What is Up with the Housing Market?
Saturday, April 4th, 2015Don’t Get Too Caught Up in the National Storylines.
Spring Mewsletter 2015 by the Cats Meow at Remax Real Estate
I have been wondering how to tell you folks where we’re at for this year; following the news, the stats and all the talk has led me to do a lot of research into what is really going on in Edmonton and with specific regards to housing.
‘They’ talk about consumer confusion about our market and I can see why. Even inside the industry, not very much makes sense to me, everyone has a different statistic and everyone claims to be right. However, repeatedly I find myself disproving more of what our industry experts ‘quote.’
The fact is, Edmonton saw another year of growth, higher than the average of Canada, and we have higher wages, as well as lower unemployment rates. The condo market saw more than 8% increases than the average for the rest of our country. We are still poised for growth. Maybe not leaps and bounds growth as we are used to, but positive growth must not be confused with the word ‘recession.’
As I write this, I have two articles in front of me in opposition of the other, both by headline newspapers, one calling for an excellent spring market and the other calling for a recession. It’s ridiculous what they get away with reporting, all for the sake of content and increased frequency publications.
The Yukon saw a 22% drop in home prices year over year and the local news is reporting a ‘softening’ of the market, due to the fact that the market was inflated over what was stable. Yet, no one there is running for the hills and home owners are still selling and buying and owners are still making profits.
According to CREA, The Canadian Real Estate Association, of which I am a member; the average home price in Edmonton is still well within the means of the average family income and average family debt. Home owners are still listing their homes at higher rates than what they think they can sell for, because that is just how real estate is played.
Real Estate has always been a long term investment that can set you up when you invest your money wisely. I’m glad to be a part of your past and I look forward to helping you in the future. Now that’s the Cats’ Meow.