Calgary's housing market is showing few signs of letting up, as sales reached 2,915 units in June – a record high for the month.

Whatever "new normal" is coming, the COVID-19 pandemic has reshaped many aspects of the real estate industry in Calgary and across Canada. From changes to the way homes are built, bought and sold, to shifts in buyer priorities and the economic forces at play, it's been a wild ride for REALTORS^®, builders, homebuyers and everyone in between.

Anyone who has walked into a hardware store lately is aware of the current price of lumber, a situation that is creating issues for the homebuilding and renovation industries in Calgary and across the country.

More than a year after it began, the COVID-19 pandemic continues to spark increased interest in Alberta's recreational property market, as homebuyers seek an escape from congested cities.

Long-term remote work, which has been a reality for many Albertans for the last 12-plus months, has also made people realize that if they can work from anywhere, why not work from a cottage, cabin or waterfront property?

The initial impact of COVID-19 on the housing market began last March.

One year later, it is not a surprise that March sales in 2021 were higher than in 2020. However, at 2,903 sales, this was the highest March total since 2007.

Enticing discount mortgage rates have helped put Calgary's detached home market in rare form.

With strong gains in the detached sector, October sales in the city reached 1,764 units. This is a 23 per cent increase over last year and well above longer-term averages.

The gain in citywide residential sales outpaced the growth in new listings, supporting tighter market conditions and improving prices.

Third-quarter activity was far better than original expectations, as sales activity in the city improved by nearly 12 per cent over last year's levels.

Some of the shift in the third quarter reflects activity that likely would have occurred in the second quarter. The housing market also benefited from easing lending rates and previous price declines. Gains were driven by all property types except apartment condominiums.