A Warm Start to Fall: What It Means for Lloydminster Buyers and Sellers

Most years, by the time the leaves are down in Lloydminster, people start talking about real estate like it's closing up for the season. This fall has felt different. We got a long, mild stretch, and it's been a good time to be out looking at homes.

Here's what the weather actually did, what the local sales numbers show, and why the next few weeks could still be a smart window if you're thinking about a move.

How warm was it, really?

Pretty warm, by prairie standards. Environment Canada's daily records for Lloydminster show:

• September averaged daytime highs of about 19°C, roughly two and a half degrees above normal, with only about half the usual rain. We even hit 30°C on September 25.
• October was also warmer than normal, with highs averaging about 10°C. October 17 reached 23°C. We did get a few days of snow and cold in the last week of the month, so winter reminded us it was coming.
• Early November turned mild again. From November 2 to 8, daytime highs ran from about 6°C to 14°C, with no measurable rain or snow.

It wasn't just us. An Environment and Climate Change Canada meteorologist said October was warmer than normal across all of Saskatchewan, and the federal seasonal outlook called for above-normal temperatures across almost all of Alberta from October through December. Nobody can promise that will hold, but it's been a kind fall so far.

What the sales numbers show

Here's the honest picture from local MLS® data for the City of Lloydminster, covering both sides of the border:

• September 2026: 50 residential sales, up from 44 in September 2025. Homes sold for about 97% of list price on average, and the median home sold in 37 days.
• October 2026: 49 residential sales, close to the 51 in October 2025. Homes sold for 98% of list price on average, and the median time on market was 38 days.

So September was busier than last year, and October held steady at about the same pace as a year ago. That's worth noting, because across Saskatchewan as a whole, October sales were down nearly 12% from last year, according to the Saskatchewan REALTORS® Association (though still above the 10-year average).

Can I tell you the warm weather caused that? No, and I'd be wary of anyone who says they can. Interest rates, jobs, the energy and ag economies, and what's listed all matter more. What I can tell you is that the mild weather made this fall an easier market to work in, and the homes that were priced right kept selling.

Why a mild fall helps a move

Even if the weather isn't the reason people buy, it makes a lot of things easier:

• Showings are easier. Buyers will walk the yard, look at the garage and check out the neighbourhood when it's 12°C and sunny. In January, they hurry from the truck to the front door.
• Inspections see more. With no snow on the roof or the lot, an inspector can look at shingles, eavestroughs, grading and the foundation. Once it snows, a lot of that gets marked "couldn't inspect."
• The house shows better. Lawns, decks and landscaping still look good in photos. Fall light is kind to a house, too.
• Moving day is easier. Carrying a couch down an icy walk at -25°C isn't anyone's idea of fun. Possession dates in November are still manageable.
• Small jobs can still get done. Exterior touch-ups, eavestrough repairs or a last bit of yard cleanup are still possible, before or after a sale.

For sellers: why list before deep winter

If you've been planning to list in the spring, it's worth asking whether now makes more sense. A few reasons:

1. Buyers are still out. Fifty sales in September and forty-nine in October means plenty of people are still buying in Lloydminster this fall.
2. Your home still looks its best. Get photos taken while there's no snow on the ground. Even if you list later, good outdoor photos help.
3. Less competition, possibly. Many sellers wait for spring. If you list now, there may be fewer similar homes up against yours. That depends on your neighbourhood and price range, so let's check before you decide.
4. Price it right. In both September and October, homes sold for about 97 to 98 cents on the dollar of list price on average. Buyers are paying close to asking for homes that are priced well, not for homes that are priced high.

For buyers: why not wait for spring

• Serious sellers. People who list in late fall usually have a reason to move, which can make for a more straightforward negotiation.
• Better inspections. You can see the roof, the yard and the drainage now, before snow covers them.
• See the house as winter starts. A November showing is a chance to check how the furnace runs, whether the house feels drafty, and where the block-heater plug is.
• Be ready. Some homes this fall went pending within days of listing. Have your mortgage pre-approval in hand so you can act when the right place comes up.

A thought from Marcus Aurelius

Marcus Aurelius, the Roman emperor whose private journal became Meditations, had a short line I keep coming back to: "do what nature now requires" (Meditations 9.29). Right now, the season is giving us mild days. If you've been thinking about selling or buying, the useful thing to do is use them: get the photos, book the inspection, make the plan.

He also wrote, "Receive [wealth or prosperity] without arrogance; and be ready to let it go" (Meditations 8.33). That's good advice for a warm fall, too. Enjoy it, use it well, and don't count on it lasting. Winter always comes to Lloydminster. The people who planned ahead meet it calmly.

If you'd like to talk about what this fall's market means for your home, or what's available in your price range before the snow sets in, I'm happy to help.

Call or text me at 306-371-5888, or email JordanBirdRealtor@gmail.com.

Jordan Bird
LPT Realty
306-371-5888
JordanBirdRealtor@gmail.com