April 2012 Real Estate Market Snapshot

April 30th, 2012

Gord Piper and Associate’s are happy to announce that Calgary home sales continue to show strength as our inventory of listings remains flat.   Below you will find a short summary of key numbers in the Calgary Real Estate market.  Stats are all taken from the Calgary Real Estate Boards Monthly Stats Package produced for Calgary Realtors.

Calgary Listing Inventory:  Inventory levels for Single Family homes increased marginally while Inventory for Condo’s (Townhouse and Apartment) remained flat.   To put this in perspective the inventory at this time last year was 6324 listings or almost 1000 more.   

Inventory  March   2012  April   2012  Change
Single Family Home 3367 3501 + 134
Condo  Townhouse    606 612 + 6
Condo  Apartment   1119 1157 +38
Total 5092 5270 + 178

 Calgary Sales: 

Sales this month were almost the same as last month.  Looking at year over year this is apox a 26% increase in sales over the same month last year.

Sales March  2012 April   2012 Change % Change
Single Family Home 1576 1582 + 6 +.03%
Condo  Townhouse    235 267 +32 +13.6%
Condo Apartment 356 351 –          5 -.09%
Total 2167 2200 +33 +1.52%

 Calgary Real Estate Sales Prices:  Please note that we are now using the Benchmark price for this comparison.

With inventory increasing only slightly and sales increasing substantially it only makes sense that we see prices start to rise.  As you can see below Single Family homes saw the largest increase.  I believe this is because the increase in sales activity on single family homes started a few months before condo sales started increasing.

Sales Prices March  2012 Benchmark Price    April   2012 Benchmark Price   Change
Single Family Homes 433,500 449500 +16,000
Condo Townhouse    293,600 294,500 +900
Condo  Apartment    247,800 248,300 + 500

Overall the market is now in a seller’s market position while Apartment condos, small towns and country residential are still in a balanced market.  It is interesting as there are still many communities that are in a buyer’s market as they have a higher inventory.  If you want to know how your community sit’s let me know.  

If you have any questions about this summary or any Real Estate questions please feel free to contact us. 

Gord, Eric & Brent

For a free market evaluation click here

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How to decide if you should replace your windows

April 18th, 2012

How to decide if you should replace your windows

One of the most prominent features of any Calgary home is the windows. When they are well maintained they have a positive impact on the impression people (such as potential buyers) will have of your property. The opposite occurs, of course, when your windows look old and worn. 

So does that mean you should replace your windows?

That depends on a number of factors. Window replacement can be an expensive renovation. Here are a few things to consider before making your decision.

  • Do your windows get frost or condensation build-up on the interior side? This could be a sign that the windows are not keeping out the cold as well as they should.
  • Do you see water infiltration or mildew on the interior sides of any of the window sills? This means that moisture is creeping in from the outside, and you need to get those windows repaired or replaced as soon as possible.
  • If your windows are double-paned – (two panes of glass) – check for any signs of moisture in between the glass panes. Moisture indicates that the thermal seal is broken and at a minimum, the glass will need to be replaced.
  • Take a look at your windows from the outside. Is the trim rotted or cracked anywhere? Are there dark spots or any signs of rotting on the wood frames? Repairs or replacement may be required.
  • Check the operation of your windows. Do they open and close easily? This is important because some windows, such as those in bedrooms, are often designed to be big enough to use as an exit in case of a fire.
  • Finally, are you happy with how your windows look? Do you feel that your property will look significantly better with new windows?

Although they are expensive, replacing windows has a lot of advantages. Depending on the efficiency of your current windows, replacing them could cut your energy costs by 10-20%. In addition, new windows block out more exterior noise, making your home quieter.

Want more tips on increasing the value, and enjoyment, of your property? Contact us

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Calgary Real Estate March 2012 snapshot

April 3rd, 2012

Another exciting month in the Calgary Real Estate Market.  With our Inventory increasing only slightly and the sales increasing substantially it is driving prices upwards.  We have noticed that especially in some Northwest Communities it is becoming harder to find quality homes for our clients.   Below you will snapshot of whats happening in the Calgary Real Estate Market.

