It may be a small sample size, but Investors who purchased at the beginning of the year in these markets have enjoyed impressive appreciation gains.

This is your Western Canada guide to just how well real estate markets have performed over the past year.

British Columbia
Vancouver
Average price in April, 2015 : 899,178
Average price in April, 2016 : 1,091,767

Prices in Canada’s hottest housing market have skyrocketed, increasing 21.4% year-over-year in April. It’s no surprise, especially to those who purchased last year. However, many have argued that sort of appreciation is unsustainable, so investors may be wary of jumping in now.
Still, Vancouver hasn’t even been the province’s highest performing market over the past 12 months.

That honour goes to the Fraser Valley.
Average price in April, 2015 : $334,478
Average price in April, 2016 : $410,652
Price appreciation, year-over-year : 22.8%

Alberta
Investors in Alberta have had a tough year, with layoffs coupled with negative price appreciation in most markets hitting the pocketbooks hard. There is only one market that has seen average prices increase over the past 12 months.

Calgary
Average price in April, 2015 : $455,155
Average price in April, 2016 : $460,114
Price appreciation, year-over-year : 1.1%

Saskatchewan
The average price in Saskatchewan may have dipped overall – falling by 1.6% year-over-year – but there was one market that saw impressive yearly gains.

Battlefords
Average price in April, 2015 : $169,100
Average price in April, 2016 : $201,184
Price appreciation, year-over-year : 19%

These Have Been the Best Places to Invest Over the Past Year by Justin da Rosa | Canadian Real Estate Wealth