■Condo & Rental Market Report | Q2 2017

Average Condo Price Up Year-Over-Year in Q2 '17

July 24, 2017 -- Toronto Real Estate Board President Tim Syrianos announced the release of TREB's Q2 2017 Condo Market Report. Greater Toronto Area REALTORS® reported 8,223 condominium apartment sales reported through TREB's MLS® System between April and the end of June. This result was down by eight per cent compared to 8,942 sales reported in Q2 2016.

New listings of condominium apartments were up slightly on a year-over-year basis by 0.7 per cent to 13,682.

"Despite the recent dip in overall GTA home sales, the condominium apartment market was quite resilient, especially when compared to low-rise market segments. Condo apartment sales accounted for a greater share of overall transactions during the spring compared to the same period last year. Market conditions also remained tight, which resulted in the continuation of strong annual rates of price growth," said Mr. Syrianos.

The average selling price for condominium apartments increased by 28.1 per cent compared to Q2 2016. The average selling price for the TREB market area as a whole was $532,032, with the average price in the City of Toronto higher, at $566,513.

"Recent consumer survey results from Ipsos suggest that condominium apartments will continue to gain in popularity with home buyers over the next year. This makes sense, given that many households, especially first-time buyers looking to live in the City of Toronto, have turned their attention in increasing numbers to less expensive forms of ownership housing," said Jason Mercer, TREB's Director of Market Analysis.


Strong Growth in Average Rents in Q2 2017

TORONTO, ONTARIO, July 24, 2017 – Toronto Real Estate Board President Tim Syrianos announced the continuation of very tight conditions in the condominium apartment rental market in the second quarter of 2017. 

The number of rental transactions reported through TREB’s MLS® System remained in line with Q2 2016 levels, while the number of units listed at some point during the quarter declined year-over-year. Average annual rates of rent growth for one- and two-bedroom condominium apartments were over eight per cent. 

“The Greater Toronto Area continues to be a very attractive place to live for many people, some of whom choose to rent. While rental demand remained very strong from a historic perspective in the second quarter, the supply of available rental units remained constrained, and average rents continued to grow well-above current and expected future rates of inflation,” said Mr. Syrianos. 

“It is clear that we continue to suffer from a lack of available rental units. The Fair Housing Plan announced by the Government of Ontario committed to measures designed to increase housing supply. Conversely, the Fair Housing Plan also expanded rent controls, which could preclude investment in rental properties, thereby further constricting supply. With different policy components potentially at odds, it will be interesting to see the eventual impact of the Fair Housing Plan on the rental market in the GTA,” continued Mr. Syrianos. 

The average one-bedroom condominium apartment rent was up by 8.8 per cent year-over-year in the second quarter to $1,861 per month. The average two-bedroom rent was up by 8.7 per cent to $2,533. 

“Competition between would-be renters increased in the second quarter of this year relative to the same time period in 2016. This meant that average rents increased by much more than the rate of inflation. In addition, the annual pace of rent growth also increased compared to Q2 2016, reflecting the fact that, generally speaking, it has become harder to find a place to rent this year compared to last,” said Jason Mercer, TREB’s Director of Market Analysis.