Calgary Listing Inventory:

Inventory levels for both Single Family homes and Condo’s increased this month.  This movement is normal for this time of year but what is important to look at is the increase compared to our sales. This increase now seems small and what we are seeing on the street is that it is getting hard to find good homes in certain areas now.

Inventory Feb  2012
 March   2012 Change
Single
Family Home 		3093 3367 274
Condo  Apartment
 1031 1119 88
Condo
Townhouse 		612 606 -6
Total
 4736 5092 +356

Calgary Sales:

The chart below speaks for itself with sales in all categories increasing.         

Sales February  2012 February  2012 Change % Change
Single Family Home 1284 1576 +292 +22.7
Condo Apartment 248 356 +108 +43.5
Condo Townhouse 205 235 +30 +2.2
Total 1737 2167 +430 +24.7%

Calgary Real Estate Sales Prices:  Please note that we are now using the
Benchmark price from the Calgary Real Estate Board for this comparison.

Again the chart below speaks for itself.  With inventory increasing only slightly and sales increasing substantially it only makes sense that we see prices start to rise.  Simply Supply and demand at work.

Sales Prices Feb 2012
Benchmark Price 		March  2012 Benchmark Price Change
Single Family Homes 427,000 433,500 +6500
Condo Apartment 242,900 247,800 +4900
Condo Townhouse 288,600 293,600 +5000

Overall the market is now in a seller’s market position.   It is interesting as there are still many communities that are in a buyer’s market position as they have a higher inventory. If you want to know how your community is positioned let me know.

If you have any questions about this summary, the attached stats package or any Real Estate questions please
feel free to contact us anytime.

Gord, Eric & Brent

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Renting Your Home

April 1st, 2012

There are many reasons why homeowners choose to get into the
rental market. Many choose to rent out their home or Condo while waiting for
the Calgary Real Estate Market to improve. Some homeowners want to generate
rental income from a second home or vacation property. Still others find
themselves with multiple properties in hand after large life events, such as
marriage, relocation, or inheritance.

Regardless of the reasons for getting into the business of
renting properties, it’s important to get started on the right foot. That
involves asking yourself some hard questions, doing your research, calling in
the experts, and even putting in some elbow grease to get your property ready
for the rental market. Here’s a quick guide to what’s involved.

Mull it over
Owning a rental property is much more than just collecting payments every
month. As a landlord, you are legally responsible for providing a safe, livable
home for your tenants, as well as maintaining the property with timely repairs.
Consider that owning and maintaining rental properties is running a business.
Ensure that you have the time, resources, skills, and patience for the
often-unpredictable nature of the industry.

Do your research
Take a long, hard look at your rental unit and write a list of its attributes,
including square footage, neighborhood, number of bedrooms and bathrooms,
amenities, and yard size. Then, search for comparable units online to get a
good idea for how much you’ll be able to charge.
Number crunching
Once you know how much you’ll be able to charge for your rental property,
consider additional costs, such as the increased price of homeowners’
insurance, the cost of maintenance and repairs, unanticipated damage by
occupants, carrying costs between tenants, and advertising, to name a few.

To outsource, or not to outsource?
If you are interested in renting your property, but don’t want to fulfill the
role of landlord, consider hiring a property management company. In exchange
for a monthly fee, property managers will find and screen tenants, serve as the
main point of contact for occupants, manage repairs, collect rent payments, and
tackle other duties.

Consult a lawyer and accountant
Rental income must be reported on your taxes, but some expenses may be tax deductible.
Consult a qualified accountant to explore the potential financial gains and
losses that come with renting property.

Additionally, consult a real estate attorney in your local area.
While you may be able to find sample rental contracts online, a lawyer who is
familiar with laws and regulations in your local area will make sure that the
lease agreement your tenants will sign is legal, proper, and protects you
in case of unexpected events. Alberta Landlord and Tenant is another great source for lease agreements.

With good preparation, consultations from experts, and an honest
look at the finances involved, homeowners can find renting property to be a
beneficial way to increase income, delay selling a home until the market
improves, or cover costs associated with owning multiple properties.

Considering Buying a Rental Property

In addition to the information above there are many other things to consider including the choice between a house and a condo.   For information on Investment Properties contact us.

