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        <title>Real Estate Blog</title>
        <link>http://www.ronclappison.com/blog/</link>
        <description></description>
        <item>
            <guid>http://www.ronclappison.com/blog/calgary-communities.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.ronclappison.com/blog/calgary-communities.html</link>
            <author>ron@ronclappison.com (Ron Clappison)</author>
            <title>Calgary Communities</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 



 






Calgary is rated one of the top five cities in the world in which to live: it’s one of the safest and cleanest cities anywhere on the planet.


This all starts at the community level.


Calgary is divided into four main quadrants (northeast, northwest, southeast and southwest) and laid out in a grid system. Streets run from north to south, while avenues run east to west.


Each of these quadrants is comprised of many distinct communities: there are now 184 individual Calgary neighbourhoods. These communities are clean, safe and well-designed, and each has its own unique benefits.


The inner city, including the downtown core, comprises all four quadrants, and includes more densely populated residential areas and commercial districts. Beyond these communities lie Calgary’s expansive suburban neighbourhoods.


Browse Calgary’s communities on our Community Map, and follow the links provided to learn about each neighbourhood in our city.


The Calgary Region


When you live in one of the many communities close to Calgary, you enjoy all the friendly comforts of small town living, plus the advantages of nearby big city services and opportunities.


It’s a way of life that’s become increasingly popular, especially for young families in the area. Being close to a larger centre allows people to travel into the city for work, specialized medical care, concerts or classes.


There are 18 very diverse municipalities and one First Nation (the Tsuu T’ina) in the Calgary region, from Banff in the west to Wheatland County in the east, and from Airdrie in the north to Nanton in the south.


Some towns in the region – Canmore, Okotoks and Strathmore, for example – are among the fastest-growing communities in the province, and have more than doubled their population over the last decade.


You can see why: some of the finest untouched wilderness areas in all of Canada are on the doorstep, with limitless opportunities for hiking, camping, skiing, fishing and just about every other outdoor activity imaginable.


These small towns also have all the advantages of modern, well-serviced communities.


Schools are well established, and offer a range of specialty subject and extra-curricular choices. Many towns have their own hospitals and municipal services, including recreation facilities, police and fire departments and road links with Calgary.


Browse the towns in the Calgary Region in Around Calgary, and follow the links provided to learn more about each unique community.


The Calgary Regional Partnership website also provides valuable information on life just outside of the city boundaries.






 ]]> </description>
            <pubDate>Sun, 19 Feb 2012 21:50:51 -0600</pubDate>
                    </item>
        <item>
            <guid>http://www.ronclappison.com/blog/alberta-economic-snapshot-for-february-11-2012.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.ronclappison.com/blog/alberta-economic-snapshot-for-february-11-2012.html</link>
            <author>ron@ronclappison.com (Ron Clappison)</author>
            <title>Alberta economic snapshot for February 11, 2012</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 
Alberta economic snapshot for February 11, 2012


Beacon News |  February 11, 2012  |


 




Finance Minister Ron Liepert released the 2012 budget




Troy Media – ATB Financial


The global downturn and precipitous drop in natural gas prices turned Alberta’s fiscal picture on its head a few years ago. After a string of strong surpluses, the provincial government was hurdled into a deficit position in the 2008-09 fiscal year – and deficits have persisted ever since.


That position, however, is expected to eventually end. On Thursday, provincial Finance Minister Ron Liepert released the 2012 budget. The government still expects the deficit position to continue this fiscal year, with spending exceeding revenues by approximately $886 million. But if all goes as planned, that deficit will turn to a surplus of $952 million next year, and a whopping $5.2 billion by 2014-15.


There were no tax increases in yesterday’s budget, nor any major reductions in spending. Rather, the turn-around in the province’s fiscal picture relies heavily on assumptions around resource revenue ramping up over the next couple of years.


