Despite recent headlines of record home prices across Canada, a 2012 study by Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC indicates there are still many affordable markets where Canadian buyers can achieve their dream of homeownership.  Coldwell Banker has issued its annual Home Listing Report (HLR) revealing several of Canada’s most affordable real estate markets. 

Affordability remains strong in many markets across the country as close to thirty Canadian markets analyzed by the report had an average home listing price of less than $300,000 for four-bedroom, two-bathroom homes.  

Winnipeg, despite steady annual price increases since the late 90's, still remains at the middle of the pack; ranked 33rd out of the 74 markets studied across Canada, as prices are listed lowest to highest. 

Full Canadian ranking can be viewed here.  (Make sure you pick "Canada" from the drop down tab)

Windsor, Ontario was Canada’s most affordable market, averaging a $170,991...

WinnipegREALTORS® Press Release, December 6, 2012

Winnipeg - While it may be the last quarter of the year with sales activity slowing down in comparison to the spring market, it was not the case for the upper tier of the residential-detached market. Five house sales all went for above $1 million with one commanding $2 million.

It is only the second time in WinnipegREALTORS® history in which a house has sold for $2 million or more. In 2006, another stately mansion home sold for $2,025,000. Despite November MLS® sales being down slightly less than 4% from the best November ever last year, the upper end residential-detached market of $500,000 or more saw an increase of 25% . There was even one condominium sale in November for $650,000.

November 2012 MLS® sales are only second to 2011 and 2007 where sales in the high 800s are virtually identical. Interestingly enough these are the two same years 2012 is competing with for the overall best year on record for total MLS®...

From WinnipegREALTORS® Real Estate News Publication, November 9, 2012.

WinnipegREALTORS® president Shirley Przybyl is confident that MLS® sales will top $3 billion for the second consecutive year and will likely establish a new dollar volume record by the end of 2012.

Dollar volume sales in October nearly reached $282, which included the sale of three $1-million-plus homes and a $925,000 condominium, resulting in a new record for the month.

“We knew coming into the second half of 2012, especially the final two months, that we were up against some absolutely terrific all-time or near-best monthly sales performances in 2011,” Przybyl said. “So it will not be easy to maintain our slim lead to the end of the year.

“On the other hand, we are confident in saying that WinnipegREALTORS® will once again hit $3 billion in sales,” she added.

Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) reported in its recent Winnipeg Housing Market Outlook that...

WinnipegREALTORS® Press Release; November 6, 2012

WINNIPEG - Only October 2007 surpasses this October in sales but dollar volume worth nearly $282 million, including three $1 million plus home sales and a $925,000 condominium, resulted in a new October dollar volume record. It also sets up an interesting finishing two months with a razor-thin lead in MLS® sales over 2011 and within 140 sales of the best year ever in 2007. New listings are positive with over 1,500 new properties put on the MLS® in October or 8% more than the same month last year. There are over 3,000 active MLS® properties available for purchase in November of which 1,748 are residential-detached or single family homes. Based on previous November listing entries, you can expect another 1,000 MLS® properties coming to market.

So buyers should be encouraged and also take some consolation knowing October had a two to one ratio of residential-detached sales going for below list price rather than for above...

From WinnipegREALTORS® Real Estate News Publication, November 2, 2012.

Canada is not poised for an American-style real estate meltdown, according to a new report from CIBC World Markets. 

While there are a number of factors that raise concerns about Canada’s housing market, according to the report, there are fundamental differences between the Canadian and U.S. markets that should see a soft landing and no American-style meltdown for the real estate market here.

“To be sure, house prices in Canada will probably fall in the coming year or two, but any comparison to the American market of 2006 reflects deep misunderstanding of the credit landscapes of the pre-crash environment in the U.S. and today’s Canadian market,” said CIBC deputy chief economist Benjamin Tal.

While the debt-to-income ratio in Canada just broke the American record set in 2006,  Tal said, “this ratio is more a headline grabber than a serious analytical tool. There is...

From WinnipegREALTORS® Real Estate News Publication, October 26, 2012.