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February 2012 Calgary Real Estate Market Report

March 2nd, 2012

Real Estate in Calgary and specifically in Calgary Northwest has picked up the pace substantially.   If you are looking for information specific to your home I would be happy to offer a free no obligation home evaluation.  

 All the numbers below are taken from the Calgary Real Estate Board’s statistics package for Realtors.  Below you will find a summary of some key areas with a few short comments.   

Calgary Listing Inventory:  Inventory levels for both Single Family homes and Condo’s increased this month.   This movement is normal for this time of year and we will most likely see this trend continue for the next several month.  

Inventory   Jan 2012    Feb  2012  Change
Single Family Home 2980 3093 +113
Condo’s 1449 1643 + 194
Total 4430 4736 +306

 

Calgary Sales: 

Calgary Single Family home and Condo sales saw substantial increases in February.         

Sales January 2012 February  2012 Change
Single Family Home 764 1284 + 520
Condo’s 305 453 + 148
Total 1078 1737 + 659

 Calgary Real Estate Sales Prices:  Please note that this section has changed so the numbers look much different from last month.  In the past the numbers I have always used was the median price as this was in my opinion more accurate than simply using an average.  The Canadian Real Estate Association along with the Calgary Real Estate Board have now introduced the MLS Home Price Index which they believe is more accurate than using the Median price and will show less false increases and decreases.  For the purpose of this I will use their benchmark price – what an average home would sell for.  As you can see by the numbers all categories of housing in Calgary increased in the month of February which makes sense to me as the inventory is up only a little and our sales are up substantially.

Sales Prices January Benchmark Price Feb 2012 Benchmark Price   Change
Single Family Homes 422600 427,000 +$4,400
Condo Townhouse 287,900 288,600 + $700.
Condo Apt Style 237,500 242,900 +$5,400

Overall the market has changed from a strong buyers market to a balanced Market and when I look community by community many popular communities are in a seller’s market position now.

If you have any questions about this summary,  or any Real Estate questions please feel free to contact us anytime.  

Gord, Eric & Brent

403-861-2256

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January 2012 Calgary Housing Statistics

February 1st, 2012

What’s happening in the Calgary Real Estate Market? 

Ever heard that Real Estate is prices are a reflection of Supply and Demand?

Below is a summary made simple – what is happening in Real Estate in Calgary.

Information is taken from the Calgary Real Estate Boards monthly statistics package.

Calgary Listing Inventory:  Inventory levels for both Single Family homes and Condo’s increased this month.   This movement is normal for this time of year and we will most likely see this trend continue for the next several month.  

Inventory   December  2011 Jan 2012  Change
Single Family Home 2761 2980 +219
Condo’s 1287 1450 +163
Total 4048 4430 +382

Calgary Sales: 

Calgary Single Family home sales are up over December while Condo sales stayed flat.   Both Single Family home and Condo sales are almost the same as they were in January 2011.         

Sales December 2011 January 2012 Change
Single Family Home 722 773 +51
Condo’s 310 305 -5
Total 1032 1078 +46

 Calgary Real Estate Sales Prices:  In January Single family home median prices remained almost flat while Condo prices decreased by $12,875.  The median prices are not showing any certain direction but are bouncing up and down every month. 

Sales Prices December  Median Prices Jan 2012  Median Prices Change
Single Family Homes $393,750 395,000 +1250
Condo’s $257,875 245,000 -12,875

 Important note – As of Feb 2012 the Calgary Real Estate Board is changing the way it reports statistics.  The Canadian Real Estate Association in partnership with local Real Estate Boards has developed the MLS HPI (Home Price Index).  The Home Price Index identifies  turning points sooner, is the most current and is the most detailed and accurate gauge for Canadian home prices. 

With this change we will need to re-evaluate what information I can post for  monthly.  My goal is simply to make sure you are getting current up to date information that tells the real story about the Calgary Housing Market.

If you have any questions about this summary, the attached stats package or any Real Estate questions please feel free to contact us anytime.  

Gord, Eric & Brent

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December 2011, Monthly Housing Stats Report

January 2nd, 2012

What”s happening in the Calgary Real Estate market?

