Should I Buy First Or Should I Sell First? (Part II)

In a previous blog post (read it here) I explored some of the unique factors involved when selling one property and buying another at the same time.  I touched briefly on market conditions, budgetary concerns, and the best way to avoid being pressured into making a purchase you’re not completely happy with.  There's one more factor I'd like to take a look at - Timing.

Part of my job as a Realtor is to help clients time the closings of their purchases and sales as perfectly as possible.  If you're buying and selling at the same time, you'll ideally want to take possession of your new home a few days prior to giving up possession on your old one.  This way, you've got a few days' overlap with both properties.  This allows for a bit of breathing room with regards to booking movers, switching over telephone and internet connections, etc.

However, it's not always possible to line up the closings as closely as we'd like.  In anticipation of this possibility I ask my clients, "Would you rather have two homes for a few weeks or no home for a few weeks?"

Having two homes for a few weeks can be an issue as most buyers rely on the proceeds from the sale of one home to go towards the purchase of another.  Thankfully, bridge financing can help to "bridge" this gap.  Of course, bridge financing can only be obtained if there's a firm sale on the purchaser's property...

Having no home for a few weeks is obviously going to be much more of an issue for the majority of buyers.  Sure, there's the possibility of a short term rental during the interim.  But who wants to move everything into the rental and then turn around and move again shortly after?  I have seen people do it though - especially if their dream home comes along and they don't want to risk it passing them by.

If my clients and I anticipate that timing the closings may be an issue, I include a clause in the agreement that allows them the power to either move up or extend the closing date if they need to.  This doesn't always fly though - it depends largely on the other party's own particular situation and what kind of leverage position my clients are in. 

Ultimately, "Should I buy first or should I sell first?" is a question without an easy answer.  Each situation is different from the next and the same strategy isn't going to work for every buyer/seller.  Be sure to consult your realtor for advice on how best to proceed.

If you’re thinking of making a move and would like to know how we can help, please contact me for more info.

February 2018 Market Stats: Infographic & Report

February 2018 market stats are here!

The average sale price for the month was $767,818, down 12.4% compared to February 2017.

Here’s a breakdown of the average sale prices & year-over-year increases/decreases for the 416 area code:

• Detached = $1,282,240 (-18.6%)

• Semi-Detached = $985,902 (-9.0%)

• Townhouse = $776,642 (+15.5%)

• Condo Apartment = $570,275 (+10.7%)

And here’s TREB’s official market report for the month of February 2018:

Toronto Real Estate Board President Tim Syrianos announced that Greater Toronto Area REALTORS® reported 5,175 residential transactions through TREB’s MLS® System in February 2018.

This result was down 34.9 percent compared to the record 7,955 sales reported in February 2017.

The number of new listings entered into TREB’s MLS® System totaled 10,520, a 7.3 per cent increase compared to the 9,801 new listings entered in February 2017.

However, the level of new listings remained below the average for the month of February for the previous 10 years.

“When TREB released its Outlook for 2018, the forecast anticipated a slow start to the year compared to the historically high sales count reported in the winter and early spring of 2017. Prospective home buyers are still coming to terms with the psychological impact of the Fair Housing Plan, and some have also had to reevaluate their plans due to the new OFSI-mandated mortgage stress test guidelines and generally higher borrowing costs,” said Mr. Syrianos.

The MLS® Home Price Index Composite Benchmark was up by 3.2 per cent on a year-over-year basis for the TREB market area as a whole.

This growth was driven by the apartment and townhouse market segments, with annual benchmark price increases of 18.8 per cent and 7.5 per cent respectively.

Single-family detached and attached benchmark prices were down slightly compared to February 2017.

The overall average selling price for February sales was down 12.4% year-over-year to $767,818.

However, putting aside the price spike reported in the first quarter of 2017, it is important to note that February’s average price remained 12 per cent higher than the average reported for February 2016, which represents an annualized increase well above the rate of inflation for the past two years.

“As we move further into the spring and summer months, growth in sales and selling prices is expected to pick up relative to last year. Expect stronger price growth to continue in the comparatively more affordable townhouse and condominium apartment segments. This being said, listings supply will likely remain below average in many neighbourhoods in the GTA, which, over the long-term, could further hamper affordability,” said Jason Mercer, TREB’s Director of Market Analysis.

