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A new study from RBC indicates that more and more people are motivated to buy homes. In fact, homebuying intentions in Atlantic Canada have increased
over last year surpassing 2007 levels, according to the 16th Annual RBC Homeownership Survey. The poll found that 25 per cent of Atlantic Canadians were
likely to purchase a home within the next two years, up from 20 per cent in 2008 and 24 per cent in 2007.

“We’re likely to see increased home buying activity in Atlantic Canada over the next two years, with purchase intentions springing back from last year,” said Craig
Bannon, regional manager, Mortgage Development RBC. “The change in sentiment may be due to more favourable mortgage rates and housing prices, which have many in the region convinced it’s a buyer’s market.”

The survey, conducted by Ipsos Reid, found that a majority (58 per cent) believe it is a buyer’s market right now. Given current housing prices and economic conditions, most Atlantic Canadians (56 per cent) believe it makes more sense to buy now, rather than wait until next year.

An overwhelming 84 per cent of those polled in Atlantic Canada said that buying a home is a good or very good investment. On average, homeowners in the region approximate the value of their home at $181,555. They also estimate that the market value of their homes increased by 14 per cent over the last two years.

Among those who plan to purchase this year or next, 26 per cent said they will do so because their current home does not meet their needs. Sixty-four per cent said they plan to purchase resale and most (84 per cent) will opt for a detached house.

Future Atlantic Canadian homebuyers also said that environmental considerations would weigh on their purchase decision. Almost all respondents (98 percent) indicated that buying a home with low energy consumption was important to them and 82 per cent said the same about environmentally-friendly features. Further, 94 percent of those surveyed were interested in having standardized energy ratings for their homes.

House sales in April were down more than 25 per cent over 2008 levels,
but prices remained on the rise.

Linda Smardon, president of the Nova Scotia Association of Realtors,
said the average price for a home in Nova Scotia climbed to $206,668,
a 5.4 per cent increase over April 2008. The national average price
was down 3.2 per cent year-over-year.

Industry statistics say the average price in Halifax-Dartmouth rose by
six per cent. The biggest average increase, however, was in the
Annapolis Valley area, where prices rose by 15 per cent. On the South
Shore prices climbed 11 per cent.

"The pricing trends indicate that consumers still have confidence in
our housing market," Ms. Smardon said in a release.

New listings posted their fourth consecutive year-over-year decline in
April, down seven per cent from 2008 levels.

"We’re now seeing greater balance in the housing market than what we
have over the last while," she said. "The bridge between buyer demand
and housing supply is continuing to narrow, which helps maintain
stability in housing prices."

Active listings continue to rise in Nova Scotia, but year-over-year
gains are slowing as new listings trend lower.

Other findings in the report included:

•The total value of all sales for April was $187.6 million, down 24
per cent from a year earlier.

•Eight hundred and fifty-seven houses were sold during the month, 27
per cent fewer than in April 2008.

•The average price of a residential property was $206,668.

•There were 8,302 active residential listings in April

Average home prices for differing areas in April 2009 were:

•Annapolis Valley: $164,079

•Halifax: $245,412

•Cape Breton & Highlands: $104,264

•Northern Region: $110,448

•South Shore: $173,853

•Yarmouth: $77,700

Source: Nova Scotia Association of Realtors

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