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House prices are going to go up next year, albeit by a mere $200, according to Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp. 8 f& A# M: H$ r3 D
& k9 x, M, p3 ?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.
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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.
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% [0 e3 D- G9 u3 j2 NNow CMHC has waded into the debate with its own forecast that despite the recent trend, home sale prices should edge up this year.4 n) l% \9 Y8 f; ~3 L5 H* E7 m. c$ a
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It 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 $306,700.
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"High employment levels, rising incomes and low mortgage rates have continued to provide a solid foundation for healthy housing markets this year," said Bob Dugan. 8 K: }$ x z" n: u) [
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However, CMHC is clearly predicting a pullback and titled its latest report, "Housing market starting to ease." 3 K2 M# O$ a3 L
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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. 0 C' d( p" Y. S+ c0 G3 j+ K
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The 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.
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The 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.. @9 W5 a S e" x0 ?
9 j) X- ?; m2 M. ^- F4 sCMHC says those sales are "still strong" by historical standards. |
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