“Urban housing starts decreased during the month of July, according to  preliminary released today by Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC). July’s housing starts totaled 176 throughout the St. John’s area versus 216 starts in July of 2009. There were 19 additional starts recorded outside the St. John’s area, for a total of 195 provincial urban starts compared to 270 last July. Year to- date, starts remain positive, with 998 recorded in the St. John’s region versus 875 last year.

“July’s decline in the number of new homes started is in line with the current forecast and the expectation that starts will slow over the  remainder of 2010,” said Chris Janes, senior market analyst with CMHC in Newfoundland and Labrador. “New home demand was steady in the first half of 2010, but will continue to be lower in the coming months, due to recent price growth and record high home prices,” added Janes.

In urban centres across Canada, total housing starts increased 34 per cent with 15,195 recorded in July compared to 11,313 during July of 2009. Throughout Atlantic Canada, there were 1,208 urban housing starts posted versus 954 the previous July, an increase of 27 per cent.”

The entire Housing Now release can be found here.

Complete news release can be found here

The average MLS® residential price in the CMA was 19 per cent higher than it was a year ago, maintaining an aggressive two year growth trend of 48 per cent to the end of the first quarter. With increased buying activity during the January to March period, the average MLS® residential price was $245,069 compared to $205,324 during the first quarter of 2009 and a much lower $164,147 in 2008. The relative strength in the average MLS® residential price continued to be supported by positive economic and demographic fundamentals, as well as increased numbers of higher priced newly built home sales going through the MLS® system in the first quarter.

At the provincial level, there were 783 MLS® sales compared to 623 in the first quarter of last year. The average MLS® residential price in Newfoundland was $230,268 during the January to March period – an increase of 18 per cent.

Positive economic activity and in-migration to the St. John’s region, combined with an active resale market, positioned the market as balanced during the first three months of the  year.  In terms of unit sales, the first quarter represented a record level of buying activity.  Available inventory increased approximately five per cent and listings remained on the market for an average of 61 days in the January to March period, while prices continued to climb.

For the St. John’s area, there was a 25 per cent increase in new listings compared to the same period last year. However, active listings averaged only a moderately higher level at 1,096 during the quarter versus 1,039 during the first quarter of 2009.  Having peaked at a record 40 per cent in December 2009, during a brief sellers’ market, the unadjusted sales-to-active listings ratio averaged a considerably lower 20 per cent during the first quarter.  This compared favorably to 17 per cent during the same period in 2009 and signaled balanced first quarter resale market conditions.

Overall, the St. John’s real estate market was supported by growth in  employment,  income and population, healthy consumer spending and on-going economic momentum spurred by the local oil sector.

Residential construction activity posted record results during the January to March period, due in part to an unseasonably mild winter.  New home prices also advanced in line with  the general market trend.  First quarter housing starts activity increased 15 per cent, with 246 starts versus 214 in 2009’s first quarter.  Single-detached starts increased by 23 units  or 20 per cent, with 199 starts recorded versus 166 during the first three months of last year.

The multiple starts segment was flat, with 47 starts during the quarter compared to 48 a year ago.  The only sub-market which reported increased construction activity was the St. John’s City submarket during the January to March period (104 starts compared to 88 a year ago), with Mount Pearl posting 15 starts versus 17 during 2009’s first quarter and Paradise recording 62 versus 65 a year ago.  Conception Bay South (CBS) recorded 22 starts in the first quarter, consistent with 2009’s first quarter while starts in Torbay remained flat after this first quarter with 14. In the remainder of the CMA, starts increased from eight in the first three months of 2009 to 29 this year.

Price growth continued, with the average new house price increasing in all submarkets. In fact, the average price of a new home surpassed the $325,000 mark in St. John’s City and the $350,000 mark in Torbay. Average sales price ($354,333) and average sales growth (26.4 per cent) were highest in the Torbay submarket of the St. John’s CMA. The average new single-detached house price for the overall St. John’s CMA increased nearly 20 per cent to a record $311,638 compared to $259,990 during the first quarter of 2009. CBS  posted the lowest average new house price of $248,328 during the quarter. Paradise had the second highest rate of new house price growth in the first quarter at 25.1 per cent to  $333,388.

Throughout the St. John’s area, approximately 47 per cent of all new construction activity fell within the $300,000 plus range during the quarter.  The largest growth in market share occurred in the $400,000+ segment.  Overall, new home price growth remained brisk throughout the quarter.