The province forecasts oil prices to rise by about 10 per cent by 2014 (WTI rising from $US99.25 this year, to $US108.25 by 2014). Natural gas is expected to increase from $C3.00/GJ this year to $C4.25/GJ by 2014. Revenue from natural gas royalties are forecast to rise from $1.2 billion this year to $1.6 billion by 2014.


But it is through increased production, not price, by which the province really expects royalties to increase. Rising oil sands production is expected to nearly double bitumen royalties, soaring from less than $5.7 billion this year to over $9.9 billion within two years.


Housing starts


According to CMHC, housing starts in Alberta have trended down slightly over the past couple months. Numbers are reported on a seasonally adjusted annual basis, so the slump in January numbers takes into account the fact that we’re in the dead of winter – traditionally a slow time of year for home construction.


Compared to the boom years, when housing starts routinely topped 40,000 annualized, the current pace of construction seems very slow. But if compared to longer term trends, it’s not that far off. Throughout the ‘90s, activity rarely topped 20,000 (on a SAAR basis). A lot has changed since then, but the flood of new arrivals has subsided considerably in recent years.


Even with the higher base population, it’s unlikely that the children of the new arrivals will be old enough to have vastly increased the natural rate of housing demand. Housing starts are probably at the low end of what would be demographically sustainable, but not by much. The question, as always, will be whether there’s enough housing supply for when migration picks up.


Selling pigs to China


Albertans may love their beef, but the Chinese are more a pork consuming people. One of the factors driving world food prices higher was the belief that the rising incomes in China would lead to an upgrade in what they had on their dinner plate, increasing the amount of protein in their diet. It stood to reason that pork producing would be a pretty good investment for farmers, but it didn’t turn out that way. (In Canada there was recently a massive program designed to lower pork production, in fact.)


According to a recent report by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), a lot has changed in the Chinese pork market since the collapse of pork prices subsequent 2008. After the drop, pork prices in China are currently significantly higher than their 2008 peak. More importantly, rising costs (mostly feed, which is relatively more expensive than in North America) in China are making it far more cost competitive to import rather than raise their own.


There’s a lot going on in the Chinese pork market.


American labour: Signs of fife?


Last Friday, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported that the employment crisis in the United States might be softening, with 243,000 jobs having been created in January and the unemployment rate dropping to 8.3 per cent (down 0.8 per cent since August). This was in stark contrast with what Statistics Canada reported on the same day, reporting that the unemployment rate in this country rose in January to 7.6 per cent.


There has been some criticism that the reason the unemployment rate dipped is because there are has been a drop in the number of people looking for work, meaning they aren’t counted when the rate is tabulated. This shouldn’t take away from the overall picture, however, as employment gains greater than 200,000 are more than enough to account for the natural increase in the population (which is around 100,000).


Strengthening the argument that the labour market was improving was data released this week from the US Department of Labor, showing that the number of individuals claiming unemployment insurance dropped significantly, with the number of people now claiming jobless benefits back to where it was in 2008.


Is OAS sustainable?


Canada’s Parliamentary Budget Office (PBO) released a report this week examining the sustainability of the Government of Canada’s entitlement program for seniors, the largest portion of which is the Old Age Security (OAS) transfer.


According to the PBO, while the net cost of the program could climb to over $300 billion in 2060, the figure needs to be put in context. As a percentage of GDP, the PBO expects that the cost of the program will top out at 3.2 per cent of GDP in 2036, up from 2.2 per cent today, after which it would actually decline.


The PBO considers a situation stable so long as it doesn’t result in federal debt increasing faster than the general economy. By this standard, the program is sustainable, but this is only because we assume most of the costs of dealing with the elderly are born by the provinces, not the federal government.


Nat Gas : More bad news


The Energy Information Administraiton (EIA) reported that the amount of natural gas in American underground storage will finish the winter season at its highest level since 1983. At this rate, the price of natural gas might be in the tank for a while.


