Market Watch July 2024
The Waterloo Region market in July saw a slight increase in sales compared to the same period last year, however it is a 16.6% decline from the previous 10 year average for the same month. While this increase is encouraging, many potential buyers are still taking the wait and see approach.
Interest rates are being credited for the increased sales however B of C rates have little effect on long term mortgage rates. Recent U.S. chaos has been influencing our bond market. The 5 year Canada bond effects long term rates, not the Bank of Canada, so we’ll see where this goes.
In Waterloo region the sales to new listing ratio is 45.93% which indicates a balanced market. The average of all Toronto areas sales to new listing ratio is at 39.7%. Anything under 40% indicative of a buyers market.
Sale price to original list price in Waterloo Region was 102.1%. By comparison Toronto was at 99%.
The average number of days to sell in Waterloo Region for July was 22.
Don’t let summer distractions get in the way, now may be a good time to act. If you are considering buying, falling interest rates will likely result in house price increases.
If you are considering selling in the fall or winter now is a good time to arrange professional photos of your lush green yard. Message me to make arrangements.
If you are looking to buy or sell and have questions you’d like answered, contact me now! Sell and move forward with confidence!
Problem solver in the real estate market.
Below are July’s Market Reports for Waterloo Region and the GTA.
Enjoy!
WATERLOO REGION HOUSING MARKET SEES COOLING TREND
WATERLOO REGION, ON (July 4, 2024) —In June, a total of 674 homes were sold in the Waterloo Region via the Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) System of the Cornerstone Association of REALTORS® (Cornerstone). This represents a decrease of 13.7 per cent compared to the same period last year and a decline of 24.8 per cent compared to the average number of homes sold in the previous ten years for the same month.
“The Waterloo Region housing market is cooling, with a year-over-year decrease in home sales in June, while the number of homes for sale is rising, offering more inventory to buyers,” says Christal Moura, Cornerstone spokesperson for the Waterloo Region market area.”
Total residential sales in June included 424 detached (down 9.6 per cent from June 2023), and 136 townhouses (down 8.7 per cent). Sales also included 66 condominium units (down 44.5 per cent) and 47 semi-detached homes (up 14.6 per cent).
In June, the average sale price for all residential properties in Waterloo Region was $790,945. This represents a 5.8 per cent decrease compared to June 2023 and a 3.3 per cent decrease compared to May 2024.
- The average price of a detached home was $900,307. This represents a 10.3 per cent decrease from June 2023 and a decrease of 4.6 per cent compared to May 2024.
- The average sale price for a townhouse was $663,642. This represents a 0.6 per cent decrease from June 2023 and an increase of 2.0 per cent compared to May 2024.
- The average sale price for an apartment-style condominium was $462,145. This represents a decrease of 1.8 per cent from June 2023 and an increase of 0.5 per cent compared to May 2024.
- The average sale price for a semi was $649,353. This represents a decrease of 6.7 per cent compared to June 2023 and a decrease of 7.2 per cent compared to May 2024.
- “The average selling price for residential properties has decreased by 5.8 per cent since June 2023, with detached homes showing the most significant drop at 10.3 percent. This indicates a broader softness in the market,” says Moura. “The silver lining is this presents a more favourable pricing environment for buyers, with more choices, greater flexibility, and the potential to negotiate better deals.”
- There were 1,431 new listings added to the MLS® System in Waterloo Region last month, an increase of 7.6 per cent compared to June last year and a 10.6 per cent increase compared to the previous ten-year average for June.
- The total number of homes available for sale in active status at the end of June was 1,790, an increase of 75.5 per cent compared to June of last year and 31.9 per cent above the previous ten-year average of 1,357 listings for June.
- Market-wide inventory levels were up 73.7 per cent, with 3.3 months’ supply for all property types at the end of June. The property type that gained the most inventory was the condo apartment segment, which increased by 103.1 percent. That amounts to 6.5 months’ supply for condo apartments, 2.8 months for detached homes, and 3.2 months for townhouses. The number of months of inventory represents the amount of time it would take to sell off current inventories at the current sales rate.
- The average number of days to sell in June was 18, compared to 15 days in June 2023. The previous 5-year average is 15 days.
WATERLOO REGION HOUSING MARKET SEES MODEST SALES UPTICK IN JULY AMID LOWER INTEREST RATES AND INCREASED INVENTORY.
WATERLOO REGION, ON (August 6, 2024) — In July, a total of 639 homes were sold in the Waterloo Region via the Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) System of the Cornerstone Association of REALTORS® (Cornerstone). This represents an increase of 4.6 per cent compared to the same period last year and a decline of 16.6 per cent compared to the average number of homes sold in the previous ten years for the same month.
