Buy or Sell First?

Good question. Unfortunately, like with many good questions, there is no one clear answer. The answer really is: it depends. It depends on your personal preference, the type of home you are selling, the type of home you are buying and the current market conditions.

Option 1) Selling first (preferably with a long closing) and then buying, mitigates the risk of carrying two properties at the same time. But putting your home up for sale before having found your new home can provide uncertainty. What if you cannot find a home you like? If you are looking for an unusual home, this is not practical and you may find yourself leasing in the interim.

However, if you are clear on the type of home, the neighborhood, the price AND you find several places that meet your criteria, then putting your home up for sale first may be your option.

Option 2) Buying first, especially if you are looking for a unique property, can make the most sense. But keep in mind, if you are unable to sell your existing home within the closing period, you may be left carrying the cost of two properties. Bridge financing is available, but the term may be limited.

This option ensures you buy the home you love, but keep in mind, a unique property will be in high demand, so buying conditionally on the sale of your home may not be an option. Are you willing to buy firm (no conditions)?

As you can see, there is merit to both options. You may even find yourself selling first this time and buying first next time. Really…it just depends…

Toronto Real Estate Market Update May 2013

The month of May produced statistics that continued the string of strong resale activity in the Toronto market place. Notwithstanding that May of this year did not exceed last May’s sales results, in historical terms May 2013 was an outstanding month. May of last year was the pinnacle of the 2012 market. Following May, and especially after the introduction of the more restrictive lending practices by the Federal Minister of Finance, the Toronto real estate market softened, and remained soft for the remainder of 2012.

In May the Toronto Real Estate Board reported 10,182 residential sales. This compares very favourably with the 10,544 properties that were reported sold in May 2012. This represents a mere 3.4 percent decline. As reported in previous up dates the market is not uniform, with some sectors outperforming others.

Up until May, the high end market was lagging, as compared to last year. This May the high end market ($1 million and higher) has made a resurgence. This May 702 properties in this category were reported sold. This compares with 668 that were reported sold in 2012, an increase of 5 percent. At the very high end ($2 million or more) 120 property sales took place, an increase of 20 percent compared to the 100 properties in this category that sold last year. Until this month high end buyers appeared hesitant to enter the market. Their perception of value and the exorbitant and offensive combined land transfer tax no doubt were responsible for the hesitation. It is too early to tell if this resurgence is due to reduced asking prices or pent up demand, or both.

At the other end of the market, the condominium apartment sector continues to underperform, but not nearly as poorly as has been forecast. Last year 1,632 condominium apartments in the City of Toronto sold. This year 1,499 were reported sold, a decline of 8 percent. The decline was more dramatic in the 905 region, with sales down by 16 percent. Despite these declines, averages sale prices remained strong. Average sale prices for condominium apartments in the 416 region increased 1.2 percent to $372,768, and even in the 905 region, where sales were very slow compared to last year, prices moderately increased by 0.9 percent.

The total number of active condominium apartment listings is also not unfolding as forecast. In May in the City of Toronto there were 5,003 active listings. This compares very favourably to the 4,930 that were available in May 2012, an increase of only 1 percent. If the average sale price for all property types continues to rise, condominium apartments, being the least expensive housing form in Toronto, could see a resurgence, particularly if the available listing base stays low.

At the end of May there were 22,677 active listings. This represents a 10.8 percent increase compared to the 20,462 residential resale properties available for sale in 2012. This number of available properties represents 2.8 months of inventory. In May of last year there was only 2.2 months of inventory. Notwithstanding this increase in supply, the available inventory remains historically low, and still in the range of a seller’s market. In the City of Toronto (416 region) the available supply is slightly higher, coming in at 2.9 months of inventory. The eastern trading areas remain the most active with only 2.2 months of inventory with sale prices on average exceeding the asking price, in some districts coming in with a sale to list ratio of 103 percent.

