2012 REALTORS® Housing Forecast Seminar

REALTORS® anticipate stable real estate market in 2012

Edmonton, January 11, 2012: Doug Singleton, President of the REALTORS® Association of Edmonton announced the real estate industry housing forecast for 2012 at an industry seminar on Wednesday. He expects that the current stable market will continue through 2012 with prices and unit sales increasing slightly year-over-year and real estate transactions to follow typical month-to-month trends.

“I do not see any external forces that will influence the normal operation of the real estate market locally in the year ahead,” said Singleton. “Mortgage interest rates are expected to remain stable through 2012 and there will be balanced demand on both the buyer and seller sides of the market.”

The REALTORS® Association is forecasting that the all residential price for housing in the Edmonton area will increase about 2% over the year ahead. Single family detached home prices will increase on average by 2% over the year and condominiums, which are oversupplied in the market, will have their prices increase just one percent. A single family detached home that sold for $372,000 in December 2011 will be priced at $380,500 at the same time this year. Condos are currently selling on average for $230,000 and will increase to $237,000 by next December.

Singleton expects that residential unit sales will increase slightly in 2012 as compared to similar unit sales in 2011. “This is a balanced market with great opportunities for both buyers and seller,” he said. “Inventory levels will be sufficient to provide choice to buyers and yet the rate of sales measured by Days-on-Market and sales-to-listing ratios will be sufficient to satisfy most sellers.” He pointed out that sellers can increase their chances of a successful sale by ensuring that their property presents well and is priced realistically for the neighbourhood and time of year. There are 3,200 REALTORS® available to advise potential buyers and sellers on price, marketing and contract details.

The continued growth of Edmonton and surrounding communities will also result in higher commercial real estate activity in 2012 as more small and medium businesses start-up and industrial development creates the demand for warehouse condo construction and business offices. In 2012 there was $240 million worth of commercial sales transacted through the local MLS® System.

As usual REALTORS® expect real estate activity to pick up in the spring and gradually fall off as the year progresses. However the industry is optimistic about the year ahead and expects good results for the industry, the members and the consumer. “I’m glad to be selling real estate in Edmonton,” concluded Singleton.

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