May sales reach a record high

Thanks to a significant gain in apartment condominium sales, May sales rose to 3,120, a new record high for the month. While the monthly gains have not outweighed earlier declines, this does reflect a shift from the declines reported at the start of the year.

At the same time, we continue to see fewer new listings on the market than last year, causing inventory levels to fall. With a sales-to-new-listings ratio of 85 per cent and months of supply of one month, conditions continue to favour the seller placing further upward pressure on home prices.

“Calgary’s housing market continues to exceed expectations with the recent gain in sales activity this month,” said CREB® Chief Economist Ann-Marie Lurie. “The higher interest rate environment and recent rental rate gains have driven more consumers to seek apartment condominium units. In addition, the recent rise in new apartment listings has provided enough options to support the sales gain. Calgary continues to benefit from the relatively healthy job market and recent population growth keeping housing demand strong across all property types.”

Persistently tight market conditions drove further price growth this month. In May, the unadjusted benchmark price reached $557,000, over one per cent higher than last month and nearly three per cent higher than last year’s monthly peak price of $543,000. 

Detached

Rising sales for homes priced above $600,000 was not enough to offset declines in the lower price ranges as May sales reached 1,486, a year-over-year decline of eight per cent. New listings continue to fall for homes priced below $700,000, providing limited choice for consumers seeking out lower-priced detached homes. While new listings did improve for higher-priced properties, the relatively strong demand kept conditions tight across all price ranges, driving further price gains.
 
In May, the detached benchmark price reached $674,000, nearly two per cent higher than last month and over four per cent higher than last year’s peak price of $647,000. While each district reported a new record high price this month, the year-over-year gains ranged from a high of 12 per cent in the East District to a low of two per cent in the City Centre.
 

Semi-Detached

Sales also rose to near-record highs for the month for semi-detached homes. However, with 279 sales and 269 new listings this month, inventories fell, and the months of supply dropped below one month.
 
The exceptionally tight conditions caused further price gains, which for the first time, pushed above $600,000. This is the seventh consecutive month where prices have trended up, and as of May, levels are over three per cent higher than last year’s monthly peak. Like the detached sector, each district reported new record high prices in May. However, the strongest year-over-year gains occurred in the most affordable East district at nearly 12 per cent.
 

Row

New listings in May improved over levels seen earlier in the year, but thanks to monthly gains in sales, the sales-to-new listings ratio remained exceptionally high at 89 per cent, preventing any significant shift in the low inventory situation. While sales activity is still lower than last year’s levels, this is likely related to the lack of supply in this segment of the market.  Inventory levels are down 50 per cent compared to last year.
 
With less than one month of supply, it is not a surprise that prices continue to rise. In May, the benchmark price reached $390,500, a two per cent gain over last month and nearly nine per cent higher than last year's peak price of $359,600. Row prices rose across all districts, with year-over-year gains exceeding 15 per cent in the city's North East, South and East districts. The slowest price gains occurred in The City Centre, North West and South East at rates of over seven per cent.
 

Apartment Condominium

Sales in May reached 858 units, a year-over-year gain of 36 per cent and high enough to cause year-to-date sales to rise by four per cent for a new record high. Stronger sales were possible thanks to the recent gains in new listings. There were 1,025 new listings in May, a year-over-year gain of eight per cent. Despite the gain in new listings, the sales-to-new listings ratio remained high at 84 per cent, preventing any significant shift in inventory levels. As a result, inventory levels remained 23 per cent lower than what was available in the market in May 2022. The rising sales and low inventories kept the months of supply low at just over one month.
 
Persistently tight conditions drove further price gains in May. The unadjusted benchmark price reached $298,600, a monthly gain of over one per cent and a year-over-year gain of nearly 11 per cent. The recent growth has finally caused unadjusted apartment condominium prices to return to 2014 levels. Unlike other areas, not all districts reported a new record high price. The only areas to report a full recovery were the North, North West, West and South East districts. Overall year-over-year price growth ranged from a high of 16 per cent in the North District to a low of 10 per cent growth in the City Centre.

REGIONAL MARKET FACTS

Airdrie

Limited supply choice continues to weigh on sales activity in Airdrie. In May, there were 260 new listings and 225 sales, keeping the sales to new listings ratio high at 87 per cent and preventing any significant shift in inventory levels. However, with less than one month of supply, conditions are tighter than they were last year at this time.
 
Persistently tight conditions caused prices to trend up for the fifth consecutive month. The benchmark price reached $502,900 in May, remaining shy of the record high of $504,200 achieved in April 2022. While total residential prices have not reached new record highs, detached home prices have reached a new record with a benchmark price of $587,200.