It isn’t just shale gas that’s responsible for this supply glut. The EIA highlights the impact that warmer weather has had on demand. The most common use of natural gas is to heat people’s homes, the need for which is a function of weather.


Record low natural gas prices could even be pushed lower as a result of the high storage levels. The EIA reports that some operators of storage facilities might require that some of their clients reduce their inventories as many tanks weren’t designed to operate at this capacity.
 ]]> </description>
            <pubDate>Sun, 19 Feb 2012 21:27:59 -0600</pubDate>
                    </item>
        <item>
            <guid>http://www.ronclappison.com/blog/calgary-real-estate-stats.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.ronclappison.com/blog/calgary-real-estate-stats.html</link>
            <author>ron@ronclappison.com (Ron Clappison)</author>
            <title>Calgary Real Estate Stats</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 
Calgary Real Estate Stats








Active Stats




Total on Market: (based on residential sales that include Single Family Homes and Condominiums)


Calgary Real Estate Currently For Sale





 

Average

Min

Max



List Price:


$ 509809


$ 5000


$ 12000000




Days On Market: 


55 days


0 days


2022 days




Sq. Ft.: 


1554 sq ft.


215 sq ft.


9300 sq ft.




Price / Sq. Ft.: 


$329 /sq ft.


$7 /sq ft.


$20930 /sq ft.




Beds:


3.1 beds


0 beds


8 beds




Baths:


2.3 baths


0.0 baths


8.5 baths




Home Age:


21.2 years


0 years


112 years












Sold Stats (Last 90 days)




Total Sales: 3619 (based on residential sales that include Single Family Homes and Condominiums)





 

Average

Min

Max



Sold Price:


$403156


$50000


$5050000




Days To Sell: 


57 days


0 days


525 days




Sq. Ft.: 


1441 sq ft.


262 sq ft.


6665 sq ft.




Price / Sq. Ft.:


$286 /sq ft.


$10 /sq ft.


$1162 /sq ft.




Beds:


3.1 beds


0 beds


8 beds




Baths:


2.3 baths


0.0 baths


7.5 baths




Home Age:


23.5 years


0 years


109 years












 ]]> </description>
            <pubDate>Sun, 19 Feb 2012 16:40:39 -0600</pubDate>
                    </item>
        <item>
            <guid>http://www.ronclappison.com/blog/why-coose-remax.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.ronclappison.com/blog/why-coose-remax.html</link>
            <author>ron@ronclappison.com (Ron Clappison)</author>
            <title>Why Coose RE/MAX®</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 




When you choose a RE/MAX Sales Associate to sell your home or help you in the homebuying process, you''ll experience an exemplary level of service.RE/MAX agents are The Hometown Experts With a World of Experience®. They are the most knowledgeable agents, with the experience and community connections to assist you in the homebuying process. Across the globe, they're the people next door, or just down the block.RE/MAX agents have the experience to get the job done in today's market. That's why customers going through the homebuying and selling process know RE/MAX Associates as The Real Estate Leaders® and why no one in the world sells more real estate than RE/MAX.


Customer Satisfaction


The proof of quality service is in repeat customers and in customers who refer RE/MAX Associates to friends. RE/MAX Sales Associates typically generate a large percentage of their business from past customers and referrals.


Education


At RE/MAX, advanced education is a priority. RE/MAX Associates dominate the Accredited Buyer Representative (ABR), Certified Distressed Property Expert (CDPE), Certified Residential Specialist (CRS) and Seniors Real Estate Specialist (SRES) ranks.


Home of the Best Agents®


RE/MAX agents average more sales than other real estate agents. They are better qualified to set the right price for the homes they list, better equipped to market those homes, and likely to find clients engaged in the homebuying process in a shorter period of time. That experience and education also means they are better qualified to find the right home for any buyer. The homebuying process can be a daunting task. But with the expertise of a RE/MAX agent, buyers can rest easy.


