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| Home values up more than 200 per cent between 1997 and 20075 j0 y; d" M/ p( [! c % Q+ _+ g8 ]- I4 ]4 f% a
 EDMONTON - Homes in Edmonton jumped more in average price than anywhere in Canada over the past decade, says a new report by Re/max.1 B5 R* y* `6 Y5 S' F+ |/ `1 }0 \
 
 ) N) u* A: F1 W3 h2 PHome values soared 203 per cent between 1997 and 2007 - "making Edmonton the best return on investment in the country at an annually compounded rate of 11.7 per cent," said the report.
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 6 ]" u9 f& x! KA home's average price in Alberta's capital rose to $338,636 in 2007 from $111,587 a decade ago.
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 7 V% Z. f- P) q; j6 m( }! s' y: lBooming population, limited inventory of homes and a hot economy are behind some of the tightest market conditions in the country, the report said.: l: C" L2 s3 A; v, W. K
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 First-time homebuyers sparked the explosion in 1996-97 and have powered the market since then, Re/max said. Buyers trading up, meanwhile, have stimulated sales at the high end of the market.
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 In recent years, the report suggests move-down buyers, aging baby boomers, are driving the condo market.
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 "While 2007 was a roller-coaster year for real estate activity in Edmonton, 2008 holds more promise," the report said., V  c; v/ o9 i6 d
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 It points to falling numbers of homes for sale, predicted lower interest rates and continued strength in the oilpatch.) R+ ]9 \! N  X
 
 1 N) D% C0 k) m  k  ~" JIn Calgary, housing values nearly tripled, climbing to $414,066 from $143,305 in the same period.
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