Third-quarter results show Canadian house prices appreciating at close to the longterm annual norm of five per cent per year.
Canada’s residential real estate market saw year-over-year growth in the third quarter as fears of a double dip recession or a housing bubble faded. According to the Royal LePage House Price Survey released today, house price appreciation slowed to a more modest five per cent in the quarter, which is historically typical of balanced real estate markets.
“Most Canadian housing markets cooled in the third quarter. In fact, the year is unfolding much as we predicted, with the unusually active first half of 2010 giving way to slower markets in the later part of the year. Helped by very low rates in a competitive mortgage financing market, the third quarter was slightly stronger than anticipated, on new demand fuelled by improved affordability in many regions,” said Phil Soper, president and chief executive, Royal LePage Real Estate Services. Looking ahead, it is very unlikely that the period from now to year-end can keep pace with the activity levels posted in the overheated market of the final quarter of 2009.”
In the third quarter, the average price of a detached bungalow in Canada was up 4.6 percent to $324,531, compared to a year ago. Over the same period, standard two-storey homes rose 4.4 percent to $360,329 while standard condominiums rose 3.9 percent to $226,481 .
“House price growth now sits just below the long term annual average of approximately five per cent, but once this is adjusted for inflation, which is very low and expected to continue to be that way for some time, appreciation is right on track. Canadian homeowners will be pleased,” said Soper.
St. John’s, Winnipeg, Montreal and Vancouver posted house price increases above the national average. Average house prices in St. John’s saw year-over-year increases from 12.3 per cent to 14 per cent depending on housing type. Similarly, Winnipeg saw increases between 8 per cent and 11.7 per cent on average year-over-year. Real estate growth in both cities was fueled by an influx in population. St. John’s has been an attractive market because of its booming oil industry and Manitoba recently experienced its highest inflow of international immigrants in nearly 40 years according to Statistics Canada.
“During the period which stretched from 2007 through early 2010, the Canadian housing market was characterized by often wild swings in housing activity. We believe much of that volatility has been worked out of the system and that gradual economic improvement, particularly with our employment picture, offset by the dampening effect of a gradual increase in mortgage costs, should bring a steadier housing industry through 2011,” said Soper.
“While the quantity of home sales transactions fluctuated significantly period to period over the past two years, as the real estate industry absorbed the impact and uncertainty of the recession, Canadian house prices saw much less change. In sharp contrast to the U.S. situation, in which a mountain of foreclosures flooded the supply side of the market during the most volatile times, Canadians were reluctant to list their homes. With a limited supply of listings, house prices maintained their value and Canadians, their equity,” added Soper.
Regional House Price Data
Royal LePage’s latest quarterly House Price Survey shows the strongest growth in year-over-year increases in St. John’s, Newfoundland, where detached bungalows were up 14 per cent over 2009, to $228,025, standard two-storey houses rose 13.7 per cent to $313,775 and standard condominiums increased 12.3 per cent to $241,850.
Both Toronto and Ottawa saw modest increases across all three housing types surveyed with standard condominiums posting the largest increases in both cities. In Ottawa, prices for standard condominiums rose 7.1 per cent to $227,667. Standard condominiums in Toronto were up 5.9 per cent to $329,138.
A reduction in new listings and limited inventory, drove average Montreal house price up between 8.0 and 9.1 per cent yearover-year. The average price of a standard two-storey home rose to $364,583.
Interest rates continue to draw buyers in Vancouver where year-over-year prices increased between 8.0 and 10.2 per cent. Standard two-storey Vancouver homes rose to an average price of $977,250. Inventory levels in Victoria are at their highest since 1998, stabilizing the real estate market and offering buyers considerable choice. Bungalows in Victoria rose 5.4 per cent year-over-year to $490,000 while standard condominiums showed no growth compared to this time last year.
Immigration drove Winnipeg’s year-over-year average prices up between 8.0 and 11.7 per cent. The average price of a standard condominium showed the largest increase rising to $163,857.
Housing markets in Alberta stabilized in the third quarter as inventory rose and year-over-year prices flattened. Detached bungalows in Calgary rose 2.7 per cent while standard condominiums and two-storey homes decreased by 1 and 1.1 per cent, respectively. In Edmonton, standard two-storey homes were up 3.4 per cent to $338,571, while standard condominiums were down 3.6 per cent year-over-year to $204,167.
Regina posted a strong performance in year-over-year house prices with the exception of standard condominiums, which experienced downward pressure due to condominium developments. Standard two-storey houses in
Regina saw the strongest growth increasing on average by 8.9 per cent to $274,000. Buyers in
Saskatoon have seen a considerable increase in inventory, offering more choice as prices rose modestly year-over-year between 2.7 and 5.5 per cent.
Excluding St. John’s, Newfoundland, house prices in the Atlantic Provinces stabilized showing little to modest growth. Detached bungalows in Moncton, were the only exception posting year-over-year decreases of 4.4 per cent. Halifax saw healthy increases across all three housing types. On average, detached bungalows increased year-over-year by 7.2 per cent and standard two-storey houses increased 5.5 per cent.
The data relating to real estate on this website comes in part from the MLS® Reciprocity program of either the Greater Vancouver REALTORS® (GVR), the Fraser Valley Real Estate Board (FVREB) or the Chilliwack and District Real Estate Board (CADREB). Real estate listings held by participating real estate firms are marked with the MLS® logo and detailed information about the listing includes the name of the listing agent. This representation is based in whole or part on data generated by either the GVR, the FVREB or the CADREB which assumes no responsibility for its accuracy. The materials contained on this page may not be reproduced without the express written consent of either the GVR, the FVREB or the CADREB.
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