Real Estate boom eases but not done "by Harley Richards, Advocate Business editor"

Central Albertans looking for a financial home run probably won't find it in the residential real estate market this year.
But, says the president of the Red Deer and District Real Estate Board, homebuyers should still earn a good return on their property this year.
Randy Weind said on tuesday that he expects the residential real estae market to appreciate five to seven per cent in 2008. Those numbers aren't as attractive as the double-digit price jumps in recent years, but should represent a good balance for buyers and sellers.
"The days of the 40 per cent (encreases) are gone, but five to seven is very healthy and that's what I'm projecting, is healthy and stable."
Weins offered his outlook for 2008 after annoucing that home sales in the region last year narrowly set a new record.
His predictions were preceded by a review of a number of factors.
Weins expects oil prices to continue their upward trend and stimulate qctivity in the Alberta oilpatchand Central Alberta's service sector.
'The result should see additional movement of families into the area for good paying jobs. This translates into additional housing requirements."
He also thinks the local industrial and commercial sectors will enjoy a good year, further boosting employment and demand for housing. And Weins believes there will be a strong migration of medical professionals into the province, and lower interest rates.