East Toronto Real Estate Blog

July 17, 2008 — Moderate activity and strong prices continued to characterize the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) resale housing market during the first half of July, Toronto Real Estate Board President Maureen O’Neill announced today.

“The average price in the GTA during the first half of July was $379,072, which is a one per cent increase from the $374,254 recorded in the first two weeks of July 2007 and a nine per cent increase from $346,267 recorded during the same period in July 2006,” said Ms. O’Neill.

In the 416 area, the average price was $419,199, up one per cent from the $414,321 recorded during first half of July 2007 and up 14 per cent from the $367,541 recorded during the same period two years ago.

At $353,257 the 905 region’s average price was up two per cent from $345,741 recorded in the first half of July 2007 and up six per cent from $332,733 recorded during the same period in July 2006.

“Continued strength in house prices throughout the GTA indicates that consumers continue to recognize the value of real estate as a long-term investment,” said Ms. O’Neill.

Sales activity remained moderate in the first half of July, with 3,497 homes changing hands in the GTA. This is a decrease of 11 per cent from the 3,947 properties sold in the same period in 2007 but an eight per cent increase from the 3,251 transactions recorded in the first two weeks of July 2006. Sales in the first two weeks of July 2007 saw a 21 per cent increase from mid-July 2006.

In the 416 area there were 1,369 sales, down 17 per cent from the 1,641 recorded during the first two weeks of July 2007 but up eight per cent from the 1,264 sales recorded in the same period in July 2006. Before the Land Transfer Tax went into effect, sales increased 30 per cent in the first half of July 2007 compared to the same period in July 2006.

Sales in the 905 region came in at 2,128 in the first half of the month, down eight per cent from the 2,306 recorded during the same period last year but up seven per cent from the 1,987 sales recorded during the first half of July 2006. Sales in the first two weeks of July 2007 saw a 16 per cent increase over mid-July 2006.

Activity in certain areas increased in the first half of this month.

Bowmanville (E17) saw a 12 per cent overall increase in sales due to an increase in detached home transactions.

Brampton (W24) sales increased 18 per cent, driven primarily by a significant increase in semi-detached home transactions.

The Annex (C02) experienced a 70 per cent increase in sales largely due to an increase in detached home transactions.

“Although the number of available properties has increased 25 per cent compared to a year ago, from 21,777 to 27,317 listings, the number of days on market remains the same at 32, which is a positive sign,” said Ms. O’Neill.

Source:  TREB (Toronto Real Estate Board)

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The Greater Toronto Area (GTA) resale housing market continued at a moderate but healthy pace throughout the first half of June, Toronto Real Estate Board President Maureen O’Neill announced today.

Prices continued their upward trend in the first half of this month. The GTA average price is currently $398,542, up four per cent over the $384,576 average from the same timeframe a year ago and up 11 per cent from the $358,648 recorded at mid-June 2006.

In the City of Toronto the current average price is $439,469, up three per cent over the $424,888 average a year ago and up 14 per cent over the $386,960 average in the first half of June 2006.

In the 905 Region the average price is $371,686 up four per cent from the $357,359 average a year ago and up 10 per cent from the $338,578 recorded at mid-June 2006.

In the City of Toronto 1,733 sales took place to mid-June 2008. This represents a 15 per cent decrease compared to the 2,045 properties sold a year ago but a two per cent increase over the 1,690 transactions in the first half of June 2006. A different story emerges when you compare the first half of June 2007 before the Toronto Land Transfer Tax went into effect to the same period in June 2006, a period showing a 21 per cent increase in sales.

“With 4,374 transactions in the first two weeks of this month, sales in the GTA declined 14 per cent compared to the same timeframe a year ago when 5,074 properties were sold,” said Ms. O’Neill. “However, compared to the first half of June 2006 when 4,074 properties changed hands, this month’s activity is up seven per cent.

In the 905 Region, the scenario was similar. In the first two weeks of June, 2,641 properties were sold. This represents a 13 per cent decline compared to the 3,029 homes sold in the first half of June 2007 but an 11 percent increase over the 2,384 properties sold at mid-June 2006. When you compare the first half of June 2007 to the same period in June 2006, sales increased by 27 per cent.

Certain communities including Riverdale, West Agincourt, Caledon and Richmond Hill South experienced strong activity in the first half of this month.

In Riverdale (E01) transactions increased 28 per cent compared to the first half of June 2007 driven by strong condominium apartment sales.

Condominium apartment transactions also drove West Agincourt (E05) to a 24 per cent increase in sales compared to the same timeframe a year ago.