Cochrane

Like other markets in the area, the limited level of new listings is preventing stronger sales activity. In May, 135 new listings came onto the market, and there were 122 sales, keeping the sales-to-new listings ratio elevated at 90 per cent. While inventory levels are still higher than last year’s, they are still exceptionally low for this time of year, leaving the months of supply just above one month in May.
 
The persistently tight conditions caused prices to trend up for the fourth consecutive month. While the benchmark price of $515,600 remains below the monthly high of $517,900 achieved in June 2022, should conditions continue to remain this tight, we could see further upward pressure on home prices over the next several months. 

Okotoks

Like other markets, low levels of new listings are limiting sales activity in the town. In May, new listings reached 87 units, and with 76 sales, the sales to new listings ratio pushed above 87 per cent. This also prevented any significant shift in inventory levels, and the months of supply once again dropped below one month.
 
Persistently tight market conditions caused prices to trend up for the fifth consecutive month. With a benchmark price of $575,900, prices are nearly four per cent above last year’s levels and at a new record high.

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May 01, 2023 | CREB

Prices reach new record high

City of Calgary, May 1, 2023 - Persistent sellers’ market conditions placed further upward pressure on home prices in April. After four months of persistent gains, the total unadjusted benchmark price reached $550,800, nearly two per cent higher than last month and a new monthly record high for the city. 

“While sales activity is performing as expected, the steeper pullback in new listings has ensured that supply levels remain low,” said CREB® Chief Economist Ann-Marie Lurie. “The limited supply choice is causing more buyers to place offers above the list price, contributing to the stronger than expected gains in home prices.”

In April, sales reached 2,690 units compared to the 3,133 new listings. With a sales-to-new-listings ratio of 86 per cent, inventories declined by 34 per cent compared to last year and are over 45 per cent below long-term averages for April.

While sales have eased by 21 per cent compared to last year, the steep decline in supply has caused the months of supply to ease to just over one month. This reflects tighter market conditions than earlier in the year and compared to conditions reported last April. 

Detached

New listings have eased across all price ranges in the detached market, with the most significant declines occurring for homes priced below $700,000. The decline in new listings far outpaced the pullback in sales, causing the sale-to-new listings ratio to rise to 88 per cent and the months of supply to fall to just over one month, tighter than both last year and last month. 

The persistently tight market conditions have contributed to further price growth. In April, the detached benchmark price reached a new record high at $661,900. Every district except the City Centre reported a new record high price in April. The City Centre is also the only district that reported over two months of supply. With a year-over-year gain of 6 per cent, the most affordable East district reported the largest price gain. 

With 234 sales and 264 new listings in April, the sales to new listings ratio jumped to 89 per cent. This caused further declines in inventory levels, which are at the lowest April level seen since 2007. As conditions are tighter than last year, it is not a surprise to see further price growth.

The unadjusted benchmark price in April reached and new record high at $593,200, reflecting a two per cent gain over last month’s and last year’s prices. While all districts posted a new record high price this month, the strongest gains occurred in the most affordable North East and East districts. 

Row properties faced the tightest market conditions in April, with a sales-to-new-listings ratio of 95 per cent and months of supply under one month. Row sales have eased over last April’s record high, but with 416 sales, activity is still far stronger than long-term trends. Relative affordability has supported the strong demand in this sector. However, the persistently tight market conditions have placed significant pressure on home prices.

After four consecutive monthly gains, the benchmark price reached a new record high of $387,400, over seven per cent higher than last year. Like other areas, the steepest price growth occurred in the most affordable districts of the North East, East and South.

Thanks to a boost in new listings in April, the apartment condominium sector was the only sector to see sales activity rise over last year’s levels. With 953 new listings and 734 sales, inventories did trend up over the previous month but remained below the levels reported last year at this time. With a sales-to-new-listings ratio of 77 per cent and a months of supply of 1.5, conditions are not as tight as other property types in the city. However, this still reflects sellers’ market conditions and has been driving up prices. 

As of April, the unadjusted benchmark price reached $299,400, a significant gain over the $277,600 reported at the start of the year and over 10 per cent higher than last April. Following four months of consecutive gains, prices are now just shy of the previous high reported in 2014. While price gains across all districts have not resulted in a new city-wide record, the North, North West and South East reported new highs in April. 

REGIONAL MARKET FACTS

Airdrie

While sales in April trended up compared to last month, new listings eased, causing the sale-to-new listings ratio to once again push near 100 per cent, and inventories fell to the lowest April reported since 2007. While conditions are not as tight as last April, with one month of supply, conditions continue to favour the seller. 

Limited choice compared to demand contributed to the upward pressure on home prices compared to earlier this year. As of April, the benchmark price reached $502,000, an improvement from the $480,200 reported in January but nearly two per cent below the April 2022 record high of $510,700. 