If you’re thinking of making a move and would like to know how we can help, please contact us for more info.

Should I Buy First Or Should I Sell First?

As my career in real estate continues to grow (I’ll be entering my 13th year in the business next month), I find myself getting more and more repeat business from past clients.  Generally, this comes in the form of them wanting to sell the home I helped them buy a few years ago and move up to something bigger.  While this particular buying/selling scenario is not uncommon, it does have its own unique set of factors to keep in mind.  The easiest way to explore these is with the question, “Should I buy first or should I sell first?”

Buying First

When the time comes for someone to sell and move up, they usually have a pretty good idea of what they want in their new home.  More closets.  A powder room.  Some outdoor space.  Room for a home office.  The list goes on...  I can tell you from experience that my clients have an even more specific list of "must haves" the second or third time around.

Buying first is a great option as it allows you time to shop for the home you truly want as opposed to settling for whatever happens to be on the market at the time.  In the Toronto market inventory is often tight and it can sometimes take awhile for buyers to find and secure the right home.  The last thing you want is to be pressured into a purchase simply because the deadline on your own sale is approaching fast.  Buying first can give you more breathing room and peace of mind in this respect. 

Selling First

Selling first is a good option for some as it allows for a better idea of what their buying budget is.  What if your home sells for $50,000 more than you're expecting?  An extra 50K can certainly help check off more of the boxes on your buying wish list.  On the flip side, what if your home sell for $50,000 less than you're expecting?  No one wants to be in the position of having over spent on their purchase and coming up short on their sale.

Of course, when making any major real estate decision, current market conditions need to be considered.  In a balanced market, less weight would be given to this factor.  The reality though is that the Toronto real estate market is rarely balanced!  In a Seller's Market, buying first is generally going to be the safer option.  In a Buyer's Market, selling first will likely be the way to go. 

If you’re thinking of making a move and would like to know how we can help, please contact us for more info.

December 2017 Market Stats: Infographic & Report

December 2017 market stats are here!

The average sale price for the month was $735,021, up 0.7% compared to December 2016.

Here’s a breakdown of the average sale prices & year-over-year increases/decreases for the 416 area code:

• Detached = $1,250,235 (-2.8%)

• Semi-Detached = $903,658 (+11.5%)

• Townhouse = $649,294 (-2.4%)

• Condo Apartment = $532,700 (+14.1%)

And here’s TREB’s official market report for the month of December 2017 (and an overview of the year in general):

Toronto Real Estate Board President Tim Syrianos announced that Greater Toronto Area REALTORS® reported 92,394 sales through TREB's MLS® System in 2017.

This total was down 18.3 per cent compared to the record set in 2016.

Record sales in Q1 were followed by a decline in Q2 and Q3 after the Ontario Fair Housing Plan (FHP) was announced.

The pace of sales picked up in Q4, as the impact of the FHP started to wane, and some buyers arguably brought forward their home purchase in response to the new OSFI stress test guidelines effective January 1, 2018.

"Much of the sales volatility in 2017 was brought about by government policy decisions. Research from TREB, the provincial government and Statistics Canada showed that foreign home buying was not a major driver of sales in the GTA. However, the Ontario Fair Housing Plan, which included a foreign buyer tax, had a marked psychological impact on the marketplace. Looking forward, government policy could continue to influence consumer behavior in 2018, as changes to federal mortgage lending guidelines come into effect," said Mr. Syrianos.

The average selling price for 2017 as a whole was $822,681 – up 12.7 per cent compared to 2016.

This annual growth was driven more so by extremely tight market conditions during the first four months of the year.

In the latter two-thirds of 2017, fewer sales combined with increased listings resulted in slower price growth.

In December, the MLS® Home Price Index (HPI) Composite Benchmark was up by 7.2 per cent year over year, and the overall average selling price was up by 0.7 per cent year over year.