In Caledon (W28) detached home transactions lead to a nine per cent increase in sales over the same period a year ago.

Richmond Hill South (N03) also experienced strong detached home sales, which resulted in a five per cent increase from mid-June 2007.

“With employment and interest rates holding steady and a 17 per cent increase in available listings compared to a year ago, it is an ideal time to take advantage of all that the market has to offer,” said Ms. O’Neill.

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With the City of Toronto’s Affordable Housing Committee hearing input from the public about a proposed affordable housing strategy today, the Toronto Real Estate Board (TREB) is calling on the City to take action on affordable housing.

“Actions speak louder than words. REALTORS® are encouraged that the City is developing an affordable housing strategy, but recent City decisions, especially the implementation of the Toronto Land Transfer Tax, directly contradict this initiative,” said Maureen O’Neill, President of TREB.

TREB submitted its input in a detailed written submission, which raised concerns about new and increasing City-imposed costs on home ownership including a land transfer tax, property taxes, development charges, garbage fees, and water rates. TREB’s submission calls on the City to use the forthcoming affordable housing strategy to reverse this trend.

“All levels of government, including the City of Toronto, should do their part to address affordable housing challenges. With the forthcoming strategy, the City can send a strong message that it supports home buyers,” said O’Neill.

The proposed strategy sets specific targets for the number of households to assist in various categories. TREB is calling on the City to increase the number of households that it is targeting to assist with achieving home ownership.

“Addressing affordable housing requires comprehensive solutions. Owning a home is the preferred option for most people. The City can, and should, include ambitious targets for home ownership in its affordable housing strategy,” said O’Neill. To help achieve ambitious home-ownership targets, TREB believes that City-imposed housing costs
should be reduced.

“The easiest way for the City to contribute to affordable housing solutions is to reduce the costs that it imposes on home buyers and owners. The Toronto Land Transfer Tax is one of the biggest costs faced by home buyers, and it should be rolled back,” said O’Neill. “Development charges also add costs for homebuyers; they should be kept fair and the City should consider targeted exemptions for affordable housing.”

Source:  TREB (Toronto Real Estate Board)

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June 4, 2008 — The Greater Toronto Area resale housing market recorded 9,411 transactions in May, Toronto Real Estate Board President Maureen O’Neill announced today.

On a year-over-year basis the GTA average price increased four per cent to $398,148 in May from the May 2007 average of $382,787. Prices increased three per cent in the City of Toronto to $434,271 from $422,163 during the same period a year ago, while in the 905 Region there was a five per cent increase to $374,629 from $355,341 last May.

“Price gains show that real estate continues to be a solid investment for the consumer,” said Ms. O’Neill. “We are confident about the market because employment in the GTA continues to be strong and interest rates remain low. As long as consumers have the financial resources to buy homes and a variety of choices to manage carrying costs, the market should remain stable.”

“May’s sales figures represent a 16 per cent decline in the GTA from the record month a year ago when 11,146 sales were recorded,” said Ms. O’Neill. “More than 9,000 properties changing hands still represents considerable market activity.”

In the City of Toronto, there were 3,711 sales, down 19 per cent from last May’s 4,578 sales and down 6 per cent from May 2006. In the 905 Region, 5,700 transactions were recorded, which represents a 13 per cent decline from the 6,568 sales during the same period a year ago but up 4 per cent from May 2006.

“The Toronto Land Transfer Tax has been in effect for four months and the decline in sales has been running for the same time period,” said Ms. O’Neill. “We’re keeping a close watch on the effect of this new tax.”

Two specific areas North of Toronto experienced increased sales activity in May. In Uxbridge (N16) sales were up 10 per cent, while Stouffville (N12) saw a 12 per cent increase in sales, driven mainly by detached home transactions.

Source: TREB (Toronto Real Estate Board)

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Below are some Charts and Graphs looking at the Toronto Real Estate Boards statistics for the month of April 2008 using information taken from the MLS and include all Toronto Districts. Within the next few days we will look at statistics for North York Condos in district C14 and some stats for the Condos on Harrison Garden Blvd.

April Number of Units Sold

There were 9393 units sold in April, up over 2000 units over March’s total

April Average Days on Market

April’s average days on market was 27.94, Down 2 days on average from March

April Sold to Asking Price Ratio

On average properties in Toronto sold for 98.52% of the Asking Price, the average is up marginally from March’s 98.34%.

April Average Selling Price

The average selling price for real estate in Toronto jumped almost $21,000 in April to $404,614.

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