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CREB December Real Estate Market Report


City of Calgary, January 2, 2019 – 


December sales improved to levels more consistent with activity recorded over the past five years. This follows weak sales activity last year.

A stronger second half in 2019 was enough to push annual sales up by one per cent. 

“Price declines, lower mortgage rates and some modest improvements in full-time employment helped support some demand growth in the city. Reductions in supply are also contributing to the slow adjustment to more stable conditions in the housing market,” said CREB® chief economist Ann-Marie Lurie.

“As oversupply in the market continues to ease, we should start to see more stabilization in prices. However, conditions continue to favour the buyer and this is weighing on prices.” 

December unadjusted benchmark prices were $418,500. This is just slightly lower than last month and one per cent below last year’s levels. 

Overall prices in 2019 declined by three per cent over last year’s levels. The total adjustment in prices is a 10 per cent decline since the 2014 slowdown in the energy sector.

While there are signs of stabilization, conditions vary significantly by location, price range and product type. 

Improvements in the resale market have been mostly driven by lower priced product or areas where price declines were enough to bring more purchasers back into the market.

For more information on the 2020 housing market, the annual forecast report will be released at CREB®’s 2020 Forecast Conference & Tradeshow (www.crebforecast.com) on Jan. 14, 2020.

 

HOUSING MARKET FACTS

Detached

  • Improving sales in the second-half of the year helped offset earlier declines. This resulted in detached sales that are relatively unchanged from 2018 levels. 
  • While city wide levels remained stable, homes priced under $500,000 recorded sales growth of nearly nine per cent. However, sales declined by 11 per cent for homes priced over $500,000.
  • When considering sales activity by district, sales activity eased or remained relatively stable across most districts. However, exceptions include the North West and South Districts which recorded annual sales growth.
  • Supply levels generally eased, but the adjustments were not consistent across the city as inventories rose in both the West and City Centre districts. 
  • Detached benchmark prices were $480,100 in December contributing to the 2019 average of $484,808, three per cent below last year’s levels. 
  • 2019 price declines ranged from a one per cent in the North East district to a five per cent decline in the City Centre district.

Apartment

  • Stronger apartment style sales in December were enough to push annual levels to 2,672 units. This is just above last year’s levels. 
  • The improvements were mostly driven by gains in the North, West and South East districts. This is offsetting the significant declines in the North East, North West and East districts.
  • New listings continue to ease across all districts except the South East. This district has seen a rise in new home construction and is likely contributing to some of the rise in new listings and inventory. Despite these trends in the one district, easing inventories relative to the sales have helped reduce some of the oversupply in this segment. 
  • Reductions in oversupply helped ease the rate of decline in resale apartment condominium prices. However, prices in December remained one per cent below last years levels with a price decline range of five per cent in the West district to a one per cent increase in the South East district.

Attached

  • The attached segment of the market has seen the largest improvements in sales when compared to the other product types. Annual sales improved by nearly seven per cent for a total of 3,780 sales. 
  • Both row and semi-detached product recorded improving sales with easing new listings and inventories. However, there was some variation depending on the district. 
  • December semi-detached prices were $388,200 and row prices were $283,000. Both segments saw annual price declines in excess of three per cent and remain well below previous highs.
  • Depending on the district, the range of price activity varied significantly across the semi-detached and row segments. In 2019, price activity ranged from a seven per cent decline in row prices in the East district to a one per cent increase for semi-detached product in the North district.

 

REGIONAL MARKET FACTS

Airdrie

  • Improving sales over the past three quarters more than offset declines in the first quarter. This resulted in 2019 sales of 1,193 units and is four per cent higher than the previous year. 
  • Rising sales was met with a pullback in new listings. This is helping to support further easing in inventory and the amount of oversupply in the market.
  • The reduction in the oversupply has helped support slower declines in prices, but prices remain nearly three per cent below last years levels.

Cochrane

  • The pace of sales growth did slow in the third quarter, but sales activity for the year improved by three per cent. Combined with a reduction in new listings, this helped push down inventory levels and reduce the amount of oversupply in the market.
  • Prices continue to ease in the market as competition from the new home market has likely weighed on resale prices. In 2019, benchmark prices averaged $403,250, nearly four per cent below last years levels and seven per cent below 2015 highs.

