Kitchener Waterloo Has a Frenzy of Home Sales.

It was another very strong month of home sales in the Waterloo Region. There is seemingly no end in sight  in this brisk early spring market.

There were 474 residential sales in February through the Multiple Listing System, an increase of 4.2 percent compared to February 2016. With the nice weather in February, we experienced  volume well above what we would normally see for a typical February. That being said, the sales volume could have been much higher still if there were more listings on the market. The shortage of listings and demand continue to push up prices across the region.

Residential sales in February included 299 detached homes (up 5.7 percent compared to February 2016), 107 condominium units (up 3.9 percent) which include any property regardless of style (i.e. semis, townhomes, apartment, detached etc.). Sales also included 32 semi-detached homes (down 3 percent) and 31 freehold townhouses (up 3.3 percent).

A lack of listings to satisfy the strong consumer demand is fueling multiple offers often resulting in sale prices above the actual asking price, which pushed the total residential average sale price in February up 27.5% compared to the same month last year to $463,355. Detached homes sold for an average price of $549,691 an increase of 30.7 percent, while the average sale price for an apartment style condominium was $246,736, an increase of 8.8 percent. Townhomes and semis sold for an average of $388,721 (up 20.6 percent) and $369,624 (up 31 percent) respectively.

Last month there were 427 active listings on the KWAR’s MLS® System, compared to 1,226 in February of last year. The average days on market in February were significantly shorter than a year ago: 18 days, compared to 39 days. On a month to month basis, the market was in a real frenzy in February, with it taking four fewer days from list to sale date last month compared to January.

Even though it is a challenging time to be selling or buying a home, the dream of home ownership is still very much alive and well in the region. With historically low interest rates there are still properties that are affordable for the average buyer.

If you ever have any questions on buying a home in this competitive marketplace or you are thinking of selling your home please give me a call and I would be happy to sit down and discuss the best strategy that works for you and your families situation.

Have a great day

Kevin