Despite some earlier signals by Bank of Canada Governor Mark Carney that it may be time to increase the central bank’s interest rate to curb household debt, the overnight bank rate remains unchanged at one per cent. 

The same rate has been in effect for 25 consecutive months, mirroring the rate of the 1950s, when “Uncle Louis” St. Laurent was prime minister, Vincent Massey was appointed the nation’s first Canadian-born governor-general, and the CBC opened Canada’s first TV station in Montréal.

Carney had been warning Canadians to bring down household debt to a more manageable level or he will be forced to step in and force the issue. 

According to Statistics Canada, Canadian household debt was 167 per cent of income in the second quarter, which the Bank of Canada considers to be a threat to the nation’s financial stability.

“Households need to slow...

From Winnipeg Free Press Publication, October 6, 2012.  By Todd Lewys.

Decent article commenting on the recent WinnipegREALTORS® Press Release, October 5, 2012.  Some notable exerpts below:

Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp.'s senior market analyst for Manitoba said it's premature to conclude a correction is underway when the market fundamentals remain so strong.

Dianne Himbeault said when the federal government tightened mortgage lending guidelines in 2009 and in 2010, MLS sales declined for several months and then rebounded because demand for homes remained strong.

"So we could be seeing that again," she said,.

Przybyl said it's also noteworthy that 34 per cent of the detached homes that changed hands last month sold for more than the listed price. That's down only three per cent from September last year, and 2011 was the second best year on record for MLS sales in Winnipeg.

"That tells me we still have demand from buyers."

True, September unit sales were down,...

WinnipegREALTORS® Press Release; October 5, 2012

WINNIPEG – After a roller coaster summer where inventory of available listings was up all three months over last year; new listings entered was up 2 out of 3 months, sales were down all three months; and dollar volume was up all three months – September started to show what other markets across the country have been reporting most of the year.

The number of listings available for sale in September – our inventory - was up 3.5% over the same month last year (3,396 vs. 3,280).

The number of new listings added to the inventory in September was down 3% (1,686 vs. 1742 last year); the number of sales recorded was down 14% (1,040 vs. 1,214); and that drop in sales created a decrease in dollar volume through theMLS® by 10% ($251 million vs. $278 million in September of 2011).

Days-on-market was even off a day for residential detached. This year it took 27 days on average to sell vs. 26 days last September. Condominiums averaged...

WinnipegREALTORS® Press Release; September 6, 2012

WINNIPEG – There was no let up in August as it not only outperformed July but turned in a well above average performance for this time of year. It was only 4% off the most active August on record in 2005. Dollar volume was the highest it has ever been for August with close to $300 million in real estate transactions. 36% of the entire inventory turned over and that was with a healthy dose of new listings coming on the market.

August MLS® unit sales decreased by less than 4% (1,241/1,290) while dollar volume was up almost 1% ($298.7 million/$296.6 million) in comparison to the same month last year. Year-to-date MLS® sales are ahead by 2% (9,387/9,196) while dollar volume has increased 7% ($2.30 billion/$2.14 billion) compared to the same period last year. Listings entered on the MLS® this year are also trending higher than previous years at this point in time.

“We are bucking a national trend which points to moderating...

WinnipegREALTORS® Press Release; August 3, 2012

WINNIPEG- WinnipegREALTORS® noted the 2011 third quarter was quite exceptional so a formidable foe to outperform in 2012. July 2012 proved this point. When it came to the finish lineMLS® sales fell short by less than 2% or 21 sales. Dollar volume was the reverse as July 2012 eked out a narrow victory over July 2011 by a little over $6 million or 2%. Close for sure on both accounts and while neither years’ set all time best sales records for this summer month they both are slightly better than the 10-year running average of 1,223MLS® sales.

Fastest to the finish line in record fashion is the year-to-date dollar volume. Never before has WinnipegREALTORS® in its 109-year history transacted $2 billion inMLS® sales in the first seven months of the year. With five months to go and a cushion of an 8% gain over the same period last year the potential for another annual dollar volume record which will eclipse $3 billion...