Sales in May continued at a very brisk pace. In the greater Toronto area all properties sold in 23 days. In the City of Toronto sales were achieved even quicker, in 22 days. As has been the case, sales in the eastern districts took place at a blistering pace, taking only 18 days for all properties on average to sell. The condominium apartment market remains the slowest. In the greater Toronto area all sales were achieved in 32 days. The same sector in the City of Toronto was faster, all sales occurring in only 30 days, another sign that the condominium apartment market is healthier than forecast.

It is not surprising that the average sale price continues to rise. Over 10,000 sales on average taking place in only 23 days will put pressure on prices. In May the average sale price for all properties sold came in at $542,174. This is a 5.4 percent increase compared to the average sale price of $514,567 achieved in 2012. Average prices in the City of Toronto continue to rise as well. A typical home in the City (416) now costs $600,791. The most expensive properties in Toronto are detached homes in Toronto’s central districts. The average price for properties in these districts is $1,335,879, and they all sold in only 19 days.

Going forward I anticipate that the market will slightly moderate, but not to the extent that it did in the second half of 2012. Rising inventory levels should ease the pressure on buyers, enabling them to purchase properties other than in competitive situations. Ultimately rising average sale prices will make some of Toronto’s real estate unaffordable, resulting in some moderation of sale prices. This scenario is likely to play out as we head into the last part of 2013. Over the next few months I anticipate a strong market, with month end data showing positive variances compared to the same month last year.

Prepared by: Chris Kapches, Senior Vice President and Legal Counsel Chestnut Park Real Estate Limited, Brokerage

Collingwood Real Estate Market Update Spring 2013

The Georgian Triangle property market continues to fire on all cylinders racking up yet another impressive performance for the month of April and standing out as one of the beacons of strength and stability in the Ontario real estate market. Indeed April’s sales figures released by the Georgian Triangle Association of REALTORS® (“GTAR”) logged a whopping 213 properties sold, higher than any number recorded for the month of April according to GTAR’s archives over the last decade.  To surpass the level of sales set last year in strong and stable market conditions is truly a notable accomplishment. Affordability, quality of life, diversity of property choices and options, and comparative value all seem to be factors contributing to the ongoing strength and legs of the Georgian Triangle real estate market.

In April, 213 properties changed hands, 4% more than last year in the same month which had 205 sales, and almost 29% more than sold last month and in April 2011, when 167 properties sold in each case. Year to date figures are 2% ahead of last year with a total so far for 2013 of 620 properties sold compared to 608 last year at this time. This number also exceeds all year to date sales figures for this time going all the way back to 2004 when 630 properties were recorded as sold by April’s month end. These are truly impressive figures underlying the resilience of the Georgian Triangle market and the obvious attractiveness of this area to today’s buyers.

Interestingly, however, total dollar volume of sales is down year over year by 4%, highlighting the fact that while the market may be robust, sales appear to be concentrated more at the mid and lower price ranges, reflecting the activity in neighbouring rural and urban trading areas where high end properties are not moving as quickly, and when they do sell, it is often only after one or more price reductions. Affordability and real value appears to be top of mind for most buyers who are not prepared to pay any price for their next home or investment and rather in many cases settle on a price only after serious and tough negotiations with the seller. Consistent with this, sales in the one million dollar and up range for the month of April lag behind last year at this time while unit sales in most price categories between $250,000 and $800,000 exceed those from the year previous.

Listings are down 6% from last year with only 706 new properties coming onto the market in April compared to 755 in April 2012. Year to date figures are not much different coming in at 2268, 5% behind last year’s tally of 2383. All this contributes to a tighter market, reflected in the lower inventory of active listings which is 4% lower than last year with 2226 properties recorded as active listings in the MLS® system at the time GTAR’s report was created compared to 2320 last April.

Not surprisingly, strong demand with tighter supply means higher prices, though admittedly only modestly so. Year to date the average residential sale price is up 4.3% coming in at $331,267 compared to $317,534 last year at this time. The average sale price for single family residential properties this April was $318,706, 1% more than last April when it was calculated at $315,336. Measured over a longer twelve month period, the numbers are relatively consistent, stable and sustainable marking only a 1.3% increase coming in at $325,023 compared to $320,755 measured over the same length of time the year previous.

