Calgary real estate market wraps up December 2019 exhibiting further signs of stability
Following weak sales activity last year, December sales increased to levels that were more consistent with activity reported over the past five years.
Annual sales were driven up by one percent, with a stronger showing in the second half of 2019.
“Price declines, lower mortgage rates and some modest improvements in full-time employment helped support some demand growth in the city. Reductions in supply are also contributing to the slow adjustment to more stable conditions in the housing market,” said CREB® chief economist Ann-Marie Lurie.
“As oversupply in the market continues to ease, we should start to see more stabilization in prices. However, conditions continue to favour the buyer and this is weighing on prices.”
Unadjusted benchmark prices for December were $418,500,...
Calgary housing market continues to favour the buyer
So far this year, residential sales year-to-date in Calgary remains just above levels last year due to increases in the attached sector.
Nevertheless, sales activity in November decreased over levels last year, chiefly due to pullbacks in the apartment sector.
While new listings eased relative to sales, causing inventories to ease and oversupply to reduced slightly compared to levels last year.
“Achieving more stable conditions will take time. Sales activity has been settling in at lower levels and is likely being influenced by the economic conditions and uncertainty weighing on our market,” said CREB® chief economist Ann-Marie Lurie.
“While the amount of supply in the market continues to ease, the persistent oversupply continues to weigh on prices.”
Citywide, as of November, the unadjusted benchmark price was $419,100....
Homes below $500,000 shifting towards balanced conditions
October sales activity increased by almost 10 percent in comparison to last year, guided by progress in the attached and apartment sectors.
New listings also eased, helping to decrease inventory levels and market oversupply. Although there's a shift towards stable conditions, the market remains oversupplied and prices continued to linger below levels last year.
"Employment has shifted in the city, with job growth occurring in our non-traditional sectors and often at a different pay scale. This is consistent with the shift to more affordable housing product," said CREB®...
Elevated sales guided by affordable product and inventory decline
The third-quarter hustle continues to show signs of growth. Comparable to last quarter, a great deal of the advancement in the market has been guided by supply corrections.
Nonetheless, the housing market has also improved this quarter from solid year-over-year growth in sales activity. A decline in prices has likely supported some of the boosts in demand. Additionally, sales growth has been guided by products priced less than $500,000.
“This is a market with divergent trends. The lower end of the market is recording improving sales and easing supply. This is supporting more stability in prices. However, at the higher end of the market we continue to see slower sales and rising supply,” said CREB® chief economist Ann-Marie Lurie.
“Persistent struggles in the overall economy have caused a shift in salary expectations, along with adjustments...
Media release: Moving towards balance
Sales activity improved over last year's numbers for the third consecutive month, as year-over-year inventories and new listings eased. This direction is encouraging the housing markets stability.
“Price declines have likely brought some buyers back into the market,” said CREB® chief economist Ann-Marie Lurie, noting improvements in the market continue to be driven by homes priced below $500,000.
Sales improved by 16 per cent this month in the condominium apartment market. Symbolizing the segments best September since 2015. Growth year-to-date in both the apartment and attached sectors were adequate to balance the moderate decrease in the detached sector resulting in sales growth in the city year-to-date of almost one per cent.
The overall market remains oversupplied despite reductions in inventory and improving sales. Continuing to have an influence on prices.
“While...
Media release: Lower-priced homes leads to increase in sales activity
Easing new listings and increased sales scale down August housing inventories. Chiefly sales were driven by homes valued below $500,000.
“Employment numbers have been improving, but mostly in industries that are traditionally lower paid,” said CREB® chief economist Ann-Marie Lurie. “This is contributing to the shift that we are seeing in the housing market, with growth being limited to product priced below $500,000.”
Sales in August improved by six per cent in comparison to last year. Due to the increased sales in homes valued below $500,000, which offset sales decreases in the higher price ranges.
Activity in sales increased for all types of product. Apartment-style and attached properties is where the largest growth was seen.
Sales increased in attached for the six consecutive month in comparison to last year. With this being...
Media release: Sales improving and inventory declines for fourth month in a row
Compared to last year, inventories in the market declined for the fourth consecutive month. Due to the declines in new listings and improving sales.
A continuation in supply reduction compared to sales is needed to aid more balanced conditions, but the market continues to support the buyer.
“We are starting to see reductions in supply across the resale, rental and new-home markets,” said CREB® chief economist Ann-Marie Lurie.
“This adjustment in supply to the lower levels of demand will support more balanced conditions. It is starting to support more stability in prices. If this continues, the housing market should be better positioned for recovery as we move into 2020.”
Sales activity year-to-date remains well below longer-term averages and just below levels last year. Yet the inventory reduction has made the months of supply in July...
Media release: Buyers' market continues with oversupply decreasing
Declines in new listings coming onto the market in June, helping to scale down the oversupply of homes in Calgary.
Roughly a 19 per cent decrease in new listings year-over-year. Compared to last year sales activity slowed this month by six per cent, but the decline in new listings caused inventory to decrease by 13 per cent in comparison to elevated levels last year.
As CREB® chief economist Ann-Marie Lurie states “So far, the housing market has generally behaved as expected this year. Sales activity remains just below last year’s levels, prices have eased and supply is starting to adjust to the lower level of sales."
“However, it is mostly product priced under $500,000 that is trending towards more balanced conditions.”
With the market still in favour of the buyer - showing 4.3 months of supply - oversupply has decreased and is lessening the reduction...
Media release: Improvements in sales activity for the second consecutive month
A decrease in new listings and sales growth in May. Easing the pressure on inventory levels, finishing the month at 7,467 units, a decrease of 12 per cent in comparison to last year.
Months of supply down to just under four months due to improved sales and relative inventory levels. Although improved from five months of supply recorded last May, oversupply remains.
May citywide sales totalled 1,921 units, an 11 per cent increase over levels last year. Yet, sales maintain at 10 per cent below trends longer-term. Growth in sales was chiefly directed by homes worth under $500,000.
CREB® chief economist Ann-Marie Lurie states, “While sales activity remains low based on historical activity for May, the easing prices have brought some people back to market, while also preventing some others from listing their homes.”
“This has started to push the market...
Media release: Modest inventory declines exhibited for April
City of Calgary, May 1, 2019
The number of new listings coming onto the market remains to be less in comparison to levels in 2018. As well as in sales activities, which have not shown any symbolic changes.
Compared to last year new listings have eased marginally, enough to help to scale down inventory levels overall.
With the supply levels showing modest improvement assisting in additional declines of months of supply in April to 4.6 months. Levels remain to represent an oversupply in the market, but also reflect an improvement from the start of last years nearly seven months of supply.
As CREB® chief economist Ann-Marie Lurie states, “Demand remains relatively weak in the resale market. However, if supply levels continue to adjust, this could help reduce the amount of oversupply and eventually support some price stability."
Total residential benchmark...
