CMHC released the July Housing Starts for the St. John’s Area report yesterday. Below is the press release.

ST. JOHN’S, August 9, 2011 – Housing starts in the St. John’s region were up during the month of July, according to preliminary data1 released today by Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC). July’s housing starts totaled 258 units throughout the St. John’s area compared to 176 units in July of 2010. There were 24 additional starts recorded in urban centres outside the St. John’s region, for a total of 282 provincial urban housing starts.

“A sizeable increase in multiple housing starts activity contributed to the overall gains in new home construction throughout the St. John’s area in July,” said Chris Janes, senior market analyst with CMHC in Newfoundland and Labrador. “Single-detached starts were up 12 per cent in July to 154 units. Despite the monthly gains, the trend towards lower levels of single housing starts in 2011 remains, with this segment of the market down 15 per cent compared to a year ago,” added Janes.

In urban centres across Canada, total housing starts recorded in July were up three per cent to 16,486 units compared to 15,947 a year ago. Single-detached starts declined 11 per cent to 6,396 units, while multiple starts increased 15 per cent to 10,090 units in July. In the Atlantic region, 1,318 new homes were started compared to 1,348 units during July 2010.

The St. John’s housing market slowed as expected during the second quarter of 2011. Here is CMHC’s Housing Now Report.

The current price environment, combined with a significant inventory of unsold homes, contributed to reduced housing market activity during the second quarter of 2011. New home construction was flat and the MLS® residential market posted a decline in sales. Average prices in both the new and existing markets continued to advance. From an economic perspective, growth in population, income and employment continued to add support to the local housing market.

New Home Construction Flat
Residential construction activity was flat throughout the St. John’s area during the second quarter. New home prices, however, continued to advance compared to the same period in 2010. Total housing starts were down approximately one per cent, with 572 starts versus 576 in 2010’s second quarter. However, there were only 387 single-detached starts compared to 499 during the second quarter of 2010, which represents a 22 per cent decline for this segment. This was offset by higher multiple starts activity, with a total of 185 units during the quarter compared to 77 a year ago. The multiple segment was led mainly by 174 starts in the form of apartments (basement) and condos.

MLS® Residential Market Favours Buyers
A modest decline in sales and higher inventory saw the market remain favourable for buyers during the second quarter. In terms of resale market characteristics, buyers had a much broader choice of homes with available inventory approximately 34 per cent higher than a year ago. Listings remained on the market for an average of 70 days, while prices continued to show gains compared to the April to June period of 2010. Despite higher inventory, offers came in at approximately 98 per cent of asking price. For the St. John’s area, there were 2,145 new residential listings compared to 1,876 during the same period last year. Active listings averaged 1,971 per month, versus 1,472 per month during the second quarter of 2010. The sales-to-active listings ratio averaged 14 per cent compared to 20 per cent during the same period a year ago.

MLS® Prices Increase Despite Sales Decline
With existing home sales lower and inventory higher throughout the St. John’s area, the average MLS® residential price still showed growth compared to the same period in 2010. The number of MLS® sales declined 10.5 per cent with 803 sales compared to 2010’s second quarter total of 897 units. The average MLS® residential price in the St. John’s CMA was 8.5 per cent higher than it was a year ago. Despite a decline in sales activity and increased inventory in the second quarter, the average MLS® residential price was $265,615 compared to $244,716 during the second quarter of 2010. The average price stabilized and remained around the $265,000 level throughout the quarter and continued to be supported by positive local economic conditions.
At the provincial level, there were 970 MLS® sales compared to 1,094 in the second quarter of 2010. The average MLS® residential price in Newfoundland was $248,525 during the April to June period – an increase of seven per cent.

CMHC released the June Housing Starts for the St. John’s Area yesterday.  Here is a clip of the article.

“Housing starts in the St. John’s region were up during the month of June, according to  preliminary data released today by Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC). June’s housing starts totaled 278 units throughout the St. John’s area compared to 232 units in June of 2010. There were 56 additional starts recorded in urban centres outside the St. John’s area, for a total of 334 provincial urban housing starts. Year-to-date, urban starts are down 3 per cent, with 935 posted provincewide.
“Higher levels of multiple housing starts supported the overall gains in new home construction activity in the St. John’s area in June,” said Chris Janes, senior market analyst with CMHC in Newfoundland and Labrador. “Single-detached starts were relatively stable in June at 193 units. The trend towards lower levels of single housing starts remains, with this segment down 20 per cent compared to this time last year,” added Janes.
In urban centres across Canada, total housing starts recorded in June were up four per cent to 15,982 units compared to 15,346 a year ago. Single-detached starts declined seven per cent to 7,287 units, while multiple starts increased 16 per cent to 8,695 units in June. In the Atlantic region, 1,051 new homes were started compared to 1,012 units during June 2010.”