  The stats below are taken from information supplied to realtors through the Calgary Real Estate Board.  As Real Estate is all about supply and demand that is what this article will focus on :

  • Our Inventory
  • Our Sales
  • and of course Prices

  As we are at a year-end I am providing both monthly and then yearly results.

Calgary Listing Inventory:  Inventory levels for both Single Family homes and Condo’s decreased substantially this month.   This movement is normal for this time of year as many people do not want their home on the market during the holiday season.  Expect that starting January our listing inventory will start to creep upwards.

Inventory   November 2011  December  2011 Change
Single Family Home 3761 2761 Decrease of 1000
Condo’s 1676 1287 Decrease of 389
Total 5437 4048 Decrease of 1389

 Calgary Listing Inventory year to date.  Very Similar numbers compared to last year.  

Inventory  Dec 2010  December  2011 Change
2712 2761 49
Condo’s 1429 1287 -142
Total 4141 4048 -97

Calgary Sales: 

Calgary Single Family home sales and Condo sales for the month of December declined slightly from November.  Again the holiday season can account for this trend.         

Sales November 2011 December 2011 Change
Single Family Home 962 722 -240
Condo’s 391 310 -81
Total 1353 1032 -321

Calgary Sales Year to Date

Sales for both single family homes and condos showed an increase over 2010, a very positive sign moving forward.

Sales Total  2010  Total  2011 Change % Change
Single Family Home 12,091 13,186 1095 9.06%
Condo’s 5,176 5,382 206 3.98%
Total 17267 18,568 1301 7.53%

Calgary Real Estate Sales Prices:  In 2011 Single family home prices decreased by $9,175 while the median price of condo’s increased by $5,875.  The median prices are not showing any certain direction but are bouncing up and down every month.  Let’s look at the year to date numbers download free action game for girls below to really see what’s happening.

Sales Prices November Median Prices December  Median Prices Change
Single Family Homes $402,925 $393,750 -$9,175
Condo’s $252,000 $257,875 $5,875

 *** Calgary Real Estate Sales Prices Year to Date

As you can see from the chart below the Median Sales price of both single family homes and condos remained almost constant this year.  We had a bit of a roller coaster with prices bouncing up and down but they are not showing a single direction.

   End of 2010 End of 2011 Change % Change
Single Family Homes  $389,000 $393,750 $4,750 1.2%
Condo’s  $260,000 $257,875 -$2.125 -.82%

 

Forecast for 2012

On the 18th of January the Calgary Real Estate Board put’s on their annual forecast breakfast where they bring in experts and share the forecasts for 2012.  As soon as the forecasts are available I will summarize for you.  

If you have any questions about this summary, or would like a full copy of the December Stats package please contact us. 

Gord, Eric & Brent

Check out our new Market Snapshot – a monthly look at active and sold listings in your community.

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Should I sell my home now or wait till Spring?

December 2nd, 2011

As a Real Estate agent in Calgary for 10 years I cannot tell you how many times I have heard clients say that they are going to wait till spring to sell their home.  Read on to find out if this myth is true?

Yes it is true that Spring always brings out more buyers so there is more activity in the market.

Yes it is also true that Spring brings out more sellers so the competition is also more fierce.

In my opinion every year is different and you cannot predict the future with 100% certainty.  If you wait till spring more sellers may come out than buyers in which case you would be at a disadvantage by waiting till spring. 

The key ratio you want to look at is the Inventory turnover which is simply  the Total number of listings divided by the number of sales for the last 30 days.   This gives you a number called Inventory Turnover or Absorption rate.  The lower the number the better the market is for sellers.

To find out current numbers please contact your favourite Realtor.

Gord, Eric and Brent

CIR Realty

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November 2011 Calgary Real Estate Market Snapshot

December 2nd, 2011

It is our pleasure to provide key information from the Calgary Real Estate Boards monthly stats package and add a few short comments to help you really understand what is happening in the market.   The key areas that we look at include Inventory, Sales and the Median Price as this gives  a great snapshot of the market.

