Kindersley’s real estate market continues to represent a disconnect between buyers and sellers, meanwhile the rental market is in a gridlock with almost no single-family homes available.

Although Kindersley was recognized and included in the province’s Rapid Growth Communities Strategy, much of this growth is centred around the infrastructure to support the oil and gas industry and the influx, albeit temporary, from their employees.

The strategy included new subdivisions for housing developments in hopes of providing more permanent housing for those wishing to call Kindersley their home. However, with home sales staying fairly constant year after year, there are still wrinkles in the plan that need to be ironed out before we start to see an upswing in the housing market.

Jennifer McLean, real estate agent with Royal Lepage Wheat Country, stated that there are a number of homes available between $250,000 - $325,000 but the average budget of new home buyers, which is the majority that are looking, is only $90,000 - $150,000, creating a break the chain of supply and demand.

On the other hand, vacant rentals are few and far between with many being shared accommodations, leaving few, if any, available for families and young professionals looking to rent.

Robert Edbom, a Kindersley local who has managed numerous of his own rentals over the past 20 years, said outside of the limited classifieds, those looking to rent may try to approach the selling community to see if they would be interested in a rental agreement. He added this may not be of interest to all sellers, however, it is an alternate avenue people can explore.

McLean said the population boost that Kindersley will be getting from the pipeline construction starting next month is not likely to affect the real estate market given the time frame of the project.

Alternatively, Edbom expressed that the rental market will sit with limited vacancies until the annual oil and gas break-up in the spring. After which, according to previous years, we will see a spike of vacant properties available for rent.