All things considered, GTAR’s statistics for the month of April reflect a remarkably positive performance for the Georgian Triangle real estate market, if somewhat qualified by a softer higher end. That said, mixed messages on the economic front both domestically and south of the border, to say nothing of the ongoing instability in global financial and labour markets means that some degree of uncertainty will continue to percolate through to buyers’ intentions and their willingness to part with their money. As stated in earlier reports, sellers will have to keep this in mind in tempering their expectations and ensuring that their list price reflects value.

Prepared by: Richard Stewart, VP and Legal Counsel Chestnut Park Real Estate Limited, Brokerage

Feature image via The Picot Team, Chestnut Park Real Estate Collingwood

Toronto Real Estate Market Update April 2013

By any standards other than a comparison to April 2012, the Toronto residential resale market performed brilliantly this month. April 2012 was one of a string of months in the early part of last year that were on track to achieve record-breaking statistics. April 2013 will unfortunately be compared to last year, particularly by journalists, who only see the decline year-over-year, and not the absolute numbers achieved.

In April, 9,811 residential resale properties were reported sold. This is only a 2 percent decline compared to the 10,021 properties reported sold last year. As has been the case throughout 2013, the market remains disjointed with sales of various property types in various trading districts selling at practically light speed, with other property types finding some market resistance.

All properties in the greater Toronto area sold in only 23 days (on average). This is faster than the 24 days that sales took place in March. In February it took 28 days for properties to sell. The pace of sales, as well as the volume, has been accelerating as the year has progressed. In some trading districts the pace of sales was astounding. For example, all semi-detached properties in the eastern trading districts sold in a mere 10 days. All detached homes sold in only 15 days. Even in Toronto’s most expensive central districts all properties sold very quickly. Semi-detached houses sold in 16 days, and detached homes, which had an average sale price of $817,649, in only 18 days.

The drag on the market was the condominium apartment sector. In central Toronto, where more than 60 percent of all condominium apartments for sale are located, it took 31 days for sales to take place. Condominium apartments accounted for more than 30 percent of the entire greater Toronto inventory of properties available for sale in April.

Overall inventory levels are increasing as new listings come to market. In April 18,270 new listings were placed on the market by sellers, an increase of 10.9 percent over the 16,470 that became available last year. At the beginning of May there were 20,866 homes for sale in the greater Toronto area, an increase of 13.5 percent compared to 2012. There are now 2.9 months of inventory in the City of Toronto. Last year at this time inventory levels were at 2.2 months. Expect inventory levels to increase as the year unfolds. An increase in inventory levels may not impact the number or speed of sales, but it will definitely impact average sale prices, as we saw in April.

In April the average sale price increased to $526,335, one of the lowest year-over-year increases this year. April’s average sale price was only 2 percent more than the $515,888 achieved in 2012. This moderate average sale price increase was no doubt impacted by the still sluggish high-end market. In April 606 properties having a sale price of $1 Million or more were reported sold. In 2012 643 were sold, a decline of 6 percent.

A bright spot in the market was the increase in the average sale price for condominium apartments. Since condominium apartments account for such a large portion of the overall market, a decline in average sale prices will be negatively felt throughout the market. In April, however, the average sale price for condominium apartments in Toronto increased by 5.6 percent to $379,266. Unfortunately there was a 5.9 percent decline in the 905 region, but that marketplace accounts for much fewer sales than the City of Toronto.

The number of condominium apartment listings is higher than in 2012, but not the volume that was forecast. In April there were 4,755 condominium apartments for sale in Toronto (with 1,990 apartments in the 905 region). This is only an 8 percent increase compared to the same period in 2012. In the central districts, where most condominium apartments are to be found, there were 3,045 apartments available for sale. Last year there were 2,608, an increase of 17 percent year-over-year. 17 percent is not substantially higher than the 13.5 percent increase in listings in the greater Toronto area marketplace for all property types.

April finished strong, and there are no economic factors that would cause May to be any less active. Last May 10,545 properties were reported sold. That represented the peak of sales in 2012. Following May sales began to decline throughout the remainder of 2012. This year the opposite should occur with sales remaining strong, posting positive variances compared to 2012 to the end of the year.

