Posts Tagged ‘Housing’

The Third Quarter 2014 edition of CMHC’s Housing Market Outlook

Friday, August 15th, 2014
The Third Quarter 2014 edition of CMHC’s Housing Market Outlook – Canada is now available and can be accessed by clicking on the link below. For full report click
http://www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/odpub/esub/61500/61500_2014_Q03.pdf

Here is what they say about Alberta

Alberta

Overview Economic growth in Alberta is expected to lead all provinces in Canada over the next two years. GDP is forecast to increase by 3.8 per cent in 2014 and 3.0 per cent in 2015. Higher oil and natural gas prices this year will help increase the value of energy exports and encourage investment in the energy sector. Consumer spending is also projected to rise, supported by strong population growth and rising wages. Labour market conditions in Alberta are projected to remain favourable as the economy generates employment growth of 2.8 per cent in 2014 and 2.2 per cent in 2015.

Alberta’s attraction of new migrants will help expand the labour force and keep the unemployment rate close to its ,current levels. The unemployment rate in Alberta is projected to average 4.6 per cent in 2014 and 4.5 per cent in 2015..After two consecutive years of record net migration, inflows of migrants to Alberta are projected to moderate as economic growth in other jurisdictions improve relative to Alberta. Net migration to Alberta will decline from the record of 102,465 people in 2013 to 79,000 in 2014 and to 64,000 in 2015.

In Detail,

Single Starts: Single-detached starts are forecast to increase from 18,431 units in 2013 to 19,100 in 2014 and then moderate to 18,800 units in ,2015. With active listings in the resale market below that of last year, some ,home buyers will look to the new home market to meet their needs, helping to lift starts this year. By 2015, the declining level of migration, combined with more listings in the resale market and rising new home inventory, are expected to moderate new production. Listings are expected to rise because housing prices in some markets have surpassed prices that last peaked in 2007/2008, thus providing an opportunity for homeowners to move up.

Multiple Starts: Multi-unit starts are projected to rise from 17,580 units in 2013 to 19,500 in 2014 and then ease to 18,000 units in 2015. The lift in multi-unit construction this year is primarily due to increased production in Calgary, where multi-unit starts are projected to attain a 33-year high. The multi-unit inventory has been trending lower over the past two years encouraging new production.

Resales:

MLS® sales are projected to increase to 69,900 in 2014 and to 71,900 in 2015. A large inflow of migrants over the past few years has generated momentum for housing demand. This will help lift sales over the forecast period, as will employment growth and income gains. While MLS® sales are projected to increase in 2015, growth will become more subdued as migration continues to ease.

Prices:

The average MLS® sales price is projected to increase to $396,800 in 2014 and then to $407,000 in 2015. A higher level of demand relative to supply will help lift resale prices in 2014. As 2014 progresses, new listings are expected to increase and continue rising into 2015.

#104, 55 Fairways Dr NW – Airdrie AB

Sunday, May 4th, 2014

001 - Open2view ID4346 - 104_55 Fairways Drive024 - Open2view ID4346 - 104_55 Fairways Drive

 

Excellent value in the 4 bedroom townhouse with low condo fees. Located in the desired golf course community of The Fairways in West Airdrie. Main floor features the bright kitchen with plenty of cabinets and counter space, large dining area, living room with fireplace, and second bedroom.  Off the living room you will find patio doors leading to your private deck. Upper level features your private master bedroom that with a walk in closet and 3 piece ensuite.  Lower level would be great for a teenager or a roommate. Features 9 foot ceilings, a bright rec room, two bedrooms and a full bath.  Features a large single attached, dry walled garage and room to park 2 cars in front. Close to schools, playgrounds and pathway system.

 

Check out our video tour at

http://youtu.be/3A0sLA2qq3c

MLS # –

C3613506

Calgary’s March Real Estate Market Snapshot

Monday, April 1st, 2013

Below is a short summary of what is really happening in the Calgary Real Estate Market.  It cuts through all the extra and provides key information on supply and demand which is what drives prices.  For each area I have also included a few comments.    All numbers are taken from the Calgary Real Estate Boards Stats package for Realtors.  In summary the Calgary housing market is starting off 2013 with very strong sales and our inventory is on the low side putting us in a Seller’s market.    

Calgary Listing Inventory:  Inventory levels for all categories increased throughout March.  Seeing our inventory increase is very normal at this time of year as many people wait until spring to list their homes.   This trend of increasing inventory should continue for the next few months.        

Inventory 

February  2013    

March   2013   

Change

Single Family Home

2408

2727

+13.2%

Condo    Townhouse  

427

484

+13.3%

Condo    Apartment 

704

796

+13.1%

Total

3539

4007

+13.2%

 Calgary Sales: 

Sales increased in all categories this month.  The trend seems that buyers are coming to the market a little earlier every year.  I am also finding that good single family homes in the lower price ranges are harder to find and therefore we are seeing more buyers moving into the condominium market.            

