Toronto real estate GREAT YEAR FOR TORONTO REAL ESTATE

Total sales for 2011 amounted to 89,347 – up four per cent in comparison to 2010, reported TREB.

“Low borrowing costs kept buyers confident in their ability to comfortably cover their mortgage payments along with other major housing costs,” said TREB President Richard Silver. “If buyers had not been constrained by a shortage of listings over the past 12 months, we would have been flirting with a new sales record in the Greater Toronto Area.”

The average selling price in December was $451,436 – up four per cent compared to December 2010. The annualized hike is even greater. For all of 2011, the average selling price was $465,412, an increase of eight per cent in comparison to the average of $431,276 in 2010.

“Months of inventory remained below the pre-recession norm in 2011. Very tight market conditions meant substantial competition between buyers and strong upward pressure on selling prices,” said Jason Mercer, TREB’s senior manager of market nalysis.

“TREB’s baseline forecast for 2012 is for an average price of $485,000, representing a more moderate four per cent annual rate of price growth. This baseline view is subject to a heightened degree of risk given the uncertain global economic outlook,” said Mercer.

News on Canadian mortgage rates and August Toronto market update

     The Bank of Canada kept Canada’s key lending rate at the same place it’s been for a year: 1.00%.
As a result, variable-rate mortgage holders can expect prime rate to also stay put at 3.00%.
     The BoC said this about its decision: In light of slowing global economic momentum and heightened financial uncertainty, the need to withdraw monetary policy stimulus has diminished. Largely due to temporary factors, Canadian economic growth stalled in the second quarter. The Bank continues to expect that domestic growth will resume in the second half of this year. 

      The main takeaway here is that the BoC is no longer talking tough about rate increases, as it has recently. That supports the market’s thesis that rates will remain lower for longer.
      As always, the Bank of Canada’s overriding goal is to keep inflation near 2% “over the medium term.”
Its next interest rate meeting is October 25. The financial markets expect no rate increase then either.
Fi   Greater Toronto REALTORS® reported 7,542 sales through the TorontoMLS® system in August – a 24 per cent increase over 6,083 sales in August 2010. New listings, at 12,509, were up by 20 per cent compared to August 2010. Market conditions remained tight as sales growth outstripped growth in new listings.
     "Home sales in the GTA have stood up well despite a less certain economic outlook," said Toronto Real Estate Board President Richard Silver. "Home sales will be bolstered by low mortgage rates moving forward. The Bank of Canada is expected to be on the sidelines until the second half of 2012 or even into 2013.      However, home ownership affordability in the City of Toronto could be further improved with the removal of the City's land transfer tax. This tax currently represents a substantial upfront cost for home buyers."
     With market conditions remaining tight in the GTA, the average selling price continued to grow strongly in August – up by more than 10 per cent year-over-year to $451,663.
      "We remain on pace for the second best year on record for sales. Approximately 90,000 transactions are expected by the end of December," said TREB's Senior Manager of Market Analysis Jason Mercer. "Major home ownership costs, including the average monthly mortgage payment, remain affordable despite the strong price growth experienced so far this year."

Four banks are lowering residential mortgage rates

Four of Canada’s biggest banks are once again lowering residential mortgage rates at a time when falling government bond yields are cutting funding costs for financial institutions. Royal Bank of Canada, Toronto-Dominion Bank, Bank of Nova Scotia and Bank of Montreal are all trimming their posted rates on popular five-year fixed-rate mortgages by 0.1 percentage point to 5.49 per cent among other reductions. This is the second time that major banks have lowered that benchmark consumer rate in just over a week. The last time they did so was on May 19 when rates for five-year closed mortgages fell by 0.1 percentage point to 5.59 per cent. RBC, TD, Scotiabank and BMO are also trimming interest rates for a number of other residential mortgage products, including various special offers. This latest round of mortgage rate cuts was prompted by falling yields on government bonds across a range of terms, said TD spokeswoman Barbara Timmins in an e-mail.

TORONTO REAL ESTATE NEWS AND STATISTICS

Greater Toronto REALTORS® reported 4,337 transactions through the TorontoMLS® system in January 2011. This result was 13 per cent lower than the record result reported in January 2010.

The average selling price for January 2011 sales was $427,037, representing an increase of over four per cent compared to the average of $409,058 reported in January 2010.

In January, the median price was $360,000, from the $350,000 recorded during January of 2010.

Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp. (CMHC) says condos now account for a quarter of all new residential construction.

Luxury condos – priced at more than $1 million in Toronto – are up by 49 per cent year-over-year, reports Re/Max. Condos priced at more than $750,000 in Ottawa have seen sales increase by about 72 per cent compared to last year.

CMHC says that Canadians are not giving up on homeownership until after they reach the age of 75. With owners of all ages choosing the condominium lifestyle, expect to see a lot more of those building cranes in urban areas during the next several decades. 

