Calgary home price growth doubles national average

Year-over-year hike of 8.82% best in Canada

Calgary year-over-year home price growth was the best in Canada in November and more than doubled the national average, according to the Canadian Real Estate Association.
The association’s MLS Home Price Index, released on Monday, said prices in Calgary have risen by 8.82 per cent from a year ago while in Canada, for 11 major centres surveyed, they were up by 4.11 per cent.
The index tracks benchmark prices in Canada’s housing markets.
CREA said MLS sales across Canada in November rose by 5.9 per cent to 32,411 units. They were up by 18.7 per cent in Calgary to 2,173 units and increased by 13.1 per cent in Alberta to 4,563 sales.
Related: Canadian home sales, prices stronger than expected
The average sale price in Canada was up by 9.8 per cent to $391,085 and increased by 7.5 per cent in Calgary to $445,114 and by 5.3 per cent in Alberta to $385,217.
CREA also released a revised residential market forecast on Monday. It said sales in Alberta this year are projected to reach 66,300 units, which is a 9.8 per cent hike from the previous year and the best growth rate in the country. Sales will rise an additional 3.5 per cent in 2014 to 68,600 units.
Across Canada, the association is forecasting 0.8 per cent growth this year to 458,200 sales and 3.7 per cent growth in 2014 to 475,000.
As for the average sale price, CREA is projecting it to rise by 4.9 per cent this year in Alberta to $381,100 followed by 3.4 per cent growth, the best in Canada, in 2014 to $393,900.
Across Canada, the association is forecasting 5.2 per cent price growth this year to $382,200 and 2.3 per cent growth in 2014 to $391,100.
“In staggering contrast to the dire forecasts early this year, precisely one of the 26 largest cities in the country has reported a drop in average prices so far this year — Victoria, with a minuscule 0.6 per cent sag,” said Doug Porter, chief economist with BMO Capital Markets. “All of the other 25 cities have recorded single-digit price gains, with the median city posting a non-threatening 3.6 per cent rise.
“When judged by total sales volumes, a measure that combines both price changes and the number of units sold, the hottest markets this year have been Calgary, Edmonton, and, against all expectations Vancouver. All three reported double-digit volume increases, the only cities in that category.”
 
By Mario Toneguzzi, Calgary Herald December 16, 2013