A copy of the PDF file can be found here.

Results of Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC)’s Spring 2011 Rental Market Survey released today indicate that the overall vacancy rate was up in provincial urban centres in April 2011. The overall vacancy rate was 2.1 per cent, an increase of one per cent from last April’s rate of 1.1 per cent.
The St. John’s area rental market posted a vacancy rate of two per cent in April 2011 compared to 1.1 per cent last April. “With an active labour market, population growth will continue to create rental demand and keep vacancy rates low within the region,” said Chris Janes, senior market analyst with CMHC in Newfoundland and Labrador. “High home prices and a strong economy are supporting demand for rental units. These factors, coupled with limited new rental supply being added to the market, continue to keep the vacancy rate low,” added Janes.
The Corner Brook area posted the lowest vacancy rate in the province at 1.7 per cent compared to 0.8 per cent a year ago. Other centres surveyed recorded the following vacancy rates: the Gander area increased to 2.3 per cent from 0.6 per cent last year and the Grand Falls-Windsor area came in at 2.7 per cent, a vacancy rate comparable to last year.

Housing starts in the St. John’s real estate market were flat during the month of May, according to preliminary data released today by Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC). May’s housing starts totaled 223 units throughout the St. John’s area compared to 215 units in May of 2010. There were ten additional starts recorded in urban centres outside the St. John’s area, for a total of 233 provincial urban housing starts. Year-to-date, urban starts are down 17 per cent, with 561 posted province-wide.
“Single-detached construction activity declined considerably in May, but was offset by a significant increase in multiple housing starts in the form of condos in St. John’s,” said Chris Janes, senior market analyst with CMHC in Newfoundland and Labrador. “The trend towards lower levels of construction activity continued, with the single-detached segment down 27 per cent compared to this time last year,” added Janes.
In urban centres across Canada, total housing starts recorded in May were down seven per cent to 15,025 units compared to 16,178 a year ago. Single-detached starts declined 23 per cent to 6,005 units, while multiple starts increased seven per cent to 9,020 units in May. In the Atlantic region, 848 new homes were started compared to 1,137 during May 2010.

A complete copy of the PDF report can be found here

ST. JOHN’S, May 9, 2011 – Housing starts in the St. John’s region declined during the month of April, according to preliminary data released today by Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC). April’s housing starts totaled 71 units throughout the St. John’s area compared to 129 units in April  of 2010. There were five additional starts recorded in urban centres outside the St. John’s area, for a total of 76 urban housing starts across the province.

“New home construction activity slowed in April, with significant declines recorded in both single and multiple starts,” said Chris Janes, senior market analyst with CMHC in Newfoundland and Labrador. “While housing starts are forecast to end the year down from 2010 levels, the trend to lower levels of activity is expected to moderate in the coming months,” added Janes.

In urban centres across Canada, total housing starts recorded in April were down 15 per cent to 13,528 units compared to last year’s total of 15,897. Single-detached starts declined 27 per cent to 5,382 units, while multiple starts decreased four per cent to 8,146 units in April. In the Atlantic region, 551 new units were started compared to 640 units during April 2010.

The complete CHMC Report can be found here.

ST. JOHN’S, March 8, 2011 – Housing starts in the St. John’s real estate region decreased during the month of February, according to preliminary released today by Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC).

February’s housing starts totaled 52 units throughout the St. John’s area compared to 67 units in February of 2010. There were no additional starts recorded in urban centres outside the St. John’s area.
“New home construction activity took a breather during February, with starts down 22 per cent,” said Chris Janes, senior market analyst with CMHC in Newfoundland and Labrador. “While starts activity is retreating from recent highs, growth in employment, income and population is expected to support the local housing market again this year,” added Janes.

In urban centres across Canada, total housing starts recorded in February were down seven per cent to 9,900 units compared to last year’s total of 10,637. Single-detached starts declined 27 per cent to 3,300 units, while multiple starts increased eight per cent to 6,600 units in February. In the Atlantic region, 269 new units were started compared to 453 units during February 2010.

