real estate update –

Distinctive Advisors Inc.

 Menu

your.team@distinctiveadvisors.com

416 925 3140

Distinctive Real Estate Advisors Inc., Brokerage | Distinctive Real Estate Advisors Inc., Mortgage Broker License #12592

Tag Archives: real estate update

August Sales Stall in Ottawa Resale Market

HIGH INTEREST RATES LEAD TO A SLOW END-OF-SUMMER MARKET

  • The average sale price for a freehold-class property in August was $709,739, an increase of 0.5% from 2022, and a 5.6% decrease over July 2023 prices.
  • The average sale price for a condominium-class property was $425,968 an increase of 1% from a year ago, although 1.4% lower than July 2023 prices.
  • With year-to-date average sale prices at $732,220 for freeholds and $432,571 for condos, these values represent an 8% decrease over 2022 for freehold-class properties and a 5.5% decrease for condominium-class properties, likely due to higher interest rates
  • The sales volumes year-to-date have also decreased significantly, with 10,165 sales across all property classes so far this year, down from 11,778 at the same time last year (decrease of 13.7%)
  • Days on market have increased across all property types, both from the same time last year and from July 2023 with freehold properties averaging 31 days and condos averaging 29 days

RESIDENTIAL STATS

Number of Units Ottawa August 2023

Average Sale Price Ottawa August 2023

Number of Units Year to Date Ottawa August 2023

Average Sale Price Year to Date Ottawa August 2023

OREB cautions that the average sale price can be useful in establishing trends over time but should not be used as an indicator that specific properties have increased or decreased in value. The calculation of the average sale price is based on the total dollar volume of all properties sold. Price will vary from neighbourhood to neighbourhood.

Distinctive Real Estate Advisors Inc., Brokerage is pleased to present a recap of the latest market forecast release and August highlights from the Ottawa Real Estate Board (OREB).

We’d welcome an opportunity to discuss the August Sales Stall in Ottawa Resale Market. If you have any questions about our services, please contact our team.

Cooler Toronto Market Holds Steady Through Summer

HIGHER INTEREST RATES LEAD TO FEWER HOME SALES

  • Higher borrowing costs, continued uncertainty about the economy and Bank of Canada decision making, and the constrained supply of listings resulted in fewer home sales in August 2023 compared to August 2022. The average selling price remained virtually unchanged over the same period.
  • New listings were up by 16.2 per cent year-over-over, providing some relief on the supply front, but year-to-date listings are still down substantially compared to the same period last year. Seasonally adjusted sales were down slightly by one per cent month-over-month compared to July 2023, while new listings were up slightly by 1.3 per cent compared to July.
  • In the broader Greater Toronto Area (GTA) Markets, sales were down slightly as compared to August 2022, signalling a cooler summer market.

RESIDENTIAL STATS

Total Residential Transactions Average Selling Price Total New Listings Residential Property Days on Market

CONDO PRICES SOFTEN AND SALES PICK UP

  • High interest rates has put downward pressure on condominium prices (down 4.2% compared to Q2 last year) and sales have simultaneously picked up (increased by 20.7% compared to Q2 last year)
  • The constraint of new listing is keeping a steady flow of sales in the condo market, but not creating a frenzy within the condominium market with listings taking slightly longer to sell than during the same period last year (20 days on market vs. 15 days on market during Q2 last year).
  • Condominium rentals are up on all fronts, including number of rentals, price and new listings coming to market.

CONDOMINIUM SALES STATS

Total Condo Apartment Sales Total New Listings Condo

CONDOMINIUM RENTAL STATS

Apartment Rental Stats

COMMERCIAL STATS

All Leasing Activity

The “All Leasing Activity (Sq. Ft.)” chart summarizes total industrial, commercial/retail and office square feet leased through Toronto MLS® regardless of pricing terms.
The “All Sales Activity” chart summarizes total industrial and commercial/retail and office sales through Toronto MLS® regardless of pricing terms.

Average Leasing Rates Commercial

In conjunction with the Toronto Regional Real Estate Board (TRREB) redistricting project, historical data may be subject to revision moving forward. This could temporarily impact per cent change comparisons to data from previous years.

Distinctive Real Estate Advisors Inc., Brokerage is pleased to present a recap of the latest market forecast release and August highlights from the Toronto Regional Real Estate Board (TRREB).

We’d welcome an opportunity to discuss the Cooler Toronto Market Holds Steady Through Summer. If you have any questions about our services, please contact our team.

