Real estate stats July 2016

Demand down with net migration

City of Calgary, August 2, 2016

In step with City census data on declining net migration levels, housing sales activity totaled 1,741 units in July, a 12.6 per cent decrease over last year and the 20th consecutive month of year over year sales declines. “Continued pullback of sales activity is a sign of economic conditions,” said CREB® chief economist Ann Marie Lurie.

The number of unemployed workers keeps rising and when you combine job losses with declining net migration, the result is going to be weaker housing demand.” Slower sales were accompanied by declining new listings in July. This helped prevent further inventory gains and minimize the downward pressure on benchmark prices. By months end, the residential benchmark price was $440,000, similar to last month, but 4.2 per cent below July figures from the previous year.

While detached pricing seem to be leveling, this is not the case for all property types. With over six months of inventory in the apartment sector, oversupply continues to create steep price declines. The apartment benchmark price totaled $277,000 in July, a 0.4 per cent decline over the previous month and 6.6 per cent below last year’s levels. City wide benchmark prices for detached homes totaled $502,300 in July, which is similar to last month, but 3.4 per cent lower than last year’s levels.

Meanwhile, semi and row attached homes recorded a year-over-year decline of 3.1 and 5.5 per cent for July prices of $385,200 and $310,300.  “To buyers and sellers that have been paying attention to the housing market in Calgary and surrounding areas, it should come as no surprise that we continue to see a slowdown in sales activity,” said CREB® president Cliff Stevenson. “Buyers are expecting further declines in sold prices, and sellers are adjusting to softer demand with price decreases. When these expectations intersect, we’re seeing sales activity in the market, but not at the level realized over the last several years.”