Supply trends up, but market still favours the seller

City of Calgary, July 2, 2021 - Calgary’s housing market is showing few signs of letting up, as sales reached 2,915 units in June – a record high for the month. “It is taking time for supply to catch up with the demand in the market,” said CREB® chief economist Ann-Marie Lurie. “Through the early spring market, many buyers did not have a lot of choice, but the recent improvements in supply are providing more options for those purchasers and supporting the strong sales we continue to see in June. At the same time, gains in inventory are taking some pressure off the market as it starts to trend towards more balanced conditions.” New listings in June totalled 4,135, the second-highest level ever recorded for the month. This caused inventories to trend up to 6,918 units. While this is higher than longer-term averages, it was balanced by strong sales and the months of supply remained relatively tight...

Inventory rises, but seller's market conditions remain.

City of Calgary, May 2021 - With 2,989 sales, housing market activity hit a new May record. Despite strong levels of sales, they did trend down relative to last month. Additionally, there were 4,562 new listings, causing seasonally adjusted inventory levels to increase over last month. “The recent gains in prices have encouraged more homeowners to list their homes and take advantage of the current market situation,” said CREB® chief economist Ann-Marie Lurie. “However, the inventory gains are still not enough to offset the demand growth and the market continues to favour the seller. Prices are rising, but they are still recovering in our market from previous highs in 2014. Only detached and semi-detached home prices in certain districts and communities have recovered to the level of previous monthly highs.” The months of supply did trend up slightly this month to just over two months, but it was not enough...

Demand for homes remain high with record sales in April

City of Calgary, May 3, 2021 - There were 3,126 sales in April, a new record high for the month, as Calgary's housing market continues to bounce back from the pandemic lows recorded in 2020. “Despite entering the third wave of COVID-19, there is more optimism of economic recovery when the economy re-opens,” said CREB® chief economist Ann-Marie Lurie. “However, the recent surge in home sales could be a result of potential buyers wanting to enter the market before any further changes occur in prices, interest rates and lending policy. This could erode some of their purchasing power.” Recent price gains and tight market conditions have also encouraged many sellers to list their home this month. However, demand was strong enough to absorb the additional supply, ensuring the market continues to favour the seller. With 4,670 new listings coming onto the market in April, inventory levels trended up relative to last...

Best March Sales in Over a Decade.

City of Calgary, April 1, 2021 - The initial impact of COVID-19 on the housing market began last March. One year later, it is not a surprise that March sales in 2021 were higher than in 2020. However, at 2,903 sales, this was the highest March total since 2007. “Low lending rates and improved savings have supported sales activity,” said CREB® chief economist Ann-Marie Lurie. “However, sales have been somewhat restricted by the lack of listings. This month there was a jump in new listings, contributing to the strong monthly sales.” Inventory levels pushed above 5,400 units, but citywide months of supply fell below two months. This reflects the lowest months of supply for March since 2014 and these tight conditions have contributed to price gains. In March, the benchmark price trended up over last month to $441,900, over six per cent higher than last year’s levels. The price gains have moved the market closer to recovery,...

City of Calgary, March 1, 2021 - With gains in every price range, residential sales activity in February totalled 1,836. This reflects the best February since 2014. “Despite continued COVID-19 restrictions, housing activity continues to improve. Much of the strong sales activity is expected to be driven by exceptionally low mortgage rates,” said CREB® chief economist Ann-Marie Lurie. “Confidence is also likely improving as vaccine rollouts are underway. Additionally, some of the worst fears concerning the energy sector are easing with recent gains in energy prices.” New listings also improved in February, but the gap between new listings and sales narrowed. This is causing the sales-to-new-listings ratio to rise to 65 per cent, keeping the months of supply well below three months. Conditions are far tighter in the detached sector of the market, especially for product priced below $600,000, where strong sellers’ market conditions are present with less than...

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City of Calgary - January 2021 sales were the highest they have been for the month since 2014, as housing market momentum from the end of 2020 carried over into the start of 2021. Sales activity improved across all product types and across all price ranges. “Discount lending rates are exceptionally low, which is likely attracting all types of buyers back into the market,” said CREB® chief economist Ann-Marie Lurie. “New listings in the market were also slightly higher than what was available over the past two months, which is providing more options to purchasers.” January’s new listings were 2,249 relative to the 1,208 sales in the market, causing inventories to edge up over December levels. These types of movements are typical for January, but 2021 is starting the year with 4,044 units in inventory. This is far lower than the past six years. Benchmark prices remained at levels relatively consistent with prices recorded at the end of 2020, but they reflect...

There are many Xcountry Skiing trails in and around Calgary. South Glenmore Park and Bowness park are maintained by the City of Calgary parks department.

There is also cross country skiing at some City of Calgary golf courses (stay off the fairways/greens and on the designated trails - if people abuse the golf courses they will no longer stay open to winter activities):

Maple Ridge Golf Course - tracks set by skiers, sometimes by the City.

Shaganappi Golf Course - trails at Shaganappi are maintained by volunteers from the Shaganappi Nordic Operations Club. Grooming for skate skiing will be done a minimum once a week, more frequently depending on volunteer availability.

Confederation Golf Course - maintained by Foothills Nordic Ski Club volunteers

Calgary has many sites that are ungroomed and open to the public but do not recieve tracksetting. Parks and schoolyards offer cross-country skiing and snowshoeing opportunities. Some ungroomed areas include:

• Weaselhead Natural...

The city of Calgary has several skating locations that are nicely maintained for leisure skating. 2020 brought two skating trails as a trial (at Bowness and North Glenmore Park).  In addition to these parks, most communities in Calgary maintain an outdoor skating rink. Many have both a rink with boards as well as a small leisure skate area.

Outdoor rinks may open or close on short notice, it is best to check current ice status before you head out.

Big Marlborough Park

Skating rink.  Address:6033 Madigan Dr. N.E.

Skating hours: 5 a.m - 11 p.m. daily

Bowness Park

Lagoon and new ice trail.  Address:8900 48 Ave. N.W.

Skating hours: 5 a.m. - 11 p.m. daily

Rentals: available;  skates, ice bikes, helmets (rental availability may differ from skating hours)

Carburn Park

Skating rink.  Address:67 Riverview Dr. S.E.

Skating hours: 11 a.m. - 10 p.m. daily

North Glenmore Park 

New ice trail and skating rink (small square in the middle of the skating loop). &nb...

With December sales of 1,199, this is the highest December total since 2007. “Housing demand over the second-half of 2020 was far stronger than anticipated and nearly offset the initial impact caused by the shutdowns in spring. Even with the further restrictions imposed in December, it did not have the same negative impact on housing activity like we saw in the earlier part of the year,” said CREB® chief economist Ann-Marie Lurie. Attractive interest rates along with prices that remain lower than several years ago have likely supported some of the recovery in the second half of the year. However, it is important to note that annual sales activity declined by one per cent compared to last year and remain well below long-term averages. New listings in December increased by 11 per cent. However, the number of sales exceeded the number of new listings in December contributing to further declines in inventory. Reductions in supply and improving demand in the second half of the...