Okotoks

  • Strong sales throughout most of the second half of the year offset earlier pullback and resulted in sales growth of ten per cent. New listings eased compared to sales bringing down inventory levels and the months of supply compared to last year. 
  • The amount of oversupply in the market has eased compared to the previous year. This is helping to reduce downward pressure in prices over the fourth quarter. On an annual basis, prices remain nearly four per cent below last years levels, and over five per cent below previous highs.


Click here to view the full City of Calgary monthly stats package.

Click here to view the full Calgary region monthly stats package.

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For more information, please contact: 
Terence Leung 
Manager, External Relations & Media
Phone: 403-781-1349
Email: terence.leung@creb.ca

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Remax is #1

Topping all other real estate franchise brands, RE/MAX earned the No. 15 spot in the 2019 Franchise Times Top 200+. It’s the 11th straight year RE/MAX has led all real estate franchise brands in the survey, which ranks franchise systems by global systemwide sales. 


It’s also the 7th straight year RE/MAX has been in the top 15. RE/MAX joins brands including McDonald’s, 7-Eleven and Marriott Hotels & Resorts in the top 15.


The ranking reinforces the enduring quality behind the RE/MAX brand name.


“This past year, RE/MAX has doubled down on technological advancements, corporate innovation and service enhancements to further support our network of highly productive agents,” says RE/MAX CEO Adam Contos. “Those agents consistently deliver the best experience to their buyers and sellers. It’s a winning strategy, and it keeps RE/MAX as strong as ever.”

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What you offer that no one else is doing

I’ve spotted a hole in the market – something every business used to offer, but that has virtually disappeared from the customer service landscape. The thing is, consumers want it, but no one is offering it as part of their service.

It sounds like a riddle, doesn’t it?


Everyone wants it, less and less seem to have it, and even fewer offer it to everyone who wants it. What is it? I guess it could be two things. Wisdom, for one. There’s definitely too little of that…


But that’s not the thing I’m talking about here. The thing everyone wants that virtually no business seems to offer is in-person service and connection.


You know what I’m talking about. How many times have you heard, or even said yourself after pressing umpteen phone menu selections only to land up at the wrong one … or worse, get disconnected, “I just want to talk to a human!”  Or maybe you are, like me, watching all these self-checkout kiosks pop up, and wondering how long it will take for machines to replace humans.


The fact is, despite all this innovative, progressive technology, our clients need (desire) human contact. In-person service. And it’s almost completely gone, but we’ve hardly noticed it’s missing because it went away slowly. Instant bank tellers, automated incoming phone systems, internet-based customer service and the list goes on.

It used to be the store clerk knew your name and people would meet in person or at the very least, chat on the phone. But in-person meet-ups became replaced with phone calls, which soon were replaced by text and email.  Now, automation is king. For service press one. For returns, press two, visit us online. To buy these items from our store, please use this robot.


As a consumer, you know the power of personal service. You’ve received excellent service somewhere, I hope. The attentive clerk at the book store who asked about your interests and offered to help you find some related books. The shop mechanic who heard you mention an upcoming road trip and suggested a pre-trip inspection to make sure you weren’t stranded somewhere because of an overlooked issue. Or how about meeting someone in person who you had only ever known online?


This is the kind of simple, personal touch that can give your business a huge advantage.


Two years ago, I started reaching out to other agents to meet in person. At some point during a transaction, we would have to cross paths to exchange papers. I wanted to use that as an opportunity to meet in person – to put a face to the name, to establish a connection with a never-met colleague. Most agents were happy to meet in person. There were one or two out of 10 that would prefer not to meet, instead opting to scan and email or leave papers at a location for pick up, for example.


But those who met with me appreciated the personal connection as much as I did. Even the ones who didn’t want to at first eventually came around and, in the end, commented that it was nice to physically meet rather than digitally communicate.


Here’s the thing about digital communication versus personal communication. Only seven per cent of what we communicate is derived from the words we use.  Seven per cent! That means 93 per cent – almost all – of what we communicate comes from intonation, facial expression and body language.


Say hello to abundant opportunity to miscommunicate. (Maybe that’s the big contributor to our greater culture of highly sensitive, overly offended masses. But I digress…)


Here’s the bottom line.