With 114 sales and 116 new listings, April’s sales to new listings ratio rose to 98 per cent. While inventories are still higher than what was reported in the market last year, with nearly all new listings selling, inventories trended down over levels seen earlier in the year. With only 142 units available, the months of supply dropped to just over one month, ensuring the market continued to favour the seller. 

Renewed tight market conditions contributed to the third consecutive monthly price gain, and the benchmark price pushed up to $509,600 in April. However, despite the monthly gains, prices remain nearly two per cent below last April, and the peak price of $522,600 reached in June of last year.  

Both sales and new listings trended up in April over levels seen earlier in the year, supporting some monthly gains in inventory levels. However, with only 67 units in inventory, levels are 66 per cent below long-term trends for the month and reflect the lowest April since 2006.

With just over one month of supply that has persisted for the past three months, we have seen further upward pressure on home prices in the town. As of April, the unadjusted benchmark price reached $577,300, nearly five per cent higher than last April and a new record high. 

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April 27, 2023 | CREB

CREB®'s Q1 2023 Housing Market Report

City of Calgary, April 27, 2023  –  Sales activity has behaved as expected through the start of 2023 and slowed by 43 per cent over last year’s all-time record-high performance in the first quarter. The steeper decline in the first quarter was expected, given the surge in sales last year, as purchasers were eager to enter the market ahead of expected rate gains.

“While no further rate gains have occurred so far this year, the higher lending rates and limited supply options are contributing to some of the pullbacks in sales,” said CREB® Chief Economist Ann-Marie Lurie. “Nevertheless, despite the decline, sales activity has remained well above pre-pandemic levels thanks to recent gains in migration coupled with a stronger employment market.”

The most notable challenge in the market has been related to supply levels. New listings were expected to ease as higher lending rates would make it more difficult for the move-up buyer. However, the pace of decline in new listings has exceeded expectations. New listings in the first quarter declined by 40 per cent, preventing any significant shift in the supply levels given the relatively strong sales.

Inventory levels in the city averaged 2,814 units in the first quarter, 21 per cent lower than last year’s levels and over 42 per cent below long-term trends for the first quarter. With a sales-to-new-listings ratio of 71 per cent and a months of supply of under two months in the first quarter, conditions continue to favour the seller.

Exceptionally tight market conditions early last year drove significant price gains throughout the 2022 spring market, peaking at $544,733 in the second quarter. While supply-demand balances remained tight throughout 2022, prices did trend down over the third and fourth quarters, somewhat adjusting for the rapid rise earlier in the year.

Further tightening in the supply-demand balance in the first quarter was enough to stop the downward price trend as the quarterly benchmark price rose by nearly two per cent over the fourth quarter to $531,200 but remained below the Q2 high.

“Some of the fluctuations in price were expected this year, given what happened last year,” said Lurie. “However, price growth to date has been stronger than expected. Given the limited supply currently on the market, we could expect to see some stronger price growth through spring, potentially supporting a modest annual gain in 2023.”

For the full report, please download CREB®’s Q1 2023 Calgary & Region Quarterly Update Report here.

April 27, 2023 | CREB

CREB®'s Q1 2023 Housing Market Report

City of Calgary, April 27, 2023  –  Sales activity has behaved as expected through the start of 2023 and slowed by 43 per cent over last year’s all-time record-high performance in the first quarter. The steeper decline in the first quarter was expected, given the surge in sales last year, as purchasers were eager to enter the market ahead of expected rate gains.

“While no further rate gains have occurred so far this year, the higher lending rates and limited supply options are contributing to some of the pullbacks in sales,” said CREB® Chief Economist Ann-Marie Lurie. “Nevertheless, despite the decline, sales activity has remained well above pre-pandemic levels thanks to recent gains in migration coupled with a stronger employment market.”

The most notable challenge in the market has been related to supply levels. New listings were expected to ease as higher lending rates would make it more difficult for the move-up buyer. However, the pace of decline in new listings has exceeded expectations. New listings in the first quarter declined by 40 per cent, preventing any significant shift in the supply levels given the relatively strong sales.

Inventory levels in the city averaged 2,814 units in the first quarter, 21 per cent lower than last year’s levels and over 42 per cent below long-term trends for the first quarter. With a sales-to-new-listings ratio of 71 per cent and a months of supply of under two months in the first quarter, conditions continue to favour the seller.

Exceptionally tight market conditions early last year drove significant price gains throughout the 2022 spring market, peaking at $544,733 in the second quarter. While supply-demand balances remained tight throughout 2022, prices did trend down over the third and fourth quarters, somewhat adjusting for the rapid rise earlier in the year.

Further tightening in the supply-demand balance in the first quarter was enough to stop the downward price trend as the quarterly benchmark price rose by nearly two per cent over the fourth quarter to $531,200 but remained below the Q2 high.

