January sales signal strong start to 2021
City of Calgary, February 1, 2021 – January sales were the highest they have been for the month since 2014, as housing market momentum from the end of 2020 carried over into the start of 2021. Sales activity improved across all product types and across all price ranges.
“Discount lending rates are exceptionally low, which is likely attracting all types of buyers back into the market,” said CREB chief economist Ann-Marie Lurie.
“New listings in the market were also slightly higher than what was available over the past two months, which is providing more options to purchasers.”
January’s new listings were 2,246 relative to the 1,208 sales in the market, causing inventories to edge up over December levels. These types of movements are typical for January, but 2021 is starting the year with 4,035 units in inventory. This is far lower than the past six years.
Benchmark prices remained at levels relatively consistent with prices recorded at the end of 2020, but they reflect a year-over-year gain just below two per cent.
Average and median prices recorded higher year-over-year gains, likely due to larger gains in sales in the higher end of the market. Those segments do not have the same inventory constraints as lower-priced product.