If you have any questions about Toronto real estate, call Alexandre Malkhassiants, Sales Representative and Mortgage Specialist. Right at Home Realty Inc., Real Estate Brokerage. Office: (416) 391-3232. Cell: (416) 723-9383. E-mail: amalkhass@rogers.comWebsite: Toronto real estateWebsite: Ontario real estateBlog: Lowest Canada mortgage rates

Mortgage Interest Rates Will Remain Low

Canadian mortgage interest rates must remain low for now, while households must be wary of taking on too much debt, said a senior Bank of Canada official Agathe Cote.

The Canadian economy rebounded sharply from a shallow recession in 2009. But growth began to slow in the latter half of 2010, reflecting both a still fragile U.S. economy and three Canadian interest rate hikes between June and September.

The Bank of Canada has left rates steady since then, pending more evidence that the recovery is on solid footing.

The bank fears that near record-low interest rates - designed to help cushion the worst of the recession - are persuading Canadians to take on too much debt. It says this could have harmful consequences once rates rise. But Cote said debt levels are just one factor the bank takes into account when setting policy, and it is primarily focused on achieving its 2 percent inflation target.

The bank next sets rates on January 18 and markets see no change in rates at that time. However, a Reuters poll last week revealed most of Canada's primary securities dealers expect the Bank of Canada to resume raising interest rates sometime in the first half of this year.

Statistics Canada data showed the value of Canadian building permits unexpectedly tumbled 11.2 percent in November from October - a sign the once-hot housing sector continues to soften. Cote said steps to curb household debt are starting to have an impact, but credit continued to grow faster than income.

Canadian government officials say they are cautiously optimistic the economic recovery will continue, while sounding alarms about the challenge posed by the weak U.S. economy, the European debt crisis and a strong Canadian dollar.

A central bank survey showed that companies were optimistic about the next 12 months, but many expect only modest growth, in part due to strong competition and moderate demand. ca.reuters.com

Toronto real estate. CANADA HOME PRICES INCREASED

Canadian home resale prices rose for a 13th straight month in May, the longest streak since September 2006, the Teranet-National Bank Composite House Price Index showed.

The monthly gain of 1.3 percent was led by a 2.3 percent increase in Ottawa, followed by 1.8 percent in Montreal, according to a report today by National Bank Financial. Overall prices rose 13.6 percent from May 2009. The index has tracked home-price changes in six Canadian cities -- Calgary, Halifax, Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto and Vancouver -- since February 2000.

Housing investment should slow through this year and into 2011 after spending was pulled forward by low mortgage rates and temporary tax credits, the Bank of Canada said July 22. The central bank raised its key lending rate for a second month to 0.75 percent on July 20 and said further action would be “weighed carefully” against an economic recovery.

Alexandre Malhassiants is an active mortgage professional with Centum Mortgage Inc.  and sales representative. Have a question? Please e-mail amalkhass@rogers.com or call 416- 723-9383.

Toronto real estate. TORONTO REAL ESTATE MARKET UPDATE

Record breaking warm temperatures in March helped bring out buyers during the first two weeks of the month.

The Toronto Real Estate Board reported 4,353 existing home sales, up 70 per cent from the same time last year, when the market was in recession.

But sales were also strong enough to break the mid-month peak set in March of 2006 by 16 per cent, according to the board.

“The spring-like weather in the first half of March brought the first green sprouts of the recurring spring market,” said board president Tom Lebour.

The average price for March mid-month transactions was $440,153, up 20 per cent over last year.

Some good news for buyers was that new listings improved by 34 per cent over last year.

“Look for double digit price increases to cease later in 2010, as new listings rebound from the low levels experienced in 2009,” said Jason Mercer, TREB’s senior manager of market analysis. “Increased listings will give buyers more choice, resulting in less upward pressure on home prices.”

If you want to know more about Toronto real estate, call sales representative and mortgage agent Alexandre (Alex) Malkhassiants, Right at Home Realty,  with all your questions: (416) 723-9383 (cell).

Toronto real estate. February record sales activity jumps 74 per cent in Toronto

The Greater Toronto Realtors reported a 74 per cent increase in sales for the first two weeks of February compared to last year, when the recession hit hardest.

There were 3,555 sales through MLS during the first half of this month, compared to 2,0044 during the same period in 2009. This month's activity was even 7.7 per cent higher than the previous record in 2006.

"Home ownership demand remains strong in the GTA, as households remain confident that economic recovery is at hand and that ownership housing will continue to be a quality long-term investment," says Tom Lebour, president of the Toronto Real Estate Board.

Accordingly, the increased activity has led to higher prices as well. The average price for February mid-month transactions was $429,997, up 18 per cent from 2009. That's also drawn more sellers out hoping to cash in. New listings with the Toronto Real Estate Board's boundaries were up 15 per cent to 6,212.

The board's senior market analyst Jason Mercer says double-digit price increases wil continue through the first quarter of the year.

"However, as new listings continue to increase,  creating a better supplied market, we will see the annual rate of price growth moderate into the single digits," says Mercer.

Toronto real estate. Healthy Toronto housing market seen in 2010

Toronto's housing market will stay healthy next year as new home groundbreakings in Canada's most populous city jump even as existing home sales cool, said the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp.

The federal government agency expects a 26-percent rise in housing starts next year to 36,140 units.