"It is interesting to note that home price growth in the second half of 2017 differed substantially depending on market segment. The detached market segment – the most expensive on average – experienced the slowest pace of growth as many buyers looked to less expensive options. Conversely, the condominium apartment segment experienced double-digit growth, as condos accounted for a growing share of transactions," said Jason Mercer, TREB's Director of Market Analysis.

If you’re thinking of making a move and would like to know how we can help, please contact us for more info.

Our Real Estate Fave Of The Week: 3 Emerson Ave

Updated semi in Bloordale Village... for under a million!

This semi-detached 2.5-storey home has 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, an updated kitchen and master bath.

What’s our favourite feature?

4 spacious bedrooms make this bright home big enough for a growing family. Plus it’s walking distance to all the amenities of up-and-coming Bloordale Village.

More Features:

• Classic semi with brick exterior

• Fireplace in living room

• Bay window in dining room

• Modern kitchen and master bath

• Mudroom

• Short walk to TTC

• Parking for 2 cars

Price: $949,000

Taxes: $4,360/2017

Lot Size: 22 x 98 feet

Would you like a private tour of this home?  Give us a shout and we’ll make it happen!

Take a gander at all these gorgeous pics:

Listing Brokerage: Re/Max West Realty Inc.

November 2017 Market Stats: Infographic & Report

November 2017 market stats are here!

The average sale price for the month was $761,757, down 2.0% compared to November 2016.

Here’s a breakdown of the average sale prices & year-over-year increases/decreases for the 416 area code:

• Detached = $1,276,184 (-5.1%)

• Semi-Detached = $904,711 (-0.7%)

• Townhouse = $760,501 (+12.3%)

• Condo Apartment = $555,396 (+17.7%)

And here’s TREB’s official market report for the month November 2017:

Toronto Real Estate Board President Tim Syrianos announced that Greater Toronto Area REALTORS® reported 7,374 transactions through TREB's MLS® System in November 2017.

This result was up compared to October 2017, bucking the regular seasonal trend.

On a year-over-year basis, sales were down by 13.3 per cent compared to November 2016.

New listings entered into TREB's MLS® System in November 2017 amounted to 14,349 – up by 37.2 per cent compared to November 2016, when the supply of listings was very low from a historic perspective.

"We have seen an uptick in demand for ownership housing in the GTA this fall, over and above the regular seasonal trend. Similar to the Greater Vancouver experience, the impact of the Ontario Fair Housing Plan and particularly the foreign buyer tax may be starting to wane. On top of this, it is also possible that the upcoming changes to mortgage lending guidelines, which come into effect in January, have prompted some households to speed up their home buying decision," said Mr. Syrianos.

The MLS® Home Price Index (HPI) composite benchmark price was up by 8.4 per cent on a year-over-year basis in November 2017.

The average selling price for all home types combined was down by two per cent compared to November 2016, due in large part to a smaller share of detached home sales versus last year.

On a year-to-date basis, the average selling price was up by 13.4 per cent compared to the same period last year.

High density home types continued to lead the way in terms of price growth, with the average condominium apartment price up by double-digits compared to November 2016.

"Changes in market conditions have not been uniform across market segments. In line with insights from consumer polling undertaken by Ipsos in the spring, we are still seeing seller's market conditions for townhouses and condominium apartments in many neighbourhoods versus more balanced market conditions for detached and semi-detached houses. We will have more insights to share about consumer intentions for 2018 at the end of January when TREB releases its third annual Market Year in Review and Outlook report," said Jason Mercer, TREB's Director of Market Analysis.

If you’re thinking of making a move and would like to know how we can help, please contact us for more info.

Our Real Estate Fave Of The Week: 116 Bertmount Ave

In the heart of Leslieville lies 116 Bertmount Ave!

This semi-detached, 3-storey home has 4 + 1 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms. It's had many upgrades, including a totally renovated basement apartment.

What’s our favourite feature?

The cozy 3rd floor master, with its exposed brick, window seat, fireplace, and large french doors that open onto a private deck.

More Features:

• Character filled home with classic brick exterior

• Pretty leaded windows and living room fireplace

• Large kitchen with stone counters and island

• Income potential from basement unit

• Parking for 1 car

• Great neighbourhood

Price: $1,300,000

Taxes: $4,626.62/2017

Lot Size: 18.42 x 76.25 feet

Would you like a private tour of this home?  Give us a shout and we’ll make it happen!

