Calgary's actual housing starts increased by 52 per cent in July, boosted primarily by increased activity in the city's multi-family sector.

According to the latest numbers from Canada Housing and Mortgage Corporation (CMHC), housing starts in the city numbered 1,383 units in July, up from 910 during the same month in 2012.

For a seller's market, Calgary is certainly seeing it's fair share of new buyers.

Following a month that saw MLS® sales in the city increase by 17 per cent from the previous year, August saw 2,196 sales in the city, an increase of 27.5 per cent in comparison to the same month in 2012.

As summer sadly draws to a close, one of Canada's top economists is forecasting the nation's housing market could see things heat up.

Citing recent CREA numbers, Douglas Porter, chief economist for BMO Capital Markets, said while some predicted a downturn of varying degrees for the nation's housing sales, the question now isn't how low sales will fall but rather how high they'll climb.

The fall rush of post-secondary students back to Calgary schools will put the already tight rental market under even greater pressure.

Since Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation's (CMHC) last report on Calgary's rental market in April, the city has witnessed census numbers showing near-record population growth and flooding that seriously impacted both owners and renters.

The Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) have implemented new rules on guarantees it offers banks and other lenders. A move CREB®'s president said is a step to control a market the agency feels is "overheated".

In a note to lenders, the agency said it would be restricting banks and mortgage companies to a maximum of $350 million of new guarantees this month under the National Housing Act Mortgage-Backed Securities program.