Housing market strengthening in 2003.

• Author: Wareing, Andrew
• Position: North Bay

Low interest rates and a healthy local economy, along with proximity to a burgeoning market to the south are offering a boost to North Bay's real estate market.

Dan Young, a North Bay realtor and president of the North Bay Real Estate Board, speaking primarily on the residential sector, says these three factors have rallied to buoy North Bay's real estate sector.

"For the year to date on Aug. 31, we had 888 residential sales with an average price of $131,000, compared to last year with 816 residential sales. Prices were about $9,000 over last year," he says.

Unlike years gone by, all levels of buying from lower-end and less expensive two-bedroom single-detached homes to more expensive homes have been selling well, relative to one another.

"Houses that come on the market, within 24 to 48 hours, will have a number of offers on them, "says Young.

This compares favorably over other communities throughout Northern Ontario, says Young. But in the case of North Bay, the community has seen additional benefits from a diversified economy over the past few years with an increase in the number of jobs created by small business.

"We've not seen any really big jumps in price over the year before...North Bay's prices are a little higher because we're closest to southern Ontario," he says.

"Retail seems to be doing well," says Peter Minogue, president of Coldwell Banker...