Tuesday, February 25, 2014

Calgary resale housing market gaining steam

24 consecutive months of year-over-year price gains         By Mario Toneguzzi, Calgary Herald January 31, 2014

CALGARY - The momentum in Calgary’s resale housing market continued to gain steam in January with increasing MLS sales and prices reaching record levels.

The hot city residential real estate market will register in January its 24th consecutive month of year-over-year average MLS price growth as well as the 10th consecutive month of year-over-year sales growth.

Sales in January will be the highest for the month since 2008. It will also set a record for the average sale price and the median price for the month of January. Also, earlier this week, the market surpassed the previous January record of 36 luxury home sales of over $1 million set in 2007.

“Calgary’s real estate market is on track for solid growth once again this year, continuing the trend that has prevailed over the past 24 months,” said Stephanie Barber, a realtor with Discover Real Estate in the city. “I expect the number of home sales will continue to grow in 2014 given that the outlook for the jobs sector is to remain vibrant and Calgary’s population is forecast to increase by roughly two per cent.
"In addition to a resilient jobs market and net migration, other factors that should propel home prices higher in 2014 are the limited rental supply, low inventory levels and attractive interest rates.”
According to the Calgary Real Estate Board, month-to-date until Thursday, there have been 1,343 MLS sales in the city, up 16.38 per cent from the same period a year ago. The average sale price has increased by 5.02 per cent to $461,032 and the median price is up by 6.55 per cent to $415,000.
“I truly believe that inner-city real estate, neighbourhoods surrounding the downtown and within the core itself, should see the largest price increases in the coming years as people’s mindsets continue to shift towards lifestyle,” said Barber.

“Most of my clients are young professionals that work and play in the core and place a premium on their limited free time. They really value the convenience and access the inner-city communities offer over Calgary’s suburban neighbourhoods.”
Don Campbell, senior analyst with the Real Estate Investment Network, said very low vacancy rates are driving rents up quickly and this is pushing the purchase decisions sooner than is the normal trend for first-time homebuyers and recent migrants to the city.

“This purchase demand continues to grow, while listings remain low,” he said. “One big factor playing into this is the continued fallout from the floods (in June) as some banks and insurance companies are deciding that there are some neighbourhoods that they would rather not service - either not issuing mortgages or not issuing insurance coverage. This pushes demand into other regions of the city. So although listing numbers seem to be relatively flat, the reality is that a number of those homes exist in these zones of exclusion.”

He said economic confidence continues to be strong in Calgary, in general, and this always leads to consumers buying homes just a little more expensive than they would if the economy was operating at normal levels.

Sizzling Calgary housing market remains hot

Annual price hike the highest in Canada                   By Mario Toneguzzi, Calgary Herald February 14, 2014

CALGARY - Calgary’s sizzling resale housing market is showing no signs of cooling as the city recorded the highest year-over-year hike in prices across the country in January - and early indications show February is experiencing a continued escalation in what it costs to buy a home.
The Canadian Real Estate Association released its monthly MLS data on Friday and listed Calgary as the top centre in the country for annual growth in the MLS Home Price Index at 8.98 per cent. Nationally, prices, in the 11 centres surveyed, rose by 4.83 per cent.

The city’s housing market has started 2014 with a bang. The market has not slowed down at all from the healthy pace it set in 2013.  “We are seeing multiple offers in all price points. Obviously the lower the price point, the larger pool of buyers there is and hence a greater likelihood of multiple offers in the lower price points,” she said.

But it’s also taking place in the luxury market with 63 homes sold for more than $1 million and eight of those sales involving bidding wars, including a $3.5 million home, added Tost. “Eager buyers that want to find a home will have to make sacrifices to get to the homes the day they are listed in order to have a chance at buying the home of their dreams. While true average days on market are currently at 40 days, this is not the case in most sales,” she said. “Homes that offer a good location, in desirable areas, priced reasonably will sell in hours to a few days in the current marketplace.”

In January, CREA said Calgary MLS sales of 1,802 were up 14.6 per cent from a year ago while in Alberta they rose by 5.6 per cent to 3,681 transactions. Across Canada, there were 23,636 sales, up 0.4 per cent.

The average MLS sale price in Calgary in January rose by 6.0 per cent to $444,153 while in Alberta it was up 7.3 per cent to $388,073. In Canada, the average of $388,553 represented a 9.5 per cent hike from a year ago.

According to the Calgary Real Estate Board, between Feb. 1-13, there have been 794 MLS sales month-to-date in Calgary, which is up 2.72 per cent from the same period a year ago. The average sale price of $496,665 has increased by 9.35 per cent and the median price is up by 8.42 per cent to $428,250. Active listings of 2,717 are down 19.47 per cent while new listings are off by 1.57 per cent to 1,253.

Tost said in-migration to the city continues to contribute to the already busy real estate market and there is more activity from move-up buyers who have the ability to upgrade because of more equity in their homes now as the prices have gone up.

“With an estimated 30,000 people moving to Calgary for 2014 our housing market and rental markets will remain strong throughout the balance of the year,” said Tost, adding the current market is not ideal for buyers.

“It places so much stress on them to make fast decisions, life changing decisions on a 10-minute visit to look at a home. Sellers still have to be mindful when pricing their home. Smart savvy buyers won’t over pay on an overpriced home, but are more likely to bid in a bidding war on a home that seems like a fair offering.”

