Archive for February, 2011

February Market Update

February 8, 2011

According to the REALTORS® Association of Edmonton the average price of housing increased slightly in January as compared to the previous month. The all-residential average price rose three quarters of a percent to $310,766; up from $308,497 in December. Single family homes rose a quarter of a percent while condo prices dropped just over one percent during the month.

Residential sales of 735 were on par with December sales (834) and sales in January 2009 (775) but off 21% from the same month last year (931). Residential listing activity rose from 1,102 units in December 2010 to 2,142 units in January. Inventory of homes on the Multiple Listing Service® System decreased from 5,721 at year end to 5,633 as of January 31.

“Traditionally the market dips in December but inventory starts to build in January to supply the spring market,” explained REALTORS® Association of Edmonton President Chris Mooney. “Prices are up slightly but the cold weather seems to have kept buyers and sellers out of the market. We expect sales activity to increase along with spring temperatures and continue all through the first two quarters.”

The average* price of single family dwellings in January was $356,276 with a median price of $349,900. Condo average price was $220,993 with a median of $214,000. Duplex and rowhouse prices also dropped on average from $315,163 to $297,587 a 5.6% drop. All prices reflected sales across the entire Edmonton region including surrounding communities and counties.

Mooney suggested that changes to mortgage qualification rules would not have the same effect that last year’s rule changes had. “In 2010, people reacted early to the changes and completed their home purchases earlier than usual. The reduction from 35 to 30 year amortization limits will come into effect on March 18 but we do not expect it to affect a large number of purchasers,” said Mooney.

The average days-on-market in January was 67 days up from 53 last year. The residential sales-to-listing ratio was a low 34% in January and total MLS® System sales were almost $253 million.

Warm regards,

Team O’Shea-Thomas
RE/MAX river city
Phone: 780-439-7000
Fax: 780-439-7248

www.EdmontonCityHomes.com

*All info taken from EREB.com