The 2010 ReMax Recreational Property Report released Thursday has revealed that recreational property sales in majority of Canadian markets have registered a rise this year compared with a year ago.

However, has failed to keep pace with the wide housing sector, as fewer Americans venture north and more Canadians prefer south for vacation properties.

“While sales have been strong out of the gate, the number of waterfront cottages, condominiums, and back lot properties sold in the first quarter still fall short of prerecession levels,” quoted, Michael Polzler, Executive Vice-president for Ontario-Atlantic Canada.

The report posted that while sales marked a rise 79 per cent year over year in the 50 markets surveyed, only 43 per cent of the regions witness price jumps.

In addition, the report claimed that the number of units in Canmore was up a whopping 130 per cent over a year ago with 90 properties reported to be sold between January and March against 39 sales recorded for the same period in 2009.

However, the average price registered a slip 17 per cent touching $583,000 from $684,000.

ReMax, a major real estate brokerage possessing a significant presence in the recreational property sector, cited that lower prices are highly probable to boost consumers toward properties.