SOLD Strathcona Park over 2800sq.ft two story $824,900

                                                 c3600189   48 STRADBROOKE WY SW

Incredible Executive home in central Strathcona! This amazing home has first class renovations to bring it up to modern tastes while still keeping charm, character and elegance. Private west back yard, with stamped concrete patio and extra large deck. Main floor with huge formal living room and dining room, vaulted open beam ceilings and gleaming hardwood floors. Incredible kitchen with granite counters and top of the line stainless steel appliances, walk in pantry. Large nook area and kitchen over look roomy family room with wood burning fireplace nestled between built in book and entertainment units. Private main floor Den, 2pce bath and laundry. Grand entry with soaring ceilings, sweeping curved stair case to upper library and hall area. 4 bedrooms up includes extra large master with modern ensuite; two sinks, jetted air tub, heated floors and stand-up shower. Basement; Bedroom, Wet Bar, exercise room, rec room, 4pce bath and storage. Hot Tub in the private backyard! Close to 2 great Schools!

Thursday, February 13, 2014

New Schools in Calgary in 2014

2011 

Nearly $1.4 billion over three years was made available for school capital projects.
This includes $441 million to support completion of 22 new schools expected to open in the fall of 2014 across high-growth areas of the province, as well as the modernization of 13 existing schools.

2013/14

The Premier's 50/70 commitment includes more than $500 million toward the construction of a further 50 new schools and the modernization of another 70 existing facilities, with an estimated total investment of over $2 billion. Projects will be selected through a comprehensive assessment of various factors including school boards’ priorities, health and safety of students and staff, enrolment projections, current utilization, facility conditions and capacity for program delivery. The government will also continue to work closely with local school boards and stakeholders to explore potential community partnerships and innovative ways of maximizing use of existing and new school space. 
Work on announced projects begins immediately following a project’s announcement.  All of the projects posted to this page are in various stages of planning and design. Getting “shovels in the ground”  is just one step in the process. There are many other critical steps that have to take place first, such as geotechnical investigations, schematic designs, stakeholder consultations, procurement/tendering/contracting, and permitting.

Thursday, February 6, 2014

SOLD - Somerset SW 2 story original condition $449,900


                                                      34 Somerside CR SW C3593283

Rarely does a turnky home so well laid out & so clean come up like this.from the moment you walk & see the attention to detail you will fell like you are in a showhome.The kitchen boast cinnamon stained maple cabintry&stain less steel appliances.The living  area is comfortable and ready for cold winter nights with a stone faced fireplace.A huge bonus room with high celling and tons of light will beckon you to stay but wait till you see the well appointed master bedroom with full insuiteincluding a large corner soaker tub.Now go downstairs and see the best laid out basement for the floor plan ever.A bedroom,a kitchenette,a full 3pc bathroom.Talk about the perfect hangout for a teen,a roomie or guests.when you put this all together and you you combine great street,fabulous community and competetive price you'll agree that this is the one for you.So please don't miss it .call for you showing

Monday, February 3, 2014

SOLD first time home buyer alart! Martindale in NE $369,000


                                                    144 Martinwood CO NE, C3595038


What an excellent location!!! This two story home is truly a gem. This home boasts many features such as main floor laundry updated lighting, floors and a high efficiecncy furnace. The large south faceing back yard offers a great deck and storage shed. Located next to the playground /park  and at the top of the cul-de-sac this home is close to public, catholic, french emersion schools, shopping, new community center and transit. This home is truly a must see.

2014年一月份房地产统计


很不错的新年开端

成交量、成交价格都好过2013年一月份
       

Calgary, 二月三日, 2014 – 承接 2013年的火旺交易,2014年一月份共成交1,440单元,超过去年一月份的17 %

一月份的成交量承接2013年末的走势,仍然以两位数值增长,主要源于公寓物业的成交增长(独立屋的短缺可售房源和过多的需求比起来,使得其价位持续攀升。很多买家转向公寓市场。也还源于,部分投资客知道公寓市场还没有升回2007年峰值,所以伺机存货)。本月是自2008年以来,成交量最高的一个月份,和长线走势线持平。共管公寓、排屋共成交 466单元,比2013年同期增长33%!!!而2013年一月份独立屋才成交974套,比2012年涨 11%

消费者正在到处寻找能承受得起的房子,于是他们转向公寓市场。和2013年一月份相比,公寓市场是唯一的房地产产品段新挂牌量呈现增长的市场。提升的新挂牌量帮助缓解了公寓市场供给的压力,但是总体来讲,公寓市场也是卖方市场。809单元新挂牌量,比前一个月份增多6%。加上独立屋8%的新挂牌量降幅,总体市场持续保持紧俏供给状态,不足两个月的消化期。(目前是个卖家挂牌非常好的时机,一般的市场需要4个月前后的挂牌时间才能售出。但现在是不是今年成交的最高点呢?大家还得过了几个月才能找到答案。不是!)

持续两年的强势移民人口增长,将继续带动卡尔加里房地产市场进一步上扬,只不过步伐会放缓一些。然而,因为本月供给并没有明显增加,所以价格增长还会比预期的要高!!!

独立屋一月份市场基准价为 $476,700,只比上个月小涨 0.95 %,比2013年一月份涨9.1%。同时,低价位段的独立屋房源持续减少,导致了29%的独立屋成交价为在40-50万之间。而去年呢,是30-40万的房屋成交比率最旺。

共管公寓、排屋市场基准价分别为$280,600 $308,100。排屋价格涨幅为8% 而共管公寓涨幅接近12%。在共管公寓价格增幅达到了两位数值的情况下,微涨的市场基准价仍然比前一次峰值低5.5%

在供给房源仍然没有缓解市场压力的情况下,有必要提醒你们的是:我们还处于传统的交易缓慢月份(12月中旬至一月中旬),更多的消费者在等待房源大量上市的时机。(这就是为什么我上面的答案是:不是!)