People will be more apt to respond to those businesses that offer some verbal or physical communication and provide an excellent, personal experience.


It’s easy to succumb to the convenience of digital communication, but in the end we foster stronger bonds and longer lasting relationships with our clientele when we offer that personalized service.


As a professional, what is one way you can add a more personalized experience to your clients?


Author: Jeff Stern, Remax

  
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Media release: Challenging economic conditions continue to impact the resale market

City of Calgary, December 3, 2018 –


Sitting below long-term averages, November sales in the city totaled 1,171 units.

For the year so far, sales activity has totaled 15,349 units, a 14 per cent decline over last year and nearly 20 per cent below long-term averages.

"Recent challenges in the energy sector have weighed on consumer confidence over the past month. Combined with weakness in the employment market and further gains in lending rates, this is impacting ownership demand," said CREB® chief economist Ann-Marie Lurie.

New listings eased by seven per cent in November compared to last year. The adjustment in new listings has helped prevent further inventory gains, with 6,501 units in overall inventory, but levels remain well above the 5,683 units in inventory seen last year and 32 per cent higher than typical levels for November.

"Higher inventories and weaker sales are resulting in buyer's market conditions and price declines," said Lurie.

The citywide benchmark price was $422,600 in November, nearly one per cent lower than last month and over three per cent below last year's levels.

Year-to-date sales have slowed across all price ranges, except product priced below $200,000, which now represents nearly six per cent of all sales. The largest decline in sales has occurred in the $600,000 - $999,9999 range.

"In any market, affordable product is always desirable," said CREB® president Tom Westcott.

"For buyers, it may mean being able to step into a home that was previously unattainable. It also means that sellers need to be keenly aware what is successfully selling in their neighbourhood and surrounding communities."


HOUSING MARKET FACTS

Detached

  • Detached sales declined across all districts in November. With citywide sales of 679 units, activity remains 21 per cent below typical levels for the month.
  • New listings eased by three per cent compared to last year, due to declines mostly in the North East, North and South East districts. Year-to-date new listings this year have increased in all areas except the North East and East districts.
  • Inventories in the detached sector totaled 3,491 units, 26 per cent higher than last year's levels. Months of supply sits at five months, well above the three-month typical for November. 
  • Detached benchmark prices totaled $486,000 in November, a one per cent decline over last month and a three per cent decline over last year. This is nearly seven per cent below monthly highs recorded in October 2014.
  • Prices have eased across all districts in November. On a year-to-date basis, the largest declines this year have occurred in the North East and North districts. This is likely due to the increased competition from the new-home sector. The districts that remain furthest from price recovery are the North West and South districts.

Apartment

  • Despite year-over-year gains in sales in November, citywide apartment sales have totaled 2,557 units so far this year. This is five per cent lower than last year and 21 per cent below long-term averages. 
  • The majority of activity in condos is located within the city centre, representing nearly 48 per cent of all the sales activity.
  • Following years of oversupply, the number of new listings in the apartment sector continues to ease, helping prevent further significant gains in inventories and even contributing to inventory reductions in the South, East and North East districts. 
  • Despite some adjustments in inventories, most areas continue to struggle with oversupply, causing further price declines. Price declines this year have ranged from a high of nearly six per cent in the East district to a low of two per cent in both the City Centre and North West districts.

Attached

  • Year-to-date attached sales totaled 3,344 units, a 16 per cent decline over the previous year and 14 per cent below long-term averages. Sales activity eased across most districts except for the North East, where sales remained relatively stable because of improvements in row activity. 
  • Overall, rising new listings continue to place upward pressure on inventory levels and the gains have mostly occurred with semi-detached product.
  • Oversupply conditions have weighed on prices. In November, the semi-detached benchmark price totaled $400,700. This is a monthly and year-over year decline of 0.67 and 3.3 per cent, respectively. Recent price declines have caused this sector to erase any of the gains that occurred last year, as year-to-date prices remain comparable to 2017 levels.
  • Row prices have also been edging down, but at a slower pace than semi-detached product. As of November, row prices were $292,900, a 0.2 per cent decline from last month and just over three per cent below last year's levels. Overall, year-to-date prices remain nearly two per cent below last year's levels and nearly 10 per cent below previous highs.

