“Historically, Calgary’s average family income has been higher than the national average and a younger more mobile demographic has been attracted to good paying professional jobs in Calgary. As the economy continues to build momentum, we expect this same trend will support a balanced and healthy housing market in the second half of 2012.”
There has been a return to typical sales activity in and around Calgary in all sectors. For the first time since 2008 the markets supply has dropped to below three months of inventory and the median price has increased 5.5 percent from April 2011 to April 2012.
The real data suggests year over year that total sales in Calgary are up over 16% from 2011, single family sales are up 15.73 % over 2011, condo sales are up 2.16%, condo townhouse sales are up 7.7% and Country Residential sales are up a staggering 36.87%.
Year-to-date average price of a Single Family home year to date in Calgary is $470,527, Condos year to date are $306,581, Condo townhomes are $260,242 and the Country Residential average price is $820,042. The towns surrounding Calgary have an average price of $352,223 (prices seem to be higher in Cochrane, Okotoks and Airdrie). The median price for the entire Calgary Real Estate board is at $420,469 up only 1.39% from a year ago. Sales growth in the price range $400,000-$800,000 is a welcome sign in Calgary…
After 5 years of below average Calgary and its surrounding areas are experiencing sales that reflect the 10 year average, it appears the recovery in the housing market is finally back to a normal pace. This gradual leveling has been fueled by growth in employment and net migration.
Based on this information posted by the Calgary Real Estate Board (CREB) our market is at the ten year average in market conditions and the average price reflects that of early 2008 before this mess started. The Calgary market is steady as she goes with a look ahead to increasing mortgage rates. The interest rate question should keep this market from wild fluctuations and time will tell…

The Rod Forsythe Group is trained to serve you in every category and price point in and around Calgary. Our one goal is a single minded focus on our client’s success!

If you are considering BUYING or SELLING, please call us directly at 403.777.1040 or e-mail rod@rodforsythe.com and we will provide you with an in depth statistical package + accurate market evaluation.
Please feel free to visit our website for photos + details on all of our listings @ www.RodForsythe.com

March 2012 Market information provided by Rod Forsythe
CALGARY — Calgary’s housing market is picking up steam in March as MLS sales surged compared with a year ago — led by good growth in the single-family category. According to the Calgary Real Estate Board, total residential MLS sales in the city for the month was 2,167, up 12.63 per cent from March 2011. The average MLS sale price increased by 3.69 % to $422,256.

Luxury home sales in the Calgary real estate market have been impressive this year compared with a year ago and last year posted very good sales numbers. Both in March and year-to-date, MLS sales for properties over $1 million have tracked higher than in 2011.
According to the Calgary Real Estate Board, there were 56 luxury home sales in March. In March 2011, there were 45 transactions in that high-price category. And for the first quarter of this year, CREB has registered 114 sales in the luxury market, up from 106 for the first three months of 2011.
The overall MLS market in the city has improved since a year ago including luxury home sales.
Not surprising considering the upbeat mood in Calgary consumers and all time low interest rates these days. The oil patch is humming along at a good pace and if gas would ever turn the corner watch out. The economy has followed suit and with net migration, wages, disposable income and a young age average for our population.
All those positive economic indicators play an important part in propping up the housing industry in Calgary.

All information above has been gathered and interpreted by Rod Forsythe from the Calgary Real Estate Board and The Calgary Herald Newspaper

Calgary getting close to the 10 Year average

The Calgary Real Estate market is well plugging along and it is performing below the last 10 year average by about 17%. This market is in a neutral solid position over the past year and looks like average sales will continue to perform just a little better than the current sales numbers based on the current economic conditions in Calgary. A bright spot in our market is that properties over the last 3 months of 2011 have shown some resilient unit sales numbers.

The average home price has gone up a little from last year. Even with the world economy stalling, net migration into Alberta is once again picking up. It seems the Calgary Oil companies are already concerned about finding enough staff for 2012 & 2013 projects in Calgary, Edmonton and up north in Ft McMurray. With mortgage rates are at historic lows and Alberta seeming to be the Promised Land, it sure seems like a great time to buy or reinvest in real estate again.

