St. John’s Gives Green Light to East End Condos

May 13, 2008 · Filed Under St. John's Condos and St. John's Real Estate · Comment 

A major residential development for downtown St.John’s has been given the green light. St. John’s City Council has given the okay for six residential condominium buildings to be located on the former Standard Manufacturing site on Water Street East. Each building will have eight units for the total of 48 and there will be one level of indoor parking. Condos of this status are much needed in the downtown core. The condos will be a great attraction for oil companies, investors and new employees moving to Newfoundland due to the oil and gas industry.

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St. John’s Remax Affordability Report 2008

April 24, 2008 · Filed Under Market Trends, Real Estate Articles, Remax Newfoundland, St. John's Investments and St. John's Real Estate · 1 Comment 

Although a recent report pegged St. John’s as one of the most affordable cities in the G7 nations, affordability is a growing concern. Buyers continue to face challenging market conditions, including unprecedented demand and extremely tight inventory levels.

Multiple offers are quite prevalent. It is not uncommon to see quality, new listings generate three to four offers after only a few days on the market, with most selling for more than list price. Bungalows are especially coveted.

Despite a sense of urgency in the marketplace, buyers remain quite determined. Most are willing to compromise by way of necessity, while others ante up more money to compete. Some entry-level purchasers are sitting on the fence, waiting for more product to come on stream with the Spring market and better weather.

Currently, average price in Greater St. John’s hovers at $172,000. Although the St. John’s downtown core has more affordable options, most purchasers prefer Woodlands, Cowan Heights, and Mount Pearl, where three-bedroom, resale homes start from $180,000.

Condominiums are a viable alternative, but this type of product is popular with only a small percentage of first-time buyers. St. John’s Condos can start from $100,000 for a one-bedroom unit in an old military conversion to $130,000 for a two-bedroom in an older building in the northwest end of the city. Duplex product, though limited, is also growing in demand, and more units are coming on stream.

The least expensive sales recorded to date in St. John’s include a detached home with some new upgrades that changed hands for $140,000 and an 800 sq. ft. condo apartment that sold for $95,100 in an older, but renovated, building. Both were located in the city’s east end.

With average prices forecast to experience double-digit momentum yet again this year, it is expected that the first time buyer segment will remain very active as purchasers try to buy in before prices rise further.

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