REGIONAL MARKET FACTS

Airdrie

  • The Airdrie housing market continues to experience declining sales and increasing inventory. Persistently elevated levels of supply have led to downward pressures on the benchmark price for detached homes.
  • Year-to-date sales activity in Airdrie has declined year-over-year by 142 units, with current levels at 1,101 units. Levels of new listings are comparable to last year but remain higher than long-term averages.
  • Year-to-date average inventory is almost 18 per cent higher than the same period in 2017, keeping average months of supply at around six months. This continued pressure has resulted in a decline in house prices, with year-to-date benchmark value of detached homes now sitting at $342,773, which is a year-over-year decline of nearly two percent. 

Cochrane

  • Year-to-date, residential sales have declined by 58 units, totaling 573 units so far in 2018. These levels are comparable to similar periods in the past few years and are higher than long-term averages.
  • New listings continue to reach historical peaks for each period this year, with levels so far in 2018 being 308 units higher than long-term averages. Months of inventory remain elevated, with year-to-date average inventory levels being 14 per cent higher than in 2017.
  • Despite some recent declines, year-to-date detached benchmark prices have remained relatively stable compared to last year.

Okotoks

  • Year-to-date residential sales have declined to 449 units in 2018 and are comparable to levels from 2010.
  • New listings have remained slightly higher than last year's levels. Oversupply continues in this market, with year-to-date average inventories being 53 units higher compared to 2017. 
  • Despite increased supply with weak sales, detached home prices in Okotoks show modest increases. Year-to-date, the average detached benchmark price totaled $436,091, 1.5 per cent higher than last year.


Click here to view the full City of Calgary monthly stats package.

Click here to view the full Calgary region monthly stats package.

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For more information, please contact: 

Terence Leung 
Supervisor, External Relations & Media
Phone: 403-781-1349
Email: terence.leung@creb.ca

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Exclusive Listing: 354205 112 Street E

31 acres of pure DELIGHT along the HIGHWOOD RIVER! From mountain views to river views to Saskatoon bushes out your backdoor to wildlife right out your front door-this acreage has EVERYTHING you always DREAMED of! With over 5600 square feet of developed living space this is the perfect family acreage to enjoy the outdoors or enjoy family times in this spacious walkout bungalow. With 4 experienced craftsmen working 6 months-the detail in the wood work is next to none! Featuring brick exterior, concrete tile roof, marble counters, hardwood floors, 3 fireplaces, solid wood doors, curves staircase, generous sized rooms, in-floor heat in the basement floors, extensive built-ins and extensive decks you have all you were looking for! The oversized triple attached garage has tons of room for the toys and the hot tub is perfect for those cold winter days! With SPECTACULAR landscaping included this is DEFINITELY a piece of HEAVEN on earth! CHECK OUT THE 3-D TOUR!


354205 112 Street E


354205 112 Street E Interior


354205 112 Street E Interior


354205 112 Street E Interior


354205 112 Street E Interior


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Lesbian couple unpacking in forever home

In our younger years we experience a myriad of different housing situations, from living in our parents’ home, to shared student housing, to leaky basement apartments, to crammed condos. But with careful financial planning and a keen eye on the real estate market, there will come a time when you’re ready to finally move into that forever home. Here’s how you’ll know.

Old couch in a retro living room

Pretty Little Liars

With starter homes, there are often trade-offs, such as sub-par living spaces for a lower price tag. If you’re tired of taking care of a house that does nothing for your aesthetic sensibilities, it might be time to step it up and find a space that truly reflects you.

Friends enjoying forever home

Size Matters

To qualify as a “forever home,” there must be enough space to accommodate all that life throws at you — at least for the next 20 years. More kids down the road, parents moving in, or a backyard that’s big enough for a future pool, the house and lot need to hold all of it. If you’re ready to take on more square footage (and its accompanying upkeep), jump on in.

 

For more indicators that you’re ready to really put down real-estate roots, visit HGTV.ca.

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Open_Concept_CottageOpen_Concept_Cottage

As 2018 cottage and cabin season is quickly approaching, it’s time to turn our heads toward what recreational property trends buyers and renters want this summer. With this list of must-haves, you’ll be armed with the knowledge of what vacationers want and why.