But existing home sales are expected to dip to 78,000 in 2010 from 82,000 this year. Still, CMHC expects average prices to rise by 5 percent, which is in line with the annual average for this decade.

The agency said that while overall demand for home ownership is expected to moderate next year, households with stable employment will take advantage of improved affordability.

Housing has been a rare bright spot as the Canadian economy struggles to emerge from recession. Toronto has seen an upswing in housing activity in recent months, helped by low mortgage rates.

The Bank of Canada cut interest rates to a record low this year and conditionally pledged to keep them there until at least the end of the first half of 2010.

Canada housing sales hit record in July

July housing sales across the country were the best on record for the month and the largest year-over year increase in two years, said the Canadian Real Estate Association.

The Ottawa-based group, which represents about 100 boards across the country, said there were 50,270 units sold via the multiple listing service last month. That's an 18.2 per cent jump from a year ago. It also marked the first time sales had topped 50,000 in July.

 "The difference in the resale housing market now, compared to the beginning of the year, is night and day and nowhere is this more evident than in the west," said Dale Ripplinger, president of CREA. "Homebuyers recognize that interest rates and prices have bottomed out, and are taking advantage of excellent affordability before prices and interest rates move higher."

A five-year fixed-rate mortgage, the most popular product among consumers, is still available for under four per cent at some financial institutions. Variable rate mortgages, tied to prime, remain in the three per cent range and are not expected to rise until June. The Bank of Canada has pledged not to change its lending rate until then — but it is not an ironclad guarantee.

The low rates seem to have worked and have the housing market even hotter than it was in 2007, a record year. July sales in 2009 were 3.9 per cent above the previous July high set in 2007.

It has been a stunning reversal for a real estate market that had almost ground to a halt over the winter. MLS sales on a seasonally adjusted basis have risen for six straight months and are up 61.2 per cent off the decade-low set in January. Sales are only off 1.4 per cent from the May, 2007 peak.

The strength in the market is being felt right across the country. Vancouver sales last were up 90 per cent from a year ago to lead the pack. Toronto sales climbed 28 per cent from a year ago and Edmonton sales rose 28 per cent during the same period.

With demand strong in the country's highest-priced markets, it is skewing average price but in the opposite way from what was happening when the market was slumping. The average price of a home sold on MLS last month rose 7.6 per cent from a year ago to $326,832.

Part of the pressure on prices is coming from a dearth of supply. New listings in July were down 13 per cent from a year ago to 73,444. It marked the seventh monthly year-over-year decline in new listings.

The overall supply of homes for sale on the MLS was down to 219,982 at the end of July, a 12.5 per cent decrease from 2008. Based on present activity, there is only 4.4 months of housing inventory in the mark. That's a sharp contrast to the 12.8 months of inventory available in January.

"Home sales through the MLS systems in July provide clear evidence that sentiment about making major purchases continues to improve," said Gregory Klump, chief economist with CREA. "Activity may level out over the rest of the year as home prices and mortgage lending interest rates creep higher. The number of new listings coming onto the market is down from last year and the rebound in sales activity is paring inventories, so the number months of inventory is on the wane. These trends are supporting average prices."

vancouversun.com

Toronto Real Estate Market Sets Records in early May 2009

There are more signs of stabilization in the local real estate market.

Interest rates are at a record low for a five-year, fixed-term mortgage, still the most popular product among homeowners. Some banks are offering rates as low as 3.75%, if the buyer locks in for a full five years. But variable rates, tied to prime, have also continued to drop as the Bank of Canada has lowered rates.

The average house price of a single family home in Toronto has reached record levels. Last year, in the first two weeks of May, right after the April peak, and long before the news of the stock market crash and the world financial crisis, single family homes were worth on average $437,205. Now, that number has climbed to $439,459, which is the highest recorded.

So, if you were waiting for prices to drop in half like they did in some locations in the United States, you’ve probably waited too long.

Prices are rising, not dropping. Vendors with exceptional properties didn’t list them this year. They were going to wait and watch the market. So, this is the time to see the better properties become available. These are the properties that buyers stretch for. These are the ones that vendors insist on the best price. If they get listed over the next six weeks, you’ll see a significant upward push in the price structure.

Why? The answer is simple! First mortgages are at their lowest rates in 50 years.

Here are some comparative figures for Toronto, the 905, and the entire GTA. While the 905 didn’t fare quite as well as Toronto, the performance is still quite outstanding. The first two weeks of May 2009 appear, compared with the first two weeks of May 2008 in brackets:

City of TORONTO (”416″)

Sales 1,864 (1,734)

Average Price $439,459 ($437,205)

Rest of GTA (”905″)

Sales 2,697 (2,688)

Average Price $372,408 ($377,344)

GTA

Sales 4,561 (4,422)

Average Price $399,811 ($400,817)

Oddly enough, and this situation occurs rarely; it is both a good time to buy and a good time to sell.

In the condo market as well, one of the G.T.A's top sellers, Brad Lamb tells The Sun there's never been a better time to buy with developers offering many incentives.

Lamb says the condo market survived the worst of the bank crisis last fall, and prices are expected to hold steady for the next year at least.