Edmonton, January 8, 2014: The REALTORS® Association of Edmonton released their annual housing forecast today at a seminar at the Northlands Expo Centre attended by 600 REALTORS® and business people. President Greg Steele forecast that the value of MLS® sales in 2014 will increase by about 3% for the year after sales of $8 billion in 2013. This is based on an overall increase in the number of homes sold and increased prices.

Steele expects that the sale of single family homes in Edmonton will be static, at about 10,500, but that sales in the rest of the CMA will increase by about 1,000 units. The number of sales of condo, duplex and rowhouse sales will increase by 2.5% throughout the region as these properties become the de facto entry point for first time buyers.

Prices, as usual, will fluctuate through the year but the 12-month average price for a single family detached property is anticipated to increase about 3%. Condominium property average prices are projected to increase about 2% over the year.

“Market growth is always good for the seller who can expect to see a capital gain on their property,” said REALTORS® Association of Edmonton, President Greg Steele. “But it is also reassuring for the buyer who can expect steady growth upon entering the market.”

His remarks echoed the predictions of seven other speakers at the seminar including John Rose, Chief Economist for the City of Edmonton; James Cumming, the President and CEO of Edmonton Chamber of Commerce; and Christina Butchart, Senior Market Analyst from CMHC. The mayors of the counties of Parkland, Leduc, Sturgeon and Strathcona also gave presentations about the expected growth in their respective county.

“The REALTORS® Association of Edmonton operates throughout the Edmonton Capital Region and beyond. We have the same rules and operating procedures throughout the region so that clients can be assured of similar practices and conditions no matter where they transact real estate,” said Steele. “Quite frankly, we promote our organization to all the municipalities in the area as a model of good cooperation and business practice.”

There are 3,200 REALTORS® operating in the greater Edmonton area which extends as far as Cold Lake, Wetaskiwin, Drayton Valley, Vegreville and Westlock.

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• Download the complete slide package from the Seminar
• Strathcona County presentation
• Leduc County presentation
• Sturgeon County presentation
• City of Edmonton presentation
• CMHC presentation
• RAE presentation

Edmonton, January 6, 2014: Sales of residential property through the Edmonton Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) System in 2013 in the Edmonton CMA were almost eight percent higher than in 2012. From 2011 to 2012 the number of sales increased 6.2%. There were 17,055 residential sales reported in 2013 as compared to just 15,812 in 2012.

Sales were up in all residential categories with 10,487 SFDs sold in 2013 (up 3.4%) along with 5,059 condominiums (up 14.7%) and 1,144 duplex/rowhouses (up 18.2%). First-time buyers accepted the condo lifestyle as a way to get into the housing market. Compared to 2012, the percentage of SFDs sold dropped from 64% to 61.5% of total sales while condo sales increased from 28% to 30%.

The higher sales numbers were driven by the strong local labour market, continuing low mortgage rates, and a stable pricing environment. The 12-month, all-residential average price in 2013 was $350,208, a modest 2.95% increase over the 2012 price of $341,891. Median prices increased from $331,000 from $323,000, only a 2.48% lift, indicating that there was increased activity at the mid-market price point this year.

“REALTORS® report that there has been a shortage of lower-priced homes all year which has pushed value conscious buyers up-market or into condos,” said REALTORS® Association of Edmonton, President Greg Steele. “New home builders are trying to fill the void by building more condos and single family homes at lower price points.”

The all-year sales-to-listing ratio was 69% with average day-on-market at 53 days. The active market was highlighted by a year-end inventory of just 3,049 properties: a drop of 1,000 from the month previous.

During the month of December, the price of a single family detached property rose 4.4% from $405,826 in November to $423,544 in December. Condo prices dropped 2.4% in December to $234,967 while duplex/row house prices shot up 9.8% to $358,978 (following a marginal uptick the month previous).  Overall, the average all-residential prices was up just 1.1% to $350,208 when compared to the previous month. December sales (adjusted for late reported sales) were: SFD – 471, condo – 271, duplex/row house – 45, and total residential sales 805.

“Now that the hectic holiday season is over, listing and sales activity will pick up as it always does,” said Steele. “Buyers are urged to take advantage of the low mortgage rates while market conditions are favourable and to consult with their REALTOR® about the advantages of a resale home or condo in any of the communities in or around Edmonton.” 

MLS® System Activity (for all-residential sales in Edmonton CMA1)

1 Census Metropolitan Area (Edmonton and surrounding municipalities)
2 Single Family Dwelling
3 The total value of sales in a category divided by the number of properties sold
4 The middle figure in a list of all sales prices
5 Residential includes SFD, condos and duplex/row houses.
6 Includes residential, rural and commercial sales