Condominium markets in Canada will continue to offer solid opportunities in 2008 to first-time home buyers looking for accessible, affordable housing in Canada's major urban centres, says new data released by Genworth Financial Canada.

Genworth's Winter 2008 Metropolitan Condominium Outlook concludes that while condo sales numbers are downshifting from near-record levels in eight cities surveyed, resale prices should continue to advance in 2008 and grow steadily through 2012. As a result, condos remain a good entry point for first-time buyers and a good investment for market entrants.

With drops in condo starts from historically high levels in Montreal, Calgary, Edmonton, Vancouver and Victoria, the country will see balancing between re-sales and new condo starts over the next few years, says the report. This will encourage moderate price growth and, in turn, maintain the affordability factor of condominiums. All markets will see price increases in 2008, ranging from 1.6% in Ottawa to 6.4% in Edmonton.

"Condominiums are still filling the demand for relatively affordable housing. With prices for single detached homes rising well above $500,000 in Toronto and Calgary, and to at least $600,000 in Vancouver, the condo market remains extremely important to first-time buyers who wish to remain in Canada's largest urban communities," says Peter Vukanovich, President of Genworth Financial Canada.

The report, produced with the Conference Board of Canada, concludes that "recently elevated volumes suggest condos are becoming entrenched in most communities." Edmonton, Vancouver and Victoria are estimated to have posted record high starts volumes in 2007, while Calgary and Ottawa hit all time highs in 2006.

"Canada's condo market continues to remain a good opportunity for first-time home buyers. The slower rate of price appreciation in 2008 will benefit first-time buyers looking to get into the market, and the innovative mortgage solutions available to them will make that first-time purchase more accessible and affordable than ever," says Vukanovich.

The Winter 2008 Metropolitan Condominium Outlook reviewed resale condo markets in Quebec City, Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto, Calgary, Edmonton, Vancouver and Victoria. All eight markets registered moderate price growth in 2007 and are forecast to continue to have moderate growth this year and through 2012.

Real Estate Magazine, May 2008