Canadians are embracing luxury living more than ever before. As a result, the number of unit sales of luxury homes has skyrocketed in Canada’s major markets, according to the Carriage Trade Luxury Properties Report released today by Royal LePage Real Estate Services.

The report found that there has been a surge of unit sales in all markets examined, with the greatest increases occurring in Calgary, Edmonton and Halifax, which all reported sales increases of more than 125%, year-over-year, in the first three quarters of 2006.

“The pronounced increase in the number of luxury homes sold across the country is a strong reflection of Canadians’ confidence in the economy and the real estate market,” said Phil Soper, president and CEO, Royal LePage Real Estate Services. “For the substantial sums that these homes command, buyers have come to expect distinctive properties outfitted with luxurious amenities, where it is clear that painstaking attention has been paid to every detail.”

When asked, “If you were purchasing a luxury home, what would be the most important criteria you would consider when choosing this type of home?” Canadians cited: investment potential (25%), proximity to excellent schools (19%), the prestige of the neighbourhood (17%), luxurious amenities throughout the house and the size of the house (11%) and the prominent neighbours (8%).