Prepared by: Chris Kapches, Senior Vice President and Legal Counsel Chestnut Park properties in the Toronto area

Toronto Real Estate Market Update Winter 2012-2013

The Toronto residential resale market provided some intriguing data for the month of February. Looked at as a whole it would appear that it is undergoing a negative shift, the continuation of a trend that started in the second half of 2012 and has continued into this year. On closer inspection we see a fragmented market, with some sectors as robust as the record breaking pace of early 2012, and others clearly lagging, dragging the overall performance of the market into negative variance territory.

In February, 5,759 properties were reported sold. In 2012, 6,809 properties were reported sold by the Toronto Real Estate Board, a decrease of more than 15 per cent. Notwithstanding the decline in sales compared to last year, the average sale price increased, but more moderately than recent months. Last February the average sale price came in at $500,249. This year it increased to $510,580, an increase of 2.1 percent. Increases over the past few months have been in the 5 to 7 percent range.

Interestingly enough, the sales that were recorded took place at a pace normally associated with very robust markets. In February all reported sales took place in 28 days (on average) after they were listed. Any time the average days on market is less than 30 days it reflects a seller’s market, which is ironic in light of the fact that compared to last year, the market was off by more than 15 percent.

Last year, when the market was on pace to smash all previous records for sales, the average days on market was 24 days. A deeper analysis of the market indicates that some sectors and housing types are more robust than others. The high-end, or ‘luxury’ home, market is showing weakness compared to last year. Similarly the condominium apartment market is lagging compared to 2012.

In February 2012, 407 properties having a value of $1 Million or more were reported sold. This year that number declined to 334, a decline of 18 percent. The decline in the very high-end properties, having a value of $2 Million or more, has been even more dramatic. Last year 69 properties in this category were reported sold. That number declined to 50 this year, a decrease of more than 27 percent. This decrease has an obvious impact on the monthly average sale price.

It is difficult to pinpoint why this area of the marketplace is not performing well. One explanation is that buyers can no longer obtain a high ratio mortgage on properties with sale prices in excess of $1 Million. It might also be that the value of high-end properties, particularly with values in excess of $2Million, are no longer supportable. During the robust market between the spring of 2009 and last year, prices of high-end properties were strong. Perhaps they pushed the limits that the market could bear. With a second land transfer tax, purchases in excess of $2 Million become quite onerous. For example the combined provincial and municipal land transfer tax a buyer of a $2.5 Million property pays is an outrageous $92,200.

The other sector that is lagging is the condominium apartment sales. I do not believe, as is often reported in the press, that this is primarily due to an overwhelming increase in inventory. In the Toronto (416) marketplace, sales in February were down by 20 percent. Average sale prices declined by 4.7 percent. On average it took 36 days for a listed condominium apartment to sell, 33 percent longer than all properties in Toronto. Detached and semi-detached homes in Toronto sold very quickly, as low as 15 days in Toronto east end districts to 20 days in Toronto’s central districts. In comparison, condominium apartment sales are at best tepid.

Condominium apartment inventory has not increased dramatically compared to last year. The total number of condominium apartments available for sale in the Greater TorontoArea (416 and 905) was 5,458. Last year there were 5,066, an increase of slightly more than 8 percent. In the city, where the bulk of condominium apartments is to be found, the increase is less dramatic. Last year there were 3,712 available for sale. In February of this year there were 3,785, an increase of a mere 73 additional condominium apartments. Considering that sales are off by 20 percent, inventory levels have actually declined. It may be that we will see inventory levels grow as we proceed through the year, but it has not happened yet.

So the reputed cause for the slow down in condominium apartment sales cannot be attributed to higher inventory levels. Rather it is not doubt due to the restrictive mortgage lending rules that the federal government has implemented. Condominium apartments are usually the first and only choice for first time buyers. In the city of Toronto (416), the average sale price in February was only $352,614. There are reports that indicate that 17 percent fewer buyers qualify under the new stricter lending guidelines. A number that is not inconsistent with the 20 percent decline in the condominium apartment market in 2013.

