by Nancy Gardiner
Northern News Services

NNSL (Jan 29/97) - "The focus has shifted to affordability in the housing market," says Yellowknife realtor Rod Stirling.

House sales at the upper end of the scale have been a little sluggish, he notes.

However, local real estate companies expect to be busy the next two months, even though this would normally be a slow time for them. Lower interest rates on mortgages is one reason.

Compared with this time last year, there's been an increase in residential multiple listings, says Rod Stirling.

He said there are currently about 125 homes listed for sale.

Stirling said many people are trading up, down or laterally within town at this time of year. Otherwise, most people normally time their moves to coincide with summer and when children are out of school.

People who are selling are doing so for job-related reasons, he said, with the advent of downsizing and amalgamation.

"There's not a lot of new construction. That has slowed," he added.

In the meantime, the 300 government houses recently put on the block and divided up among realtors to sell are keeping them busy.

Also on the private market, mid-range homes are selling the best, says Willy Chidowe, owner of the local Century 21. They range between $180,000 to $240,000. A serviced lot in Yellowknife runs about $70,000 and up.

Larger homes at the high end of the scale are selling from between $260,000 and $300,000.

Single-wide trailers on titled land are usually listed for $135,000 and up. Condos are in the $145,000 range.

Ed Suzuki, a market analyst with CMHC in Edmonton, notes that as of last November, the average sale price for an existing home in Yellowknife was $144,355.

He forecasts a balanced housing market in 1997 with sales totalling 270 units and an average price increase of two per cent. Total sales in the existing home market are expected to improve marginally as confidence in the local economy slowly improves from diamond mine activity.

Price increases will be felt mainly in existing bungalows and manufactured homes since these types of homes are the most affordable in the Yellowknife resale market. New listings were projected to continue averaging about 30 units per month.