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The market was more balanced in July

The market was more balanced in the Durham Region, yet still considered a seller's market* with only 2 months of inventory despite a decline in sales and average price across the region in July.

Every city/town is unique as are the communities within them. Scroll through to find your town.

 
July 2023 Market Stats
 

What's the Takeaway?

The market has slowed down slightly in July but historically the dog days of summer are when demand decreases due to buyers putting off their searches. However, buyers could also be feeling the results of June’s interest rate announcement when the Bank of Canada increased its policy rate by 0.25%.

Sellers need to stay abreast of market conditions especially as we head into September when the Bank of Canada’s next interest rate announcement will take place.

Buyers can take advantage of summer months with a little less competition and perhaps feel a little less rushed with average days on the market increasing.

What should we expect for the Fall Market?

Is this month’s sales a result of seasonality or the Bank of Canada’s interest rate increase in June? That is the question. It’s likely a little of both. If September brings another rate increase we can expect that to further impact purchasing power and in turn sales and pricing in the Durham Region.

If not the Fall Market may bring more buyers back into the market and increase competition for a limited supply of homes.

Read How will Canada’s Economy Impact the Fall Market

As always follow us and reach out with any questions you have on this ever-evolving real estate market.


*What constitutes a seller's, buyer's, or balanced market?

  • 2 or fewer months of inventory is a seller's market
  • 3-4 months of inventory is a balanced market
  • 5+ months of inventory is a buyers market


If no new properties came on the market it would take less than 2 months to sell all the available homes.

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What's Happening in The Durham Region

It's still a Seller's Market, albeit cooling. 

With just over 2 months of inventory, it remains a seller's market.  Inventory increased in June and sales faltered down 15.8% in Durham from the prior month while pricing remained stable.

The Bank of Canada's June interest rate hike and the lack of inventory meeting buyer needs to this point have driven some buyers to the sidelines. 

Every city/town is unique as are the communities within them. Scroll through to find your town.

1920x965-June 2023 Market Statsby Brian Stanton
 

What's the Takeaway?

With inventory increasing and fewer buyers in the market the way a home is prepared, priced, and marketed is more important than in the last quarter. Inventory may have increased but it is still very low. Sellers who are prepared to attract buyers with the right listing strategy will come out on top.

Buyers who are qualified and prepared can take advantage of the slowing sales volume and increased inventory. Connect with experts like us to determine what your options are and how best to approach this market.

Could the market cool off?

Yes, in June we have already seen significant increases in new listings while sales have declined. While pricing has remained stable increasing interest rates impact affordability for buyers and that could continue to cool the market.  

The next big announcement from the Bank of Canada is set to take place in Septmeber, 2023. Follow us to see what happens with interest rates and how that will affect the real estate market. *** July 12th  Bank of Canada has raised its benchmark rate to 5%. This puts prime rate at 7.20%.***

As always follow us and reach out with any questions you have on this ever-evolving real estate market.

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After a long snowing winter, the spring market is heating up

Last month we passed the one-year anniversary of the peak of housing prices and while the news may be preoccupied with the 17.9% year-over-year decline in GTA housing prices we’re more concerned with what buyers and sellers like you are working with today.

Has the housing market come full circle? One statistic is pointing to that conclusion.

Last month saw a typical increase in homes hitting the market from the previous month but inventory remains very low. We saw significantly fewer transactions as well in February but one statistic give us a clue that competition is heating up. Days on market are declining indicating buyers are getting more aggressive.

In fact, on the street, we’re seeing a significant increase in homes selling in multiple offers and average days on market dropping significantly something we’ll be keeping an eye on in the coming weeks.

Here are the stats for Markets Across the GTA in February 2023.

Durham February Market Watch Snapshot TRREB Data by Brian Stanton

Toronto & York Region February Market Watch Snapshot TRREB Data by Brian Stanton

Cobourg Port Hope February Market Watch Snapshot TRREB Data by Brian Stanton


THE BOTTOM LINE

FOR BUYERS: You can still make a conditional purchase and while competition is heating up in some markets for certain properties there lots of opportunities to find the home you want at good value. If you’re contemplating a buy and are on the sidelines there are a couple important first steps. Reach out and we can help you get the ball rolling.

FOR SELLERS: Now is a great time to sell your home. With more buyers entering the market and competition heating up you can benefit from the limited supply. You’ll want to consult with a realtor to determine how to make your move and how to best prepare your home so you get top dollar. Reach out to Jim and he'll help you get started 



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Is 2022 a good year to buy or sell your home? A look at the market.

What’s driving real estate demand as we start 2022?


The GTA market continues to be affected by a housing supply crunch and an ongoing demand. While 2021 was the best year for new housing starts in Ontario since 1977 buyers won’t likely see the benefit from added inventory for at least a couple of years. Across the province, we have a long way to go in terms of adding housing inventory to meet demand. Currently, a large number of buyers from 2021 are still trying to make a purchase in 2022 and that will keep demand high to kick start 2022. 