Take a gander at all these gorgeous pics:

Listing Brokerage: Re/Max Hallmark Francis Group Realty

Who Actually Benefits From An Open House?

There’s a misconception out there that open houses are not worth doing.

A lot of realtors think they're a waste of time. And a lot of sellers assume that the only people who come to open house are nosy neighbours and tire kickers.

Some people think that open houses do nothing more than benefit the listing agent, who uses them to try and capture new buyer leads.

In my opinion though, open houses are definiely worth doing and should be an important part of any home's marketing strategy.

In fact, an open house can potentially benefit all of the parties invloved in the buying/selling process.

How does the seller benefit?

The seller benefits from the added exposure the property gets. Open houses allow any number of potential buyers to view the property who were not able to book a private showing during the week. Yes, this includes nosy neighbors and tire kickers, but that's to be expected.

How does the buyer benefit?

The buyer benefits because it allows them added opportunities to get in to see the property. There are some buyers whose schedule does not allow them to book a showing with their realtor during the week, and open houses allow them a more relaxed time frame on the weekend to see the property.

Open houses are also great for buyers who have already seen the property with the realtor and want to come back for a second showing on the weekend. Perhaps bringing in family members, contractors, etc.

How does the buyer's realtor benefit?

The buyer's realtor benefits because it allows them to get their clients into the property if they are not available to show it themselves. Often times, buyers who are working with a realtor will still go out on their own and tour open houses on the weekends. They will then report back to their realtor if any of the houses are of interest and go from there.

How does the listing agent benefit?

The listing agent's most important job is to market the property and expose it to the highest number of potential buyers possible. Public open houses are an excellent way of doing this!

Yes, the listing agent might connect with some buyers at the open house who do not yet have a realtor (this is how I found the majority of my buyer clients when I first started in the industry). I'll be the first to admit that this side benefit no doubt strengthens a realtor's motivation to dedicate 3 - 4 hours of of their time on a Saturday or Sunday.

Still, the primary goal when a listing agent holds open houses is to expose the property and get it sold!

If you’re thinking of making a move and would like to know how we can help, please contact us for more info.

Our Real Estate Fave Of The Week: 1003 Queen St E #202

Lofty Living In Lesliville!

This lavish 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom loft boasts 10 foot ceilings, over 1,100 sq ft of space, and tasteful modern design. Want to bring the party outside? There’s a shared rooftop deck and garden with available BBQ hookup.

What are our favourite features?

The ceiling height, of course! And the large kitchen with pantry and cupboards galore (and did you see that gorgeous glass door refrigerator?!).

More Features:

• Wide plank engineered hardwood flooring

• Large windows and plenty of natural light

• Only 8 units in the building

• 10 foot ceilings

• One owned parking space

• Owned locker

• Shared rooftop deck/garden, gym

Price: $799,900

Taxes: $5,081.45/2017

Maintenance: $757.75

Approx Sqft: 1,000 - 1,199

Would you like a private tour of this home?  Give us a shout and we’ll make it happen!

Take a gander at all these gorgeous pics:

Listing Brokerage: Re/Max Hallmark Realty LTD.

October 2017 Market Stats: Infographic & Report

October 2017 market stats are here!

The average sale price for the month was $780,104, up 2.3% over October 2016.

Here’s a breakdown of the average sale prices & year-over-year increases for the 416 area code:

• Detached = $1,287,765 (-1.1%)

• Semi-Detached = $948,309 (+5.2%)

• Townhouse = $742,845 (+8.0%)

• Condo Apartment = $555,004 (+20.9%)

And here’s TREB’s official market report for the month October 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.

If you’re thinking of making a move and would like to know how we can help, please contact us for more info.

Our Real Estate Fave Of The Week: 39 Bishop St

Chic designer townhouse on Cul de Sac in Yorkville!

This stunning 2 bedroom townhouse has 3 bathrooms and has been renovated from top to bottom. Walk out from sliding glass doors to your beautiful patio oasis to entertain... or take a short stroll to be entertained!

