A longer winter season in the Calgary area has had an impact on sales in the country residential market but with the weather warming up it’s expected that sector will see an uptick in activity similar to what’s happening in the city and in surrounding towns.

“As the snow has melted and access to rural properties becomes an easier venture, buyers are becoming more motivated to purchase within the rural markets,” said Mark Evernden, with Sotheby’s International Realty Canada in Calgary. “As well as warm weather, a strong and growing economy accompanied by low interest rates also make home buyers eager and able to obtain homes.”

According to the Calgary Real Estate Board, year-to-date until the end of April, there have been 263 MLS sales in the ‘country residential’ market which includes acreages. That’s down 2.95 per cent compared with the same period a year ago. However, the average sale price has increased by 2.64 per cent to $823,253. New listings are off by 1.20 per cent to 991.

Evernden said the country residential market is now in full swing of activity.

“It is seasonal. The longer winter does impact the sales and volume as we are seeing. From a marketing position, the green pastures and rolling hills with colour give it that extra appeal to the consumer with digital and print marketing that goes out. No different than terrible rain seasons and gloomy days in the tropics,” he said, adding that there will now be an increase in viewings driven by the better weather, strong economy and migration of high net worth clients to the area.

Read more: http://www.calgaryherald.com/Calgary+country+residential+real+estate+market+take/8347802/story.html#ixzz2Sd9SPf18