Sales

Feb  2013

March 2013  

Change

% Change

Single   Family Home

1209

1480

+271

+22.4%

Condo  Townhouse    

223

283

+60

+25.6%

Condo   Apartment

279

347

+60

+24.4%

Total

1711

2110

+399

+23.3%

 

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

In March the benchmark price increased slightly for all categories. This is simply a reflection of  demand outpacing supply and may continue until the inventory starts to increase faster than sales.   

 

Sales Prices

Feb  2013

Benchmark Price

March, 2013

 Benchmark Price  

Change

Single   Family Homes

442,500

446,500

+4,000

Condo   Townhouse  

283,000

286,800

+3,800

Condo  Apartment    

252,900

257,700

+4,800

 

Sales Prices  “Year to Date”  

Once again we saw increases in all categories.   

Sales Prices

Dec  31 2012    Benchmark Price 

March 2013

Benchmark Price 

Change

% Change

Single   Family Homes

434,800

446,500

+11,700

+2.7%

Condo   Townhouse  

284,100

286,800

+2,700

+.95%

Condo  Apartment    

248,700

257,700

+9,000

+3.62%

  

Absorption Rate (Months of Inventory)   (the inventory divided by the number of sales in the last month). What does this mean you might ask?

                                    Below 3.0 indicates a Seller’s Market

                                    Between 2.8 to 4.0 indicates a Balanced Market

                                    Above 4.0 indicates a Buyer’s Market.

Absorption Rate  

Feb  2013

March  2013  

Change

Single   Family Homes

1.99

1.84

-.15

Condo   Townhouse  

1.91

1.71

-.2

Condo  Apartment    

2.52

2.29

-.23

Total   Calgary

2.07

1.90

-.17

                                                                       

                                                                                = “ Seller’s Market”

As you can see above we are in a Seller’s market for all categories and it is getting stronger in favour of sellers. Please note that these numbers do change on a community basis and more so for towns.  If you would like to find stats on your community just 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.  

If you know anyone else who might enjoy seeing our monthly summary please feel free to pass this on. 

Gord, Eric & Brent

Snapshot of Calgary’s Real Estate Market for December 2012

Wednesday, January 2nd, 2013

Following is a short summary of what is happening in the Calgary Real Estate Market.   All data is taken from the December 2012 Calgary Real Estate Boards monthly Stats package for Realtors. you will also find my comments on each area. Overall the Calgary housing market slowed for the month of December which is very typical for the holiday season.   

Calgary Listing Inventory:  Inventory levels for all categories decreased again in November.  Seeing our inventory decrease is very normal at this time of year as most people like to wait until after Christmas and into spring to list their homes.  I believe that starting this week we will see inventory start to rise again.       

Inventory 

November  2012      

December  2012 

Change

Single Family Home

2586

1859

(727)

Condo    Townhouse  

426

310

(116)

Condo    Apartment 

819

553

(266)

Total

3831

2722

(1109)

 

Calgary Sales: 

Sales decreased in all categories this month although it’s important to point out that we still beat last year’s sales by 5.6%.   This is a very normal trend as people are focused on Christmas and put off their home buying until the New Year.  The key here is that although sales decreased by 25.6% the number of listings on the market decreased by 29.0% meaning the market is still very strong.         

Sales

Nov  2012

Dec 2012

Change

% Change

Single   Family Home

1006

745

(261)

(25.9%)

Condo  Townhouse    

198

119

(79)

(40.0%)

Condo   Apartment

253

219

(34)

(13.4%)

Total

1457

1083

(374)

(25.6%)

 

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

As the chart below demonstrates the benchmark price for all categories increased this month again.  In my opinion this is a very healthy market with good activity level and prices showing modest increases. We are however starting to see competing offers in some situations mostly in inner city, single family homes and rental properties.   

  

Sales Prices

Nov  2012 Benchmark Price  

Dec  2012 Benchmark Price  

Change

Single   Family Homes

433600

434,800

+1,200

Condo   Townhouse  

282800

284,100

+1,300

Condo  Apartment    

248,000

248,700

+700.

 

As we are at the end of another year here are the YTD numbers

Sales Prices

Dec  2011  Benchmark Price  

Dec  2012 Benchmark Price  

Change

% Change

Single   Family Homes

399,900

434,800

+ 34,900

+8.7%

Condo   Townhouse  

272,700

284,100

+11,400

+4.2%

Condo  Apartment    

236,000

248,700

+12,700

+5.38%

 

 

Absorption Rate (Months of Inventory)   (the inventory divided by the number of sales in the last month). What does this mean you might ask?

Below 3.0 indicates a Seller’s Market

Between 3.0 to 4.0 indicates a Balanced Market

Above 4.0 indicates a Buyer’s Market.

Absorption Rate  

Nov 2012

Dec  2012

Change

Single   Family Homes

2.57

2.50

(.07)

Condo   Townhouse  

2.15

2.61

+ .46

Condo  Apartment    

3.24

2.53

(.71)

Total   Calgary

2.63

2.51

(.12)

 

As you can see above we are in a Seller’s market for all categories. Please note that these numbers do change on a community basis and more so for towns.  If you would like to find stats on your community please contact us.  

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

If you know anyone else who might enjoy seeing our monthly summary please feel free to pass it on. 

Gord, Eric & Brent