What are our favourite features? 

The freestanding soaker tub is pure luxury. And with the traffic in Toronto these days, having a short walk to literally everything you need doesn’t hurt!

More Features:

• Modern kitchen with island range hood

• Wide plank oak hardwood flooring

• Floating staircase

• Heated basement & bathroom floors

• Walk-in closet in master bedroom

• Beautiful light fixtures & window coverings

Price: $1,700,000

Taxes: $5,256.11/2017

Lot Size: 15.9 x 60 feet

Would you like a private tour of this home?  Give us a shout and we’ll make it happen!

Take a gander at all these gorgeous pics:

Listing Brokerage: Forest Hill Real Estate Inc.

Under Pressure: Will Some Sellers Benefit From The New Mortgage Stress-Test?

Ever since the new mortgage rules were announced almost 2 weeks ago, I've been monitoring the Toronto MLS to see how many new listings hit the market and try to take advantage of the upcoming changes.

I found a few listings that explicitly highlight the impending rule changes in the "extras" section of the property description. Take a look at the screenshots below:

Under Pressure: Will Some Sellers Benefit From The New Mortgage Stress-Test? Photo

Under Pressure: Will Some Sellers Benefit From The New Mortgage Stress-Test? Photo

Whether or not prospective buyers will actually feel the pressure to make a move on either of these particular properties remains to be seen, but no doubt there are sellers out there who see a potential opportunity here.

I've already heard from a few seller clients of my own who are seriously considering bumping up their plans to list.

Instead of waiting until spring 2018 as previously planned, November 2017 has become a very attractive alternative.

While not every buyer needs to stress about the new stress-test (as I outlined in my blog post from last week), some will certainly be affected by the new rules. Specifically those who need to push their mortgage amount to the maximum.

Consider first time buyers, for example. They have no home equity to throw into the pot, and rely only on whatever down payment they have saved. These buyers would typically need to push their mortgage amount to the maximum in order to break into the market.

And these are the buyers that some sellers are hoping to capitalize on in the coming weeks.

A buyer with a current maximum budget of $450,000 might see their maximum budget reduced to as little as $360,000 after January 1st, 2018.  This person will be highly motivated to make a purchase in the coming weeks, as they’ll be priced out of the market come the new year.

And it goes without saying that a buyer as highly motivated as this will be more inclined to pay a higher price in order to secure a property in time.

We’ll see how things play out over these next 2 months. I'm sure we'll see properties sell for higher-than-expected prices, and I'm sure that a number of sellers will benefit from buyers who are acting under pressure.

Dum-dum-dum Da-da Dum-dum.

Dum-dum-dum Da-da Dum-dum.

If you're a buyer and you have any questions just give us a shout and we’ll put you in touch with a mortgage specialist who can help.

If you're a seller and you're considering listing your home in the coming weeks, give us a shout and we’ll help you make the right move.

Our Real Estate Fave Of The Week: 775 King St W #424

Can you say location, location, location? Hello King West!

This 1 bedroom + den condo is spread out over two floors, and features a floor-to-ceiling wall of windows. Living room walk-out to a large balcony overlooking prime King West excitement.

What's our favourite feature?

The warm, homey feel that the wood staircase adds. 

More Features:

• Open concept main floor

• Separation of living space over two floors

• Large windows

• Well reputed Minto building, with concierge

• Reasonable condo fees, with amenities including party/media rooms, a gym, and guest suites

• Parking & locker!

Price: $560,000

Taxes: $2,405/2017

Size: 600-699 sq ft

Condo Fees: $299.66

Would you like a private tour of this home?Give us a shout and we’ll make it happen!

Take a gander at all these gorgeous pics:

Listing Brokerage: Harvey Kalles Real Estate Ltd.

Who's Actually Going To Be Affected By The New Mortgage Stress-Test?

Since last week’s announcement by the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions (OSFI) about the upcoming changes to the Canadian mortgage rules, I’ve seen plenty of buyers fret that their budgets are going to be reduced by as much as 20%.

