■Market Watch | November, 2017

GTA REALTORS® Release October Stats

November 2, 2017 -- Toronto Real Estate Board President Tim Syrianos reported 7,118 residential sales through TREB's MLS® System in October 2017. This result represented an above-average increase between September and October of almost 12 per cent, pointing to stronger fall market conditions.

On a year-over-year basis, October sales were down compared to 9,715 transactions in September 2016. Total sales reported through the first 10 months of 2017 amounted to 80,198 – down from 99,233 for the same time period in 2016.

"Every year we generally see a jump in sales between September and October. However, this year that increase was more pronounced than usual compared to the previous ten years. So, while the number of transactions was still down relative to last year's record pace, it certainly does appear that sales momentum is picking up," said Mr. Syrianos.

The MLS® Home Price Index Composite benchmark price was up by 9.7 per cent on a year-over-year basis in October. Annual rates of price growth were strongest for townhouses and condominium apartments. The average selling price for October transactions was $780,104 – up by 2.3 per cent compared to the average of $762,691 in October 2016.

"The housing market in the GTA has been impacted by a number of policy changes at the provincial and federal levels. Similar to the track followed in the Greater Vancouver Area, it appears that the psychological impact of the Fair Housing Plan, including the tax on foreign buyers, is starting to unwind," said Jason Mercer, TREB's Director of Market Analysis.

■Condo & Rental Market Report | Q3 2017

Condo Market Conditions Remain Tight in Q3 2017

October 23, 2017 -- Toronto Real Estate Board President Tim Syrianos reported continued average price growth on a year-over-year basis for condominium apartments listed and sold through TREB's MLS® System by Greater Toronto Area REALTORS®. The average selling price was $510,206 in Q3 2017 – up by 22.7 per cent compared to the average of $415,894 reported in Q3 2016.

"The condominium apartment market segment has exhibited the strongest average rates of price growth since the spring, relative to other major market segments. Competition between buyers remains strong, as listings remain below last year's very constrained levels. Over the past few months, TREB has participated in discussions at various levels of government pointed at developing solutions for the housing supply issue in the GTA. As these discussions continue, it will be important to remember that the condominium apartment market is not immune to a listings shortage," said Mr. Syrianos.

"TREB will also be paying close attention to the potential impacts of the new OSFI Guideline B- 20 concerning new mortgage rules and underwriting standards, and the possibility of a vacancy tax in the City of Toronto. We will be asking consumers about their opinion on these initiatives, from the prospective of buying and selling intentions, during our fall polling cycle," continued Mr. Syrianos.

There were 5,684 condominium apartment sales reported through TREB's MLS® System in the third quarter of 2017. This result was down from 7,991 sales reported during the same period in 2016.

New condominium apartment listings were also down on a year-over-year basis by 10 per cent to 9,845 in Q3 2017 compared to 10,967 in Q2 2016.

"Condominium apartments will likely account for a greater share of home sales as we move forward. Consumer polling undertaken for TREB by Ipsos in the spring pointed to increased buying intentions for condominium apartments. With this in mind, it is not surprising that we have continued to see robust price growth, as demand has remained strong relative to available listings," said Jason Mercer, TREB's Director of Market Analysis.


Competition Between Renters Remains Strong in Q3

TORONTO, ONTARIO, October 23, 2017 – Toronto Real Estate Board President Tim Syrianos announced that year-over-year increases in average rents for condominium apartments were up very strongly in the third quarter, based on rental transactions reported by Greater Toronto REALTORS® through TREB’s MLS® System.

The average rent for one-bedroom condominium apartments in the TREB market area was up by 11.2 per cent on an annual basis to $1,976 in Q3 2017. The average two-bedroom condominium apartment rent was up by 7.7 per cent over the same period to $2,607.

“Competition between renters remained very strong for available units in Q3. It is clear that supply is part of the issue. Different levels of government have committed to looking at housing supply through the policy lens. TREB has participated in these policy discussions and looks forward to continuing the dialogue. To this end, TREB does have concerns that increased rent controls and a possible vacancy tax in the City of Toronto could serve to reduce the supply of available rental units as potential investors look to less-regulated sectors in which to invest,” said Mr. Syrianos.

The number of condominium apartments listed during the third quarter and the number of rental agreements signed were down by similar amounts on a year-over-year basis.

“It is reasonable to assume that the vacancy rate for condominium apartments has trended lower this year. If the current relationship between rental demand and supply remains in place moving forward, rent increases for available units will continue to trend well-above the rate of inflation. Economic and demographic trends suggest that rental demand will increase and there are real concerns that the already constrained supply of units for rent could get worse,” said Jason Mercer, TREB’s Director of Market Analysis.

■This Month in Real Estate | OCTOBER 2017

■”The One” Launching Next Monday

“The One: an ambitious, 85-storey tower that will transform Toronto’s skyline” is launching on Monday next week (October 16, 2017) at noon. Mizrahi Developments is collaborating with world-renowned architects, Foster + Partners on what is sure to be an unprecedented luxury development at a landmark address, 1 Bloor St West. Contact me today for more details.

“Toronto is about to reach new heights. And the city will get there. The 85-storey tower will combine seven levels of retail and restaurants, a 175-room hotel and then a roughly 60-floor stack of condo apartments culminating in multilevel penthouses.” By ALEX BOZIKOVIC for Globe and Mail

■Market Watch | October, 2017

GTA REALTORS® Release September Stats

October 4, 2017 -- Toronto Real Estate Board President Tim Syrianos announced that Greater Toronto Area REALTORS® reported 6,379 sales through TREB's MLS® System in September 2017. This result was down by 35 per cent compared to September 2016.

The number of new listings entered into TREB's MLS® System amounted to 16,469 in September – up by 9.4 per cent year-over-year.

"The improvement in listings in September compared to a year earlier suggests that home owners are anticipating an uptick in sales activity as we move through the fall. Consumer polling undertaken for TREB in the spring suggested that buying intentions over the next year remain strong. As we move through the fourth quarter we could see some buyers moving off the sidelines, taking advantage of a better-supplied marketplace," said Mr. Syrianos.

The average selling price in September 2017 was $775,546 – up 2.6 per cent compared to September 2016. The MLS® Home Price Index (HPI) composite benchmark was up by 12.2 per cent on a year-over-year basis. A key reason for the difference in annual growth rates between the average price and the MLS® HPI composite is the fact that detached homes – the most expensive market segment on average – accounted for a smaller share of overall transactions this year compared to last.

"With more balanced market conditions, the pace of year-over-year price growth was more moderate in September compared to a year ago. However, the exception was the condominium apartment market segment, where average and benchmark sales prices were up by more than 20 per cent compared to last year. Tighter market conditions for condominium apartments follows consumer polling results from the spring that pointed toward a shift to condos in terms of buyer intentions," said Jason Mercer, TREB's Director of Market Analysis.

■This Month in Real Estate | SEPTEMBER 2017

■Market Watch | September, 2017

GTA REALTORS® Release August Stats

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.