Strong Demand In Surrounding Areas Causes Declining Inventories

For the third consecutive quarter, sales growth in all communities surrounding Calgary was in the double digits. In addition to lifestyle preferences, demand in surrounding areas has improved due to the relative price advantage over Calgary and less supply constraints in many of the surrounding markets.

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Alberta Residential Permits Hit All-Time High

Alberta, along with British Columbia, posted the largest national advances in building permits in January, mainly as a result of higher construction intentions for residential buildings. Led by a 31.6 per cent increase in residential construction permits, the total value of permits issued in Alberta in January was $1.7 billion, a 31.6 per cent increase over December.

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Taking Inventory

Calgary’s housing market emerged from February’s deep freeze to post some impressive numbers. While keeping active proved to be a difficult task for many Calgarians, with wind chills in the city dropping down to minus 40, activity amongst home buyers and sellers remained brisk.

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In Homes We Trust

With housing prices on the rise in most Canadian cities, nearly a quarter of Canadians plan to use their homes as their primary source of income after they leave the workforce, according to the 2014 Sun Life Canadian Unretirement Index. This survey also revealed 17 per cent do not know if their investment in their home will serve as their primary source of income during retirement.

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