Newfoundland MLS Trends for 4th Quarter 2009

January 28, 2010 · Filed Under CMHC Reports, Market Trends and St. John's Real Estate · Comment 

CMHC just released their latest Housing Market Information statistics for the Newfoundland real estate market today.  Here is a basic breakdown from the report:

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.

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2009 Urban Housing Starts in Newfoundland and Labrador

January 11, 2010 · Filed Under CMHC Reports, Market Trends, New Home Construction and St. John's Real Estate · Comment 

ST. JOHN’S, January 11, 2010 – Urban housing starts posted consistent results during the month of December, according to preliminary released today by Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC). December’s housing starts totaled 201 throughout the St. John’s area versus 202 starts in December of 2008. An additional 22 starts were recorded in other urban areas across the province, for a total of 223 provincial starts compared to 226 the previous December. For 2009, urban housing starts totaled 1,703 in the St. John’s area and 2,022 provincially.

“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.

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Canadian housing markets buck recession and trend upwards – RE/MAX Bricks and Mortar Report

September 24, 2009 · Filed Under Market Trends, Real Estate Canada and Remax Reports · Comment 

With the worst of the recession over, residential real estate markets in major Canadian centres are poised for growth in the final quarter of 2009, according to a report released today by RE/MAX.

The RE/MAX Bricks and Mortar Report found the bounce back that began in early Spring has made this recession one of the shortest on record for real estate. Low interest rates, pent-up demand, and improved affordability levels have all played a role in the recovery now well underway. Percentage increases in sales from January to August 2009 were led by Vancouver, (up a substantial 14 per cent to 23,158), Victoria (up 7.4 per cent to 5,266), Edmonton (up 6.2 per cent to 13,691), Regina (up five per cent to 2,597), Ottawa (up 2.4 per cent to 10,830) and Toronto (up 1.8 per cent to 58,421).

Housing values are already ahead of record-breaking 2008 levels in seven of the 11 markets surveyed, including Newfoundland-Labrador (18.1 per cent year to $203,584), Regina (6.4 per cent to $244,088), Halifax-Dartmouth (3.5 per cent to $239,633), Winnipeg (3.5 per cent to $207,006), Ottawa (3.3 per cent to $301,684), and Toronto (up 0.3 per cent to $385,978). Nationally, average price hovers at $312,585, up 0.5 per cent over one year ago.

“Markets are heating up across the country,” says Michael Polzler, Executive Vice President, RE/MAX Ontario-Atlantic Canada. “Purchasers are clearly taking advantage of affordable prices and rock bottom interest rates. Those who missed the boat in years past have found that sitting on the sidelines can be a costly move. Prices are on the upswing and inventory levels are tightening, so the push toward home ownership is expected to continue throughout the Fall and possibly into early 2010.”

The recovery of Canada’s resale housing markets speaks to the tremendous value Canadians place on the importance of owning a home. The number of Canadians overall who own a home has increased since 1981 from 62.1 per cent to 68.4 per cent, with some markets posting even higher homeownership rates — Calgary (74.1), St. John’s (71.5), Regina (70.1), and Edmonton (69.2). Significant gains have also been made over the same period in markets such as Ottawa — where homeownership levels rose from 51.4 per cent to 66.7 per cent — and Toronto, where levels rose fro m 57.3 to 67.6 per cent.

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St. John’s Area August Housing Starts – Press Release from CMHC

September 10, 2009 · Filed Under CMHC Reports, Market Trends and St. John's Real Estate · Comment 

Urban housing starts decreased during the month of August, according to preliminary data released today by Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC). August’s housing starts totaled 151 throughout the St. John’s real estate area versus 249 starts in August of 2008. An additional 18 starts were recorded in other urban areas across the province, for a total of 169 provincial starts compared to 316 the previous August. For the January to August 2009 period, the St. John’s area posted 1,026 housing starts versus 1,079 starts during the same period last year, while provincial starts totaled 1,180 compared to 1,312 a year ago.

“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.

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MLS Listing Sales down – St. John’s housing prices up

July 22, 2009 · Filed Under CMHC Reports and Market Trends · 1 Comment 

MLS sales retreated 8% to 996 units compared to 2008’s second quarter sales of 1,084 units.  April, May and June MLS sales were 259, 316 and 421, respectively. Despite the drop in sales, second quarter average MLS prices for St. John’s and surrounding areas up 20% to $203,854 compared to $169,942 during the second quarter of last year.  This is the only consecutive price growth in Canada since the fourth quarter of 2008.q2buyersmarket

Sales-to-active listings ratio increased to 19.6% in June and averaged 16.4% during Q2, indicating the market favouring buyers, particularly in April and May. However, as you can see from the chart, we are swinging upwards and my estimate we’ll see a balanced market for the third quarter. The St. John’s real estate market actually feels like a balanced market now.

The Bank of Canada left the prime lending rate at 0.25% the other day.  However mortgage rates are predicted to drift higher in 2010.

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New Addition to the Father And Son Team

July 15, 2009 · Filed Under Market Trends and St. John's Real Estate · 1 Comment 

Well, it’s been a few weeks since I’ve posted anything on my blog, but all with good reason – It’s a baby boy!  Nicholas Winters is the quasi new member of the Father and Son Team.  Or is it Grandfather and Father Team now.

The St. John’s Real Estate Market average house prices are still slowly increasing.  Up to approx $211,000 now.  CHMC haven’t released this quarters stats yet but I’d be curious to see if the trend has shifted from a buyers market to a balanced market.  It does feel more balanced out there on the street.  Active listings are still up in number but buyers are plentiful as well.

The local St. John’s housing market has been in the news the past week.  I’ve watched news clips on both CBC News and the NTV Evening News.  Both reports positive market conditions.

RE/MAX has released a press release titled Recovery underway in key Canadian markets ends buyer dominance in resale housing, says RE/MAX which boasted even more positive news for the St. John’s market.  You can read the St. John’s Market-by-Market review here.

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St. John’s real estate market up 24% since same time period last year

July 15, 2009 · Filed Under Market Trends and St. John's Real Estate · Comment 

Strong consumer confidence, buoyed by a vibrant local economy and a healthy employment picture, has kept St. John’s real estate engine moving at a steady clip. With billions of dollars in capital works projects planned or underway, in-migration remains positive and demand for resale housing continues to be solid. Improving inventory levels have shifted the market slightly into buyers territory, giving purchasers the necessary traction to make their moves. The threat of interest rate hikes has further stimulated home buying activity, pushing fence-sitters off the sidelines and into action. Residential sales in June 2009 (354 units) are slightly ahead of June 2008 (351 units) figures. The year-to-date average price recorded a 24 per cent increase to $211,221, compared to $170,500 for the same time period last year, bolstered by greater momentum in the mid-range. Corporate transfers have been a significant stimulus. Entry-level homes, priced between $100,000 and $200,000, are being snapped up at an unprecedented pace given the sharp upswing in pricing. Listing inventory levels are higher and the upper-end continues to move well, supported by the relocation market. Inventory will be a key factor influencing St. John’s housing sector in the months ahead. The pace is expected to continue, with sales rounding out the year at or ahead of 2007 levels, but below record numbers reported in 2008.

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