New listings coming onto the market continued to decline in June, which is helping to reduce the oversupply of homes in Calgary.

Sales growth in May was met with a decline in new listings. This combination eased the pressure on inventory levels, which finished the month at 7,467 units, a decline of 12 per cent compared to last year.

With housing affordability continuing to be a major concern these days, particularly due to the mortgage stress test, you would think that the lower-priced options in the condo segment would benefit. However, that has not been the case in the Calgary resale housing market, where sales numbers and prices continue to suffer.

The reason for this is simple – an oversupply of properties for sale.

A growing family often means it's time to grow the home as well – a space that once seemed roomy and open often feels cramped once a little one is running around.

Depending on your priorities, it might also mean the time has come to relocate from an inner-city area to a quieter, family-focused community in the suburbs. If you're struggling to pick a new neighbourhood to call home, or have no idea where to even start looking, these are Calgary's top-10 communities for young families (based on percentage of population 14 years old and under):

There have been no significant changes occurring in sales activity, but the number of new listings coming onto the market continues to ease relative to 2018 levels.

The decline in new listings was enough to start chipping away at overall inventory levels, which have eased slightly compared to last year.

March saw a modest decline in city wide sales activity compared to last year. However, sales have been rising for more affordable product in the detached and attached sectors.

Shifts in the lower end of the market have not outweighed easing across the higher priced product. First-quarter sales dropped to 3,108 units. This is nine per cent below last year and 28 per cent below typical levels of activity.

Winter is more about skis and snowballs than buyers and sellers. But as the warm weather emerges, so does a renewed interest in real estate. Now that hope springs eternal, a little knowledge of the market will prevent you getting snowed under.

While navigating their spring housing prospects, consumers must consider the economy, the local market and their personal situation. Overall economic conditions have seen little change in recent years, with high unemployment and limited job growth. The effect in Calgary is that demand generally remains low, but there are some promising signs.

The effects of Calgary's economic climate continue to create weak sales activity and elevated inventory in the city's housing market.

As a result, prices are being affected.

As economic challenges linger into 2019, housing markets remain on a sluggish pace.

January sales totalled 804 units, 16 per cent below last year and 21 per cent below long-term averages for the month.

Many Canadian energy-related municipalities within Alberta and Saskatchewan have seen housing markets struggle over the past few years, resulting in price declines.

The recent mortgage rule changes and higher lending rates are factors weighing on demand and prices across some of those areas.