News & Statistics
Friday Report - November 28, 2008
This update covers the activity for the period of November 1 - November 26, 2008
| Calgary Metro - Single Family | 2008 | 2007 | % Change |
| Sales | 427 | 630 | (32.2%) |
| New Listings Added | 595 | 906 | (34.3%) |
| Inventory | 5,380 | N/A | N/A |
| Sales to New Listings | 41% | 52% | (9%) |
| Sales to Inventory | 11% | N/A | N/A |
| Calgary Metro - Condominium |
2008 | 2007 | % Change |
| Sales | 246 | 398 | (38.2%) |
| New Listings Added | 663 | 787 | (15.7%) |
| Inventory | 2,542 | N/A | N/A |
| Sales to New Listings | 37% | 51% | (14%) |
| Sales to Inventory | 10% | N/A | N/A |
This report is based on data made available by the Calgary Real Estate Board on November 28, 2008.
Engaging Consumers Online
An interesting article published last weekend (link) summarizes much of the thinking behind the online marketing efforts I have undertaken with productions like Tour Homes in Calgary and Calgary Home Podcast.
The shift to social media is an implicit acknowledgment that television and print are not necessarily the most effective ways to reach buyers
Stable housing market predicted in 2009
CMHCs housing market outlook for 2009 is discussed in a Calgary Herald article at this link. I previously discussed this report on my podcast and have linked to the original report here.
One result will be the end of the current buyers’ market.
The average resale home price will be $406,000, the federal agency predicts, barely above the anticipated 2008 price of $405,000 and down almost two per cent from $414,000 in 2007.
Desjardins Housing Affordability Index
Here’s a link to an interseting article in the Financial Post reporting that housing affordability has increased across Canada so far in 2008. This is due to softer prices combined with decreased mortgage rates. While there is still uncertainty on the horizon for many parts of the global economy the report by Desjardins suggests that housing affordability is moving closer to its long term average.
Home Buying Plans Unchanged, Renovations to Continue
A recent survey of Alberta Home Owners by RBC indicates that Canadians’ home buying plans have not changed in response to the activity in the stock markets during the past several weeks. 22% of Canadians surveyed are planning to purchase a home in the next two years (unchanged from January).
The survey also covers renovation plans, where Albertans are the most likely to renovate their home’s interiors (74%) spending an average of $12,422. The survey indicates that 23% would rather sell and move to another home than renovate their current home. See the full survey results here. (RBC Special Reports: RBC survey finds homebuying intentions hold steady)
Friday Report - October 31, 2008
This update covers the activity for the period of October 1 - October 29, 2008
| Calgary Metro - Single Family | 2008 | 2007 | % Change |
| Sales | 736 | 1,035 | (28.8%) |
| New Listings Added | 2,147 | 2.404 | (10.6%) |
| Inventory | 5,727 | N/A | N/A |
| Sales to New Listings | 34% | 43% | (9%) |
| Sales to Inventory | 13% | N/A | N/A |
| Calgary Metro - Condominium |
2008 | 2007 | % Change |
| Sales | 371 | 459 | (19.2%) |
| New Listings Added | 993 | 1,114 | (10.8%) |
| Inventory | 2,777 | N/A | N/A |
| Sales to New Listings | 37% | 41% | (4%) |
| Sales to Inventory | 13% | N/A | N/A |
This report is based on data made available by the Calgary Real Estate Board on October 30, 2008.
Calgary Real Estate still a safe haven - Ed Jensen
On October 2nd I wrote about the negative tone of an article in the Calgary Herald covering Calgary’s Real Estate Market. This week the paper has published a new article featuring a different perspective on the same statistics and information.
The new article, headlined “Calgary Real Estate Still a Safe Haven” can be read at this link and features a quote from Calgary Real Estate Board president Ed Jensen:
“A residential home is the greatest long-term investment vehicle. The cost of land, materials and labour are not going down over the long term . . . The Calgary real estate market has weathered the current economic slowdown well. We’ve been working towards a normalized market since the first of the year. And slowly our inventory has been coming down and our market sales remain steady from January forward. I believe we’ll continue to do so and we’re perfectly positioned for long-term investment opportunities right now in this market if someone’s looking to buy,”
Children’s Miracle Network Fundraiser - Cotton Club 2008
Last night we had the pleasure of attending the 2nd annual Cotton Club Calgary gala event - a fund raiser in support of the Children’s Miracle Network and the Alberta Children’s Hospital.
RE/MAX is a major sponsor of the Children’s Miracle Network and I’m happy to have the opportunity to participate personally by making a donation after every purchase or sale that I do for my clients, get more details and donate here.
I'm committed to helping my clients buy, sell and enjoy their homes and I strive to provide an added level of value and service at every stage of the Real Estate transaction. 