 
 

No matter if you’re buying or selling, staying on top of recreational property trends can help when it comes down to decision time. From solar panels to a strong cup of coffee, 2018 is looking to be an interesting year for Cottage Country.

You may also like 7 Features Every Recreational Property Must Have on HGTV.ca.

Courtesy of HGTV.ca.

HGTV-FacebookLogo-NewLogoWHiteBG

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People jumping in lake at recreational property

Enjoying access to a recreational property is quite possibly the ultimate Canadian dream. According to a recent survey conducted by Leger on behalf of RE/MAX, one-quarter of Canadians would consider purchasing a cottage or cabin in the future. If you’re among them, you’ve got some work to do before you can play.

As is the case with all real estate, a great recreational property starts with location. More than two-thirds of Canadians who currently own a cottage, or are considering buying one, are willing to travel up to two hours to get there. A shorter commute leaves more time for R&R, but particularly for those living in major urban centres, proximity to home comes at a price. Those willing to drive a little further for their piece of paradise could well find it at a lower cost. (FACT: 28 per cent of those who own a cottage or plan to buy one are willing to travel three hours or more!)

Recreational property stats

Location has some inherent associations, such as property type. Depending on where you live and how far you’re willing to travel, your recreational property might be lake-front, ocean-side, river-facing, forest, farm, mountain, or perhaps it’s a second home in another city. Canada’s diverse landscape offers a wide variety of cottages, camps, cabins, chalets and even condo-style getaways to choose from, so consider how you spend your “down time” and factor that into your purchasing decision.

Recreational property stats

With the “where” and “why” questions answered, let’s get down to the nitty-gritty of your decision – the “what” of your recreational property purchase. As mentioned, your location will largely define the type of property available to you, but there are some other important details to consider:

  • Do you want a year-round recreational property, or a seasonal/summer home?
  • Will you be hosting extended family, friends or renters?
  • Do you want Internet connectivity, or are you going offline?
  • Do you seek seclusion, or wish to be part of a community?
  • Do you require electrical and indoor plumbing, or are you “roughing it”?
  • Do you need a boat house and dock?

 

Now, let’s look at the “how” of your recreational property purchase. How will you own the property? Are you entering into joint ownership with someone? And how will you pay for it? Depending on the type of property, yours may or may not qualify for a conventional mortgage. Working with a reputable Realtor, financial advisor/lender and lawyer will help answer all of these important “how” questions.

With price and maintenance costs identified by survey respondents as among the top three considerations of recreational property buyers, give careful thought to budget. Aside from the price of the property itself, also consider:

  • Insurance
  • Property tax
  • Utilities
  • Maintenance
  • Commuting costs
  • Use and entertainment

 

There’s a lot to think when buying a recreational property, but doing your homework now will mean a sound purchase – and some well-deserved play time – later.

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Open house etiquette

We all know that there are rules when you’re a guest in someone’s home. Remove your shoes, stay out of the medicine cabinet, and leave the home in the condition that you found it. Some of these are common courtesies, but others need to be said.

Famed etiquette writer Emily Post may not have delved into open house decorum, but you can be sure it exists and it’s important. After all, it’s still someone else’s home – for now.

Without further ado, here are some DOs and DON’Ts to keep in mind for open house season.

 
 
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birdhouse cherry tree selling your home

Whether it’s the budding blossoms, the longer days or the promise of less insulated clothing, spring brings an undeniable sense of hope. This uplifting feeling also flows into the real-estate market — when the sun is out, the buyers are too. Here are some undeniable reasons why selling your home this spring is a sensible move.

In full bloom

There are plenty of reasons to consider selling this spring. As the sun begins to warm the dormant winter soil, trees blossom, tulip bulbs bloom and strategically placed flower boxes shine. Spring’s unfurling sets a pretty stage for your home to look its best and draw the attention of potential buyers. Take advantage of the warmer weather to elevate the look of your home’s façade, front entry and landscaping.

selling your home with open house sign in springAll In A Day’s Work

Just the simple fact that there are now more hours of daylight means more potential buyers can view your home during the day – another great reason for selling this spring! That boosts the number of eyeballs on your property, and ups your odds of landing a desirable offer.