Prepared by: Chris Kapches, Senior Vice-President and Legal Counsel

February 2013

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Toronto Real Estate Market Update WINTER 2012/2013

The last month of 2012 ended as the previous six months had ended, in a negative variance as compared to the same month in 2011. Like

November, sales in December were sharply off compared to sales achieved in December last year. Sales declined by almost 20 percent

compared to sales of residential resale properties in December of 2011. The Toronto Real Estate Board reported only 3,690 properties sold

as compared to 4,585 a year ago. In November of this year sales were off by 16 percent compared to November 2012, while sales in October

declined by 7.1 percent.Added to the 21 percent decline in September, the Toronto and area market place saw its greatest decline since the

2008-2009 recession in the last third of 2012.

At year end it is apparent that for the first time since the spring of 2009 the resale market is shifting in favour of buyers. December alone,

because of its seasonal nature, is never determinative of the overall market, but the last third of the year, clearly speaks to a shifting

market. Interestingly this shift has not been a crash, but rather a leveling off to numbers consistent with historical patterns of strong but not

frenzied markets over the past decade. It must also be remembered that a large segment of this market place is composed of condominium

apartments, particularly in Toronto’s central districts. That area is showing signs of considerable weakness and lowering the overall results

of the market place.

In the City of Toronto all sales (on average) happened in 37 days, 5 days longer than December 2011. This includes condominium

apartment sales, which were much slower than overall sales. In December it took a condominium apartment 44 days to sell. The slower

sales pace is having an impact on the months of inventory of properties available for sale.Whereas in the early part of this year there were

only 2.2 months of inventory, in December that number has grown to 2.7 months. It should be noted that even at 2.7 months, that is still a

very low amount of inventory. During the worst period of the American housing slump, months of inventory exceeded 10 months, with

higher inventory levels in some of the more depressed areas.

Notwithstanding seven months of negative variances, prices have (except for condominium apartments) not shown any signs of decline. In

December the average sale price for the greater Toronto area came in at $478,739, 6.5 percent higher than the $449,566 achieved in

December 2011. December’s average sale price of $478,739 was only slightly less than November’s average sale price of $485,544. It is

common for average sale prices to decline on a monthly basis as the year comes to a close.

Condominium apartment sales continue to cause concern. As 2012 came to a close, many of the condominium projects sold out in 2007

and later were registered.Many of these unit sales were to investors.A great many of those units have now made their way to market. There

is now as many as 30 percent more condominium apartments available for sale as compared to the same period last year. It is no surprise

therefore, that sales are taking longer to achieve (44 days) and average sale prices are beginning to decline. The average sale price for

condominium apartments in the City of Toronto was $342,847. This number is down 1.8 percent compared to those properties sold in

December 2011. This sector of the resale market will continue to lag as more condominium apartments come to market in 2013. Average

declines of 5 percent in sale prices are likely.

Overall there were 13,241 properties available for sale in the greater Toronto area at the end of 2012. This compares to 12,868 available at

the end of last year, a modest 2.9 percent increase. Of note is the fact that new listings coming to market in December declined compared

to December 2011. Only 4,295 new properties were offered for sale, a 10 percent decline from the 4,774 placed on the market last year. It

may be too early to conclude that this reflects a seller’s resistance to the emerging market landscape. New inventories in early 2013 will be

more determinative.

At year end 85,731 properties were reported sold for the year, down from the 89,096 sold in 2011, a 5.1 percent decline. The decline is

predominantly reflected in the last half of the year. Up until May, the market was on pace to establish a new record for sales in the greater

Toronto area, eclipsing the 93,193 sales achieved in 2007, the reigning record.

Looking forward to 2013, I anticipate a continuation of the current market trend, with large negative variances in the early months of 2013

due to the fact that they will be compared to the superlative early results of 2012. I repeat my comments from the November market update.

