Red Deer continues to enjoy a rebound year in building activity.
Building-permit values in the hub of central Alberta hit $72.8 million for the first four months of the year, up about $27.4 million over 2011, or about 60 per cent so far in 2012.
The increase in values is spread across all sectors, from single-family homes to industrial buildings, commercial and institution projects.
Cochrane home sales edge Calgary
Housing sales figures in Cochrane these days are being noticed by the Calgary Real Estate Board (CREB.)
Sales in the foothills suburb northwest of Calgary are growing, according to the CREB, noting that many see the western-themed community as a strong alternative to city lights.
Sales growth in the first quarter of 2012 exceeded the 10-year average in Cochrane, which was not the case in Calgary, notes the CREB.
"Buyers are attracted to the lifestyle that Cochrane provides," said Ann-Marie Lurie, the CREB's chief economist. "While prices are generally lower in the area, the typical single-family home in Cochrane offers a larger home, with a larger lot size, and a newer home, which can be appealing to those with a young family."
According to the MLS home-price index, the single-family house benchmark price for Cochrane was $365,250 in 2011, about 13 per cent below the Calgary price of $417,675.
from Western Investor June 2012
