Residential real estate activity in Central Alberta tailed off in November, but still exceeded sales volumes for the same month in 2012.
The Central Alberta Realtors Association reports that there were 131 Multiple Listing Service home sales in Red Deer last month. That was down 22 per cent from the 160 deals in October, but a four per cent improvement over November 2012, when 126 homes changed hands.
In the area covered by the association outside of Red Deer, there were 153 sales in November. That marked a 29 per cent decline from the 217 transactions the preceding month, but a three per cent increase over the 149 transactions a year ago.
With a month remaining in 2013, residential MLS sales were up to 1,758 in Red Deer. That was an eight per cent rise from 1,624 to the same point last year. In the surrounding area, cumulative sales to the end of November were 2,375, one more than for the January-to-November period in 2012.
The average resale price in Red Deer last month was $304,640, down from $320,527 in October and $313,558 in November 2012.
Outside the city, the November average was $284,877, up from $279,779 in October and $251,562 in November 2012.
The Central Alberta Realtors Association has cautioned that average prices include homes of various types and locations, and as such may not be indicative of market trends.
New residential listings in Red Deer numbered 162 last month, down from 202 in October but an increase from 124 last November. In the outlying area, there were 228 new listings in November, down from 300 in October but an improvement from 196 a year ago.