Sales are a function of price, servicing costs, and consumer confidence, a factor primarily drive by strong job growth.Most areas in Toronto

have become quite pricey, particularly the central districts. Low interest rates have driven market sales over the past few years. But as sales

prices push higher, the stimulating impact of low rates becomes minimized. That as well as stricter mortgage lending rules and a second

land transfer tax in Toronto are the cause of the market slow down. Mortgage rates are not expected to decline, and job growth is expected

to be tepid. Consequently, the only other area that is then a market driver, prices, can be expected to decline. The declines will be modest.

Toronto Market Update June 2012

Although the sales results for residential resales reported by the Toronto Real Estate Board were down in June as compared to June of 2011, the month’s performance was still strong. As in the case of the previous few months, the number of new listings coming to market continued to increase, prompting some economists to conclude that the sellers’ market that has been in play in Toronto since the latter part of 2009 may be coming to an end. I believe that this prediction maybe premature. It will take a string of months when sales decline and listings continue to increase before the market will convincingly move from a sellers’ to a balanced market.

In June 9,422 residential properties were reported sold. This request is down by more than 13 percent compared to the 10,850 sales reported in May, the most sales reported in any month in 2011. June’s sales were also off by 5.4 percent compared to the 9,959 sales reported in June 2011. This is one of the few months in which sales in the current month did not exceed sales for the same month in the previous year. On a year-to-date basis, 50,778 sales have been reported. This pace, if it continues, will exceed the record year of 2007 when Toronto area Realtors sold 93,193 residential properties.

A trend reported in the last monthly report continued into June. Sales growth continues in the 905 region, while sales are beginning to decline in the 416 marketplace. In June sales of detached houses were down 9 percent in the 416 area, yet up 2 percent in 905. Similarly semi-detached home sales were down 15 percent in the 416 region, while the corresponding housing type in the 905 region was up 7 percent. It is only in the case of condominium apartment sales that the 905 and 416 markets are in lock step. Condominium apartment sales were down 18 percent in the 416 region and 20 percent in the 905 area, the largest drag on the over market.

New listings continued to increase as compared to June of last year. 16,679 new listings came to market, 13 percent more than the 14,755 that came to market last June, but substantially fewer than the 19,177 that came to market in May. Since April 52,292 new listings have come to market. During this same period 30,400 sales have been reported, resulting in an increasing active listing base. At the beginning of July there were 20,583 active listings, 13.7 percent more than the 18,102 properties available for sale in July of 2011. As I have indicated in previous reports, the increasing inventory, if it continues, will shift the balance in the market, resulting in more buyer choice and ultimately moderating price increases.

Not withstanding the increasing inventory levels of residential properties in the Toronto area properties continue to sell at a very brisk pace. In June it took only 22 days for all properties (on average) coming to market to sell. Last year it took 24 days. Although the pace in June was blistering, it was one day less than the 21 days it took all properties to sell in May. Like the months of inventory, the days on market statistics must be keenly observed to see if any moderating patterns are developing.

June’s average sale price declined as compared to Mays. In May the average sale price was $516,350, slightly less than the all time record average sale price of $516,608 established in April of this year. Junes average sale price came in at $508,622, 7.3 percent higher that the $474,223 achieved in June 2011. Junes decline, as compared to April And May, is consistent with cyclical seasonal declines, and does not, therefore indicate that average sale prices are declining. Historically prices begin to decline in June, and continued to decline in July and August.

Central Toronto remains the most expensive place to purchase detached and semi-detached houses. On average a buyer can expect to pay $1,306,000 for a detached house, and $ 700,000 for a semi-detached house. Properties in these categories sold in 19 and 14 days, respectively, notwithstanding their expensive selling prices. The least expensive detached and semi-detached homes can be found in Toronto’s eastern trading districts. On average homes sold for $ 506,370. Buyer’s had to be ready to act quickly. Properties in these categories were often spending less than 10 days on the market before being reported sold.

July will be an interesting month to monitor. If at the end of the months sales for July of this year are less than sales for July 2011, it will be two consecutive months of negative sales variances. Still too early to pronounce that the market has shifted to a balanced market. But clear signs that change is underway If this does not occur, then one can anticipate a brisk market for the remainder of 2012, though less frothy than the first six months of this year. Early indications are that July 2012 will compare well to the performance achieved in July 2011.

