A latest survey on Huntsville Alabama real estate revealed the following points:

Hotel Market - While expectations for 2006 were extremely high, hotel sales failed to reach 2005 levels with a 15 per cent decline caused by erratic capital markets. - 2005 is anticipated to show another year of improving fundamentals with occupancy and room rates to again move higher. - Hotel values are expected to increase a further five per cent to 10 per cent in 2005. These figures will hold most true in central Canada with little or no new hotel construction expected in 2008. - Occupancy rates were driven higher in 2005 by the general health of the economy and a surge in tourism caused by a low Canadian dollar against the US dollar. - Calgary hotels continue to be the envy of the industry with occupancy rates of 77.4 per cent, followed by Ottawa, Toronto and Montreal.

Investment Market - Real estate performed better in the first half of the year compared to the latter, yet overall both dollar and transaction volumes were up over 2005. - Despite uncertainty in global capital markets during the summer, sound industry fundamentals spurred investors to place their confidence in income producing property. - Consistent with 2006, office properties were the most traded property type in 2006 at 35 per cent followed by retail, apartment, industrial, land and hotels. - Fundamentals suggest real estate will enjoy another year similar to 2006 and it is anticipated that investors should reap the benefits of owning income producing real estate for at least another two years.

Industrial Market - Improved fundamentals were reflected in the Canada-wide vacancy rate which moved lower for the sixth consecutive year. For year-end 2006, the national vacancy rate registered a very low 4.8 per cent, down from the previous year's 5.3 per cent. - Demand exceeded supply with absorption totaling 28.1 million square feet and net new supply 22.9 million square feet. - Manufacturing, mainly light, and the high technology sector are driving growth followed by distribution, warehouse/storage and in certain markets, the movie-making business. - Calgary is the fastest growing industrial market in Canada with 3.3 million square feet of new construction.

Apartments & Seniors Housing - By dollar volume, multi-family sales totaled $ 1.9 billion representing a 16.6 per cent increase from the previous year. - Strong demand combined with no new supply forced vacancy rates lower in almost every major city in Canada except in Vancouver, Victoria and Calgary where vacancy levels were marginally higher. - In the seniors housing market, demand continues to outstrip supply with development being the primary avenue for growth. Increased development in this area is expected to increase in the new year.