March 3, 2010
How do you expect new housing sales in your market to perform over the next 12 months?
Atlantic Canada |
Quebec |
Ontario |
Man. & Sask. |
Alberta |
B.C. |
Canada |
|
Higher | 44% |
30% |
51% |
64% |
71% |
62% |
57% |
Lower | 6% |
15% |
16% |
21% |
7% |
10% |
12% |
Same | 50% |
55% |
34% |
14% |
22% |
28% |
31% |
VICTORIA – The results of the Canadian Home Builders’ Association Winter 2010 Pulse Survey were recently announced and they showed a dramatic decline in the percentage of home builders who consider consumer confidence a critical problem. The 2010 survey showed that, nationally, only nine per cent of builders considered it a critical problem, down from 54 per cent in 2009.
Instead, rising costs were the primary concern of respondents. About one third of those surveyed listed development charges as a critical problem. Rising costs due to serviced lot prices was also high on the list in most regions.
The 43rd Pulse Survey drew on the responses of 387 new home builders and renovators, was conducted between this past December and January, and was carried out with the aid of the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, Natural Resources Canada and Altus Group Economic Consulting.
That being said, builders’ expectations for 2010 remain modest. New home builders reported they were projecting starts to total 142,900 units this year, which would be down 4.15 per cent from the 149,100 units started in 2009.
Survey respondents reported traffic was led mostly by first-time, move-up and move-down buyers. Two-thirds of new home builders also said they expect single-detached house prices will increase in 2010.