Calgary, August 2, 2011 – According to figures released today by CREB® (Calgary Real Estate Board), residential sales continue to trend towards recovery. After the first seven months of the year, single family and condominium sales totaled 11,798, a 5 per cent increase over the previous year. While the improvements signal market recovery, overall sales levels remain 17 per cent below the 10-year average for this period.
"The recent rise in average days on market, especially in the single family sector, shows that while properly priced homes are selling quickly, over-priced listings remain on the market for a longer period of time. Improving market conditions may have signaled some sellers to be overly optimistic regarding pricing, resulting in a disconnect between seller and buyer expectations," says Sano Stante, president of CREB®.
Single family sales for July 2011 were 1,153, with a total of 8,380 sales for the first seven months of 2011, an 8 per cent increase over the same period last year. Meanwhile, year-to-date listings continue to remain lower than last year, resulting in inventories trending lower than last year as well. Overall months of supply remain around four months within a balanced range.
"A good selection of housing inventory, combined with positive economic fundamentals, is encouraging buyers into the market," says Stante. "Buyers are still quite value conscious, and in the current market are able to take advantage of the range of selection in a stable price environment."
Condominium sales continued to bounce back this month. July 2011 condominium sales total 453, a 14 per cent rise over last year, while year-to-date sales remain 3 per cent lower than the same period in 2010.
"Excess supply and lower demand have negatively impacted the condominium market over the past year," says Stante. "Nevertheless, the recent pickup in sales, combined with fewernew listings, has gradually reduced inventory levels of condominiums, lowering the month's supply of inventory from over six months last year to just above four months in July 2011."
The average price of single family homes in July 2011 was $455,849 and the median price $409,000, similar to levels recorded in July of last year. Condominium prices also remained at levels similar to the previous year.
"Interest rates will likely remain low for the remainder of the year. This factor, combined with relatively stable housing prices and wage growth, will help support affordability levels and promote a healthy housing market in Calgary," Stante concludes.
About CREB®
CREB® is a professional body of more than 5,200 licensed brokers and registered associates, representing 247 member offices. CREB® is dedicated to enhancing the value, integrity and expertise of its REALTOR® members. Our REALTORS® are committed to a high standard of professional conduct, ongoing education, and a strict Code of Ethics and standards of business practice.
Average price information can be useful in establishing trends over time, but does not indicate actual prices in centres comprised of widely divergent neighbourhoods, or account for price differentials between geographical areas. All MLS® active listings for Calgary and area may be found on the board's website at www.creb.com.
CREB® is a registered trademark of the Calgary Real Estate Board Cooperative. The trademarks MLS® and Multiple Listing Service® 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. The trademarks REALTOR® and REALTORS® are controlled by CREA and identify real estate professionals who are members of CREA, and subsequently the Alberta Real Estate Association and CREB®, used under licence.
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