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

September appeared to be a fairly balanced month for the St. John’s Real Estate market.  New MLS listings edged ever so slightly down, as did the number of sales compared to August’s Newfoundland Real Estate Stats.  Both the Canadian Real Estate Association and RE/MAX released reports last month indicating strong housing sales and positive real estate markets throughout Canada.  Here in St. John’s our 12 month average price for a home is $228,325 (single family home).  Huge increases if you compare past Newfoundland average housing prices of  $170,482 for 2008 and $147,201 for 2007.

Total # of new MLS Listings [Sept] =462 (based on residential stats)

Total # of Sales [Sept] = 331

Number of Active Listings in the NLAR MLS System (ALL of Newfoundland) = 2093 (residential only)

Here is a break down by area for the month of September

St. John’s Real Estate: Listings = 188   Sales = 135 Sales/Listings Ratio = 72%

Average Sale Price is St. John’s: $237,259 for the month of September

Mount Pearl Real Estate: Listings = 32 Sales = 20  Sales/Listings Ratio = 63%

Average Sale Price: $219,715

Paradise Real Estate: Listings =41 Sales = 38 Sales/Listings Ratio =93%

Average Sale Price: $281,817

East Extern Real Estate: Listings = 38 Sales = 27  Sales/Listings Ratio = 71%

Average Sale Price: $256,696

Conception Bay South Real Estate: Listings = 40   Sales = 26  Sales/Listings Ratio = 65%

Average Sale Price: $229,135

Asking price: $229,900

Call Fraser & Stephen Winters for more information.

The monthly Newfoundland Real Estate MLS housing price break down is showing a 1% decrease in listings this month and an increase of 21% in home purchases.  Year to date, listings are up slightly by 1% and sales up 14% compared to this time last year.  Interestingly, the total dollar value in sales was up 47% for the month of October.

Total # of New MLS Listings [Oct] = 764

Total # of Sales [Oct] = 636

Number of Active Listings in the NLAR MLS System = 2595

The average price of a home in the St. John’s Real Estate market is now $187,636 year to date for 2008.  Compared to $167,847 YTD for 2007.  Remember this is for ALL Newfoundland (nlar.ca)

Here is a break down by area for the month of October

St. John’s Real Estate: Listings = 186 Sales = 136 Sales/Listings Ratio = 73%

Average Sale Price: $202,896

Mount Pearl Real Estate: Listings = 15 Sales = 17 Sales/Listings Ratio = 113%

Average Sale Price: $186,612

Paradise Real Estate: Listings =31 Sales = 36 Sales/Listings Ratio =116%

Average Sale Price: $234,681

East Extern Real Estate: Listings = 28 Sales = 32   Sales/Listings Ratio = 114%

Average Sale Price: $219,193

Conception Bay Real Estate: Listings = 47   Sales = 40  Sales/Listings Ratio = 85%

Average Sale Price: $231,552

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• Urban housing starts increased during  September, according to preliminary data released today by Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation.   Read more on the article St. John’s Housing Starts Increase in September and see the break down for other cities in Newfoundland.

MLS® sales advanced 11% to 1,695 units compared to last year’s third quarter sales of 1,529 units. The monthly break down for the third quarter:  July, August and September MLS® sales were 610, 541 and 544, respectively.

The lot prices range from $69,900 to $94,900 (plus HST). A hefty jump since the last phase (base price was approx $54,900) but the demand is there to justify it.

Almost all subdivisions in St. John’s and Paradise have increased in prices since last year some as much as ten to fifteen percent.

Remember Fraser and Stephen Winters can represent your interests in the buying of your new construction home. We will be there from lot and house design selection, through signing the paperwork, choosing your paint colors – all the way to final walk-through and beyond.

There are ZERO costs to use our services on the buying side of purchasing your new (or pre-existing) home. There is no cost to you – no decreased incentives – no increased price – the developers actually pay us to work with you through the buying process. Contact us and we’ll show you how we can assist you in finding the new home you’re looking for in ANY subdivision.

Total # of Sales [Apr] = 332 (Up 24% from April 2007)

Number of Active Listings in the NLAR MLS System = 2430

Inventory this month but so did the number of sales.Expired listings have declined by 23% Properties are still selling VERY fast and multiple offers are common in this sellers market.

Here is a break down by area for the month of April for single family homes

St. John’s Real Estate: Listings = 155 Sales = 84 Sales/Listings Ratio = 54%

Average Sale Price: $173,530 ($184,730 for April)

Mount Pearl Real Estate: Listings = 36 Sales = 16 Sales/Listings Ratio = 49%

Average Sale Price: $153,657

Paradise Real Estate: Listings = 43 Sales = 26 Sales/Listings Ratio = 60%

Average Sale Price: $188,460

East Extern Real Estate: Listings = 41 Sales = 22 Sales/Listings Ratio = 54%

Average Sale Price: $189,484

Conception Bay Real Estate: Listings = 45 Sales = 21 Sales/Listings Ratio = 47%

Average Sale Price: $165,735