Foothills County Real Estate: How 2025 Performed and Likely Trends in 2026
by Wayne Chaulk BComm., Realtor

As we look toward 2026, the Foothills County real estate market has entered a refreshing period of balance throughout 2025.

While the rapid pace of previous years has eased, it has been replaced by a steadier, more traditional environment for Sellers and Buyers. Defined by its unique blend of typography, privacy, natural beauty, and proximity, the region remained a primary choice for those seeking a retreat from the urban pace.

2025 Retrospective:
A Market of Steady Performance
The 2025 Rural Foothills market remained steady and healthy, with demand clearly concentrated in properties priced under $1.5 million. Key factors on price point, property type, with horse properties, view parcels, larger land size, river or water features, and well-improved acreages continue to command strong interest. Buyers were active but strategic, rewarding homes that were thoughtfully presented and positioned correctly from the start.

The High-Volume Segment ($700k – $1.5M):
Functioning as the powerhouse in the market, this bracket recorded 147 sales. Properties in this range moved efficiently, with a median sale price of $1.195 million and an average of 42 days on market.

The Move Up Tier ($1.5M – $2M):
This segment of the market captured 70 sales in 2025, at a median sale price of $1.678 million. It offered larger homes and or larger acres and saw an average sales- to-listing price of 97%, with 9 of them achieving 100% or more over the listing price. Success in this segment depended on realistic pricing and strong positioning.

The Prestigious Pocket (2.0 M-$3.0M):
In the $2 million to $3 million segment, 26 properties sold in 2025, with average days on market sitting near 90 days, underscoring the enduring appeal of the Foothills’ most exclusive properties. Activity here was more selective, with buyers focused on estate-level homes, privacy, craftsmanship, and meaningful land value. While timelines were longer than in the mid-range market, well- positioned properties continued to transact.

The High-end Market: ($3.0M +)
Above $3 million, the ultra-luxury acreage market remained a small but meaningful niche, with 5 sales ranging from $3.1M to $10M, up from 3 in 2024. These estate-style properties attracted high-net-worth buyers seeking privacy and scale, selling with a median of 124 days on market and a median sales-to-list ratio of 92.5%, reflecting the negotiation typical at this level.

Raw Land:
Land demand also remained a meaningful indicator of confidence, with 69 land sales and an average of 96 days on market. Parcels with strong build potential, attractive settings, and practical access continued to draw interest, reinforcing the long-term appeal of Foothills land ownership.

Final Thoughts & Expectations for 2026
The Foothills real estate market is settling back into a more familiar and balanced rhythm. Well-priced, well-presented rural properties continue to sell successfully, while unrealistic pricing is quickly reflected in longer days on market or price reduction—though homes are still moving faster than in the pre-2020 market. Interest in a country, nature-focused lifestyle remains strong, and that ongoing demand continues to support steady sales growth across the region.

For buyers, 2026 offers more time to evaluate options and better negotiating conditions. For sellers, success will depend on understanding where your property fits in the current market and setting expectations accordingly.

As always, local knowledge matters — especially in a market as varied as Foothills County.

For myself and our team, I know we truly value the opportunity to work in such a beautiful setting, and we’re proud to offer our 30+ years of experience to help clients confidently find where they fit within the Foothills market.