Competitive Advantage


The real estate network that has the most competitive advantages to offer homebuyers and sellers will be an industry leader. RE/MAX is that leader. Thanks to its global network and stellar reputation, it's no wonder people turn to RE/MAX when they embark on the homebuying or selling process.When you look for the highest quality real estate service, look to a RE/MAX Associate. RE/MAX Associates are The Real Estate Leaders®. You can depend on RE/MAX Associates to make the sale or purchase of a home as effortless and seamless as possible.


Advertising


Extensive advertising by individual RE/MAX agents, combined with national television advertising and broad Internet exposure, inspires buyers and sellers to seek out RE/MAX Associates. When you list your home with a RE/MAX agent, it will receive wide exposure.


Miracle Home® Program


Why list your home with a RE/MAX Associate? Your home may be designated as a Miracle Home®. If it is, your RE/MAX agent will make a contribution to the local hospital affiliated with Children's Miracle Network once the transaction is complete. The funds raised in your community remain in the area to benefit local families.


Home for the Cure™


This program gives your RE/MAX agent the opportunity to designate your home as a Home for the Cure property to benefit Susan G. Komen for the Cure. Upon completion of the transaction, your RE/MAX agent will make a donation to the local Komen Affiliate to help support the breast cancer movement. Programs like these make the homebuying process an even sweeter deal for buyers who are indirectly contributing to the Komen mission of finding a cure for breast cancer.


Premier Market Presence®


The real estate network with the greatest market share has the most to offer buyers and sellers. The sum total of all RE/MAX momentum, growth and Associate production over more than 35 years is reflected in current RE/MAX market strength. RE/MAX has achieved 30-percent-and-higher market share in area after area across North America and is growing in market share around the world. A measure of business leadership, Premier Market Presence (PMP) results from community-minded, high-producing Associates giving superior customer service under a respected brand.


The RE/MAX Balloon Logo


The red, white and blue RE/MAX Balloon, with its “Above the Crowd®" slogan, is one of the most recognizable business logos in the world. RE/MAX boasts a global fleet of more than 100 Hot Air Balloons, which make more than 6,000 appearances around the world each year.


The Sign That Brings You Home®


The red-over-white-over-blue RE/MAX yard sign and your RE/MAX agent lead you to properties in areas in which you'll want to live and work. If you want to sell your property, the RE/MAX yard sign attracts those in the homebuying process. Nobody sells more real estate than RE/MAX.


Global Expansion


With offices in more than 80 countries worldwide, and more than 90,000 agents, the power of the RE/MAX name boosts business and attracts homebuyers.


More Than 35 Years "Above the Crowd®"


RE/MAX – now an established industry leader - celebrated its 35th anniversary in 2008 and looks ahead to even greater real estate achievements in the years to come. Whether you're in the homebuying process or looking to sell, choose a RE/MAX Associate. When you choose a RE/MAX Associate, you'll have a real estate agent for life.





 ]]> </description>
            <pubDate>Sun, 19 Feb 2012 15:51:09 -0600</pubDate>
                    </item>
        <item>
            <guid>http://www.ronclappison.com/blog/canadian-home-sales-pull-back-in-january.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.ronclappison.com/blog/canadian-home-sales-pull-back-in-january.html</link>
            <author>ron@ronclappison.com (Ron Clappison)</author>
            <title>Canadian home sales pull back in January</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 


















 


OTTAWA – February 15, 2012 – According to statistics[1] released today by The Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA), national resale housing activity retreated in January 2012 from the strong finish reported for December 2011.


Highlights:




Home sales were down 4.5% from December to January.


Actual (not seasonally adjusted) activity came in 4.0% above levels in January 2011, and stood even with the 5 and 10 year averages for January sales.


The number of newly listed homes edged down 1.4% from December to January.


With sales down by more than new listings, the national market shifted further into balanced territory.


The national average home price was up less than 2% year-over-year in January, ranking it among the smallest increases of the past year.




