LUSH LOOKS FOR THE HOLIDAYS
RON ESCH
DOWNTOWN MARKET THRIVING
Contemporary the trend says local design duo
CREB chats with retiring CEO
Reports label Calgary’s office market as best in the country
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DESIGN A6
POP THE QUESTION A8
COMMERCIAL A13
FREE dec 2 to dec 8 2011 issue 01-46 www.creb.com
CREA forecast predicts 6.9 per cent increase in transactions in coming year CODY STUART
managing editor
T
he Alberta real estate market is once again set to lead the country. According to the Canadian Real Estate Association’s (CREA) latest sales forecast, MLS® sales in the province are predicted to increase by 6.9 per cent in 2012 to 57,200 transactions. The forecasted increase in Alberta comes in stark contrast to the rest of the country, where sales increases are the exception rather than the norm. Other than Alberta, where sales are forecast to rise by a combined 14.5 per cent over the next two years, Saskatchewan is the only province predicted to post a notable increase, with a combined 11.1 per cent increase over the same time frame. “The continuing strength of home sales activity in the face of ongoing financial market volatility speaks volumes about the confidence of Canadians in our housing market, said Gary Morse, CREA’s president. “Interest rates look like they’ll remain low at levels that are friendly to the housing market for some time to come, and that’s good news for Canadian home sales activity and the overall economy.” Contrary to the rise in activity in Alberta, sales are predicted to decline on a national level, dropping 0.5 per cent to 451,200 in 2012 after posting a slight increase (1.4%) in 2011, with British Columbia (-1.8%), Ontario (-2.6%), Quebec (0.1%) and New Brunswick all predicted to experience a decline in sales in 2012.
SALES A3
In stark contrast to the rest of the country, where MLS sales are predicted to remain relatively stagnant, CREA is predicting sales in Alberta to rise by 7.8 per cent in 2011 with another 6.9 per cent in 2012. ®
CODY STUART, Managing Editor
SINGLE FAMILY
OCTOBER SALES CONTENTS UP IN CALGARY NEWS BRIEFS
1398 1313
1355
988
1036
1106
1153
1217
791
891
888
958 867
734
762
*All statistics based on monthly data compiled by CREB® via MLS® activity.
Immaculate home with a park like setting massive yard in a quiet cul-de-sac location. This home has an enormous pie shaped south facing backyard filled with numerous, low maintenance flower beds, perenials, shrubs, trees and poured concrete patio. Deck and fencing are all complete. Bright and open plan with extensive upgrades throughout such as hardwood floors, pot lights, iron railings and more. Great room with gas fireplace, gourmet kitchen with stainless steel appliances, island, dark stained maple cabinets and walk thru pantry.
C3495306
Sutton Group 403-208-7788 Canwest
HOW TO
CREB® STAFF
OCT09 NOV09 DEC09 JAN10 FEB10 MAR10 APR10 MAY10 JUN10 JUL10 AUG10 SEP10 OCT10 NOV10 DEC10 JAN11 FEB11 MAR11 APR11 MAY11 JUN11 JUL11 AUG11 SEP11 OCT11
799
915
1061
1035
1095
1169
1262
1352
1285
1396
MLS® NUMBER OF UNITS SOLD* OCT ‘09 – OCT ‘11
A9
Hang wallpaper
A
ccording to statistics provided by real estate boards in Alberta, the combined value of home sales activity in Calgary was $662.6 million in October 2011, a 17 per cent increase from year-ago levels. According to CREA, there were a total of 1,661 MLS® sales in Calgary in October, up 15 per cent from a year earlier. Residential sales activity reported through the MLS® Systems of real estate boards in Alberta came in well above year-ago levels for a sixth consecutive month in October 2011.
MARKET A3
MORTGAGE RATES
TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE A12 Calgary’s Winter Bylaws
MARKET
MLS®C1018152, MLS®C1019241, MLS®C1019669
• Chestermere (Sierra Vista ASP) MLS®C1019925, MLS®C1019929, MLS®C1019926, MLS®C1019928
KEVIN MOORE 403-617-2846
A12
Calgary continues to be affordable
MAP
B1
OPEN HOUSES
B19
DEVELOPMENT LAND FOR SALE • East Calgary (Belvedere ASP)
A10
BUSINESS DIRECTORY A10
VISIT: WWW.CALGARYLAND.NET
I Sell Chestermere
A3
• Rocky View County MLS®C1018858
• Rocky Mountain House Golf & Campground MLS®C1019242
LEGACY REAL ESTATE SERVICES
www.calgaryland.net