NEW YEAR, NEW HOME
BRING THE HEAT
Okotoks Feature
How your fireplace can contribute to compost
A three-part series on how to refresh your home in 2015 A7
DONNA BALZER A5
A8 – A9 FREE feb 6 to feb 12 2015 issue 05-04 editorial 403-781-1324 advertising 403-263-4940 crebnow@creb.ca
real estate news from industry experts
SHIFTING
CONFIDENCE Energy prices influencing choices in Calgary housing market
“THIS CHANGE IS PARTLY CONNECTED TO CONTINUED LOW ENERGY PRICES, WHICH IMPACT CONSUMER CONFIDENCE.”
CODY STUART
managing editor
J
ordan Meloches and his fiancée Ashley Hopkins didn’t hesitate when they recently purchased a condominium in the northeast community of SkyView Ranch. In fact, while many Calgarians were dissuaded from entering the resale housing market in January by lingering low oil prices, the couple said the current economic climate was the farthest thing from their minds. “The market to us now really wasn’t a concern. We bought in SkyView, which is still developing, so I think our value will only increase as the land out there develops,” said Meloches, who cited the condo’s proximity to their work and future potential as a rental property as factors when settling on a decision. While Meloches and Hopkins made the decision to purchase their first home, many other would-be buyers continued to evaluate their options in January. Year-over-year sales in the city declined by 39 per cent to 880 units, and corresponded with a 37 per cent increase in new listings over the same period, according to CREB®. “This change is partly connected to continued low energy prices, which impact consumer confidence,” said
ANN-MARIE LURIE CREB® CHIEF ECONOMIST
KELSEY HIPKIN, Reporter/Photographer
Jordan Meloches and Ashley Hopkins weren’t concerned with the Calgary housing market when they purchased their SkyView condo. Meloches said the value will only increase as surrounding lands are developed. CREB® chief economist Ann-Marie Lurie, noting January sales were the lowest for that month in five years. “A lack of recovery in oil has many concerned about their employment status and this concern is reflected through the weaker sales activity in Calgary’s January resale figures.” Compared to the 10-year-average, sales levels for the month were down across all three sectors in the city (attached, detached and apartment), and more than 35 per cent overall. The apartment sector recorded the
STATISTICS A3
LOWER RATES CONTENTS COULD BOOST CALGARY MARKET: BMO
MLS® TOTAL SALES* JAN ‘13 – JAN ‘15
NEWS BRIEFS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A3 Nenshi named World Mayor
COMMUNITY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A6
2145
MORTGAGE RATES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A10
1779
2146
Donation a WIN
JAN13 FEB13 MAR13 APR13 MAY13 JUN13 JUL13 AUG13 SEP13 OCT13 NOV13 DEC13 JAN14 FEB14 MAR14 APR14 MAY14 JUN14 JUL14 AUG14 SEP14 OCT14 NOV14 DEC14 JAN15
880
1082
1172
1229
1439
2263
2328
2664
2539
2481
MUNICIPAL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A4
1850
1948 1724
1706
1918
2190
2305
2535 2265
2106
2374
2945
CITY OF CALGARY
largest gain in new listings, increasing by 52 per cent to 745 units, relative to a 41 per cent decrease in sales to 155 units. The detached sector, meanwhile, saw a 32 per cent increase in listings to 1,843 versus a 38 per cent decline in sales to 535 units. Lastly, the attached sector witnessed a 38 per cent increase in listings to 700 units, yet sales decreased by 40 per cent to 190 units.
*All statistics based on monthly data compiled by CREB® via MLS® activity. Includes detached, attached and apartment.
CREB® STAFF
CHAMBER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A11
F
MLS® STATISTICS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A12
alling interest rates could spur more Calgarians to enter the housing market. Countering a drop in sales following a decline in energy prices, a BMO report said one-third of Canadians believe interest rate changes will have a positive impact on their overall household finances.
MUNICIPAL A3
Flood resiliency report January 2015
COMMERCIAL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A12 MAP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B1 OPEN HOUSES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B23 @crebnow
/crebnow
Named Ware House by the builder, because of the view of John Ware Ridge
crebnow.com
$759,000
This country style home is situated on 5 acres close to Millarville and only 20 min. away from Calgary on paved roads. A hay shelter and shed, round pen, & fenced paddock provide a good horse set-up. The oversize heated garage will fit a truck, & a trailer/ RV pad off the circular drive adds convenient storage with easy access. The home takes full advantage of the view & the light with large windows and 3 covered verandahs. The beautiful kitchen, open to the dining area, features lots of natural light, lots of cupboard and counter space, granite countertops, and a central island with a gas cooktop. A cosy wood stove with a rock surround is the focus of the great room. The mstr bedroom offers a large walk-in closet and 5 pc en suite opening to a private verandah that has been wired for a hot tub. The loft at the top of the stairs offers even more versatility. A terrific house for the executive couple, with or without horses. MLS®C3644997
Lee Edwards 403-540-0540
CANYON CREEK
lee@braggcreekrealestate.com