SOURCE: CMHC Housing Now St. John’s CMA

“April’s brisk new home construction activity positioned the market 48 per cent ahead of the same month last year and 25 per cent year-to-date,” said Chris Janes, senior market analyst with CMHC in Newfoundland and Labrador. “Continued growth in local employment, income and population combined with low mortgage rates has supported residential construction activity during the first four months of 2010,” added Janes.

In urban centres across Canada, total housing starts increased 79 per cent with 14,995 recorded in April compared to 8,387 during April of 2009. Throughout Atlantic Canada, there were 573 urban housing starts posted versus 419 the previous April, an increase of 37 per cent.

SOURCE: CMHC

Record MLS® Residential Sales during First Quarter

• „„MLS® sales increased 25.8% to a record 784 compared to 2009’s first quarter sales of 623 „„January, February and March MLS® sales were 240, 234 and 310, respectively.
• „„First quarter average MLS® residential house price climbed nearly 18% to $230,376 compared to $195,517 during the first quarter of 2009.

Market Conditions Fluctuated

• „„There were approximately 1,850 new residential listings during the first quarter compared to 1,500 during the same period in 2009 „„Active listings or inventory averaged 1,500 from January to March and around the same during Q1 of 2009.
• The sales-to-active listings ratio dipped into buyers territory, but hit 18.9% in March and averaged 17.3% during the quarter versus 13.8% in the first quarter of 2009

Active Listings Remain Low

• „„Despite the surge in new listings, record first quarter sales caused active residential listings to remain relatively low
• „„Active listings for January, February and March were 1,369, 1,503 and 1,644, respectively
• „„Although inventory was similar to 2009’s first quarter level, the 25.8% increase in sales resulted in balanced market conditions during most of the quarter

MLS® Residential Sales Increase During Fourth Quarter

• MLS® sales increased 7.5% to 1,293 compared to 2008’s fourth quarter sales of 1,203.
• October, November and December MLS® sales were 473, 421 and 399, respectively.
• Fourth quarter average MLS® residential house price climbed 10% to $212,992 compared to $193,529 during the fourth quarter of 2008 – the only consistent price growth market in Canada since 2008.

Sellers Market Conditions

• 1,257 new residential listings during the 4th quarter compared to 1,463 during the same period in 2008.
• Active listings or inventory averaged 1,542 from October to December versus a similar 1,528 during Q4 of  2008.
• Sales-to-active listings ratio hit 34% in December and averaged 29% during the fourth quarter versus 26% in Q4 of 2008.

Sellers Market Keeps Active Listings Low

• Steady demand for housing caused active residential listings to remain low during the fourth quarter.
• Active listings for October, November and December were 1,790, 1,643 and 1,192, respectively, with new listings of 601, 416 and 240, respectively.
• Steady demand paired with 7.5% more sales and 14% fewer new listings resulted in sellers market conditions.

Mortgage Rates

• Canadian mortgage rates are expected to remain historically low during the first half of 2010 and increase gradually during the second half, as bond yields start to increase.
• For 2010, the posted 5-year mortgage rate is expected to be in the 5.49% to 6.0% range.
• The record low bank rate currently sits at 0.25%, with prime at 2.25% and 5-year fixed mortgage rates at 5.49% at major Canadian banks.

“The local residential construction industry remained buoyant throughout 2009 and ended the year off just nine per cent compared to 2008’s record pace,” said Chris Janes, senior market analyst with CMHC in Newfoundland and Labrador. “Despite weakness in the global economy in 2009, positive local economic and demographic factors continued to support stable residential construction activity within the St. John’s region, as well as in other urban centres across the province,” added Janes.
For Canada’s urban centres, total housing starts increased 17 per cent with 12,262 recorded in December compared to 10,488 during December of 2008. Single-detached starts increased 44 per cent to 6,222, while multiple starts of 6,040 represent a two per cent decline from a year ago. Throughout Atlantic Canada, there were 672 urban housing starts posted versus 574 the previous December, an increase of 17 per cent.

“Despite August’s decline, the local residential construction sector has posted solid year to date results,” said Chris Janes, senior market analyst with CMHC in Newfoundland and Labrador. “Employment and population growth throughout the St. John’s area this year continues to bode well for residential construction activity,” added Janes.

For Canada’s urban centres, total housing starts fell 27 per cent with 12,187 recorded in August compared to 16,807 during August of 2008. Single-detached starts decreased 26 per cent to 5,211, while multiple starts of 6,976 represent a 28 per cent decline from a year ago. Throughout Atlantic Canada, there were 835 urban housing starts posted versus 879 the previous August, a decline of 5 per cent.