The light could be at the end of the tunnel when it comes to the housing market in Okotoks.

A market forecast by the Calgary Real Estate Board (CREB) sees more homes with for sale signs actually selling at their worth in 2017.

Brett Murrell of CIR Realty in Okotoks says it could be a big year for homeowners and buyers.

"I think it's kind of hit the bottom and we're starting to work our way up," he says. "The higher end stuff is starting to sell so what that usually means is once that starts moving all the lower end homes start to follow because that high end market is usually the first to drop and the first to start coming back."

Murrell refers to homes priced in the $700,000 plus range are starting to sell more frequently but adds that even with the average price of a home in Okotoks ranging at around the mid $400's they're seeing a lot of movement this month and late in December.

"Anything over four months of inventory becomes a buyers market so we're sitting a little bit over that mark but I just seen a listing come on in Crystal Shores this week and it was sold in two days so they're still happening if they're priced right."

As the old saying goes that it's always a buyers market, Murrell says that for first time buyers if they act before middle of March it could save them thousands of dollars when starting out.

"Canadian Mortgage Housing Corporation is actually bringing in some new rules. So they're actually increasing the interest rates on what the insurance mortgage is, so any mortgage that doesn't have 20% down that takes effect March 17 so prior to that is a good time for home buyers."

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