WinnipegREALTORS® Press Release; July 6, 2012

WINNIPEG – After a spectacular May when sales went over 1,600 for the second time in WinnipegREALTORS®MLS® sales history, June sales and dollar volume activity settled down in comparison.  Even for previous Junes when sales in the past five years have surpassed 1,500 June 2012 fell back under the 1,500 mark. However a new June dollar volume record was still set eking out a slight gain over last June.

Based on a ten-year running average for June sales, 2012 sales are still very respectable with 3% more sales activity. The best June in 2008 of 1,564 sales is only better than 2012 by less than 5% so there is a lot to be said for consistency in the month of June.

New listings coming onto the market in June showed a 4% improvement over last June with close to 2,000 new listings. The overall inventory of 3,357MLS® listings is up by a 1% margin over 2011 for this time of year. 

JuneMLS® unit sales were down 2% (1...

WinnipegREALTORS® Press Release; Jume 5, 2012

WINNIPEG – Talk about making a statement for May 2012 when you have five sales over a million dollar each propel the monthly MLS® dollar volume level to over $400 million for the first time in WinnipegREALTORS® 109 year history.  Beyond the 5 mega sales, May saw over 1,600 sales in total – making it the second best May and month ever next to May 2007 with MLS® sales of 1,652. Dollar volume in May 2007 was less than $300 million.

A fabulous month indeed and it demonstrates buyers are as active as ever in taking advantage of exceptionally low mortgage rates and one of the most affordable major real estate markets in the country. Some months you are fortunate to get one million dollar plus sale so to have five in one month is atypical and indicative of strength in the luxury end ofWinnipeg’s real estate market. The most expensive of the group went for $1,200,000. It is a newer fully loaded 3200 sq. ft. home...

WinnipegREALTORS® Press Release; May 7, 2012

WINNIPEG – In many respects, this April has to be considered the best April in WinnipegREALTORS® 109-year history as it was only 9 unit sales off the highest April MLS® unit sales recorded in 2008 but is way out in front in dollar volume from any previous April. A rebound was predicted from last April given Manitobans were contending with the flood situation and therefore the spring market did not get on track as it normally does at this time of year. 

Not surprisingly, along with significant sales and dollar volume increases, listings came roaring back too compared to the same month last year with a 17% year-over-year increase. So it is no coincidence sales were ahead by the same percentage as eager buyers took advantage of fresh inventory to choose from. Despite an improvement in listings supply, there is still less than 3 months of residential-detached housing available going forward to meet the demand if there were...

WinnipegREALTORS® Press Release; April 5, 2012

WINNIPEG - First quarterMLS® sales and dollar volume market activity are in line with the same period in 2011. This year’s result can only be viewed positively given last year’s first three month’s performance was the best first quarter WinnipegREALTORS® ever had since its inception in 1903. Sales are down 2% while dollar volume is up 3% in comparison to 2011.

March 2012 was also up against the best March in WinnipegREALTORS® history in 2011 so to be down only 4% in sales and dollar volume respectively is hardly something to fret about. If anything, it can be seen as a bit of a reprieve that will allow more inventory to help moderate the upward market pressure on prices.  In fact, going into April, there are 17% or more than 200 active residential-detached listings available for sale than was the case at the end of February.  Helping increase supply was the 5% increase in new listings coming on to...

WinnipegREALTORS® Press Release; March 6, 2012

WINNIPEG – If this was a Winnipeg Jets hockey game we would be going into overtime as FebruaryMLS® sales were identical to last year’s. We will have to wait until February 2013 to break the tie. On the other hand, dollar volume was a different story altogether with the clear edge going to February 2012 with dollar volume up 12% at $191 million. As a result, the average residential-detached sales price was notably higher at $266,000 in comparison to $240,000 in February 2011. Condominium average sales price also vaulted past February 2011 with a jump from $198,000 to close to $211,000 in February 2012. Another virtual tie came in newMLS® listings with 1,315 entered in February 2012 compared to 1,313 in February 2011.

Even the total sales price to total list price ratio which is an indicator of  strong buyer demand when the ratio climbs over 100% were nearly the same between the two February’s with...

