St. John’s Real Estate July Housing Starts

August 10, 2010 · Filed Under CMHC Reports · Comment 

Just released from CMHC: Housing Now publications press release for housing starts in Newfoundland and Labrador.

“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.

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CMHC St. John’s Area June Housing Starts

July 13, 2010 · Filed Under CMHC Reports, Market Trends and New Home Construction · Comment 

Urban housing starts increased during the month of June, according to preliminary data released by Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC). June’s housing starts totaled 232  throughout the St. John’s area versus 183 starts in June of 2009. There were  53 additional starts recorded outside the St. John’s area, for a total of  285 provincial urban starts compared to 230 last June. “The number of new homes started in June represents a significant increase compared to June 2009. Year-to-date starts are up 25 per cent within the St. John’s region,  with 822 starts recorded during the January to June period,” said Chris  Janes, senior market analyst with CMHC in Newfoundland and Labrador. “Healthy economic and demographic trends have supported new home demand during the first half of 2010,” added Janes. In urban centres across Canada, total housing starts increased 31 per cent with 15,345 recorded in June compared to 11,686 during June of 2009. Throughout Atlantic Canada, there were 1,012 urban housing starts posted versus 904 the  previous June, an increase of 12 per cent.

Complete news release can be found here

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Average price for a home in St. John’s Newfoundland

May 18, 2010 · Filed Under CMHC Reports · Comment 

According to CMHC in their latest press release, the First Quarter of 2010 provided record sales of existing homes and  increased inventory throughout the St. John’s real estate market.  The average MLS® residential price for St. John’s continued to rise, reaching another record level peaking at $251,485 in March. The number of MLS® sales increased 25 per cent with 665 sales compared to 2009’s first quarter sales of 532 units.

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.

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April Housing Starts in St. John’s Area

May 10, 2010 · Filed Under CMHC Reports · Comment 

ST. JOHN’S, May 10, 2010 – Urban housing starts increased during the month of April, according to preliminary  released today by Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC). April’s housing starts totaled 129 throughout the St. John’s area versus 87 starts in April of 2009. There were four additional starts recorded outside the St. John’s area, for a total of 133 provincial urban starts compared to 106 last April.

“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

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First Quarter Newfoundland MLS Trends 2010

April 7, 2010 · Filed Under CMHC Reports, First Time Buyers, Market Trends and St. John's Real Estate · Comment 

Canada Mortgage and Housing have released the First Quarter 2010 MLS Trends – Newfoundland and Labrador issue.  Below are the key points in the release.

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

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CMHC Reports St. John’s Area February Housing Starts

March 9, 2010 · Filed Under CMHC Reports · Comment 

ST. JOHN’S, March 8, 2010 – Urban housing starts increased during the month of February, according to preliminary released today by Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC). February’s housing starts totaled 68 throughout the St. John’s area versus 45 starts in February of 2009. There were no additional starts recorded outside the St. John’s area. “February’s brisk residential construction activity was attributed to a combination of continued demand and an unseasonably mild winter month,” said Chris Janes, senior market analyst with CMHC in Newfoundland and Labrador. “Local economic and demographic conditions continue to support new home construction throughout the St. John’s region and the first two months of 2010 indicate a solid start to the year,” added Janes.

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Changes made to Canadian Mortgages

February 17, 2010 · Filed Under First Time Buyers and Real Estate Canada · 1 Comment 

April 19th is the deadline for the old mortgage rules.  After this, the new changes proposed by the Canadian government earlier this week will be in effect.  Personally I think the rules are a good move from the governments part and in the long run protect Canadians from taking on additional debt.  As well, for those thinking we are in a housing bubble it should assist in slowing the pace a little.

Starting April 19th, the new mortgage rules are as follows:

1) All new borrowers will have to meet standards for the 5 year fixed-rate mortgages even if they’re seeking a shorter, variable-rate loan.

2) The maximum amount Canadians can withdraw when refinancing is now 90% of the value of their homes down from the current 95 per cent.  It’s a good idea to personally cap this at 80% – if you go over 80%, CMHC fees are applicable.

3) For those interested in an investment property, you will be required to have a 20% down payment for government-backed mortgage insurance on speculative investment properties.

The third rule change seems to be the harshest of the three as there are a number of people interested in buying investment properties for the long term (ie for retirement). It’s a big price hike for a down payment on an investment property now.  An average 2-apartment home in St. John’s is around $250,000.  This means a purchaser would need $50,000 for the down payment.  Again, the 20% will help avoid your CHMC fees when purchasing an investment property.

What are your thoughts for the new upcoming changes in Canada’s mortgage rules?

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