Sales activity recorded through the MLS® Systems of real estate Boards and Associations in Canada fell 4.5 per cent from December 2011 to January 2012. This marks the first monthly decline in national activity since August 2011 and the biggest monthly decline since July 2010. The monthly decline reversed a string of monthly increases over the closing months of last year, and returned national activity to where it stood at the end of the third quarter of 2011.


“The national housing market is stabilizing and remains well balanced,” said Gary Morse, CREA’s President. “That said, forecasts for economic and job growth going forward vary widely for different parts of the country, suggesting a possible continuation of a softening trend in some markets, as well as the potential that demand will pick up based on strong fundamentals in others. All real estate is local, so talk to your local REALTOR® to understand how price trends in your neighbourhood are shaping up.”


Activity was down in over half of all local markets in January from the previous month. Led by declines in Greater Toronto and Montréal, demand also softened in a number of other major urban centres including the Fraser Valley, Calgary, Edmonton, Winnipeg, Ottawa, and Greater Vancouver.


Actual (not seasonally adjusted) national sales activity was up four per cent from year-ago levels in January, the smallest year-over-year increase since last May. As was the case in a number of months last year, actual sales in January 2012 stood close to the five and ten year average for the month.


The number of newly listed homes edged down 1.4 per cent on a month-over-month basis in January following a 2.9 per cent increase in December. The monthly decline in new supply reflects a drop in new listings in a number of Canada’s largest urban centres, which offset a jump in new listings in Vancouver.


Sales fell in January shifting the national market back towards the mid-point of balanced territory and reversing the recent trend which had seen the market becoming tighter over the final four months of 2011. The national sales-to-new listings ratio, a measure of market balance, stood at 53.8 per cent in January, down from 55.5 per cent in December and 55.4 per cent in November.


Based on a sales-to-new listings ratio of between 40 to 60 per cent, 60 per cent of local markets were balanced in January. Compared to December, there were fewer buyers’ and sellers’ markets, and a greater number of balanced markets.


The number of months of inventory stood at six months at the end of January on a national basis, up from 5.7 months in December 2011 and returning it to where it stood in October 2011. The number of months of inventory represents the number of months it would take to sell current inventories at the current rate of sales activity, and is another measure of the balance between housing supply and demand.


The actual (not seasonally adjusted) national average price for homes sold in January 2012 was $348,178, representing an increase of 1.2 per cent from its year-ago level. This ranks among the smallest increases since late 2010.


On a seasonally adjusted basis, the national average home price rose 1.6 per cent on a month-over-month basis, marking a rebound from a decline of similar magnitude in December. This pattern mirrors the one playing out in the newly-launched MLS® Home Price Index (HPI), published on February 6.


“Year-over-year comparisons in the national average price are expected to become volatile and may turn negative, reflecting average price developments in the first half of 2011 in Vancouver,” said Gregory Klump, CREA’s Chief Economist. “At that time, high-end home sales in Vancouver’s priciest neighbourhoods surged to all-time record levels, which skewed the national average price upward considerably. A replay of this phenomenon is not expected this year. As a result, comparisons for national average price to year-ago levels over the coming months will reflect an upwardly skewed base effect. For this reason, year-over-year comparisons should be kept in perspective. Developments in the MLS® HPI will provide important guidance on price trends, since it is not affected by the problem of compositional shifts in the mix of sales activity.”


The MLS® HPI also takes into account the contributions toward the price of a home made by a broad range of quantitative and qualitative housing features, allowing it to track Canadian home price trends better than any other measure.


1 All figures in this release except average price are seasonally adjusted. Removing normal seasonal variations enables meaningful analysis of monthly changes and fundamental trends.














 


 












 


 














PLEASE NOTE: The information contained in this news release combines both major market and national MLS® sales information from the previous month. 


