CALGARY - Calgary is the best place in Canada to invest in the residential real estate market, according to a new report released today.

The Real Estate Investment Network’s report said that Calgary experienced one of its best economic and real estate periods in Canadian history a couple of years ago but then entered a strong, and needed correction.

“During the economic downturn, Calgary’s market is making a predictable correction resulting in slightly more affordable housing compared to recent years passed,” said the report. “It was economically impossible for the market to continue at the pace at which it was heading and now finds itself adjusting to market realities.

“This adjustment period, as the market searches for its new foundation from which to build, should continue in 2010 as the provincial economy is poised for another growth spurt.”

The REIN report said the in-migration pace in the city continuing to lead the country combined with the “renewed affordability” will help propel the local market over the coming years.

“We, fortunately, should not see the massive over-boom situation we previously witnessed as the market remains more in line with the fundamentals,” said the report.

Following Calgary as the top Canadian real estate investment cities are Kitchener-Waterloo-Cambridge, Edmonton, Surrey, Maple Ridge, Hamilton, St. Albert, Simcoe Shores (Barrie-Orillia), Red Deer, Winnipeg and Saskatoon.

“Successful real estate investing is all about identifying a town or neighbourhood that has a future, not a past,” said the report. “Sadly, many investors like to invest based on past performance; thus, they are constantly chasing the market. This is called speculating - not investing.”