by Sheldon Johnston and Sara MacLennan
on 24. Mar, 2010
in Alberta's Economy, Investing in Alberta Real Estate
The Government of Alberta puts out a report each month called the monthly economic review. Here are some of the highlights:
Alberta’s unemployment rate was 6.9% in February, up from 6.6% in January and 5.9% last February. It is still below the national average of 8.2% This was the combined effect of a drop of 14,800 [...]
by Sheldon Johnston and Sara MacLennan
on 16. Feb, 2010
in Alberta's Economy, Canadian Real Estate, Investing in Alberta Real Estate, Tips for Home Buyers
Fears of a housing bubble in some areas of the country have moved the Canadian government to tighten up lending rules in Canada. We applaud the changes, although we're not sure the fears of a bubble were completely warranted. That said, the changes make a lot of sense and probably always should have been in [...]
by Sheldon Johnston and Sara MacLennan
on 19. Jan, 2010
in Alberta's Economy
The monthly economic review, published by the Alberta government had some interesting information this month. Here are some of the highlights:
The unemployment rate in Alberta fell to 6.7% in December, down from 7.4% in November putting us third in the country right behind Saskatchewan and Manitoba. Nationally the unemployment rate was 8.5%. Employment gains were [...]
by Sheldon Johnston and Sara MacLennan
on 13. Jan, 2010
in Alberta's Economy, Canadian Real Estate, Edmonton Real Estate Market, Investing in Alberta Real Estate
Richard Goatcher from Canada Mortgage and Housing Coporation (CMHC) was given 25 minutes to forecast the housing market in Edmonton for 2010. Here is the short of it…
Employment growth will return in 2010, they predict job growth of slightly more than 5000. The predict a gradual improvement in unemployment, but the 12 year average will [...]
by Sheldon Johnston and Sara MacLennan
on 13. Jan, 2010
in Alberta's Economy, Edmonton Real Estate Market, Investing in Alberta Real Estate
Next up at the forecast, Angus Watt of National Bank Financial. He called 2010 the Year of the Metal Tiger because 2010 is not going to come peacefully, it's like a caged tiger that is not where it wants to be. The tiger is potentially ferocious and cruel and we should approach this year with [...]
by Sheldon Johnston and Sara MacLennan
on 13. Jan, 2010
in Alberta's Economy, Edmonton Real Estate Market, Investing in Alberta Real Estate
Today I'm live blogging from the REALTORS Association of Edmonton Housing Forecast Seminar. First thing of note today is the free internet provided by the city of Edmonton – sweet!
Ron Gilbertson, from the Edmonton Economic Development Corporation (EEDC) talked to us this morning about the economic outlook for Edmonton. I called this article "The 10 [...]
by Sheldon Johnston and Sara MacLennan
on 24. Dec, 2009
in Alberta's Economy, Edmonton Real Estate Market
CMHC released their "Housing Now" report today. I'm just going to give the brief highlights and then get back to our Christmas celebrations…
Total housing starts across Greater Edmonton have increased on a year-over-year basis for the fifth consecutive month.
More than 2.5x more single family homes were started in November '09 than '08
Year over year [...]
by Sheldon Johnston and Sara MacLennan
on 08. Dec, 2009
in Alberta's Economy, Edmonton Real Estate Market, Tips for Home Buyers
Canada Mortgage and Housing released their monthly Housing Outlook report today. Last November there were 111 single family homes started in the city of Edmonton, this year the number was 397 – a huge increase. For the year as a whole single family home starts are up by 73% in Edmonton. Of course you have [...]
by Sheldon Johnston and Sara MacLennan
on 03. Dec, 2009
in Alberta's Economy, Edmonton Real Estate Market, Monthly Stats
Single family home and condo prices and sales in Edmonton have exceeded everyone's expectations this year (except perhaps for some homeowners trying to sell their home). Single family home prices are 1.5% higher this year than they were last year at this time, and condo prices are almost exactly the same ($50 different).
Residential sales were [...]
by Sheldon Johnston and Sara MacLennan
on 25. Nov, 2009
in Alberta's Economy
The battle of Alberta has taken on a new meaning this week…
I was chatting with “Calgary UP UP UP” the other day who posed this question: Why are prices for single family homes in Edmonton basically flat when we are seeing such high demand, and Calgary home prices have been on the rise all year?
I [...]