Quote for the month
“Avoiding danger is no safer in the long run than outright exposure”. Helen Keller

If you are considering BUYING or SELLING real estate today, please call me directly at 403.777.1040/ send me an email to rod@rodforsythe.com and I will provide you with everything you require.
We are excited to help with your friends and families with their real estate needs!
Rod Forsythe
Keller Williams Real Estate
#3 Keller Williams’s agent in Canada in 2010 / #1 Keller Williams agent in October 2011 for Canada
403.777.1040 E-mail rod@rodforsythe.com
You win in Life by Helping others!
Visit my website for photos + details on all listings @ www.RodForsythe.com

December 2011 Monthly Housing Statistics

November Data for the Calgary Real estate market 2011 posted by Rod Forsythe

The Calgary Real Estate market is moving along and looks like it is waiting to get going says the Calgary Real Estate Board. This market has been in a neutral solid position over the past 18-24 months and looks like average sales will continue to perform just below average sales numbers based on the last 10 years in Calgary. A bright spot in our market is that properties over $1 million dollars are still outpacing the rest of the Calgary market in sales; unit sales are up over 18% year to date over 2010.

The average home price has remained about the same for the last year or so, the world economy is stalled, net migration into Alberta is picking up and the prices of Calgary Real Estate have remained very stable over the last couple of years. It seems the Calgary Oil companies are worried about finding enough staff for 2012 & 2013 projects in Calgary, Edmonton and up north in Ft McMurray. With mortgage rates are at historic lows and Alberta seeming to be the Promised Land, it sure seems like a great time to reinvest in real estate or reposition with your current real estate.

Quote for the month
Every worthwhile accomplishment, big or little, has its stages of drudgery and triumph; a beginning, a struggle and a victory – Ghandi.

If you are considering BUYING or SELLING real estate today, please call me directly at 403.777.1040/ send me an email to rod@rodforsythe.com and I will provide you with an in depth statistical package and an accurate market evaluation.
My team and I are also excited to help with your friends and families with their real estate needs!
Rod Forsythe
Keller Williams Real Estate
#3 Keller Williams’s agent in Canada in 2010 / #1 Keller Williams agent in October 2011 for Canada
403.777.1040 E-mail rod@rodforsythe.com
You win in Life by Helping others!
Visit my website for photos + details on all listings @ www.RodForsythe.com

Rod Forsythe’s insights on the Calgary market for September 2011.

September Data for the Calgary Real estate market 2011

The Calgary Real Estate market is looking a lot like a market that is waiting to get going somewhere; this market has been rock solid over the past year and it looks like average sales #s will continue at this pace for a while. The strong news in the Calgary Market is that properties over $1 million dollars are still outpacing the rest of the market in fact sales are up about 20% in this category over 2010.

A wise man once said “if you wait to see what everyone else does you will be behind when they do something”.

The experts are saying, the average home price has remained the same for the last year or so, the world economy isn’t doing very well and the prices of Calgary Real Estate haven’t softened, Calgary Oil companies are already worried about finding enough staff for 2012 & 2013 and if you are set up in a strong financial position or just thinking of getting into this market the mortgage rates are at historic lows.

My Team and I would love to help you with your Real Estate and are proud to continue to help people buy and sell great homes in and around Calgary including Bearspaw, Springbank, Cochrane and Airdrie.

Quote for the month
“Wake up when you open your eyes. Go to bed a half hour earlier. Listen with care to those speaking to you. Treat your body to a great diet; remember our bodies are the most magical creation on the planet. Learn something new and share it, read a great book and post a review. Call a friend and say hello. Schedule what you love to do and do it. When you shake someone’s hand make sure you look into there eyes and say hello to their soul as well, Laugh out loud and smile at a stranger.
Roddy Forsythe

If you are considering BUYING or SELLING real estate today, please call us directly at 403.777.1040 and we will provide you with an in depth statistical package and an accurate market evaluation.
We are excited to help with your friends and families in their real estate needs!
Visit our website for photos + details on all of our listings www.RodForsythe.com
Rod Forsythe
Keller Williams Real Estate
403.777.1040 E-mail rod@rodforsythe.com
We win in Life by Helping others!

Rod Forsythe’s insights on the Calgary market for August 2011.

August Data for the Calgary Real estate market 2011

Calgary, September 1, 2011 – According to figures released today by
CREB® (Calgary Real Estate Board), sales for upper-end homes are above
the pace set a year ago. As of Wednesday August 31, there were 948 single
family sales over $700,000 recorded this year, compared to 779 reported
for the same period in 2010.
At the same time, sales for condos priced below $200,000 also received
a boost, pointing to a growing number of first-time homebuyers taking
advantage of affordability and low mortgage rates. There were 834 condo
sales below $200,000 this year compared with 596 for the same period in
2010.
“We are seeing a lift in sales at both ends of the market,” says Sano Stante,
president of CREB®. “Improving economic conditions coupled with
affordability and price stability has given Calgary a boost in buyers for
upper-end homes and entry level condos.”