CREA cautions that average price information can be useful in establishing trends over time, but does not indicate actual prices in centres comprised of widely divergent neighborhoods or account for price differential between geographic areas. Statistical information contained in this report includes all housing types.


MLS® is a co-operative marketing system used only by Canada’s real estate Boards to ensure maximum exposure of properties listed for sale.


The Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA) is one of Canada’s largest single-industry trade associations, representing more than 100,000 REALTORS® working through more than 100 real estate Boards and Associations.


For more information, please contact:






Media only: Pierre LeducMedia RelationsTel.: 613-237-7111 or 613-884-1460E-mail: pleduc@crea.ca


All other requests: Janet LemoineMLS® Statistics CoordinatorE-mail: jlemoine@crea.ca






















The information contained in this report has been prepared by The Canadian Real Estate Association drawn from sources deemed to be reliable, but the accuracy and completeness of the information is not guaranteed. In providing this information, The Canadian Real Estate Association does not assume any responsibility or liability. Copyright© 2012 The Canadian Real Estate Association. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part is prohibited without written permission.




 ]]> </description>
            <pubDate>Sun, 19 Feb 2012 15:38:07 -0600</pubDate>
                    </item>
        <item>
            <guid>http://www.ronclappison.com/blog/realtor-code-of-ethics.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.ronclappison.com/blog/realtor-code-of-ethics.html</link>
            <author>ron@ronclappison.com (Ron Clappison)</author>
            <title>REALTOR® Code Of Ethics </title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 
REALTOR® Code Of Ethics 


CREA’s Code of Ethics and Standards of Business Practice has been the measure of professionalism in organized real estate for over 40 years. The first code was approved in 1913 at the convention of the National Association of Real Estate Boards held in Winnipeg. The first Code of Ethics specifically prepared for members of The Canadian Real Estate Association was approved by members in 1959.


The Code establishes a standard of conduct, which in many respects exceeds basic legal requirements. This standard ensures that the rights and interests of consumers of real estate services are protected. As a condition of membership, all REALTORS® agree to abide by the Code.


Some of the requirements of the Code include:




REALTORS® must disclose in writing whom they are representing as an agent in the transaction. Parties to a transaction must be told what their agency relationship is to the REALTOR® .


Definitions, terminology and presumed agency relationships vary from province to province. Most jurisdictions have their own forms for complying with disclosure requirements, which have been drafted to accommodate agency relationships as they exist in your province or territory.


All financial arrangements between REALTORS® and others (e.g. referral fees, compensation from more than one party, rebates or profits on expenditures) must be fully disclosed to clients;


REALTORS® cannot acquire an interest in property (either directly or indirectly) without disclosing the fact that they are real estate professionals;


REALTORS® cannot use the terms of an agreement of purchase and sale to negotiate commission.




While the Code of Ethics establishes obligations that may be higher than those mandated by law, in any instance where the Code of Ethics and the law conflict, the obligations of the law must take precedence.


A REALTOR® ’s ethical obligations are based on moral integrity, competent service to clients and customers, and dedication to the interest and welfare of the public. The Code has been amended many times to reflect changes in the real estate marketplace, the needs of property owners and the perceptions and values of society. For more than forty years, through a variety of updates, the CREA Code of Ethics is unchanged in demanding high standards of professional conduct to protect the interests of clients and customers and safeguard the rights of consumers of real estate services.



 ]]> </description>
            <pubDate>Sun, 19 Feb 2012 15:30:05 -0600</pubDate>
                    </item>
        <item>
            <guid>http://www.ronclappison.com/blog/february-2012-market-report.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.ronclappison.com/blog/february-2012-market-report.html</link>
            <author>ron@ronclappison.com (Ron Clappison)</author>
            <title>February 2012  Market Report</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 
February 2012  Market Report