This isn’t necessarily the case though, and not every buyer needs to stress about the new stress test. Let’s recap what sort of changes are coming once the new rules are implemented on January 1st, 2018.

The Biggest Change

Once the new rules come into play no-one will be able to qualify at less than the benchmark rate (which today is set at 4.89%). And in fact, borrowers with a down payment of more than 20% will have to qualify at either the benchmark rate or their contract rate + 2%, whichever is greater. So it’s quite possible that some borrowers will have to qualify at a rate that is greater than the current benchmark rate of 4.89%!

To give you some perspective: Since the last round of mortgage rule changes came into effect last year, only default-insured borrowers (these borrowers typically have a down payment of less than 20%) have had to qualify at the benchmark rate.

Borrowers with a down payment of more than 20% (and not default-insured) have had the benefit of only needing to qualify at their contract rate (which is typically less than the benchmark rate).

Come January 1st 2018 though, all borrowers, regardless of their down payment amount and regardless of whether or not their mortgage is default-insured, will have to qualify at the benchmark rate (or possibly higher).

Not Everyone Will Actually Be Affected

I’ve spoken to a handful of buyer clients this past week (after urging them to check-in with their mortgage broker regarding the new rules), and all of them are happy to report back that they will not be affected.

Why not?Because not every borrower pushes their mortgage amount to the maximum.

For example, if a buyer qualifies for a maximum purchase price of $1,000,000 but only plans on spending a maximum of $800,000, then they won’t actually be affected by the new rules.

Buyers are often approved for mortgages that are significantly higher than what they actually want to spend. I’ve worked with plenty of buyers who are simply amazed at how much the bank will lend them and have no intention of going anywhere near that maximum number.

Some will certainly be affected by the new rules though.  Specifically those who do need to push their mortgage amount to the maximum.

Consider first time buyers, for example. They have no home equity to throw into the pot, and rely only on whatever down payment they have saved. These buyers would typically need to push their mortgage amount to the maximum in order to break into the market.

Will You Be Affected?

At this point, there are still some unanswered questions with regards to the timing of the implementation of the new rules. We’re advising all of our buyer clients to reach-out to their mortgage brokers immediately to secure financing options before the changes come.

If you have any questions just give give us a shout and we’ll put you in touch with a mortgage specialist who can help.

Our Real Estate Fave Of The Week: 82 Hertle Ave

Nestled in between cool Lesliville and the beautiful Beaches!

This semi-detached, 2-storey home has 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. It's been opened-up into a modern open concept layout, with a good size lot (23 X 122 feet) and plenty of room to grow in the future.

What are our favourite features?

The gorgeous Ella quartz kitchen island and the finished basement (complete with modern bathroom!) which adds 500 sq ft of extra usable space to the home.

More Features:

• Open concept main floor w/ pot lights

• Gorgeous hardwood flooring throughout

• Renovated kitchen with stainless steel appliances

• Wide, large porch with plenty of room to lounge

• Room for 2 car parking

Price: $1,049,000

Taxes: $3,701.97/2017

Lot Size: 23.08 x 122 feet

Would you like a private tour of this home?  Give us a shout and we’ll make it happen!

Take a gander at all these gorgeous pics:

Listing Brokerage: Real Estate Homeward, Brokerage

Our Real Estate Fave Of The Week: 294 Euclid Ave

Tantalizing Turnkey in Trinity Bellwoods!

This semi-detached, 2-storey home is on a wide 20 X 129 ft lot and has 3 + 1 bedrooms, 3 baths, PLUS a detached 2 car garage.

What are our favourite features?

The large, spa like master bathroom (dig those skylights!). The backyard is seriously green, and how much stuff could you store in that huge garage!?

More Features:

• Open concept main floor with fireplace, powder room, and built-in sound system

• Beautiful french doors that open up onto the backyard

• White and bright large main floor (889 sq ft) with skylights, windows, and pot lights throughout

• 2nd floor laundry

• Great Location

Price: $1,399,000

Taxes: $6,178.12/2017

Lot Size: 20 x 129 feet

Would you like a private tour of this home? Give us a shout and we’ll make it happen!

