“Home sales increased compared to last year as the cost of home ownership remained affordable, with lower interest rates going a long way to mitigate the effect of rising home prices. However, a substantial amount of pent-up demand remains in place, especially as it relates to low-rise market segments. This suggests that strong competition between buyers, which has fuelled strong price growth so far this year, will continue to be experienced throughout the spring,” said Mr. Etherington.
In March, the average selling price for all reported transactions was $613,933 – up 10 per cent year-over-year. The MLS® HPI Composite Index, which tracks benchmark homes with the same attributes from one period to the next, was up by 7.9 per cent. Average price growth was strongest for detached homes in the City of Toronto, at 15.9 per cent. Over the same period the detached MLS® HPI in the '416' area code increased 7.8 per cent.
The MLS® HPI provides a clear indication of price growth due to market forces - the relationship between demand and supply. Comparing MLS® HPI growth to average price growth provides a sense of the changing mix of home types sold from one period to the next.
"It is clear that seller's market conditions in many parts of the GTA are driving price growth. However, looking at the detached market segment in the City of Toronto in particular, growth in the average selling price outstripped growth in the MLS® HPI. This points to the fact that the mix of detached homes sold this year compared to last has shifted towards more expensive properties," said Jason Mercer, TREB's Director of Market Analysis.
Increased Average Home Prices in Durham Region
Durham Region Association of REALTORS® (DRAR) President Sandra O’Donohue reported 1,086 residential transactions in March 2015.This resulted in an increase of 14.7 per cent from 947 in March of last year. “The number of sales increased significantly year-over-year, however, we are still seeing less inventory compared to the same period last year” reported O’Donohue. Durham saw 1,527 new listings enter the market in March 2015 compared to 1,553 in March 2014. “This makes for competition between buyers and drives home prices up” explained O’Donohue.
The average selling price in the Durham Region reached $430,291 in March 2015. In March 2014, the average price of a home in the Durham Region was $380,267. “Low interest rates are keeping home ownership affordable even with the rise in home prices” explained O’Donohue. Average price growth was strongest for townhouses in the Durham Region, at 15.3 per cent compared to the same period last year.
Competition between buyers has also had an effect on the sale price over list price percentage. “We have seen homes sell for an average of 101 per cent of the asking price. This is a factor that is driving prices up across the Durham Region, and is an indicator of a strong seller’s market,” explained O’Donohue. In March of last year, the average home sold for 99 per cent of its asking price.
"Durham is still experiencing a seller’s market. However, low borrowing rates are keeping home ownership affordable” explained O’Donohue. “Buyers continue to view home ownership within the Durham Region as a great long-term investment”.
If you are looking for a house in Durham Region or are already a homeowner and wish to move to a new house in Pickering, Ajax, Whitby, Brooklin, Oshawa, Courtice or Bowmanville, please contact me for more information.
Having sold real estate in Whitby and the Durham Region for over 20 years, I can help you with both - the buying and selling process.
Randy Miller
Broker of Record
Royal Heritage Realty Ltd.
Offices in Pickering and in Whitby
905-430-1800
randy@randymiller.ca
www.whitbyhomesearch.com
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