clean computer
Bowmont park consultation
Chatting with Calgary’s Style Guy
Emptying information from your electronics
City asking for public input on northwest greenspace
pop the question A8
how to A9
s o ee n ad a3
AlYkhan velji
community A12
OPEN HOUSE
sheldon Zacharias 403-620-4504 Jordan smeaton 403-826-8812
sheldonzacharias.com Realty Professionals
FREE mar 7 to mar 13 2014 issue 04-09 www.crebnow.com facebook.com/crebnow twitter.com/crebnow
real estate news from industry experts
taking inventory 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 -
Calgary Months of Supply
3 MONTH MOVING AVERAGE
FEB ‘09
AUG ‘09
FEB ‘10
AUG ‘10
FEB ‘11
C
algary’s housing market emerged from February’s deep freeze to post some impressive numbers. While keeping active proved to be a difficult task for many Calgarians, with wind chills in the city dropping down to minus 40, activity amongst home buyers and sellers remained brisk. According to CREB®, 1,854 homes changed owners in February, marking an 8.7 per cent increase over February 2013. While still representing a significant rise in sales, February’s gain fell short of the impressive double-digit growth seen in January, when year-
City posts sales increase despite limited listings Cody Stuart
managing editor
SINGLE FAMILY
AUG ‘11
FEB ‘12
over-year sales grew by 17 per cent. “Demand growth in the singlefamily sector has been restricted by the availability of product,” said CREB® Chief Economist Ann-Marie Lurie. “New listings in this sector fell for the second consecutive month, causing further tightening in an already undersupplied market.” Although single-family sales rose by only 1.9 per cent, condo apartment and condo townhome sales increased by 28.7 per cent and 20.45 per cent respectively, a clear indicator of the number of new homebuyers eager to
1230
1197
1209
FEB12 MAR12 APR12 MAY12 JUN12 JUL12 AUG12 SEP12 OCT12 NOV12 DEC12 JAN13 FEB13 MAR13 APR13 MAY13 JUN13 JUL13 AUG13 SEP13 OCT13 NOV13 DEC13 JAN14 FEB14
745
772
879
974
1006
1174
1132
AUG ‘13
YouRGuaRanteed HomeoR sold In 90 daYs* Re/maX House WIll BuY It!
prices have not yet risen above previous highs, whereas single-family prices recovered last year.”
T
he Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) has decided to increase its mortgage loan insurance premiums after the annual review of its insurance products and capital requirements. As of May 1, the increase will apply to mortgage loan insurance premiums for owner-occupied, self-employed and one to four unit rental properties. Any mortgages currently insured by CMHC will not be affected by the recently announced increase.
industry A3
House of Real estate
contents news briefs
A3
municipal
A6
City Action Plan
event listing
A6
mortgage rates
A10
market
A10
Housing affordability report
map
B1
open houses
B19
MLS® Statistics
b19
February 2014
www.erniegardy.com Windsong Airdrie
The Fortress - Dalhousie Swimming Pool
Backing onto Treed Park
• • • •
• Two bedroom, 793 sq. ft. • Dining/living rm with sliding doors to covered balcony • Large insuite storage, kitchen w/white cabinets • Fitness room and meeting room • MLS®C3602191
• 3 bdrms, 2.5 baths, 2210 sq. ft. • Gorgeous kitchen w/tall cabinets accented w/stainless steel appliances • Bonus rm w/vaulted ceiling, corner FP & access door to huge west balcony • Master w/2 sided FP, 5 pc ensuite • MLS®C3597894
$269,900
statistics A3
call eRnIe GaRdY direct for details at 403-651-3093
Mountain and City Views Top floor corner unit 2 bedroom, 2 bath plus den Wide plank laminate hardwood floor Kitchen w/dark maple cabinets, island, living room w/sliding doors to balcony, stone feature wall, granite counters • MLS®C3599163
FEB ‘14
According to CREB®, 1,854 homes changed owners in February, marking an 8.7 per cent increase over February 2013. Active listings, however, dropped by more than 18 per cent to the same point of 2013.
CREB® STAFF
1336
1354
1517
1575
1638
1766 1386
1480
1609
1611
1710 1582
1576 1284 773
enter the market. Along with an increase in sales, Calgary’s housing market posted some impressive price gains in February. The benchmark price paid for a Calgary home during the month rose to $434,100. In comparison, active listings in the city are down by more than 18 per cent to the same point of 2013. “Resale market conditions have favoured the seller, and this has translated into price gains, which is strongest in the condominium sector,” said Ann-Marie Lurie. “However, it is important to note that condominium
*All statistics based on monthly data compiled by CREB® via MLS® activity.
Copperfield
FEB ‘13
CMHC increasing mortgage insurance premiums
MLS® NUMBER OF UNITS SOLD* FEB ‘12 – FEB ‘14
*Guaranteed price varies in accordance to location and condition of property
AUG ‘12
$244,500
$529,900