Take a gander at all these gorgeous pics:

Listing Brokerage: Blue Elephant Realty Inc., Brokerage

September 2017 Market Stats: Infographic & Report

September 2017 market stats are here!

The average sale price for the month was $775,546, up 2.6% over September 2016.

Here's a breakdown of the average sale prices & year-over-year increases for the 416 area code:

• Detached = $1,355,234 (+4.4%)
• Semi-Detached = $935,467 (+5.2%)
• Townhouse = $685,016 (+4.8%)
• Condo Apartment = $554,069 (+24.0%)

And here's TREB’s official market report for the month September 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.

If you’re thinking of making a move and would like to know how I can help, feel free to contact me for more info.

For complete copies of TREB’s Monthly Market Watch Reports, visit my archives here.

Our Real Estate Fave Of The Week: 165 Glendale Ave

Welcome to the leafy green streets of beautiful Roncesvalles!

This semi-detached, 3-storey home is renovated top-to-bottom and has 4 + 1 bedrooms & 4 bathrooms.

What’s our favourite feature?

The 3rd floor master suite (seriously, take a look at the pics below). It’s got a 5-piece ensuite (with freestanding tub!), a huge walk-in closet, and walk-out to a private rooftop patio.

More Features:

• Open concept main floor w/ motion sensor pot lights
• Gorgeous hardwood flooring throughout
• Kitchen w/ unique granite “fusion” waterfall island and stainless steel appliances
• Built-in closets in every bedroom
• 6 skylights
• 2nd floor laundry
• Basement apartment w/ private entrance

Price: $1,790,000

Taxes: $5,056.60/2016

Lot Size: 19.58 x 120 feet

Would you like a private tour of this home?  Give us a shout and we’ll make it happen!

Take a gander at all these gorgeous pics:

Listing Brokerage: Right At Home Realty Inc., Brokerage

Multiple-Offers Are Still Very Much A Part Of The Toronto Real Estate Landscape

Multiple-Offers Are Still Very Much A Part Of The Toronto Real Estate Landscape Photo

We're in the 2nd week of the fall real estate market now, and anyone who's been following along knows that in the past 4.5 months (ever since the Liberals announced their "16-Point Fair Housing Plan16-Point Fair Housing Plan" in April) we've seen a decline in the number of sales and, perhaps more notably, a decline in average sale prices.

Q:  Do these declines mean that there's now room for price negotiation on every single property that comes on the market? A:  Nope.

In fact... plenty of houses are selling for 100% of the list price. And an even larger number of houses are selling for more than the list price!

Despite all the talk of a "buyer's market", there are still plenty of buyers out there willing to pay full price for the right property, or even compete with other buyers and pay more than the list price if need be.

Let's take a look at all sales in the first 10 days of September for some insight (we'll go as far west as the Humber River, as far east as Victoria Park, and as far north as the 401):

Houses

• 83 sales total

• 58 sales at less than the list price

• 10 sales at 100% of the list price

• 15 sales at more than the list price (the highest being 119% of the list price)

Condos

• 162 sales total

• 77 sales at less than the list price

• 37 sales at 100% of list price

• 48 sales at more than the list price (the highest being 117% of the list price)

Percentage-wise, this breaks down as follows:

Houses

• 70% of houses sold for less than the list price

• 12% of houses sold for 100% of the list price

• 18% of houses sold for more than the list price

Condos

• 47.5% of condos sold for less than the list price

• 23% of condos sold for 100% of the list price

• 29.5% of condos sold for more than the list price

While these numbers don't reach the heights that we saw in January - April 2017 (in March, for example, there were a total of 2,145 combined house & condo sales - 73% of which sold for more than the list price), they do show us that buyers aren't being scared out of moving forward with their home searches. If a property warrants it, buyers will make agressive offers and fight for what they want.

Let's see what the rest of the month brings...

If you’re thinking of making a move and would like to know how I can help, feel free to contact me for more info.

August 2017 Market Stats: Infographic & Report

Following is TREB’s market report for August 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.

If you’re thinking of making a move and would like to know how I can help, feel free to contact me for more info.

For complete copies of TREB’s Monthly Market Watch Reports, visit my archives here.