The push that has been given to housing prices after three consecutive months of a double-digits hike is expected to run into 2010 and fuel the price hikes even further, as per the latest Royal Lepage market survey forecast.

Official figures shared by the real estate firm have revealed that the condominiums were leading the price rises across Winnipeg surging during year's fourth quarter, with a year-on-year average price hike of 15.7%.

This was closely followed by rise in prices of standard two-story homes, which were up by 10%, and standard bungalows which recorded a surge of 9.9%.

The largest year-on-year increase was, however, registered by condos in the northwest area of the city, which reported a rise of 23.4%, and closely following was the 22.5% rise on two-story homes across Westwood and 15.2-per-cent increase in Charleswood condos.

"Put that all in the blender and it was a really strong fourth quarter for Winnipeg", said John Froese, broker and owner of Royal Lepage Price Real Estate.

The three consecutive months of sharp rises had been preceded by some weak sales figures and low price hikes.