August sales in Red Deer kept pace with July’s and, for the first time this year, were higher than the same month last year.  The number of active listings was down just a little and the market manage to stay just inside the balanced territory.  All in all, a very positive result in a difficult economy.  The strength in the Red Deer market continues to be in the $300-000 – $450,000 price range where supply and demand are in balance.

When the economy slows as it has over the past two years, the housing market is surely going to slow as well.  Sellers have to adjust their expectations when there are fewer buyers and more competition.  Recent sale results provide proof that there are still buyers for competitively priced homes.  Very low interest rates are contributing to better than expect market activity.

In spite of some continuing economic gloom, news of falling supply and increasing demand for oil in the world market provides home that prices will get past the magic US$50 mark for good in the coming months.  Energy companies have become streamlined and more cost efficient and will be able to generate profits at that price and put some of our unemployed workers back on the job.  Ultimately that is what will help get the Alberta economy back on track.

Red Deer sales in the first two weeks of August were down slightly compared to the first two weeks in July.  The number of active listings is down slightly, so we don’t see anything in this market to be too concerned about.  We will only be concerned when the ratio of sales to listings goes below 10% for an extended period of time.  A slower market is a function of our current economic reality, but as long as supply and demand remain in reasonable sync, it’s just a slower market, not a calamity.

June’s wholesale trade numbers bring some good news, Nick Ford, Economist – ATB Financial

Wholesale activity managed to jump up in June. According to this morning’s wholesale report, June’s sales grew by $181 million, or 3.0 per cent from May (this figure is adjusted to account for seasonal variation). Despite the monthly incline, wholesale trade still remains 7.6 per cent lower than where it was at this point last year.
Wholesale trade is often forgotten, but is crucial to an economy. Wholesalers sell products to governments, institutions and other businesses and can be a strong force that works in conjunction with retailers. Like many sectors in our province, wholesale has had to battle strong economic headwinds.
But, today’s wholesale report does bring some decent economic news. While, virtually all types of wholesalers have seen activity dwindle from last year, sales are beginning to increase again. The value of goods sold from Alberta’s largest wholesale supplier, machinery, equipment and supplies merchants grew 18.0 per cent in June from May. In addition, the value of goods sold by building material and supplies (11.1 per cent) and food and beverage wholesalers (4.0 per cent) were up from May too.
Like June’s monthly Retail Trade Survey, June’s monthly Wholesale Trade Survey added three questions to assess the impact of the Fort McMurray wildfire. In June, about 1,250 companies responded to the additional survey questions. Of these companies, 147 wholesalers indicated that they had been affected by the wildfire, down from 212 wholesalers in May. While the effects of the wildfire were felt across many wholesale subsectors, responses indicated that the machinery, equipment and supplies subsector had the largest share of companies reporting an impact in June, the same as in May. Responses to the supplementary questions also revealed that wholesale establishments in most provinces had been affected, led by those in Alberta, Ontario and British Columbia. Although the responses showed that many had been affected, the overall impact of the wildfire and evacuation on wholesale sales was relatively small.