For more reasons for why you should list your home this spring, visit HGTV.ca.

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Colour theory isn’t a new science. Certain colours illicit an emotional reaction, be it good or bad. Choosing the right paint colours to refresh your home before putting it on the market is an important step. With this list in hand, be confident knowing you’ve picked a modern palette that will draw in potential buyers (and big offers).

 
 

From the inside out, make use of these on-trend colours in your home to capture the attention and imagination of potential buyers. When buyers see a palette in your home they’ve only seen in magazines, its value (and your decorating cache) could get a big boost.

You may also like 7 Simple Staging Tricks to Help Sell Your Home on HGTV.ca.

Courtesy of HGTV.ca.


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It’s easy to get caught up in a bidding war, especially when you find your dream home. While sellers can only hope that they’ll list and a bidding war ensues, homebuyers should tread carefully when this situation arises.

Remember that just because one hopeful homebuyer outbids your offer, doesn’t necessarily mean you should volley back. In the worst-case scenario, you might end up with a home you haven’t researched, in a neighbourhood you don’t love, at a price you can’t afford.

A real estate agent that you trust, who knows the local market, can help you navigate through a bidding war and reign in any over-enthusiasm. In the meantime, here are some strategies to help you make a smart bid and if all goes well, a smart buy.

Know your limit.

As a homebuyer, a mortgage pre-approval is step #1, regardless of market conditions. This step informs you of how much you can spend on a home. It’s is your hard limit, should a bidding war ensue. A mortgage pre-approval also guarantees your interest rate for 90 days or more, bringing peace of mind around concerns of short-term rate increases.

Get the comparables.

How much is the home really worth? Your real estate agent will pull recent sales stats for you, offering valuable insight on the price of comparable homes in the same neighbourhood. You’ll then be better equipped to determine how comfortable you are taking on competing bids.

Know what you’re buying.

We all know that premium neighbourhoods come at higher prices. It could be proximity to the downtown core, access to lakefront, parks and recreation, good schools, shopping, or all of the above. Consider what you want and need, and why. Then decide if the home and community you’re considering is worth the price.

Short-term timing.

One trick to winning a bidding war is to avoid it altogether. Make an offer before the home hits the MLS system or gains buyer attention through an open house. Your agent will best advise you on how to proceed, so prepare to drop everything to tour a new listing and make your offer, before someone else does! (Note: Mortgage pre-approval in this scenario is key.)

Long-term planning.

The spring and fall housing markets see the most real estate action, with buyers out in droves and bidding wars bubbling at the surface. If you’re not in a hurry to buy, minimize your competition and possibly even price by shopping in the “off” season. Winter sees a drop in inventory, but also in demand, reducing your chance of being outbid.

Be smart about your bid.

You did your homework, right? You’ve determined how much you can afford to spend. And you know what the home is worth based on comparables. You also know what the home is worth to you. Make a bid that’s reflective of all of these considerations. Before jumping on the bidding bandwagon, have confidence that you’re getting a good deal.

When all is said and done, remember that the spoils don’t always go to the highest bidder. Make a clean offer, be flexible, and know when to walk away. The right home isn’t “right” if the cost to you is wrong.

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RE/MAX 2018 Spring Market Trends Report

NEW STRESS TEST REGULATIONS PROMPT CANADIAN HOMEBUYERS TO INCREASE BUDGETS, RE-EVALUATE HOME FEATURES OR DELAY THEIR PURCHASE. WHILE HOMEBUYERS ARE FEELING THE IMPACT OF REGULATORY CHANGES, THE SPRING MARKET FORECASTS BRIGHTER DAYS AHEAD.


A recent RE/MAX survey conducted by Leger found more than one in four Canadian homebuyers report feeling pinched by the stress test, which came into effect in January of this year. However, projections for the spring market show optimism with most markets expected to remain stable or improve.

 

Despite all of the factors involved, the spring market across most of the country is forecasted to strengthen as we head into the warmer months. Supply is still low in many markets, and while the prices may not reach the same levels as this time last year, we are expected to see continued healthy price appreciation from the earlier months of this year across many regions in the country.

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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.