Part of the St. Albert move-up guide. Start there for the city-wide questions: whether to buy first or sell first, timing, and how the two sales fit together.
The Quick Answer
Oakmont is an established neighbourhood with larger lots, a common next step for St. Albert move-up buyers.
John Carle, REALTOR®, Homes & Gardens Real Estate Limited
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Key Takeaways at a Glance
- Oakmont is move-up territory, with a mix of condos and detached homes on larger lots.
- Across St. Albert in September 2026, there were 109 sales, the median price was $514,190 ($585,000 for single family homes), and homes took an average of 35 days to sell. Source: Realtors Association of Edmonton.
- Oakmont homes are 20-40 years old, so ask about the roof, furnace, windows and kitchen.
"John Carle says:"
"Drive the neighbourhood at different times of day. This is a decade-plus decision."
John Carle, St. Albert REALTOR® since 1999, Homes & Gardens Real Estate Limited
If you've outgrown your starter home, whether it's a Grandin condo, a Deer Ridge bungalow or a Heritage Lakes bi-level, Oakmont is where a lot of St. Albert buyers land when they're ready for more. Not because it's flashy. Because this established community near the Sturgeon River valley offers the space, location and price range that move-up buyers need. I've walked plenty of families through exactly this step.
Here's how to approach the upgrade.
What does each price range get you in Oakmont?
Oakmont is move-up territory.
The upgrade path usually looks like this:
Step 1: The $500-600K range Your first real move-up. Larger two-storeys with developed basements. Renovated bungalows with attached garages. Homes with 2,000+ sq ft and the kind of lot your starter property couldn't match.
Step 2: The $600-700K range Custom finishes, walkout basements, triple garages, and homes that feel finished rather than full of potential. This is where you stop renovating and start enjoying.
Step 3: The $700K+ range Large lots and higher-end builds, including homes that feel special without being extravagant.
How should I prepare the money side?
Before you shop, know your budget. Financing questions, including bridge financing, down payments and what your payments would be, belong with your lender or mortgage broker. Your lawyer handles the closing side. My job is to price and sell your current home, find the right next one, and line up the dates so the pieces fit.
Selling first gives you a clear budget and a stronger offer, and a well-priced sale shouldn't drag on.
How do I time the two transactions?
The usual sequence: list your current home, accept an offer with a 60-90 day closing, then shop Oakmont with a firm sale in hand. Sellers take offers from buyers who have already sold far more seriously than offers from buyers who "just need to sell first."
If you find the right Oakmont home before you've sold, you can write an offer conditional on the sale of your current home. Some sellers will consider it. In a busy market, they may not.
What should I look for in an Oakmont upgrade home?
Lot size. Oakmont's mature lots tend to be generous. Measure what matters: backyard depth, driveway width, and whether you can add the garage or deck you've been planning.
Basement development. A developed walkout basement can nearly double your living space. Many Oakmont bungalows and two-storeys have one.
Renovation history. Ask when the roof, furnace, windows and kitchen were last updated. Oakmont homes are 20-40 years old, so these cycles matter. A home with recent updates can save you a lot in near-term costs.
Garage count. If you've been squeezing two cars, bikes and a lawn mower into a single garage, Oakmont's double and triple garages will feel like a big step up.
How do I handle the emotional side?
Moving up is psychological as well as practical. Your starter home was a milestone. An Oakmont upgrade says you're staying in St. Albert, raising your family here, and building a life.
Take your time where the market lets you. The top end moves slowly enough to compare carefully, but sharp detached listings in the core range can sell in under two weeks, so be ready when the right one appears. Visit homes twice where you can. Drive the neighbourhood at different times of day. Picture your kids' routes to school. This is a decade-plus decision.
Ready to move up? I'll help you coordinate the sell-first-then-buy timeline and find Oakmont homes that match what you need. Steady guidance, no rush.
St. Albert market figures are for September 2026. Source: Realtors Association of Edmonton.
Bottom Line
Oakmont offers established streets, larger lots and a wide price range for St. Albert move-up buyers. Confirm your budget with your lender, sell first if you can, and check the age of the big-ticket items.
John Carle, REALTOR®, Homes & Gardens Real Estate Limited john@johncarle.com
Just Call John. 780-937-7534