The Spring Market is almost here – Why should you list and how?

The spring market is right around the corner, and if you’re thinking of listing your home, right now is the time to get started.

With April, May and June showing the highest historical averages of home sales in the GTA, that is the time to have your listing on the market. But why start now? Because listing your home right is a bit of a science.

TREB Toronto MLS Avg Resale Price 2013-2016

Not only are these months the busiest in Toronto real estate, but they are the spring months where homes command the best price. So if you’re looking to sell your home, now is the time to start.

Here are a few tips of how to get started:

Hire a Great Realtor

Interview several realtors and make sure they’re a good fit with what you’re trying to achieve with the sale of your home. We know a few if you don’t!

A realtor will be able to help you price your home and will be able to see your home as objectively as the buyers in the market: something you ought to consider if you’re looking to command the best price. Realtors will also help connect you with the best professionals in the marketplace to help you get your home market-ready. This doesn’t happen overnight, so start early if you’re looking to sell in the spring.

Get small repairs done around the house

You know the towel bar that fell off the wall a few months ago? Or the ding in the drywall from moving furniture? This is the time to fix all of these things. Larger repairs like a new roof or furnace can be negotiated with the sale price of the home, but smaller repairs can cost very little money and can make or break a sale.

Even if the repairs required on your property are insignificant in cost and effort, home buyers can be distracted from the value and beauty of your home and will focus on the small things – making them negotiate harder on price or walk away all together for a home that is in “move-in condition”.

Paint vibrant rooms in neutral tones

Bright yellow rooms might help you feel alive on dreary days, but when you’re listing your home, you’re trying to appeal to the masses. Many buyers have little vision and cannot picture themselves living in a space that is very customized to the taste of the homeowner. So paint it grey or another neutral tone and help the future buyer of your property feel right at home.

Consider hiring a stager

Stagers can make all the difference when it comes to selling your home. They are well-versed in what people like and how to make your space look as large and versatile as possible. Spending a few hundred dollars on a stager to command a few thousand more on your list price, or to sell your home more quickly, is a wise decision. This is one area where many people are penny-wise and pound foolish, so make your listing stand out and don’t fall into this trap.

Spring cleanup for curb appeal

Some buyers won’t even come into your home for a tour if the outside isn’t appealing to them. As the winter leaves us, make sure your home continues to look its best. This will increase the number of calls your agent gets off the for sale sign as well.

Hire a pressure washing company to wash the exterior of your home and your windows, sweep your driveway and plant a garden when the warmer weather is upon us. If your garage door or front door need a coat of paint, put one on. These are the small details that help future buyers picture their children playing outside and their families coming to visit their new home.

 

Distinctive Advisors is here to help you get the best price for your home in this busy spring market. With tight supply of Toronto homes, this is a great time to list. Contact us today to start getting your home ready for the spring market.

2016 Change to Mortgage Qualifying Rules for First-Time Home Buyers — Explained

You might remember an uproar regarding real estate in October 2016, but what was that all about?

Without notice or preparation, the Canadian government announced on October 3rd, 2016 several major changes to mortgage rules aimed at curbing high demand in two of the country’s fastest growing markets — Toronto and Vancouver.

Bank of Canada implemented what they call a “stress test” for first-time buyers, forcing them to qualify for their mortgages at the Bank of Canada posted rate or 4.64% rather than the actual mortgage rates, reducing buying power for first-time home buyers across the board.

Why?

This was a very clear message from the Bank of Canada that interest rates would soon start rising, and true to form, they’ve already started. Since first-time home buyers often stretch their budgets and take on more than they can afford (and many lenders don’t prevent this from happening) this is the government’s way of protecting our housing market from a potential crash as a result of rising interest rates.

What’s the actual impact? (view the CBC article here)

Although this may temporarily slow the market in some areas, this move is expected to have positive ripple effects on the economy and is a much needed shifting of the winds for Canada.

In 2016, a mere 33 percent of individuals looking to purchase a home were first-time home buyers and in 2017, stats are showing over 50 percent of people with an eye for the home buying market will be first time purchasers. Even more astounding, over 60 percent of those buyers are under the age of 35. 2017 will most likely be the year that the Millennials begin their real estate takeover and the market will never be the same.

Looking for your first home or know someone who is? Contact a member of our team today to learn how we can help you with your real estate transaction and mortgage financing needs.

« Older Entries

Newer Entries »