The segment of Calgary’s housing market with the greatest influence on the overall market is showing signs of pricing stability. The detached benchmark price totaled $503,400 in September, which is 3.3 per cent below last year, but the second consecutive month at this price level.
While overall economic conditions remain soft, for now the detached sector is demonstrating some steadiness in terms of pricing.
“The decline in demand has caused many to anticipate steeper price declines for detached homes,” said CREB® chief economist Ann-Marie Lurie. “That hasn’t happened in large part because detached supply levels haven’t climbed as sharply as many expected. There was a limited amount of supply in the overall market when this cycle began, and while levels did rise and remain somewhat elevated, they were well below previous highs.”
The level of detached new listings also eased compared to last year, helping push down year-over-year inventory levels for the second consecutive month.
“Consumers are really starting to come to terms with the current environment,” said CREB® president Cliff Stevenson. “Most sellers have adjusted their expectations at the same time that many buyers are realizing the price of a home is influenced by factors like location, supply in specific price ranges and condition of the property.”
Residential inventory levels totaled 5,877 in September, five per cent higher than last year, due to gains in both the apartment and attached sectors. City-wide months of supply neared four months, but ranged from a low of three months in the detached sector to a high of eight months in the apartment sector.
Sales were equally inconsistent, improving by four percent in the detached market while declining by 23 percent in the apartment sector. Nonetheless, in every category, sales activity year-to-date sales activity has declined over levels recorded last year and remains below long-term averages.
The resale apartment market has recorded large inventory gains and a sharp pull-back in sales. This, combined with additional competition from new builds, is resulting in steeper price adjustments in this sector.
Condominium apartment prices totaled $274,700 in September, 0.1 per cent below last month and 6.8 per cent below last years’ price.
Click on the following link to see the Calgary Housing Stats: september-2016-monthly-housing-statistics
or Click on following link to see the Regional Housing Stats: september-2016-regional-monthly-stats-package
Calgary Statistics
Monthly Statistics Package for the City of Calgary
Housing supply swells in cool spring market
Calgary’s housing inventory was on the rise once again in May as new listings climbed and sales slowed to 1,923 units.
“While recent oil price gains may have some feeling optimistic, weakness in the labour market continues to impact housing demand,” said CREB® chief economist Ann-Marie Lurie. “Job losses are spreading into other sectors, wages are declining and unemployment levels remain high. At the same time, we’re seeing housing supply levels rise in the rental, new home and resale markets.”
Inventory levels rose by 14 per cent in May to a total of 6,148 units. Every product type is experiencing these gains, but the largest inventory growth has occurred in the apartment and attached categories.
Together, these sectors represent half of all resale inventories in Calgary. “The resale apartment market has been the most difficult for sellers,” said CREB® president Cliff Stevenson. “They are competing with improved selection in the lower price ranges of the detached and attached markets, and facing increased competition from the new home sector, where builders are offering incentives to attract potential buyers.”
While apartment resale supply remains 22 per cent below the May high of 2,055 units in 2008, the combination of rising supply in the apartment sector and steep declines in sales activity has elevated months of supply to nearly six months.
The apartment sector of the market has experienced buyers’ conditions for more than 10 months, so the impact on pricing is more dramatic, compared to the detached and attached sectors.
In May, the apartment benchmark price totaled $278,500, a monthly and year-over-year decline of 0.7 and 5.6 per cent. In the detached and attached markets, home prices totaled $500,500 and $332,100, a year-over-year decline of 3.4 and 4.3 per cent.
Click on the following link for the May_2016 Calgary Housing Market Statistics Report