Edmonton still is number 1 -"The results are in and Edmonton was named the number one city to invest in, according to the Real Estate Investment Network (REIN). Backed by a healthy economy, infrastructure development, a growing job market and increasing population, the ‘City of Champions’ may be a sure bet.
Gone are the days of double-digit price increases and condos that are snapped up as soon as they’re listed. Now, Edmonton’s market reaches a more historic norm as it stabilizes.
This is expected to alleviate pressure for buyers since they can negotiate their terms.
“The current market has come back to earth after three years of unsustainable price increases,” says Don Campbell, president of REIN, Calgary. “People moving to Edmonton region are bringing the condo lifestyle along with them, thus driving the demand over the previous years.”
Condos are favoured among Edmonton’s growing Baby Boomer population, which grew 43% between 2001 and 2006, according to Statistics Canada. This aging demographic enjoys the low-maintenance lifestyle that these units present. Also, first-time home buyers choose condos due to affordability. According to RBC’s 2008 affordability index, a buyer would have to earn $86,337 per year to qualify for a mortgage on an average home priced at $354,060. Condos have a more favourable affordability index of 26.2%, meaning the buyer would need an annual income of only $57,417.
Investors looking for cash flow can expect one with a condo. These units are expected to see a 12.2% increase in rent in 2008, according to CMHC. The average rent for a two-bedroom apartment was $1,000 in April 2008.
“Edmonton is the largest rental apartment universe and people are trying to capitalize on the fact that the economy is still doing well,” says Julie Taylor, analyst at CMHC, Ottawa"
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