Canada's real estate market stands on stable footing. On average, healthy year-over-year house price gains were recorded during the first three months of 2008. While more modest price increases were observed when compared to previous quarters, the solid appreciations noted in the first quarter are largely due to the shared effects of resilient local economies, high immigration levels, and relatively low interest rates - all leading to enduring buyer demand, according to a House Price Survey report released today by Royal LePage Real Estate Services.
While almost all markets surveyed experienced price increases, it was the smaller cities, with relatively affordable housing and strong economies based on resource industries that emerged with the most significant gains. Thriving Saskatoon saw appreciation as high as 66 per cent, while areas in Newfoundland posted increases above 20 per cent for the first time since Royal LePage started tracking house prices.
