RSS

 The survey shows a number of young first time buyers are entering the Calgary market

Trends for 2013-2014

The recent, nation-wide Canadian Homebuying Trends Survey by Re/Max has some positive numbers to share. One positive indicator is the percentage of first time home buyers and single people who are choosing to buy instead of rent.

Calgary and Okotoks realty trends   

Another positive indicator in the survey is the size of the down payment home buyers are choosing.  In Alberta, a large number of buyers are opting for down payments of more than 30%. It's a very positive sign that more people have the equity to do this, and more conservative buying will avoid the kind of boom and bust cycles that have caused serious economic problems in the past.

Calgary and Okotoks realty outperforms national average

The survey also delved into consumer confidence levels across the country. Alberta numbers remain very high, with 84 percent responding that they believe property values will stay the same or increase in their area. This optimism is mirrored across Canada, but is especially warranted in areas such as Calgary, Okotoks and Chestermere. According to the Calgary Real Estate Board, housing sales are up 6.24% compared with last January, and the average sale price of these homes has 12.84%. Feeling good about these numbers? We sure are. Let us know if you'd like to speak with an Okotoks Realtor®, or any area in Calgary.

 

Original story at the Calgary Herald.

Read

 

CALGARY — Every housing category in Calgary’s resale market, including surrounding towns, is expected to see continued sales and price growth this year, according to the latest Calgary Real Estate Board annual forecast which was released Wednesday.

But the rate of growth will moderate.

Overall, CREB said total MLS® sales in the city would jump by 2.2 per cent in 2013 to 21,669 transactions while the average benchmark price would rise by 2.9 per cent to $392,469.

Year-over-year sales grew by 14.66 per cent in 2012 from the previous year. In 2012, the benchmark price reached $381,408, up five per cent from 2011.

“Slower growth trends in employment combined with lower migration estimates will impact sales growth across all resale sectors, and, as listings continue to decline, this will further dampen sales growth, particularly in the single-family market,” said Ann-Marie Lurie, CREB’s chief economist. “However, as the overall market remains well supplied, prices will continue to grow but not at the levels seen in 2012.”

The following is CREB’s forecast for sales and benchmark prices for the separate housing categories with percentage change in brackets: single-family homes, 15,381 (1.8 per cent), $437,449 (3.0 per cent); condo apartment, 3,613 (3.2 per cent), $250,872 (2.4 per cent); condo townhouse, 2,675 (3.0 per cent), $284,928 (2.8 per cent); and surrounding towns, 4,093 (3.1 per cent), $329,544 (2.2 per cent).

“We have just have finally started to recover,” said Lurie of the housing downturn a couple of years ago. “So our prices still remain below peak pricing that we saw in 2007. We’re continuing to move towards that level. And we do expect to continue to see growth but it’s not a story of well we’re going crazy. There’s nothing like that happening. It’s just moving to more normal levels of activity with continued moderate price growth.”

Todd Hirsch, senior economist with ATB Financial, said Calgary continues to buck the national downward trend in real estate.

“Given the high level of incomes, the low borrowing costs, and strong in-migration, the market is likely to remain in balance in 2013,” he said. “There has been no evidence of price bubbles building - and with some moderation in Alberta’s economy in 2013, real estate prices should continue to make steady, healthy gains.”

Becky Walters, CREB’s president, said the city and surrounding areas are seeing good resale activity.

“We have a nice, balanced market, and it’s expected to see some growth this year,” said Walters. “Although some big markets in Canada are stumbling, Calgary is hot on the heels of a year of recovery, with the forecast saying the market is going to stay in positive territory.

“We are in a solid, steady, forward market. The type of market we were in back in the (2006, 2007) with the lack of inventory and a lot of people coming that were qualified easily for mortgaging, we aren’t in that kind of scenario anymore . . . People are looking at investing for long-term investment now. Looking at a lifestyle investment rather than a quick make a dollar type of thing.”

While the overall picture is positive, Lurie said there remain some risks for the housing market.