Calgary Listing Inventory:  Inventory levels for both Single Family homes and Condo’s decreased this month.   This is the first month in a long time that we have seen our inventory consistently decrease every week.  This movement is normal for this time of year as many people believe it is now better to wait till spring.

Inventory   October 2011  November 2011 Change
Single Family Home 4486 3761  Decrease of 725
Condo’s 1935 1676  Decrease of 259
Total 6421 5437 Decrease of 984

 Calgary Sales:  Calgary Single Family home sales for the month of November remained almost flat this month.  You may have read the news that says “sales are up” but that number is comparing sales to Nov 2010.  The normal trend at this time of year is to see sales drop so remaining flat is a sign of strength.        

Sales October 2011 November 2011 Change
Single Family Home 988 962 (26)
Condo’s 368 393 + 25
Total 1356 1355 (1)     

 Calgary Real Estate Sales Prices:  Single family home prices increased by $7,975 while the median price of condo’s decreased by $12,625.  The median prices are not showing any certain direction but are bouncing up and down every month.  Let’s look at the year to date numbers to really see what’s happening.

Single Family Home:  Dec 31, 2010 the median price was $406,000 so for the year the median price has decreased by $3,075

Condos:  Dec  31, 2010 the median price for condos was 267,250 compared to today at $250,000 showing a decrease of $17,250        

Sales Prices October Median Prices November Median Prices Change
Single Family Homes $395,000 $402,925 +$7,975
Condo’s $262,625 $250,000 $(12,625)

Overall we are still in a buyer’s market although with the decreased inventory levels and sales maintaining we are moving closer to a balanced market.

If you have any questions or comments about this snapshot please let us know.

For a full copy of the November Calgary Real Estate Boards Monthly Stats package please contact us.

Gord, Eric and Brent

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Successful Home Staging

November 28th, 2011
On television, online, and in magazines, staging is the word. Real estate experts will tell you that staging your house gives you an edge when trying to sell your house. But what exactly is staging?Staging is organizing and decorating your home so that potential buyers can really see themselves living there. You don’t have to invest major money into a remodel—this is rarely a cost-effective strategy. Staging is all about highlighting your home’s best attributes and minimizing distractions.  With so many houses on the market, simple staging strategies can give your home the little boost it needs to attract more buyers.

Lose the clutter. Box up trinkets and small appliances. Pay special attention in the kitchen and bathrooms. Emphasize counter space by getting rid of the coffee maker, toaster, mixer, and the like. In the bathroom, hide shampoo bottles and other personal care items.

Clear away personal effects. Potential buyers don’t want to see your Christmas cards on the refrigerator, or your kid’s little league trophy. Same goes for framed family photos, your pet’s belongings, or the stack of books on your nightstand. Buyers won’t be able to picture themselves living in your home if your memories are around every corner.

Clean it up. Now is the time to invest in a cleaning service. Consider hiring a professional cleaning crew to give your home a thorough top-to-bottom cleaning. This might include steam cleaning your carpets. Professionals know how to make your house look and smell brand new!

More light and warmth. Make your home welcoming and inviting by opening curtains and blinds and making sure all rooms are well lit. You might be tempted to keep the temperature low, especially if you’ve already moved out. Before an open house, crank the thermostat up to a comfortable temperature and light the fireplace, if you have one. Creating light and warmth is especially important in the winter months.

Take a critical look at your furniture. Make sure that your furniture is doing a good job of highlighting a room’s size. Oversized or too much furniture can make a living room feel cramped. On the other hand, small pieces in a large room can make the space seem cavernous and hard to work with.

Be neutral. You might love the bright tropical colors that you hand-selected for each room in your house, but potential buyers might not feel the same, and could be scared off at the thought of repainting multiple rooms. Consider painting walls a more neutral color to appeal to the masses.

Quick fixes. Buyers notice little things like loose trim work, leaky faucets, and crooked cabinets. Invest a small amount of time and money to fix cosmetic issues.

Small touches. Set the dining room table. Place fresh flowers on a dresser. Add luxurious throw pillows to beds. For inspiration, think of your favorite hotel, or pick up an interior design magazine.

Home staging is an easy and affordable way to give your home a little boost, whether you’re still living in it, or if you’ve already moved out. Ask us for more staging tips.

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