According to figures released today by CREB® (Calgary Real Estate Board),
the year to date average price for single family resale homes reached
$468,051, a one per cent rise over last year. Condominium prices continue
to remain one per cent lower than last year’s figures with an average price
of $288,167 after the first eight months. The 2011 year to date median price
of single family and condominium homes were a respective $410,000 and
$263,000.
“When looking at Canada’s major cities, Calgary is one of the most
affordable regions for homeownership in the country,” says Stante. “Buyers
are benefiting from improved selection at all price ranges in the market. In
fact, nearly half of all single family homes sold year to date were priced
below $400,000. Well priced properties seem to be moving in this market.”
The single family market recorded 1,106 sales in the month of August 2011.
This is an increase of 28 per cent when compared to August 2010 sales,
which were the lowest levels of August sales since 1994. Year to date sales
of 9,485 are 10 per cent higher than last year’s figures.
Single family inventory levels reached 4,573 in August, a nine per cent
decline over last year’s levels. The recent rise in listings was counteracted
by robust sales, keeping absorption levels at four months compared to the
six months recorded in August 2010.
As in the single family market, condominium inventories of 1,997 were
lower than last year’s levels. The market conditions have changed
significantly as inventory levels continue to decline. Recent improvement
in sales, combined with lower listings, has resulted in a year over year
decline in the months of supply.
Condominium sales amounted to 468 units in August 2011, with a year
to date total of 3,885 similar to levels recorded in the first eight months
of 2010.
Stante states “With Calgary’s energy sector slated
to grow, it is expected to lift the city’s employment,
income and in-migration, and in turn help contribute
to growth in the resale market. We expect price growth
to improve as we approach the end of 2011 and move
into 2012.”

With levels of sales reaching 2002 and 2003 levels it is important to understand this was a very solid time in Calgary’s Real Estate Market.

The experts say slow and steady growth will be the norm over the next couple of years.

Quote of the month

“We first make our habits, and then our habits make us.”
John Dryden
1631-1700, Poet and Playwright

Have a great September,

Rod Forsythe
Keller Williams Real Estate
403.777.1040 E-mail rod@rodforsythe.com
Helping people buy and sell Real Estate since 1986

Rod Forsythe’s insights on the Calgary market for August 2011. 

What will fuelCalgary’s Real estate Market in the next 5 years is net migration into our city and into our province. With a 1.2% increase in net migration already in the past year, people are moving back to Alberta. 

The major Oil Companies are already worried there will not be enough people to fill the jobs required for work in 2012, 2013 and 2014.  

An interesting fact is the World Economy should play a role in sustained growth for Alberta. The USA needs oil and we have it, the Chinese need oil and we have it. Where else in North America would you rather be; Calgaryis safe, clean, highly educated and above all a great place to call home.

Many forecasters and pundants seem to forget that all we really need is a great place to work, a great place to live and an amazing place to raise our families. If you think about our parents and grandparents they didn’t buy their homes to make a profit they bought them so they could raise their families. People once again are buying what they can afford and as all Canadians probably agree we are more thankful today for the Bank of Canada and their lending policies than ever before. 

Calgary Real Estate is affordable and a great place to live… This might be that time to build slowly and acquire more affordable real estate. Give me a call and I would love to talk Real Estate with you.

Thanks and have a great day,

Rod 

Rod’s quote of the month 

“The secret of health for both mind and body is not to mourn for  the past, not to worry about the future, or not to anticipate  troubles, but to live in the present moment wisely and earnestly.”

