Real Estate

Photo: The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.

A condominium is under construction at Adelaide and Brant streets in Toronto on Saturday, February 4, 2012. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Pawel Dwulit

A new condo report suggests first-time buyers, retirees and population growth will continue to fuel demand and price growth for the compact living spaces over the next few years.

The study by Genworth Canada found that average condo resale prices are expected to rise next year in seven of the eight metropolitan centres studied.

Prices in Toronto are projected to jump 2.5 per cent to $312,352.

The highest increase however, is expected to be in Edmonton where prices could rise 3.2 per cent.

Vancouver is the only city where condo prices are expected to drop, by two per cent to $348,152.

The report stands in contrast to warnings from economists and officials that the condo market in some hot markets is reaching bubble territory that could soon burst.

The Bank of Canada and federal Finance Minister Jim Flaherty have cautioned Canadians repeatedly to moderate borrowing on real estate, declaring household debt to be the domestic economy's number one enemy.

The central bank noted certain segments of the housing market that have a persistent oversupply, such as condos in Toronto, face a higher risk of a price correction.

Genworth, which earns revenue from selling mortgage insurance, notes that rising prices for single-detached homes are driving first-time buyers to condos, but retirees also continue to prop up demand.

It suggests that the population is expected to grow in all eight cities studied over the next few years, while employment growth and low interest rates should also support the market.