PROPERTY SALES UP IN MARCH
Property sales in the Edmonton Census Metropolitan Area (CMA) in March totalled 1,364, according to the Realtors Association of Edmonton, up nearly 63 per cent from the 837 homes sold in February, but down 6.13 per cent from the 1,453 relative to March 2015. There were 863 single-family detached homes sold in the Edmonton CMA, a 67 per cent increase month-over-month, and down only 1.5 per cent from the same time last year. March saw the sale of 335 condos and 144 duplex/row houses, up 44 per cent and 82 per cent from February, respectively.
“Sales, relative to last month, were consistent with the seasonal trends that we expect,” said Steve Sedgwick, Realtors Association of Edmonton chair. “Inventory is growing, with more than 3,000 properties coming onto the market last month. Despite the inventory growth, prices are holding steady, with median prices on par with last year, and average prices up slightly due to the sale of high-end luxury homes in March.”
The average all-residential price was $379,524 for March, which is close to three per cent higher than February, and up nearly two per cent compared to $372,289 during the same time last year. Single-family house prices averaged $439,815, up slightly — 0.56 per cent — over last year and up by 4.73 per cent month-over-month. Condo properties sold for an average of $251,093, up from both last month and last year, at an increase of 1.62 per cent and 0.55 per cent, respectively.
Median prices remained virtually the same as last year, as the all-residential median price took at slight dip of less than one per cent to end the month at $357,750, down from $360,000 from this time last year, but up nearly three per cent from February. The median price for single-family homes was up over one per cent from last month, ending March at $405,000, but down from $410,000 in March 2015.
“When looking at housing prices, we have to take into account a number of factors,” Sedgwick said. “Last month, we saw sales of two homes in Edmonton that were priced at more than $3 million dollars. This is the first time that properties at that price point have sold in 2016, and those two sales affected the average price by several thousands of dollars. So it is important that we also look at the median prices as well, to gain a clear picture of the market.”
March’s average days-on-market dropped in almost all housing types, as it took an average of 53 days to sell a home compared to 57 in February. On average, single-family homes sold four days quicker than in February, selling in 49 days. Duplex/row houses were on the market for an average of 62 days compared to 71 in February. And, on average, condos sold in 58 days, up an average of one day from the previous month.
NOXIOUS WEED PULLS TAKING PLACE IN MAY
The City of Edmonton and the Edmonton Native Plant Group are asking for the public’s help again this year in their annual weed pulls to help remove the noxious mustard garlic weed. The pulls will be held on May 14 and 28 from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Meet at the corner of 91 Street and 77 Avenue. Street parking is available and refreshments will be provided. For more information on what to wear and what to bring visit www.edmonton.ca/weeds. Anyone interested in attending can RSVP to invasiveweeds@edmonton.ca or call 780423-1465.
FOREST GARDENING COURSE RUNNING IN MAY
Forest gardens provide a number of benefits, including capturing water, building soil, enabling food crops and offering a place to hang your hammock. Mimicking a natural forest system, forest gardens provide natural spaces to relax while watching birds and pollinators, munching on the organic food produced, and enjoying a lush area.
A forest gardening course will run in partnership with the Arts & Heritage Foundation of St. Albert on River Lot 24 at the Grain Elevator Park in St Albert from May 20 through 24.
An introduction to food forestry workshop will be held on May 20 from 7-9 p.m., and a compost tea brewing workshop will take place during the afternoon on May 22. Each workshop costs $45, while the full course is available for $449. To register, visit http://museeheritage.ca/exhibitsevents/current-upcoming-events/