Calgary is the fifth most expensive city in North America for monthly office parking, according to a survey by Colliers International. The report on parking rates found little change in rankings of different cities, although prices rose more in Canadian cities - especially smaller centres like Edmonton and Victoria - than they did south of the border.

Calgary passed Toronto last year as the priciest place in Canada to buy monthly unreserved parking in the downtown business area.

The booming city’s $350 U.S. (£170) a month average rate was exceeded in North America only by New York, Boston and San Francisco - but it still is a bargain, compared with about $1,200 U.S. (£590) a month for a spot in the financial centre of London’s City district.

Most expensive Cities in North America
Monthly parking rate average

Sales of homes in the United States fell in June with some potential buyers staying on the sidelines, but prices rose slightly, according to the National Association of Realtors. Total sales fell 3.8 percent to an annual rate of 5.75 million units in June from a level of 5.98 million in May, and are 11.4 percent below sales in June 2006.

“Home buyers have been getting mixed signals about the housing market, which is causing some of them to hesitate,” Lawrence Yun, NAR senior economist, said. “Mortgage interest rates have risen recently, and tightening lending standards are continuing to hamper sales, but fewer risky loans will put the market on a healthier path. Although general buying conditions remain favourable for long-term home buyers, it appears some buyers are looking for more signs of stability before they have enough confidence to make an offer.”

The national average home price for all housing types was $230,100 (£112,300) in June, up 0.3 percent from June 2006 when the average was $229,300 (£111,900).

“Consumers should avoid making decisions based on what they hear about the national market because all real estate is local. There are pockets around the country where home sales are quite strong, so you really need to consult …about local market conditions, ” NAR President Pat Combs said.

Regionally, home sales in the South eased by 1.7 in June, and are 11.4 percent below a year ago. The average price was $190,800 (£93,100), up 0.7 percent from June 2006.

In the Midwest sales declined 2.8 percent in June to a level of 1.37 million, and are 8.1 percent below June 2006. The average price in the Midwest was $171,700 (£83,800), which is 1.5 percent below a year ago.

June home sales in the West dropped 6.8 percent to an annual pace of 1.10 million, and are 19.1 percent below a year ago. The average price was $340,000 (£165,900), down 0.4 percent from June 2006.

Sales in the Northeast fell 7.3 percent to a level of 1.01 million, and are 7.3 percent lower than June 2006. The average price was $294,400 (£143,700), up 1.8 percent from a year ago.

Spanish property prices remained robust in June, despite recent predictions that the market would suffer, according to figures released by Spanish Property portal Kyero.

Figures show that the Spanish average property price remained static at €250,000 (£167,500) for June.

Two months on from the stock market slump average property prices in the ever popular Malaga province have not fallen as expected but in fact have risen by over 1.5% from €310,000 to €315,000 .

Similarly average property prices in Alicante province have remained stable at €250,000.

The Canary Islands (Tenerife, Fuerteventura and Gran Canaria – average property price of €230,333) remain significantly cheaper than the Balearic Islands (Mallorca and Menorca – average property price €402,000).

Average property prices in Seville have increased by €20,000 in the last month, from €160,000 in May 07 to €180,000 in June 07 yet remain 28% below the national average.

Anecdotal evidence from people living on the Costa del Sol suggests that the market there is extremely varied, with some home owners having to drop their prices to make sales and others selling extremely quickly.

Canada’s crime rate hit its lowest point in over 25 years in 2006, driven by a decline in non-violent crime. Figures from Statistics Canada show the crime rate dropped by 3%, mainly due to declines in break-ins, thefts under $5,000 and counterfeiting. The national crime rate has decreased by about 30% since peaking in 1991.

The rate fell in every province and territory, with the largest drops reported in Prince Edward Island, Alberta, New Brunswick, British Columbia and Saskatchewan.

Violent Crime
The total violent crime rate remained virtually unchanged from 2005. The national homicide rate fell 10%, halting two years of increases. However, increases were reported in many serious violent crimes such as attempted murder, aggravated assault, assault with a weapon, robbery and kidnapping/forcible confinement. Rates declined or remained stable in all provinces, except for slight increases in Quebec and Saskatchewan.

Robberies
About 1 in every 8 robberies involved a firearm. Robberies involving a firearm increased 4% in 2006, although they are still well below their peak in 1991. Police reported about 30,000 robberies in 2006, pushing the rate up 6%. This is the second consecutive annual increase in the rate of robberies.

Property Crime
The property crime rate dropped 4% from 2005, as the rate of break-ins fell 5% to its lowest level in over 30 years. The largest drop in property crime rates was in Saskatchewan, down 13%.

Crime rates down in all provinces and territories
The overall crime rate fell in every province and territory in 2006. Among the provinces, the largest drop was reported in Prince Edward Island (-11%), followed by declines of about 5% in Alberta, New Brunswick and British Columbia.

Despite a 4% drop in overall crime, Saskatchewan reported the highest rate among the provinces for the ninth year in a row, followed by Manitoba and British Columbia. Ontario, Quebec and Newfoundland and Labrador had the lowest rates, continuing the pattern observed since 1999.

Among Canada’s metropolitan areas, the largest declines in overall crime occurred in the West: Saskatoon (-9%), Abbotsford (-8%) and Regina (-8%). Even so, Regina, Saskatoon and Abbotsford recorded the highest overall crime rates.

The largest increases in overall crime were reported in London (+9%), followed by Sudbury (+8%) and Saguenay (+8%). Despite the increase, Saguenay still reported the lowest crime rate.

Homicide rate drops
Police reported 605 homicides in 2006, 58 fewer than in 2005. This resulted in a rate of 1.85 homicides per 100,000 population, 10% lower than in 2005.

Vehicle Theft
During the past decade, the rate of vehicle thefts has declined 20%, including a 2% decrease last year alone. The picture for vehicle theft varied considerably across the country. Manitoba’s vehicle theft rate continued to be well above that of the rest of Canada, rising by a further 14% in 2006. The rate in Alberta also increased sharply, up 13%.

However, large declines were reported in Prince Edward Island (-28%) and British Columbia (-16%).

Tax measures have been introduced which should boost the Florida property market. The state’s Legislature has approved the largest property tax cuts in state history following the damage done by hurricanes in recent years.

Jill Diamond, of Florida property firm Clearsky, said: “The Florida property taxation system, unlike in the UK, does reflect the costs and so does go down as well as up. This is a positive factor.”

It is expected that the market will pick up as buyers recognise that their bill payments will be smaller as a result of the cuts.

The Legislature passed a property tax relief and reform package that will cut property taxes for property owners in Florida by almost $32 billion dollars over the next five years. The greatest savings for Florida’s homeowners will be created by a new “Super Homestead” exemption which will provide an average 44% reduction on most home-owners tax bills.