Windsor cheapest in Canada to buy a home, says Century 21

A new survey says Windsor is the least expensive city in Canada to buy a home.

The report, commissioned by real estate firm Century 21 Canada, looked at the average square foot priceof residentialdwellings. The data was collected from Century 21 brokerages, and isnot scientific.

The average home in Windsor is a detached house, with a cost of $94.64 per sq.ft, according the report. The next cheapest market is Moncton, with a cost of $99.84 per sq. ft.

Topping the list is Vancouver, where homes cost an average of$1,210 per sq.ft.

"Unfortunately, you've been affected in the Windsor market by what's taking place across the border, from a manufacturing point of view," said Brian Rushton, executive vice-president of Century 21 Canada in an interview with CBCRadio Afternoon Drivehost Chris dela Torre.

"It has not received the benefit that London has ... being fuelled by people from the Greater Toronto market moving out through that corridor."

The average price in London is $201.05 per sq. ft., nearly double what it was in 1997.

Rushtonsaid thatwhile there certainly is increased activity in the Windsor real estate market,he wouldn't use the word "booming" to describe it.

"Certainly, it's a very active market, the number of units are up according to the MLS statistics for the area. However, pricing is still at a very affordable rate when [you compare Windsor to] other areas of the country," he explained.

Tap on the player below to hear the entire interview withAfternoon Drivehost Chris dela Torre.