By Mario Toneguzzi, Calgary Herald
CALGARY — For the first time ever, three homes priced at more than $4 million on the MLS market have sold in one month in Calgary, the Herald has learned.
The Calgary Real Estate Board has confirmed the record, which eclipsed the previous mark of two homes sold at that price point in June 2008.
In the first week of July, the sales at more than $4 million included homes in Britannia ($4.45 million), Elbow Park/Glencoe ($4 million) and Mount Royal ($4.645 million).
It’s another indication that the luxury home market is continuing to shine in Calgary.
According to Mike Fotiou, associate broker with First Place Realty, there have been 18 homes sold for more than $1 million in the first week of July.
Ann-Marie Lurie, chief economist at CREB, said year-to-date luxury home sales represent 3.2 per cent of the total sales, up from last year’s share of 2.5 per cent.
“Consumers have more choice in luxury homes with a rise in the number of new listings in this category, helping support the sales growth,” she said. “However, more choice has contributed to median price growth in the luxury sector to be relatively weaker than city wide price growth. The median value of the sold transactions have trended up from the low of the recession and are slightly higher than levels recorded last year, however, they still remain below levels recorded during the 2007 period.
“Despite some economic setbacks, long-term economic prospects remain relatively strong in our city. Wages continue to rise while mortgage rates remain at low levels — all of which are supporting demand growth. Furthermore, the tight supply levels in the lower price ranges have reduced the time on market and supported relatively stronger price growth in this sector, potentially offering an opportunity for those consumers looking to upgrade.”
Last month, a home in Crescent Heights, listed by John Hripko, a realtor with Royal LePage Foothills, sold for $11.1 million — a new high for the Calgary MLS market. That home was owned by former Shaw executive Jim Shaw.
According to Fotiou, there were 74 luxury home sales in June, setting a record for the most $1-million plus sales for the month of June. The all-time monthly record for luxury home sales was established in May at 84.
Last year was a record of 544 luxury home sales in the city.
According to CREB, there were 394 sales of $1 million or more in the first six months of this year compared with 299 for the same period last year.
The mid-year total so far this year has already surpassed year-end totals for 2010 (365), 2009 (337), and 2008 (369), pointed out Fotiou.
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