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House prices are going to go up next year, albeit by a mere $200, according to Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp. 5 c1 N) z6 l/ G8 k
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The Crown corporation warned that some moderation can be expected in the once red-hot housing sector for the rest of this year and into 2009. # e! f. y$ C5 p
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The forecast comes as house prices have been falling nationally, according to the Canadian Real Estate Association. Canada's largest housing markets have experienced prices declines from a year ago for four straight months, with each percentage drop bigger than the next. 9 Z6 `& @! O/ Q
9 L% T& \( X I7 M1 ?# sNow CMHC has waded into the debate with its own forecast that despite the recent trend, home sale prices should edge up this year.
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x9 w0 o) x' H `( eIt expects the average price of a home sold to rise to $306,500 from $305,707. By next year the average sale price is forecast to rise to $306,700.
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5 U; T: b0 a% k% T"High employment levels, rising incomes and low mortgage rates have continued to provide a solid foundation for healthy housing markets this year," said Bob Dugan.
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However, CMHC is clearly predicting a pullback and titled its latest report, "Housing market starting to ease." 1 e3 n! t1 o- _) f" `" Z. @
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It says for the first time in seven years the number of new homes built across the country will dip below 200,000.
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7 J s' Y5 ~: w$ a6 z/ y- vThe agency is forecasting 212,188 starts for this year which will be a drop from the 228,343 homes built in 2007. By 2009, the forecast is for 177,975 new homes to be built. . H0 M* K% o2 [( h P0 r, i
2 {1 J0 B# G1 l* A. _* a; vThe prognosis is not much better for the sales of existing homes. After setting an all-time sales record of 523,701 transactions in 2007, sales are expected to drop to 452,225 in 2008 and 433,375 in 2009.4 ?; k9 M' j6 P S- w$ F
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CMHC says those sales are "still strong" by historical standards. |
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