Last year Cape Breton Island rated #1 in Canada as the most affordable real estate market in Canada and #5 Internationally. What has changed since? The answer depends on where you want to be.

2009 was a boom for some CB Realtors and a bust for others. Sales remain strong in the CBRM and prices rising. I would characterize the supply as being limited so good buys are snapped up quickly. The 50K to 80K properties are getting harder to come by. On the other hand, properties in excess of $500,000 are also in short supply.

Less so in the rural areas. There is an abundance of land, much of which has dropped off the market. But there are still some good buys. Good waterfront is hard to come by. The North Shore and Cape North still offers the best buys and locations. The economic situation south of the border and in the West has basically conspired to keep this market stagnant and traditional buyer away. I would suggest that the slowdown is helping to keep prices down, at least those properties now entering the market.

Let's see what 2010 and the next decade brings.

Prosperity to All.