Typical January for Calgary Real EstateThe housing market pointing towards price stabilityCalgary, February 1, 2012 – Home sales in the City of Calgary are off to a slow start as buyers show continuing caution, according to figures released today by CREB®.“Overall, the market is behaving as expected for the winter season,” says Bob Jablonski, president of CREB®. The year-over-year volume of residential sales in the City of Calgary dropped, but the inventory of available homes declined even faster in January 2012.    The City of Calgary residential market recorded 1,078 sales in January, nearly one per cent below the same month in 2011. This is in part related to the drop in new listings, which declined by 8 per cent over January 2011,causing inventory levels to continue to contract over 2011.“A lower number of sales is not uncommon for the month of January,” says Jablonski. “The number of sales is offset by the number of listings, ultimately pushing the housing market towards a balanced market territory.”    The single-family market recorded a one-per-cent drop in sales over last year levels, while the condominium market recorded a one-per-cent gain. However, the decline in new listings in the single-family market was much higher than the condominium market, with a year-over-year decline of 11 per cent and 6 per cent, respectively.“As presented in our housing forecast report, a slow start to the year is anticipated, as consumers continue to be cautiously optimistic regarding purchasing and/or listing their home,” says Jablonski.    The average price of single-family homes in January 2012 was $438,683, a 3-per-cent drop over last year, and over December 2011. Meanwhile, median prices in  the single-family market remain relatively stable over last month at $395,000, while posting a 1-per-cent gain over the revious year.   “The price changes are related to the composition of what was sold. The rise in the median price was likely due to the increase in the number of homes sold in the $450,000-$549,999 category, as this category recorded a significant jump in activity in January. The decline in average price is due to the rise in sales in the under-$300,000 category, as well as the decline in the number of homes sold in the upper-price ranges,” Jablonski explains.    The condominium market continues to favor the buyer; however, this market is trending towards balance. The average and median price of condominiums for the month of January 2012 were $268,526 and $245,000, respectively. This corresponds to a 7-per-cent decline in average prices and a 4-per-cent decline in median prices. “Last January, there was a significant jump in sales in both the $600,000+ price range and the under-$200,000 price range in condominiums. For January 2012, while sales under $200,000 remain strong, there has been an increase in activity in the $200,000-$299,999 price range, mostly at the expense of the condominiums priced above $400,000. This explains the significant decline in condominium prices,” Jablonski concludes. Calgary Single Family Sales by Price Range YTD Calgary Condo Sales by Price Range YTD.





 










Median Price :


Median Asking Price vs. Median Sold Price




 











 

Median Asking Price

Median Sold Price

Adjustment Percentage



January 2012  


$467,250


$443,250


-6%




December 2011  


$469,450


$458,750


-3%




November 2011  


$469,800


$450,000


-5%




October 2011  


$483,950


$470,000


-3%




September 2011  


$499,900


$481,250


-4%




August 2011  


$564,900


$551,550


-3%




July 2011  


$474,450


$452,500


-5%




June 2011  


$489,900


$487,450


-1%




May 2011  


$494,200


$484,500


-2%




April 2011  


$484,000


$467,000


-4%




March 2011  


$499,900


$489,000


-3%




February 2011  


$442,450


$442,000


-1%





























































Number of Listings :


Number Of Sold Listings vs. Number Of New Listings




Click on the month below to see the list of sold properties











 

No. New Properties

No. Properties Sold

Avr. Days on the Market



January 2012  


59


34


64




December 2011  


27


28


46




November 2011  


46


35


45




October 2011  


54


38


59




September 2011  


81


34


48




August 2011  


54


28


42




July 2011  


55


38


40




June 2011  


86


48


35




May 2011  


74


40


35




April 2011  


49


39


37




March 2011  


57


51


36




February 2011  


62


30


35




Total


704


443


 








 ]]> </description>
            <pubDate>Sat, 18 Feb 2012 21:27:17 -0600</pubDate>
                    </item>
        <item>
            <guid>http://www.ronclappison.com/blog/consumer-confidence-in-rise.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.ronclappison.com/blog/consumer-confidence-in-rise.html</link>
            <author>ron@ronclappison.com (Ron Clappison)</author>
            <title>Consumer Confidence in Rise</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[   National consumer confidence improved in January 2012 after deteriorating in the previous month, according to the Conference Board of Canada’s index of consumer confidence.