Expect to see a very strong return of international immigration further increasing demand for housing in the GTA throughout 2022. Canada reached its 2021 target adding 401,000 new permanent residents and plans on adding 411,000 new immigrants in 2022 to support economic growth and shore up labour shortages across the country. The influx of new residents will keep the housing market competitive.

So what’s the bottom line? 2022 will continue to be a good year to sell with high demand and prices forecast to increase.

Sources:

https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/canada-meets-2021-immigration-target-with-401000-new-permanent-residents-2021-12-23/

https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/news/notices/supplementary-immigration-levels-2021-2023.html

https://financialpost.com/moneywise-pro/no-relief-in-2022-experts-predictions-for-canadas-housing-market 


What could slow the housing market in 2022?


The obvious answer is an increase in lending rates. Mortgage interest rates have already seen slight increases in 2021 and the Bank of Canada has hinted that it will be tightening its policies in 2022. In 2021 we saw changes to the mortgage stress test moving from 4.79% qualifying rate to 5.25% and a 0.5% increase in mortgage rates, in 2022 we may see more increases.


“Doug Porter, chief economist and managing director at BMO Financial Group, says financial markets are bracing for as many as five 25-basis point increases in the Bank of Canada’s lending rate next year, which would take it to 1.5 percent from 0.25 percent today.”  - Financial Post


The key factors impacting potential rate increases could be the impact of inflation on the economy, the impact of COVID-19 variants like Omicrom as well as the US Federal Reserve who have already positioned themselves for a rate hike in 2022. As a general rule of thumb, US interest rate changes tend to have an impact on longer-term loans like mortgages in Canada.


Look for mortgage rates to increase throughout the year. As prices rise and borrowing costs grow we could see a slow down in sales volume and there is potential prices level off but even a 1.5% bump in interest rates would still be below the qualifying rate for mortgages. With inventory so low it may not have a huge impact on prices.


So, what’s the bottom line? Mortgage rates will affect borrowing costs but not necessarily impact pricing and there will still be lots of buyers competing for a limited supply. If you’re thinking of making a move start preparing now. Talk with your lender about how rising rates could impact your actual borrowing costs as the year unfolds and start looking for available homes in your desired areas. It may take time to find what you’re looking for so being proactive will put you in a more favourable position.


Need a reliable contact to discuss your mortgage needs? Message us and we can provide some excellent options.


Sources: 

https://www.cbc.ca/news/business/powell-canada-rates-column-don-pittis-1.6286628

https://time.com/nextadvisor/mortgages/mortgage-prediction-2022/https://financialpost.com/moneywise-pro/no-relief-in-2022-experts-predictions-for-canadas-housing-market 


What else could impact the market in 2022?


There are a few unknowns that may have an impact on the GTA real estate market in 2022. Government intervention into the housing market is always a cause for concern and the mortgage stress test is also being revisited in 2022. In 2021 the housing market was front and centre during the federal election and it will be a defining issue in this year’s provincial election but regardless of the outcome, we’re not likely to see the effects of federal and provincial elections in the form of intervention in 2022. 


Covid-19 and the uncertainty surrounding the Omicron variant is also an unknown factor. Although if history is any sort of predictor COVID-19 should have little impact on the trend in real estate prices. Recall in 2020 when the CMHC predicted a 9-18% drop in housing prices at the beginning of the pandemic and since that time the market has been on fire with the average price for a home in Ontario increasing by 44% (CREA). In Durham Region, the average sold price of a detached home in December was $1.178MM and in Toronto $1.69MM. 


So, what’s the bottom line? If you’re planning on buying in 2022 a change to the mortgage stress test could impact what you can afford so getting out ahead of any changes could help. So far COVID-19 has not had a negative impact on real estate prices and we’re not seeing policy changes impacting housing yet, but these are factors to watch.


Sources: 

TRREB Market Watch December 2021

https://www.cbc.ca/news/business/crea-housing-november-1.628649https://www.bnnbloomberg.ca/cmhc-stands-by-forecast-for-sharp-price-drop-in-canada-1.1497129

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/ontario-housing-costs-home-prices-ndp-liberal-green-1.6284033 



Most experts agree that the GTA real estate market cannot continue on its current trajectory forever and feel 2022 should start off strong with similar sales numbers to 2021 yet they expect the market to slow as we move into the second half of the year and rising interest rates take effect. That may be true but don’t expect a reverse in pricing trends. As per Clayton Jarvis of Financial Post’s Moneywise column “People have been calling Canadian real estate’s upward trajectory ‘unsustainable’ for almost a decade now.” 


Sources: https://financialpost.com/moneywise-pro/no-relief-in-2022-experts-predictions-for-canadas-housing-market 


So, what’s the bottom line?


You decide what’s best for you. If you’re waiting for the perfect timing to make your move you could be waiting a while. The reality is that there is never a perfect time to move. It’s about what’s right for you and your goals for homeownership. If you’re thinking about making a move in 2022 your best bet is to speak to a Realtor® and get the lay of the land in your community. We can help you with 40+ combined years of experience helping people just like you buy and sell in the GTA. We can connect you with trusted lenders and support you through the process from start to finish.


Contact us at: P: 416-571-5272 E: brian@sellwithstanton.com S: @sellwithstanton
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