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Friday, February 6, 2015

Oil to contribute to moderated market in 2016

Provinces mainly affected by sinking oil values are likely to drive a moderated housing market in 2016, according to a new outlook report released today by the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC).
 


“Our market outlook calls for gradual moderation in the pace of new home construction over the next couple of years as employment, disposable income and high net migration continue to support the market,” said Bob Dugan, chief economist for CMHC.

“However, downside risks have increased since the previous forecast due mainly to recent declines in oil prices. Lower oil prices will negatively affect oil-producing economies like Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Newfoundland and Labrador, which will only be partly offset by the positive effects of lower exchange rates and interest rates across all provinces.”

As a result, the national authority on housing said it has widened its forecast ranges.

Housing starts to slip on low oil values

The CMHC said it expects housing starts to fall one per cent this year, to range between 154,000 and 201,000 units. In 2016, housing starts are expected between 148,000 units to 203,000 units across Canada.

Ontario is expected to account for more than 63,000 of those starts through 2015, as a strengthening U.S. economy further benefits already strong GDP growth.

“However, as home prices continue to grow, particularly for single-family homes, demand will increasingly shift to more affordable housing by 2016,” said Ted Tsiakopoulos, CMHC’s Ontario regional economist.

“Neighbouring resale markets surrounding the GTA, higher density dwellings and rental over ownership tenure will benefit most from the shift in buying patterns.”

Employment and population growth is expected to drive starts – specifically multi-unit projects – in British Columbia. In 2015, the CMHC expects a total of 28,300 units to be built in the province, and another 29,000 the following year.

In Atlantic Canada, however, housing starts are expected to drop four per cent in 2015 and two per cent in 2016. Starts in the Prairies, meanwhile, are expected to sink nearly 10 per cent, to 49,600 from 55,067.

“Lower oil prices will have a dampening effect on investment and economic growth, particularly in Alberta and to a lesser extent Saskatchewan,” said Lai Sing Louie, CMHC’s regional economist.

“This will contribute to slower employment growth and net migration, in turn slowing housing demand.”

MLS sales to even out on lower Prairie sales

In the resale market, sales across the country are expected to be flat or slightly lower than those in 2014 – ranging from 425,000 sales to 504,000 sales in 2015.

About half of those sales are expected in Ontario, while another 79,300 sales are expected in B.C. this year, with another 14,000 sales in Manitoba.

In Alberta and Saskatchewan, however, home sales are expected to drop one per cent to 71,100 and two per cent to 13,600, respectively.

Price growth to slow

The CMHC expects the recent meteoric price growth experienced in many markets to slow over 2015 and 2016, particularly in the Prairie region, where low oil values will dampen the market.

The average price across the country is forecast between $384,000 and $428,000 in 2015, and between $388,000 and $438,000 in 2016.


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Source: Canadian Real Estate Wealth

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