Since April’s introduction of Ontario’s Fair Housing Plan (and an interest rate hike two months later), Toronto’s real estate market has appeared to cool a bit more each month. According to the latest TREB statistics, August was no exception; home sales were down almost 35 per cent compared to the same month last year!
Seasonal adjustments aside, TREB’s Director Of Market Analysis suggests that the current relationship between sales and new listings may be forecasting a more balanced Fall market!
Here are the figures for August 2017:
September 6, 2017 — Toronto Real Estate Board President Tim Syrianos announced that Greater Toronto Area REALTORS® reported 6,357 home sales through TREB’s MLS® System in August 2017. This result was down by 34.8 per cent compared to August 2016.
The number of new listings entered into TREB’s MLS® System, at 11,523, was down by 6.7 per cent year-over-year and was at the lowest level for August since 2010.
“Recent reports suggest that economic conditions remain strong in the GTA. Positive economic news coupled with the slower pace of price growth we are now experiencing could prompt an improvement in the demand for ownership housing, over and above the regular seasonal bump, as we move through the fall,” continued Mr. Syrianos.
The average selling price for all home types combined was $732,292 – up by three per cent compared to August 2016. This growth was driven by the semi-detached, townhouse and condominium apartment market segments that continued to experience high single-digit or double digit year-over-year average price increases.
The MLS® Home Price Index composite benchmark, which accounts for typical home types throughout TREB’s market area, was up by 14.3 per cent year-over-year in August. The fact that MLS® HPI growth outstripped average price growth, points to fewer high-end home sales this year compared to last.
“The relationship between sales and listings in the marketplace today suggests a balanced market. If current conditions are sustained over the coming months, we would expect to see year-over-year price growth normalize slightly above the rate of inflation. However, if some buyers move from the sidelines back into the marketplace, as TREB consumer research suggests may happen, an acceleration in price growth could result if listings remain at current levels,” said Jason Mercer, TREB’s Director of Market Analysis.
If you’d like to see more in depth figures – by housing type and/or geographical area – here’s the complete set of August 2017 TREB Stats!
At urbaneer.com we’re here to help, all without pressure or hassle. We simply love what we do. With a multi-disciplinary education in housing, sound knowledge of the mechanics of real estate and a sharp skill set in evaluating properties for over two decades, we’re here to guide you through all the factors which play into Toronto’s real estate market.
~ Steven Fudge, Sales Representative
& The Innovative Urbaneer Team
Bosley Real Estate Ltd., Brokerage – (416) 322-8000
*Like what you’ve read? Consider signing up in the box below to receive our FREE monthly newsletter on housing, culture and design, including our love for unique urban homes and other Toronto real estate.
*Have you seen Steven’s newest site Houseporn.ca? It’s his student mentorship site on Canadian architecture, landscape, design, products and real estate!
Real Estate