Your listing expired in 2025. It's frustrating, but it also provides a clean slate. The biggest mistake you can make now is to simply "renew" the listing with the same photos, same price, and same description. Expired listings can be stigmatized so it’s critical that the home is strategically relaunched on Edmonton’s MLS system.
The definition of insanity is doing the same thing and expecting a different result. To sell in 2026, you need a Relaunch Strategy.
1. Digital Curb Appeal: The First Showing is Online
In 2025, buyers viewed an average of 12 homes online for every 1 they visited in person. If your listing photos were dark, cluttered, or taken with a smartphone, you were eliminated before the showing booking.
The 2026 Standard:
Virtual Staging: Empty rooms look smaller online. Virtual staging helps buyers visualize layout potential without the cost of physical furniture.
Video Tours: Not a slideshow of photos, but a walkthrough video. This is crucial for out-of-province buyers (Ontario/BC investors) who are still active in the Edmonton market.
Floor Plans: Listings with 2D/3D floor plans see significantly higher engagement. Buyers need to know if their king-size bed fits before they book. Floorplans as 3D tours also help buyers “walk” the home before their first visit. They know what to expect and generally are more likely to purchase your home.
2. Timing the Spring Market
When should you try again?
The "Early Bird" Window (February - March): Inventory is typically lower before the spring rush. Serious buyers who missed out in 2025 are watching the "New Listings" feed like hawks. Listing in late February allows you to beat the flood of competition that arrives in April. Edmonton’s weather can play a part on this but we generally recommend a “first out of the gate” strategy for homes that expired in 2025.
The "Prime Time" Window (April - May): This is when homes look their best (green grass, leaves). However, you will be competing with thousands of other sellers.
Strategic Advice: If your home shows well in winter (good lighting, cozy features), list early. If your home relies on curb appeal (landscaping, deck), wait for the thaw.
3. The "Fresh" Listing Advantage
Do not let your agent simply "extend" the old expiry date.
Cancel and Re-List: You want a new MLS® number. You want to appear as a "New Listing" in daily email alerts.
The "Days on Market" Reset: A listing with 90 cumulative days on market smells stale. A "New Listing" generates urgency and excitement.
New Description: Rewrite the copy. Focus on the lifestyle (e.g., "Walk to the new Valley Line West LRT") rather than just specs.
4. Addressing the 2025 Feedback
Go back through the showing feedback from your expired listing.
Did buyers complain about the dark basement? Paint it white and upgrade the LEDs.
Did they mention road noise? Price it into the value.
Did they say nothing? Silence usually means the price was so high they didn't even consider it a contender.
Conclusion: Your 2026 Goals
The Edmonton market in 2026 is forecast to remain balanced, with stable prices and healthy inventory. It is a fair market, but it is not a forgiving one. Success requires precision.
Why Edmonton Home Seller’s List with Ryan and the Real Living Team:
From full service to a For-Sale-By-Owner, Real Living’s Variable Commission and Guaranteed Sale Programs offer the most flexibility for home sellers in the Edmonton market. We offer a full service contract with the ability for you to source your own Buyer and pay $0 in commission.
Wondering what your home is worth? Click here to book a strategy call today. We’ll review your previous listing, identify the friction points, and build a custom marketing plan to get you moved this year.
Resources:
Expired Listing Part 1 - Why Homes Expired in 2025
Expired Listing Part 2 - The Recovery Guide
Expired Listing Part 3 - Your Re-Launch to get Your Home Sold in 2026
Real Living’s Guaranteed Sale Program