 1.1% year-over-year to $435,900. The South Okanagan's resilience across all three property types sets it apart from the rest of the region and suggests localized demand or supply dynamics that insulated it from broader softness.
| Property Type | Sub-Region | Benchmark Price (August 2026) | Year-over-Year Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single-Family | Shuswap/Revelstoke | $748,400 | -0.5% |
| Single-Family | All Association Regions | $781,200 | -0.5% |
| Townhome | South Okanagan | $504,700 | +2.7% |
| Condominium | South Okanagan | $435,900 | +1.1% |
What This Means for Buyers
The August 2026 slowdown created a temporary window of reduced competition, with days to sell increasing 10.6% year-over-year to 73 days. However, inventory declined 11.3% year-over-year to 4,036 units, meaning fewer choices were available overall. Buyers who were able to continue their search during the wildfire disruptions may have encountered less urgency from other bidders, but the supply constraints that characterized the market earlier in the year remained in place.
For those considering a purchase in the Okanagan, the August figures suggest that the market did not shift dramatically in favor of buyers despite the temporary pause. Single-family home benchmarks rose in most sub-regions year-over-year, and the South Okanagan posted gains across all property types, indicating that underlying demand remained intact even as transaction volumes fell.
If you're evaluating Kelowna homes for sale or exploring neighbourhoods such as Black Mountain or Downtown Kelowna, the August data underscores the importance of acting when the right property appears, as inventory remains limited and competition is likely to return as communities recover from the wildfire disruptions.
What This Means for Sellers
Sellers faced a challenging month in August 2026, with new listings down 17.9% year-over-year and buyer activity dampened by wildfire evacuations. However, benchmark prices for single-family homes still rose in most Okanagan sub-regions compared to August 2025, and the South Okanagan posted year-over-year gains in townhome and condominium benchmarks as well. This suggests that pricing held up despite the temporary disruption, and that sellers who listed during the month were not forced to make significant concessions.
The increase in days to sell—up 10.6% year-over-year to 73 days—indicates that properties took longer to find buyers in August 2026, but the figure remains well below the levels associated with a buyer's market. Sellers in the South Okanagan, in particular, benefited from localized strength, with townhome and condominium benchmarks both posting year-over-year increases while other sub-regions saw declines.
For those planning to list in the coming months, the August figures suggest that the market did not fundamentally weaken during the wildfire disruptions, and that demand is likely to rebound as communities stabilize. A free home valuation can help you understand where your property stands in the current market and how to position it for a successful sale.
South Okanagan Stands Out Across Property Types
The South Okanagan was the only sub-region to post year-over-year benchmark price increases across all three property types in August 2026. Single-family homes rose compared to August 2025, townhomes increased 2.7% to $504,700, and condominiums gained 1.1% to $435,900. In contrast, the Shuswap/Revelstoke region saw single-family benchmarks decline 0.5% to $748,400, and townhome and condominium prices fell in all other sub-regions.
The South Okanagan's resilience may reflect localized supply constraints, demographic trends, or buyer preferences that insulated it from the broader softness in the attached-home market. For investors and buyers comparing sub-regions, the South Okanagan's performance in August 2026 suggests that it may offer more stable pricing dynamics, particularly for townhomes and condominiums, than other parts of the Interior.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did wildfires affect the Kelowna and Okanagan real estate market in August 2026?
Wildfire evacuations displaced families and reduced both sales and new listings across the region. Residential sales fell to 1,141 in August 2026, down 13.4% year-over-year, while new listings dropped 17.9% to 2,062. The disruptions created a temporary pause in market activity, but benchmark prices for single-family homes still rose in most Okanagan sub-regions compared to August 2025.
Which Okanagan sub-region performed best in August 2026?
The South Okanagan was the only sub-region to post year-over-year benchmark price increases across all three property types. Townhome benchmarks rose 2.7% to $504,700, condominium benchmarks increased 1.1% to $435,900, and single-family home benchmarks also gained compared to August 2025. Other sub-regions saw declines in townhome and condominium prices.
Is inventory increasing or decreasing in the Okanagan?
Total active listings declined 7.7% year-over-year to 9,378 units in August 2026, and single-family home inventory fell 11.3% year-over-year to 4,036 units. New single-family listings dropped 20.0% year-over-year to 958, indicating that supply remained constrained despite the temporary slowdown in sales.
How long does it take to sell a home in the Okanagan right now?
The average time to sell a single-family home increased to 73 days in August 2026, up 10.6% year-over-year and 19.7% from July 2026. The longer selling period reflects reduced buyer urgency during the wildfire disruptions, but the figure remains moderate and does not suggest a fundamental shift toward a buyer's market.
Outlook: Recovery and Stability Ahead
The August 2026 figures capture a market shaped by extraordinary circumstances, and the temporary pause in activity is unlikely to define the trajectory of the Okanagan real estate market in the months ahead. Benchmark prices for single-family homes rose in most sub-regions year-over-year, and the South Okanagan posted gains across all property types, suggesting that underlying demand remained intact even as transaction volumes fell.
As communities recover from the wildfire disruptions and buyer activity returns to normal levels, the supply constraints that characterized the market earlier in the year are likely to reassert themselves. Inventory declined 7.7% year-over-year in August 2026, and new listings fell 17.9%, indicating that the fundamental imbalance between supply and demand has not been resolved.
For buyers, the August slowdown may have created a brief window of reduced competition, but the limited inventory and resilient pricing in most sub-regions suggest that the market will remain challenging in the months ahead. For sellers, the August figures demonstrate that pricing held up despite the temporary disruption, and that demand is likely to rebound as the region stabilizes.
Whether you're buying, selling, or investing in the Okanagan, staying informed about local market conditions is essential. Explore our Kelowna & the Okanagan market overview for more insights, or browse current Kelowna & the Okanagan listings to see what's available right now.
Sources & References
- Association of Interior REALTORS® — Local Residential Real Estate Market Activity Remains Steady Despite Wildfire Impacts: interiorrealtors.ca
- Association of Interior REALTORS® — Market Statistics: interiorrealtors.ca
Data last checked: 2026-09-01