“In July, we observed a slight increase in home sales year-over-year following a reduction in interest rates, which seems to have provided a modest boost to market activity,” says Christal Moura, spokesperson for the Waterloo Region market area. “While this uptick is encouraging, it is evident that many potential buyers are adopting a wait-and-see approach, anticipating further decreases in interest rates and better buying conditions in the near future.”
Total residential sales in July included 382 detached homes (up 4.1 per cent from July 2023), and 126 townhouses (up 5.0 per cent). Sales also included 82 condominium units (up 9.3 per cent) and 48 semi-detached homes (up 9.1 per cent).
In July, the average sale price for all residential properties in Waterloo Region was $782,716. This represents a 1.6 per cent decrease compared to July 2023 and a 0.9 per cent decrease compared to June 2024.
- The average price of a detached home was $914,469. This represents a 0.6 per cent decrease from July 2023 and an increase of 1.6 per cent compared to June 2024.
- The average sale price for a townhouse was $617,062. This represents a 7.7 per cent decrease from July 2023 and a decrease of 7.1 per cent compared to June 2024.
- The average sale price for an apartment-style condominium was $494,897. This represents a decrease of 0.6 per cent from July 2023 and an increase of 7.1 per cent compared to June 2024.
- The average sale price for a semi was $667,063. This represents a decrease of 0.6 per cent compared to July 2023 and an increase of 2.7 per cent compared to June 2024.
There were 1,391 new listings added to the MLS® System in Waterloo Region last month, an increase of 15.9 per cent compared to July last year and a 27.5 per cent increase compared to the previous ten-year average for July.
The total number of homes available for sale in active status at the end of July was 1,817 an increase of 61.9 per cent compared to July of last year and 38.9 per cent above the previous ten-year average of 1,308 listings for July.
Market-wide inventory levels were up 65.0 per cent, with 3.3 months’ supply for all property types at the end of July. The property type that gained the most inventory was the townhouse segment, which increased by 85.0 percent. That amounts to 5.7 months’ supply for condo apartments, 3.7 months for townhouses, and 2.8 months for detached homes. The number of months of inventory represents the amount of time it would take to sell off current inventories at the current sales rate.
The average time it took to sell a home in July was 22 days, which is four days longer than the previous month. In July 2023, it took 16 days for a home to sell, and the five-year average is 17 days.
TRREB: BUYER ACTIVITY INCREASES SLIGHTLY IN JULY.
TORONTO, ONTARIO, (August 6, 2024) — Greater Toronto Area (GTA) home sales in July 2024 were up compared to July 2023. While sales were up from last year, buyers continued to benefit from more choice in the GTA marketplace, with annual growth in new listings outstripping that of sales. The better-supplied market meant that buyers also benefited from a slight relief in selling prices on average.
“It was encouraging to see an uptick in July sales relative to last year. We may be starting to see a positive impact from the two Bank of Canada rate cuts announced in June and July. Additionally, the cost of borrowing is anticipated to decline further in the coming months. Expect sales to accelerate as buyers benefit from lower monthly mortgage payments,” said TRREB President Jennifer Pearce.
GTA REALTORS® reported 5,391 home sales through TRREB’s MLS® System in July 2024 – a 3.3 per cent increase compared to 5,220 sales reported in July 2023. New listings entered into the MLS® System amounted to 16,296 – up by 18.5 per cent year-over-year. On a seasonally adjusted basis, July sales and new listings edged lower compared to June.
The MLS® Home Price Index Composite benchmark was down by approximately five per cent on a year-over-year basis in July 2024. The average selling price of $1,106,617 was down by 0.9 per cent over the July 2023 result of $1,116,950. On a seasonally adjusted monthly basis, both the MLS® HPI Composite and the average selling price were up slightly compared to June 2024.
“As more buyers take advantage of more affordable mortgage payments in the months ahead, they will benefit from the substantial build-up in inventory. This will initially keep home prices relatively flat. However, as inventory is absorbed, market conditions will tighten in the absence of a large-scale increase in home completions, ultimately leading to a resumption of price growth,” said TRREB Chief Market Analyst Jason Mercer.
“Innovation in new home construction must continue. TRREB applauds Toronto City Council’s decision to consult with the province on adopting single egress stair requirements in the building code for multi-residential buildings up to four storeys. This would make it easier to create a variety of multi-family units large enough for families. Another important part of the housing formula is connection to public transit. We are very encouraged to hear that we are closer to an opening date for the Crosstown LRT and are looking forward to a firm announcement,” said TRREB CEO John DiMichele
If you are thinking of selling in the fall or winter now is the time to capture the lush greens enhancing your home. Contact me now to schedule your professional photo shoot.
If you are considering buying or selling, contact me anytime to answer your questions, big or small. I’m here to help!
Sell and move forward with confidence!
Lance Nielsen
519-748-7057
Lance@LanceNielsen.com