Quarterly comparison shows detached housing values continued to climb in 40 per cent of GTA neighbourhoods in Q2, says RE/MAX
Jul 27, 2017, 06:00 ET
Affordability and availability a major driver in the 905 area code
MISSISSAUGA, ON, July 27, 2017 /CNW/ - Against a backdrop of sliding home sales in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), the average price of a detached home continued to rise in 40 per cent of Toronto Real Estate Board (TREB) districts in the second quarter of 2017, according to a release issued today by RE/MAX INTEGRA, Ontario-Atlantic Region.
RE/MAX examined 65 neighbourhoods in the Greater Toronto Area in the first six months of the year, comparing first quarter performance to that in the second quarter. Statistics show that affordability played a significant role in price growth, with half of TREB districts in the 905 reporting an upswing in the average price of a detached home in the second quarter (46.7 per cent), compared to the first quarter of 2017, while just over 34 per cent of communities in the 416 experienced an increase. The vast majority of upward trending markets in the 905 were priced under $1,000,000, while in the 416 area code, increases were reported at price points ranging from under $1 million to over $4 million.
"Homebuying activity in the GTA has been a tale of two markets — a tight, record-breaking first quarter and a softer second quarter, characterized by easing sales and overall average price — a result of the introduction of the provincial government's Fair Housing Plan," says Christopher Alexander, Regional Director, RE/MAX INTEGRA, Ontario-Atlantic Region. "The first quarter of 2017 shattered all existing TREB records for Q1 dating back to 2007, with over 25,000 residential unit sales reported, an increase of 12 per cent over Q1 of the previous year, and average price appreciation of 29 per cent during the same time period. Given current conditions, it's really quite remarkable that, against the unprecedented strength of the first quarter, we still saw 40 per cent of GTA neighbourhoods outperform Q1 price appreciation."
Leading in terms of percentage increases in the average price of a detached home is the community of Brock, with an 11.73 per cent upswing between first and second quarters ($562,711 vs. $503,630). Values in Caledon are up 8.61 per cent over the first quarter, rising from $1,037,997 to $1,127,414. Halton Hills climbed 7.75 per cent to $841,155 in the second quarter, up over the $780,644 reported in Q1. Two neighbourhoods in the 416 round out the top five, including Riverdale, Greenwood-Coxwell, Blake-Jones (E01), rising 7.59 per cent to $1,298,439 and Dovercourt-Wallace Emerson - Junction, Junction Area, High Park North, Runnymede-Bloor West Village, and Lambton-Baby Point (W02) appreciating 6.91 per cent to $1,390,342, up from $1,300,518 in the first quarter.
"The resilience in housing values may help to explain why homes sell faster here than in any other Canadian centre," says Alexander, noting that days on market in the GTA sat at 15 in June, a figure on par with healthy year-ago levels. "The current lull may represent the best buying opportunity in recent years, with more than 19,000 properties available for sale. Buyers waiting on the sidelines for a better deal may not find it in the GTA's hot pocket areas, but they may come across attractive options in neighbouring communities."
Demand for homes in the third quarter will likely reflect the softening that typically occurs over the summer months, followed by renewed strength in the final quarter of the year.
"As stability returns to the market, strong underlying economic fundamentals in the Greater Toronto Area and the province of Ontario are predicted to bolster activity, particularly in Q4," says Alexander. "Unemployment in the GTA hovers at 6.8 per cent, corporate profits are up, with more employers investing in new equipment and hires, and consumer confidence is rising, albeit slowly. The slight uptick in interest rates may also propel some buyers into the market in anticipation of higher rates down the road."
Density will also play a key role in the GTA moving forward, explains Alexander. "As long as development of single-family homes is stifled, solid demand will exist for this type of product, keeping the outlook for price growth on an upward trajectory."
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About RE/MAX INTEGRA and RE/MAX INTEGRA, Ontario-Atlantic Canada
RE/MAX INTEGRA, founded in 1980, is a privately held company by Canadian entrepreneurs. With regional headquarters in Toronto, Boston, Minneapolis, Indianapolis, Zug, and Vienna, RE/MAX INTEGRA represents nearly a third of all RE/MAX Sales Associates worldwide. The company was founded on the premise of providing outstanding service and support both at the regional level and to the end consumer. 6 The Ontario-Atlantic Canada region has surpassed 10,000 quality Associates; The US regions — New England and the Midwest (including the following states: Minnesota, Wisconsin and Indiana) — account for more than 6,500 Associates with over 2,600 and 3,800 Associates respectively; and the European region leads with more than 16,000 Associates. For more information about RE/MAX INTEGRA, visit www.remaxintegra.com
SOURCE RE/MAX INTEGRA, Ontario-Atlantic Canada
For further information: Melissa Clemance, RE/MAX INTEGRA, Ontario-Atlantic Region, Office: 905.542.2400, [email protected]; Eva Blay-Silverberg, Point Blank Communications, Office: 416.781.3911 Cell: 416.505.0627, [email protected]