The full CMHC press release can be found here

CMHC’s Housing Now publications was just released for Newfoundland and Labrador outlining January’s housing starts for the St. John’s real estate market.  Below is the outline of the press release.  For the full PDF file click here.

ST. JOHN’S, February 8, 2011 – Housing starts in the St. John’s region were flat during the month of January, according to preliminary released today by Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC).  January’s housing starts totaled 105 units throughout the St. John’s area compared to 104 units in January of 2010.  There were four additional starts  recorded outside the St. John’s area, for a total of 109 provincial urban housing starts compared to 113 last January.

“An 18 per cent increase in single-detached housing construction was offset by lower multiple unit starts activity  during January,” said Chris Janes, senior market analyst with CMHC in Newfoundland and Labrador. “While starts activity is expected to come off record highs, continued growth in employment, income and population will remain supportive of the local housing market this year,” added Janes.

In urban centres across Canada, total housing starts recorded in January were down six per cent to 9,773 units compared to last year’s total of 10,438. Single-detached starts declined 28 per cent to 3,463 units, while multiple starts increased 13 per cent to 6,310 units in January. In the Atlantic region, 480 new units were started in January compared to 441 units during the same period in 2010.

CMHC just released their First Quarter 2011 edition of  Housing Now – Major Centres – St. John’s.  You can view the entire PDF release here http://www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/odpub/esub/64199/64199_2011_Q01.pdf

Here are some of the highlights:

- High prices and an increasing inventory of unsold new and existing homes saw  housing market activity continue to slow during the fourth quarter of 2010

- During the October to December period, both new home construction and resale market activity registered declines.

- Average prices,  however, advanced compared to 2009, but remained relatively unchanged on a  month-over-month basis

- Residential construction activity declined moderately

- Total housing starts were down approximately six per cent, with 488 starts versus 520 in 2009’s fourth quarter

- The overall average new house price for the St. John’s CMA was $326,954

- 50 per cent of all new single-detached homes sold for more than $300,000 during the quarter

- decline in sales and increased inventory, positioned the market as buyers again during the fourth quarter

- buyers had a much broader choice of homes because available inventory  increased approximately 40 per cent in the quarter, including a 56 per cent surge in December

- Listings remained on the market for an average of 65 days

- Despite higher inventory, offers came in at approximately 96 per cent of asking
price

- The average MLS® residential price in Newfoundland was $238,696 during the October to December period – an increase of 12 per cent.

This news was just released from Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation.

ST. JOHN’S, January 11, 2011 – Housing starts in the St. John’s region were lower during the month of December, according to preliminary data released today by Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC). December’s housing starts totaled 172 throughout the St. John’s area versus 201 starts in December of 2009. There were 27 additional starts recorded outside the St. John’s area, for a total of 199 provincial urban housing starts compared to 223 last December. For 2010, total starts were above 2009 levels, with 1,816 recorded throughout the St. John’s region versus 1,703 in 2009.

In urban centres across Canada, total housing starts recorded in December were down two per cent to 12,040 units compared to 2009’s total of 12,268.  Single-detached starts declined 20 per cent to 4,981 units, while  multiple starts increased 17 per cent to 7,059 units in 2010. In the Atlantic region, 611 new units were started in December 2010 compared to 672 units during the same period in 2009.

ST. JOHN’S, September 9, 2010 – Urban housing starts increased during the month of August, according to preliminary data released today by Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC). August’s housing starts totaled 179 throughout the St. John’s area versus 151 starts in August of 2009. There were 18 additional starts recorded outside the St. John’s area, for a total of 197 provincial urban starts compared to 190 last August. Year-to-date, starts remain positive, with 1,177 recorded in the St. John’s region versus 1,026 last year.
“The number of new homes started in August is in line with the current forecast and the expectation that new home construction will slow over the remainder of 2010,” said Chris Janes, senior market analyst with CMHC in Newfoundland and Labrador. “New home demand was steady during the first half of 2010, but will taper off 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 12 per cent with 14,253 recorded in August compared to 12,734 during August of 2009.

Throughout Atlantic Canada, there were 847 urban housing starts posted versus 907 the previous August, a decrease of seven per cent.

The full press release can be found here.