“The largest risk in our market is related to concerns in the oil sector,” she said. “They are facing pipeline constraints and lack of access to more diverse markets, impacting the price they receive for their oil. If the discounts on our oil persist, this clearly could impact the job sector and, ultimately, the housing market.”

 

mtoneguzzi@calgaryherald.com

Twitter: MTone123

Read

I have listed a new property at 6 CRANRIDGE TERR SE in CALGARY.
Amazing value here! This gorgeous 2646sq' former showhome is big, bright & beautiful. Curb appeal is enhanced by stucco, stone & beautiful trim. Being a former showhome it boasts amazing upgrades! Air conditioned,an open bright foyer, hardwood flooring, ceramic tile. Den/dining room has a 2way fireplace. Family room is large with 2way fireplace & amazing custom built ins! Kitchen is huge! So much space to work with the cook of the family will love it! Gorgeous granite counters, upgraded over sized cabinetry & drawers. walk through pantry is also huge! With beautiful cabinets to conceal your food & even a work station. The mudroom from the drywalled and insulated garage is far from ordinary! So much space here for the whole family. The open & dramatic staircase takes you to an amazing bonus room, 2 more great sized bedrooms & upper Laundry! Double doors lead you to the spacious master suite & a truly beautiful ensuite with waterfall tub his/her sinks & a huge walk in closet! Don't forget to view the video!
Read
Categories:   Abbeydale, Calgary Real Estate | Airdrie, Airdrie Real Estate | Auburn Bay, Calgary Real Estate | Braeside Braesde Est, Calgary Real Estate | Bridgeland, Calgary Real Estate | Bridlewood, Calgary Real Estate | Canyon Meadows, Calgary Real Estate | Cayley, Cayley Real Estate | Chaparral, Calgary Real Estate | Chestermere, Chestermere Real Estate | Cimarron Real Estate | Copperfield, Calgary Real Estate | Cranston, Calgary Real Estate | Deer Run, Calgary Real Estate | Douglasdale/Glen, Calgary Real Estate | Evergreen, Calgary Real Estate | Fairview, Calgary Real Estate | Gleichen, Gleichen Real Estate | Heritage Pointe, Heritage Pointe Real Estate | High River, High River Real Estate | Highwood, Calgary Real Estate | Huntington Hills, Calgary Real Estate | Killarney_Glengarry, Calgary Real Estate | Lake Bonavista, Calgary Real Estate | Langdon, Langdon Real Estate | Lower Mount Royal, Calgary Real Estate | Marlborough, Calgary Real Estate | McKenzie Towne, Calgary Real Estate | Monterey Park, Calgary Real Estate | Montgomery, Calgary Real Estate | Nanton, Nanton Real Estate | okotoks | okotoks real estate | okotoks realty | Okotoks, Okotoks Real Estate | Parkdale, Calgary Real Estate | Redstone, Calgary Real Estate | Renfrew, Calgary Real Estate | Richmond Hill, Calgary Real Estate | Rosscarrock, Calgary Real Estate | Royal Oak, Calgary Real Estate | Rural Foothills M.D., Rural Foothills M.D. Real Estate | Shawnessy, Calgary Real Estate | Sherwood Calgary, Calgary Real Estate | Silver Springs, Calgary Real Estate | Southwood, Calgary Real Estate | Stavely, Stavely Real Estate | Strathcona Park Real Estate | Sundance, Calgary Real Estate | Temple, Calgary Real Estate | Tuxedo Park, Calgary Real Estate | Tuxedo, Calgary Real Estate | Uncategorized | Willow Park, Calgary Real Estate | Windsor Park, Calgary Real Estate | Winston Heights/Mountview, Calgary Real Estate
Data is supplied by Pillar 9™ MLS® System. Pillar 9™ is the owner of the copyright in its MLS®System. Data is deemed reliable but is not guaranteed accurate by Pillar 9™.
The trademarks MLS®, Multiple Listing Service® and the associated logos are owned by The Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA) and identify the quality of services provided by real estate professionals who are members of CREA. Used under license.