Prepared by: Chris Kapches, Senior Vice-President
Chestnut Park Real Estate Ltd., Brokerage

Toronto Real Estate Market Update – May 2012

The Toronto Real Estate Board reported very strong numbers for the month of May. The only change to the market place in May was the number of listings that came to market and the longer term impact that more supply will have on market conditions. Until very recently demand outdistanced supply. We are beginning to see the very first signs of supply catching up to demand.

In May 10,850 residential properties were reported sold. This number represents the most sales reported in any month in 2012. Sales in May of this year exceeded sales as compared to May of last year by 11 percent. There were 9,766 sales reported in 2011. Year-to-date 41,651 residential resale properties have been reported sold. If the current pace of sales continues, sales for 2012 might top the 93,193 sales reported in 2007, the best year in the history of the Toronto and area marketplace.

What is emerging is that sales growth is the strongest in the 905 regions. Sales of detached and semi-detached homes in the City of Toronto are up by 6 percent over last year. In the 905 region sales of similar types of properties are up by 13 and 12 percent respectively. Surprisingly the same is true for condominium apartments. In the City of Toronto sales were up by 5 percent, and 12 percent in the 905 region. In absolute numbers, however, many more condominium apartment sales take place in the City of Toronto (1,632) than in the 905 region (704). There are a number of factors responsible for these variances. Generally property values are less in the 905 region than in the City. There is more supply. There is no additional land transfer tax. In the City of Toronto the municipal land transfer tax adds approximately $6,000 to the averaged priced property.

May saw one of the largest influx of new listings in many months. 19,177 new listings came to market, 20.2 percent more product than the 15,949 new listings in May 2011. Coupled with the 16,436 new listings in April, 35,613 new listings came to market in the last two months. During this same period 20,978 residential properties were reported sold. Approximately 15,000 properties remain unabsorbed heading into June. These 15,000 unabsorbed listings are reflected in the 20,462 active listings at the beginning of June. This is a 10 percent increase compared to the total number of available listings at the beginning of June of last year. If new listings continue to increase at May’s pace, price growth will moderate, as all but the most exceptional properties will take longer to sell. The months of supply data will be the statistic to watch over the coming months.

Given the foregoing it is not surprising that days on market data provided by the Toronto Real Estate Board is at record levels. In May all residential properties that came to market sold in 21 days. Last May it took (on average) 23 days for all properties coming to market to sell. In Toronto’s hot, and less expensive, eastern districts, sales took place in less than 17 days on average, even as low as 9 days in some of the eastern sub markets.

The average sale price in May came off the record average sale price of $517,556 achieved last month. May marked the end of a string of record breaking months. May average sale prices subsided slightly to $516,787, yet still almost 6.5 percent higher than the $485,362 average sale price reported in May of last year. Sales of properties having a sale price of $1 Million or more did establish a new record. In this category of homes, 668 properties were reported sold, eclipsing the record established just last month. In April 643 properties in this category sold. It should be noted that 100 properties had sale prices exceeding $2 Million, also a record.

Central Toronto remains the most expensive location to buy a home in the greater Toronto area. The average price of homes in Toronto at $568,768 is 12 percent more expensive than the averaged price property of $516,787 for the entire greater Toronto area. In central Toronto average prices rose to $681,261, 32 percent more than greater Toronto prices. And this includes condominium apartments. A detached home in central Toronto now costs $1,249,967 (almost identical to April’s price), and a semi-detached home will cost a buyer $766,440. As has been the case throughout 2012 the most accessible properties for buyers are available in Toronto’s eastern districts. The average sale price for all eastern districts in May came in at $439,376, well below the average Toronto resale price of $568,768.

Going forward the key to the way in which the market will evolve is supply. As this report has indicated, May saw one of the largest supply of new listings in years. A continuation of a large number of new listings over the remaining months of 2012 will cause the market to moderate. Prices will level off as buyers have more choice.

Prepared by: Chris Kapches, Senior Vice-President at Chestnut Park Real Estate Ltd., Brokerage