“Some of the fluctuations in price were expected this year, given what happened last year,” said Lurie. “However, price growth to date has been stronger than expected. Given the limited supply currently on the market, we could expect to see some stronger price growth through spring, potentially supporting a modest annual gain in 2023.”

For the full report, please download CREB®’s Q1 2023 Calgary & Region Quarterly Update Report here.

Lowest February inventory since 2006

Consistent with typical seasonal behavior sales, new listings and inventory levels all trended up compared to last month. However, with 1,740 sales and 2,389 new listings, inventory levels improved only slightly over the last month and remained amongst the lowest February levels seen since 2006.

“While higher lending rates are impacting sales activity as expected, we are seeing a stronger pullback in new listings, keeping supply levels low and supporting some stronger-than-expected monthly price gains,” said CREB® Chief Economist Ann-Marie Lurie. “Prices are still below the May 2022 peak and it is still early in the year. However, if we do not see a shift in supply, we could see further upward pressure on prices over the near term.”

Both sales and new listings declined over last year’s record high for the month. While sales activity remained stronger than long-term trends and levels reported throughout the 2015 to 2020 period, new listings fell below long-term trends.

With a sales-to-new-listings ratio of 73 per cent and a months of supply of under two months, the market has struggled to move into balanced territory causing further upward pressure on home prices. The unadjusted benchmark price increased by nearly two per cent over January levels and last year’s prices. 

Detached

Both sales and new listings reported significant year-over-year declines over last year’s record high. While the seasonal monthly gain did see inventories move up over the last two months, levels are still amongst the lowest seen in February, and the months of supply fell below two months.

Further tightening conditions did cause the unadjusted benchmark prices to rise over last month’s levels, but at a price of $635,900, it is still below the peak reported in May 2022. While supply continues to remain a challenge relative to demand for lower-priced homes, we are seeing conditions shift into balanced territory for homes priced above $700,000. 
 

Semi-Detached

Like the detached sector despite the seasonal monthly gain, both sales and new listings fell from last year’s record high. While inventories are starting to rise over the levels seen in the past few months, they remain amongst the lowest levels reported for February. The relatively low inventory levels caused the months of supply to fall below two months in February, while it is still higher than last year’s ultra-low levels, conditions continue to favour the seller.

The unadjusted benchmark price reached $568,100 in February, nearly two per cent higher than last month and a three per cent gain over last February. Persistently tight market conditions contributed to the monthly unadjusted gain in the benchmark price. However, like detached properties prices remain below the May 2022 peak.

Row

Conditions remained exceptionally tight in February with only one month of supply and a sales-to-new listings ratio of 87 percent. While row sales have eased over record levels, they have remained relatively strong for February as demand shifts toward the affordable product in the market. 

The persistently tight conditions caused further upward pressure on prices. In February, the unadjusted benchmark price reached $369,700, a monthly gain of over two per cent and a year-over-year gain of nine per cent. Unlike the other sectors, prices have reached a new high this month. 

Apartment Condominium

Sales for apartment condominiums did not see the same pace of decline as other property types in February partly due to the level of new listings coming onto the market. Persistently strong sales compared to listings have caused February inventory levels to remain relatively low compared to levels seen over the past eight years and the months of supply once again dropped below two months.

The tight market condition contributed to the upward pressure on prices. In February, the unadjusted apartment benchmark price reached $286,000, nearly three per cent higher than last month and over 11 per cent higher than last February. While prices are still higher than the levels reported last year, they remain nearly seven per cent below the peak levels reported back in 2014.

REGIONAL MARKET FACTS

Airdrie

Inventories continued to improve in February but with only 178 units available levels are still well below longer-term trends for the month ensuring that the months of supply remained below two months. 

The unadjusted benchmark price in February rose over last month keeping it comparable to levels seen last year at this time. However, with a benchmark price of $487,200, prices remain below the peak price of $510,700 reported in April 2022.

Cochrane

Like Airdrie, inventory levels have also been on the rise in Cochrane. While February levels are double what was available in the market last year, inventories remain over 40 per cent below long-term trends for the month. Nonetheless, both sales and new listings have eased so far this year helping the market shift toward more balanced conditions.

The February benchmark price did improve both over last month’s and last year’s levels. However, with an unadjusted price of $492,900, levels are still below the $522,600 peak reached in June of 2022.

Okotoks

While both sales and new listings have slowed compared to last year, conditions remained exceptionally tight with a sales-to-new listings ratio of 90 per cent. Inventory levels also continued to fall both compared to last month and last year, with levels nearing the February 2006 record low.

As conditions continue to favour the seller, it is not a surprise that we continue to see upward pressure on home prices. In February, the unadjusted benchmark price reached $555,000, three per cent higher than last month’s and last February’s levels. However, like some areas, prices remain just shy of the May peak of $560,700.

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Click here to view the full Calgary region monthly stats package.