“Buddha”

“Calgary HOUSING MARKET ON THE ROAD TO RECOVERY” says the Calgary Real estate Board

 Market improvements driven by clients looking for value     Calgary, August 2, 2011 – According to figures released today by CREB® (Calgary Real Estate Board), residential sales continue to trend towards recovery.  After the first seven months of the year, single family and condominium sales totaled 11,798, a 5 per cent increase over the previous year.  While the improvements signal market recovery, overall sales levels remain 17 per cent below the 10-year average for this period. “The recent rise in average days on market, especially in the single family sector, shows that while properly priced homes are selling quickly, over-priced listings remain on the market for a longer period of time. Improving market conditions may have signaled some sellers to be overly optimistic regarding pricing, resulting in a disconnect between seller and buyer expectations,” says Sano Stante, president of CREB®.   Single family sales for July 2011 were 1,153, with a total of 8,380 sales for the first seven months of 2011, an 8 per cent increase over the same period last year.  Meanwhile, year-to-date listings continue to remain lower than last year, resulting in inventories trending lower than last year as well.  Overall months of supply remain around four months within a balanced range.  “A good selection of housing inventory, combined with positive economic fundamentals, is encouraging buyers into the market,” says Stante.  “Buyers are still quite value conscious, and in the current market are able to take advantage of the range of selection in a stable price environment.”  Condominium sales continued to bounce back this month.  July 2011 condominium sales total 453, a 14 per cent rise over last year, while year-to-date sales remain 3 per cent lower than the same period in 2010.   “Excess supply and lower demand have negatively impacted the condominium market over the past year,” says Stante. “Nevertheless, the recent pickup in sales, combined with fewer new listings, has gradually reduced inventory levels of condominiums, lowering the month’s supply of inventory from over six months last year to just above four months in July 2011.”   The average price of single family homes in July 2011 was $455,849 and the median price $409,000, similar to levels recorded in July of last year.  Condominium prices also remained at levels similar to the previous year.   “Interest rates will likely remain low for the remainder of the year.  This factor, combined with relatively stable housing prices and wage growth, will help support affordability levels and promote a healthy housing market inCalgary,” Stante concludes.  

Posted by the CalgaryReal Estate Board Aug 2^nd 2011

Posted by Rod ForsytheAugust 4^th 2011

Rod Forsythe has been helping people buy and sell Real Estate since 1986. 

Phone 403.777.1040

E-mail rod@rodforsythe.com

Website www.RodForsythe.com

June 2011 Calgary Real Estate Market Update

“Historically, Calgary’s average family income has been higher than the national average and a younger more mobile demographic has been attracted to good paying professional jobs in Calgary. As the economy continues to build momentum, we expect this same trend will support a balanced and healthy housing market in the second half of 2011 and into 2012.”
With 581 sales for the month of June 2011, the condominium market improved by 31 per cent over June of 2010, however year-to-date figures show a 5 per cent decrease over the same period last year.
“Condo sales bounced back this month, and we now have less than four months of supply on the market. Stronger condo sales, combined with a decline in inventory, will lend more balance to this market in the months to come,” says Stante.
After the first half of the year, average prices of condominiums are still slightly lower than levels recorded last year, as more buyers bought condominiums under $200,000 in 2011 compared to 2010 for the same period.
“Buyers in this market expect value and many are taking advantage of some affordable buys in both the single family and condo markets. It highlights using a skilled REALTOR® to properly price your home for your unique market area,” says Stante.
The single family market recorded 1,398 sales in the month of June 2011. This is an increase of 32 per cent when compared to June 2010 when 1,059 single family homes sold in the city of Calgary. With a total of 7,231 sales after the first half of the year, year-to-date single family sales are 6 per cent higher than last year.
“While new listings are still lower than levels recorded last year, the rate of decline has eased. With the market shifting to more balanced conditions in recent months, sellers are feeling more confident to list their home. Overall our absorption rate has remained relatively stable, staving off any significant rise in prices,” says Stante.
Year-to-date average price of a single family home in Calgary is $472,330, while the median price is $410,000, virtually unchanged over levels recorded in the previous year. The distribution of sales by price range has not shown any significant shift compared to last year, pointing to continued stability in the market.
“After the first half of the year, it appears the recovery in the housing market is starting to find its footing. This gradual leveling has been fueled by growth in employment, and in particular growth in full time jobs. Improved job prospects, combined with an increase in the number of people moving to Calgary, will give lift to our housing market for the remainder of this year and into the next,” says Stante.
Based on information posted by the Calgary Real Estate Board (CREB).
Our real estate market is regaining momentum back to an average market. Median and average prices are still at 2010 levels, inventory is decreasing and there still is an ample supply of homes, condos and acreage properties. Interest rates rose last week and housing is still ultra affordable. If you are thinking of buying or selling please give me a call.

Quote of the month
“I can’t change the direction of the wind, but I can adjust my sails to always reach my destination.” Jimmy Dean

Have a great July,

Rod Forsythe
Keller Williams real estate
403.777.1040
E-mail rod@rodforsythe.com