Alberta real estate sales increased in 2007

In December, though, the real estate market dipped in Alberta. Total dollar volume was down 15.6 per cent compared with December 2006 to $1.1 billion and total sales were off 24.3 per cent to 3,049 units. The average sale price, however, increased by 11.5 per cent to $354,290 while new listings also increased by 16.1 per cent to 4,192 units.

Canadian commercial real estate continues to show strength

Moody's Investors Service said Canadian commercial real estate remains strong and continues to outperform commercial real estate in the United States.

In its latest Red-Yellow-Green (RYG) report for Canada, the ratings agency said each of the five market sectors in the country is "green", that is strong, and shows greater strength than its US counterpart, with the sole exception of the commercial retail sector.

Canada Less Vulnerable to Meltdown

Suspicion is arising worldwide as to the health of real estate markets after the subprime meltdown and weakening of the U.S. economy. However, Canadian real estate players are remaining confident that their particular set of conditions will help insulate the sector from a meltdown, according to an article in The Globe and Mail.

With different owners, lower interest rates, and a more conservative use of leverage plus lower vacancy rates, the Canadian real estate sector is more solid, industry players say. Michael Smith, an analyst at National Bank Financial, told The Globe and Mail that there are "stronger hands with less debt now."

U.S. slowdown may boost Canada's real estate market

The prospect of a U.S. recession has some homeowners and prospective buyers nervous about the impact on the real estate market in Canada, but one economist says a slowdown could actually boost activity in Canada's housing sector.

It's not surprising that economic uncertainty in the U.S. has been the focus of much discussion and speculation in recent days, since Canada has followed the American lead during four of the last six U.S. recessions.