Be a dabbler
New Development
Multi-tasking in the garden
Cardel building on former golf course
DONNA BALZER A9
COMMUNITY A10
cranston/auburn bay feature a12 – A13
FREE jun 14 to jun 20 2013 issue 03-23 www.crebnow.com facebook.com/crebnow twitter.com/crebnow
real estate news from industry experts
starts climbing
Calgary and Alberta see housing starts increase in May kelsey hipkin
reporter/photographer
A
s temperatures in Calgary increased in May, so did the city’s housing starts. “The trend of total housing starts increased slightly in May, due to strong construction in both the single-detached and multi-family markets,” said Richard Cho, senior market analyst for Calgary with the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC). For the month of May, housing starts in the city were 11,316 units compared to 11,270 in April. The trend is a six month moving average of the monthly seasonally adjusted annual rates (SAAR) of total housing starts. Jumping into the new home pool is firsttime buyer Duncan Hall, 25, set to take possession of his newly constructed condo in July. “I have rented before but found that owning is smarter in the long run,” he said. “I didn’t like paying someone else’s mortgage when I was renting and wanted to own something that would help me in the long run.” When deciding to purchase a new home, Hall wanted something “brand new” and well built. “I looked at other condo buildings that were five to seven years older (and) around the same price but the major benefits were not there.” Provincially, 41,438 homes were started in May, a number ATB Chief Economist Todd Hirsch said is the highest number of starts for 2013 and the first time since 2008, the figure has increased above 40,000. “What’s more, the trend over the last several months clearly suggests that the housing market is heating up,” he said. “Between May 2012 and May of this year, housing starts are 14.1 per cent higher than they were in the previous 12-month period. Hirsch attributes this “boom in home construction” to population growth. In the last 12 months, the Labour Force Survey reveals the labour force in Alberta has grown by 59,400, a 2.6 per cent increase.
starts A3
$510,834
$518,392
$518,452 $496,579
$496,636
$488,311
$492,777
CREB® STAFF
A
$468,360
$475,272
$478,528
$489,271
$483,519
$472,465
Building contents permits down news briefs in April green living Sea can homes
MAY11 JUN11 JUL11 AUG11 SEP11 OCT11 NOV11 DEC11 JAN12 FEB12 MAR12 APR12 MAY12 JUN12 JUL12 AUG12 SEP12 OCT12 NOV12 DEC12 JAN13 FEB13 MAR13 APR13 MAY13
$438,683
$453,629
$469,726
$470,655 $455,399
$453,969
$455,849
$466,167
$479,580
$489,482
$502,065
SINGLE FAMILY
MLS® AVERAGE PRICE* MAY ‘11 – MAY ‘13
$521,887
kelsey hipkin, Reporter/Photographer
fter a record high building permits in Alberta for March, April’s numbers decreased 12.5 per cent to $1.47 billion. “Residential permits slipped by about $70 million dollars but remain close to the high-water marks set in recent months,” said Todd Hirsch, chief economist, ATB Financial. “The moderation in permits since last April is consistent with other residential indicators such as new home prices and housing starts.
*All statistics based on monthly data compiled by CREB® via MLS® activity.
T roN esoRt
Lit
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Bow
DEBBIE LALIBERTE
R
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EF LAk
$579,9
MLS®C3568963
403.510.3575
SATHER REAL ESTATE PRO BROKERS LTD.
Southern Alberta’s best kept secret. Enjoy one of the cleanest lakes in the province for the fine fishing, incredible sailing or a myriad of power boating activities. Take in the big lake view and stunning sunsets from the deck or the beach, which is just a stone’s throw away. Backyard backs onto a green space so kids can run to the beach w/no concerns for mom & dad. This family oasis is only an hour and a half drive from Calgary which works well for those short visits. The open concept floor plan lends itself well for entertaining and currently sleeps 12 people easily. Nicely finished and well appointed “bright” main floor boasts 2 full baths. Another full bath in the fully finished basement. All contents and furniture are included (minus some personal art work and effects.) Property also includes a 10’x40’ storage shed for the “toys”. What are you waiting for? This property is waiting for you and your family to make some summer time memories!
Sutton CanweSt Real eState
$849,000
industry A3
A3 A6
INDUSTRY
A8
mortgage rates COMMERCIAL
A10 A15
how to
A16
map open houses
B1 B19
Healthy housing demand
Resilient real estate Prepare to sell
Donna Williams 403-617-7749
lakefront
- miDnapore
Rare opportunity to own a prime location of Calgary real estate. Enjoy spectacular tranquility in this two storey 3 bedroom townhouse. Views from kitchen, family room and master bedroom. Several unique, one of a kind upgrades including; kitchen featured in the Calgary Herald, top of the line appliances, marble flooring, Turkish travertine chimney, Italian granite countertop, oversized double garage. Secured gated community. Fishing, boating, hawks, deer, fox, cranes, it’s like being in cottage country year round. By private appointment only.