WinnipegREALTORS® Press Release; February 10, 2012

WINNIPEG – With the exception of 1997 when January sales were at 660, January 2012 sales activity ranks among the best results for all other Januarys as none have even threatened the 600 sales level. Dollar volume is another story altogether as despite sales being in a virtual deadlock with last January, there was still nearly an additional $8 million worth of sales activity. As a result, we see a replay of previous years where even if sales are not up to the previous year level, the dollar volume sets a new monthly record.

Interestingly enough, some of the real star performers of last year relate to property type, dropped off in the first month this year in comparison to activity the same month a year ago. Sales of single-attached were off 25% while condominiums dropped 16%. And vacant lots and mobile homes both decreased 8%. The saving grace was the 4% increase in single family homes which accounts for the lion...

From Winnipeg Free Press Publication, January 28, 2012

OTTAWA — Canada will likely avoid a crash or serious correction in its “somewhat pricey” housing market, with the possible exception of Vancouver, says a new paper from the Bank of Montreal.

The analysis by BMO economists suggests alarms about Canada’s housing market by international observers, from the International Monetary Fund to The Economist magazine, are exaggerated or simplistic.

“The main takeaway is that the national housing market appears somewhat pricey but is far removed from a bubble,” said economists Sherry Cooper and Sal Guatieri in the report released Monday.

“In our view, the (market) is more like a balloon than a bubble. While bubbles always burst, a balloon often deflates slowly in the absence of a ‘pin.’ ” The report said house sales remain strong in Alberta and Saskatchewan and in major urban centres such as Toronto, Montreal,...

From Winnipeg Free Press Publication, January 28, 2012

By Todd Lewys

By now, pretty much everyone who calls Winnipeg home knows it’s one of the hottest real estate markets in the country.

Here’s a statistic — courtesy of WinnipegRealtors’ market analyst and director of public affairs, Peter Squire — that puts just how hot the market is into perspective.

“It took us 99 years to reach onebillion dollars in sales in 2002,” he said at WinnipegREALTORS’ sixth annual forecast breakfast Jan. 25. “Nine years later, this milestone has tripled. Winnipeg, thanks to an increasingly hot real estate market over the past nine years, is now a three-billion-dollar MLS market.”

A banner 2011 — marred only by slow sales in April, the result of flooding — reinforced the fact the Winnipeg market isn’t about to slow down any time soon.

“Overall, we were just 14 sales shy of topping our best year, 2007. Sales volume...

WinnipegREALTORS® Press Release; January 10, 2012

WINNIPEG - Based on the busiest December on record in WinnipegREALTORS® 108-year history, you have to surmise that some of all those gift cards being purchased in December had to be house-warming gifts. December sales have never been at the 700 level mark before nor has dollar volume climbed so high to $182 million – a total that is leaps and bounds over any previous December. Prior to 2009, no December dollar volume ever eclipsed $100 million.

The strong finish to 2011 encompassed the entire second half with new monthly sales records or near best results. It led to WinnipegREALTORS® having its first $3 billion year worth ofMLS® sales and the second bestMLS® sales year – only nudged out by 13 sales in 2007.  There is no question something special and significant happened to this city when the announcement was made of the return ofWinnipegto theNHL. Buyers gained confidence and were clearly...

From Winnipeg Free Press, by Murray McNeil, January 11, 2012.

WINNIPEG’S Goldilocks housing market is showing no signs of being gobbled up by the big, bad wolf.

Although a growing chorus of experts predicts overheated housing markets like those in Vancouver and Toronto could be in for a fall in 2012, year-end housing reports issued Tuesday show Winnipeg’s robust market is showing no signs of slowing.

Not only was 2011 the second-best year on record for MLS (Multiple Listing Service) sales (13,065), it was the best year since 1989 for singlefamily housing starts (2,002) and the second best since 1988 for multiplefamily starts (1,329).

And last month was the best December ever for both MLS unit sales — up seven per cent to 698 — and dollar volume of sales — up 19 per cent to $182 million.

“As the year progressed, it became evident momentum was on our side and it carried us all the way through to a record dollar-volume year...