In the midst of a correction, experts identify silver-lining investment opportunity

Buy low. Sell high. It's the quintessential mantra of successful investors.

And for those who have long sought to execute this philosophy in Calgary's real estate market, a window of opportunity may be opening thanks to weak oil prices – particularly in the apartment-style condominium sector, which has seen inventory levels skyrocket in 2015.

According to CREB®'s recent monthly housing forecast, months of supply in the apartment sector increased to 6.9 per cent in November, causing benchmark prices to slide
0.5 per cent from October to $287,000. Meanwhile, year-over-year prices were off by 4.6 per cent.

By comparison, months of supply in the detached and attached sector sat at 3.4 and 4.8, respectively.

Investors see opportunities within local housing market

Within the next six months, 26-year-old Calgarian Chad Kanovsky intends to take the plunge and buy as many as four multi-family units as income-producing investment properties.

The commercial real estate associate already has a stock portfolio, and is looking to diversify by adding local real estate.

Yet Kanovsky, who started working in land development as a teenager for his father's company, is adamant he will not be jumping into any "get-rich-quick" investment.

"I'm not looking to make a million dollars in the next year and then go to Mexico," he said.

Expected to open 200 units across Western Canada

Calgary-based Mainstreet Equity Corp., which specializes in mid-market apartment building in Western Canada, announced Wednesday that it will allocate at least 200 apartment units to house Syrian refugees expected to come to the country this year and next.

The apartments will reportedly be located in Calgary, Edmonton, Lethbridge, Saskatoon, Surrey, B.C., Abbotsford, B.C., and New Westminster, B.C.

Details of how many apartments will be allocated in Calgary were not yet available.

CMHC change will allow buyers to use more rental revenue as qualifying income

A rule change from Canada's Crown housing corporation may provide more fuel for Calgary's long-running debate on secondary suites.

Set to take effect Sept. 28, the change will allow homeowners to count 100 per cent of rental income from legal secondary suites as qualifying income applying for a mortgage.

Up from the current level of 50 per cent, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp. said the changes were made after a review of the corporation's policy for treatment of rental income.

"It appears as though CMHC is making these changes to assist with affordable housing," said Nolan Matthias, broker at Calgary's Mortgage360.

Several factors contributing to more favourable conditions

Calgary's rental market is emerging as an early winner this year as the result of improved vacancy rates, added inventory and a more conservative appetite among buyers in the resale housing sector.

CREB®'s mid-year forecast update, released earlier this week, notes more choice and less upward pressure on rents has, and will continue to, impact the resale market as more consumers choose to keep renting.

An April report from the Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corp. (CMHC) showed two-bedroom apartment and row vacancy rates rose to 3.6 per cent in 2015 – the highest level since 2010 – from 1.5 per cent the year prior.

Today, CREB® unveiled its 2015 mid-year forecast update that indicated the Calgary regional resale housing market is in for a turbulent ride over the second half of the year as some economic realities set in.

Here are five takeaways from the 24-page document:

Not just a drop in the bucket
CREB®, citing a number of economists, warns that the broader effects of oil price shocks have yet to be fully realized in both the energy and non-energy sectors. Oil prices are expected to average $55 US per barrel, which is nearly 13 per cent lower than expectations from the end of 2014. What that means is all sectors, including housing, will likely face more downward pressure heading into 2016.

Weaker resale demand
Despite more favourable lending rates, housing demand will be weaker than we've have become used to. CREB® attributes that to further job losses expected this fall, rising unemployment levels and weaker migration numbers to the city. Overall, sales activity in the city is forecasted to decline by 22 per cent to 19,798 units in 2015 and prices will contract by 0.2 per cent.

Five reasons to buy rentals in the city

It appears as though Calgary real estate will continue to be a great  investment for investors looking to become landlords.

This week the Alberta government quelled fears of impending rent controls, signaling the market will continue to support investment real estate as a method of wealth accumulation.

Market sees rise in vacancies, rents

Calgarians looking to find rental housing have been treated to more selection in recent months.

According to a report from Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), Calgary's vacancy rate in April stood at 3.2 per cent. The number is more than double the rate seen last April, when CMHC reported Calgary vacancies at just 1.2 per cent.
Across Alberta's urban centres, the rental apartment vacancy rate was 3.4 per cent in April 2015 compared to 1.8 per cent in April 2014, according to the report.

Five reasons to buy rentals in Calgary

Despite media headlines and continued sensationalism from economists both domestic and  foreign, Calgary continues to be one of the best places for real estate investment in Canada.

Here are five reasons why:

Vacancy rates remain low: According to the fall 2014 edition of the CMHC Housing Market Outlook for Calgary, vacancy rates remain low at 1.4 per cent and are not expected to exceed 1.8 per cent in either 2015 or 2016. Vacancy rates are deemed favourable for real estate investment when they are below five per cent.