     The upward tick in monthly consumer confidence reflects an improved balance of sentiment regarding the timing of a major purchase, household budgets and employment prospects over the next six months. All regions recorded improvements in consumer confidence compared to the previous month, with the exception of Quebec.


     The balance of sentiment about household budgets increased in January compared to December 2011. However, the balance remains low compared to recent history.


      The national balance of sentiment towards making major purchases, such as a home or a car, improved in January 2012 but remained in negative territory. A negative balance of opinion means more households said it was a bad time to buy a big-ticket item, such as a home or car, than said it was a good time to do so. This is an important factor underlying the housing market
 ]]> </description>
            <pubDate>Mon, 30 Jan 2012 14:51:00 -0600</pubDate>
                    </item>
        <item>
            <guid>http://www.ronclappison.com/blog/canadian-home-sales-edge-higher-in-december.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.ronclappison.com/blog/canadian-home-sales-edge-higher-in-december.html</link>
            <author>ron@ronclappison.com (Ron Clappison)</author>
            <title>Canadian home sales edge higher in December </title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 



OTTAWA – January 16, 2012 – According to statistics[1] released today by The Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA), national resale housing activity posted an increase from November to December 2011.


Highlights:




Sales activity rose 1.8 per cent from November to December.


Annual activity totalled 456,749 sales in 2011, up 2.2 per cent from 2010.


The number of newly listed homes increased 3 per cent from November to December.


A simultaneous increase in sales and new listings kept the national resale housing in balanced territory.


The national average home price was up just 0.9 per cent on a year-over-year basis in December, marking the smallest increase since October 2010.




Sales activity recorded through the MLS® Systems of Canadian real estate Boards and Associations rose 1.8 per cent from November to December 2011, marking the fourth consecutive monthly increase.


Activity rose in more than half of all local markets, including some of Canada’s most active, with monthly declines posted in most of the remaining markets.


Actual (not seasonally adjusted) national sales activity came in 4.6 per cent above year-ago levels in December. It also stood above the five- and ten-year average for December sales
 ]]> </description>
            <pubDate>Mon, 30 Jan 2012 14:47:45 -0600</pubDate>
                    </item>
        <item>
            <guid>http://www.ronclappison.com/blog/bank-of-canadakeeps-interest-rates-on-hold.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.ronclappison.com/blog/bank-of-canadakeeps-interest-rates-on-hold.html</link>
            <author>ron@ronclappison.com (Ron Clappison)</author>
            <title>Bank of Canada keeps interest rates on hold    </title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 
             The Bank of Canada kept its trend-setting Bank Rate at 1.25 per cent on January 17th, 2012. This marks the 11th consecutive policy meeting in which borrowing costs have been left unchanged. While recognizing that the outlook for the global economy had deteriorated and that uncertainty had increased since it released its October Monetary Policy Report (MPR), the Bank also made those same observations at its previous meeting on December 6th.   Economic growth in Canada had more momentum in the second half of 2011 than the Bank projected in its October MPR, but it expects the pace going forward to slow by more modest than previously expected, due largely to factors outside Canadian borders. This reiterates statements made in December 2011. On the upside, the Bank said that “very favourable financing conditions are expected to buttress consumer spending and housing activity.”


          A number of financial institutions have recently dropped their five-year lending rates to a record low of 2.99 per cent. This is down considerably from the advertised five-year rate of 5.29 per cent when the Bank last met on December 6th, 2011.
 ]]> </description>
            <pubDate>Mon, 30 Jan 2012 14:45:46 -0600</pubDate>
                    </item>
    </channel>
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