City of Calgary, July 2, 2020– After three months where COVID-19 weighed heavily on the housing market, sales activity in June continued to trend up from the previous month, totaling 1,747 units.
Caution remains necessary, as monthly sales are nearly two per cent lower than activity recorded last year. However, this represents a significant improvement compared to the past several months, where year-over-year declines exceeded 40 per cent.
“Recent price declines, easing mortgage rates and early easing of social restrictions are likely contributing to the better-than-expected sales this month,” said CREB® chief economist Ann-Marie Lurie.
“However, the market remains far from normal. Challenges, such as double-digit unemployment rates, will continue to weigh on the market for months to come.”
NEW LISTINGS INCREASE 6%
New listings in June totaled 3,335 units, a six per cent increase over last year. The recent rise in new listings caused inventories to trend up, but they remain well below last year’s levels.
Despite some recent monthly gains in supply, sales activity was high enough to cause the months of supply to dip below four months for the first time since May 2019. If this trend continues, it should help to ease the downward pressure on prices.
Residential benchmark prices are comparable to last month, but they remain nearly three per cent lower than last year’s levels.
HOUSING MARKET FACTS
Detached Homes Sales activity in June totaled 1,092 units. This is an improvement over the past few months and only slightly lower than last year’s levels. Despite citywide declines, year-over-year sales activity improved in the City Centre, North East, North, South East and East districts. June also saw an increase in new listings, which is causing some monthly gains in inventory. However, increased sales offset the rise in new listings, causing the months of supply to trend toward more balanced conditions.
BENCHMARK PRICES
Detached benchmark prices remained relatively stable compared to last month but were two per cent lower than last year’s levels. Year-over-year price declines were recorded across most districts, with the largest declines in the North West, North East and City Centre districts.
The attached sector has faced the smallest impact from the pandemic. June sales were nearly three per cent higher than last year’s levels and remain comparable to longer-term averages. The attached sector has generally benefited from its status as a more affordable alternative to the detached sector.
Share this Post