A Big Year For Kitchener Waterloo Home Sales in 2017
Happy New Year!
It was a Huge year for Home Sales in 2017 here in Kitchener Waterloo with total residential sales volume surpasses 3 billion. There were 6,549 homes sold in Kitchener-Waterloo and area last year through the Multiple Listing System (MLS® System), just one percent behind last year’s record smashing results.
The year ended strong with 301 home sales in December, which is a slight one per cent above December of 2016, and 13 per cent above the previous five year average.
There was a definite push by some buyers to purchase a home prior to the new mortgage stress test kicking in January of 2018. While we appreciate the intent of these additional
changes, ultimately they will make it harder for some consumers to purchase the home they want. Picking up on the momentum from 2016, the first half of 2017 was characterized by an unparalleled number of home sales. Then in the latter half of the year, on the heels of the Ontario government’s announcement of the Fair
Housing Plan, the pace of sales began to decrease while still remaining above the previous five year’s averages.
There is almost universal agreement that the introduction of the Ontario Fair Housing Plan, which included a tax on non-residents who purchase homes in the Greater Golden Horseshoe (GGH) did contribute to the decline in home sales in the last half of the year, however that was mostly due to the psychological impact it had on buyers and sellers in the marketplace. For Waterloo Region these impacts were not yet as acute as in other areas of the GGH, but we are certainly concerned that any additional restrictions will further impede consumer affordability for homes.
Total residential sales in 2017 included 4,005 detached (down 4.2 per cent), and 1,461 condominium units (down 2.9 per cent) which includes any property regardless of style (i.e. semis, townhomes, apartment, detached etc.). Sales also included 545 semi-detached homes (up 27.6 per cent) and 467 freehold townhouses (up 10.9 per cent).
The consumer demand we experienced in 2017 was certainly strong enough to have outnumbered 2016 home sales, however the continued tight supply of listings last year served to tamp down unit sales and drive up prices. While the number of homes that were put up for sale was in keeping with previous years, inventory tracked low all
year long as buyers continued to snap up properties at a terrific rate. The average days it took to sell a home in 2017 was 19 days, compared to 43 days if you were to average out the previous 10 years.
Dollar volume of all residential real estate sold last year increased 19.5 per cent to just over three billion ($3,061,739,723) compared with 2016, reflecting the strong price gains realized in 2017 and marking the first time sales have surpassed the three billion dollar milestone. The average sale price of all residential properties sold in 2017 increased 20.7 per cent to $467,513 compared to 2016. Detached homes sold for an average price of $549,046, an increase of 21.5 per cent compared to 2016. During this same period, the average sale price for an apartment style condominium was $271,940 for an increase of 18.3 per cent. Townhomes and semis sold for an average of $353,692 (up 23.6 per cent) and $378,275 (up 25.9 per cent) respectively.
The median price of all residential properties sold last year increased 21.1 per cent to $429,900, and the median price of a detached home during the same period increased 22 per cent to $495,000. With the continued influence of GTA buyers migrating to Waterloo region last year, 2017 was a great year if you were selling your home, but not so fun for those who were in the purchasing position. The quality of life enjoyed living in Waterloo Region has always been at the top compared to many other communities, even though our historical home prices have been relatively affordable. I think this secret is out now, and the activity of buyers from the GTA last year certainly demonstrates this.
While the frenzied buying activity has cooled under the multitude of newly-imposed government regulations, looking ahead we expect the demand to continue to be greater than the supply. While the balance is shifting, we do not believe there will be any decreases in property values and if anything, the correction for Waterloo Region was watching it increase. Of course, this will continue to put pressure on affordability for many would-be homebuyers.
The new stress test that just came into effect on January 1 is going to push some buyers out of the market and force others to purchase homes at a lower price point than they want as it reduces their ability to borrow.
If you have any questions on our local real estate market or if you are thinking of buying or selling a home or condo in 2018 please don’t hesitate to give me a call at 519-497-4646 or email to kevinbakerrealestate@gmail.com We can grab a coffee and discuss how I can help.
Have a fantastic 2018!
Kevin
Solid Home Sales for Waterloo Region in September
Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family. I hope you are able to spend some time together during this festive season and wonderful weather.
I wanted to give you a quick update on the Waterloo Region housing market so here are some latest stats and thoughts. A total of 470 residential properties changed hands in September. This was a decrease of 12.8 percent compared to the record number of sales in September of 2016, but still ahead of the previous 5-year September average of 437 sales.
On a year-to-date basis 5,357 residential units have sold compared to 5,239 during the same period in 2016, an increase of 2.3 per cent. We are seeing strong demand continue into the autumn. Residential listing inventory to the end of September totalled 843, which is ahead of September of last year, but represents just half the number of listings that were on the market in the previous five years (2011-2015) for September.
September’s sales included 285 detached homes (down 14.2 per cent), and 105 condominium units (down 19.2 per cent). Sales also included 38 semi-detached homes (up 22.6 per cent) and 37 freehold townhouses (up 12.1 per cent).
The average price of all residential properties sold last month increased 12 per cent to $455,079 compared to September 2016. The average sale price for an apartment style condominium was $261,337 for an increase of 6 per cent. Townhomes and semis sold for an average of $359,448 (up 20.9 per cent) and $372,226 (up 19 per cent) respectively. Detached homes sold for an average price of $513,873 in September for an increase of 10 per cent compared to a year ago. Our local residential real estate market continues to show solid price growth and unit sales even though year-over-year price appreciation peaked in April of this year when the average price of a detached home increased 40 percent to $594,108. Today, on a year-to-date basis, the price of a detached home has averaged $553,029, an increase of 24.7 percent compared to 2016.
Last month 32% of all residential transactions were in the $300-399,999 range; compared to just 15.6% in April. We also saw more transactions in the higher price ranges during the heat of the spring market. There were 20 sales that occurred over the one million dollar mark in April, compared to only 5 in September. The average days on market in September was 36, compared to 57 days a year ago. On a month to month basis, it took ten additional days on average from list to sale date in September compared to August. The feverish spring conditions have given way to a saner playing field, however an increase in listings would be a welcome shift for homebuyers who would benefit from increased selection across the more affordable price ranges.
If you have any questions or would like to sit down and discuss buying or selling a property please give me a call and we can work out a plan that best works for your families needs.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Kevin
Over 800 Homes Sales in May Sets Record For Kitchener Waterloo
I hope you and your family have been doing well and enjoying the wonderful weather we have been having over the past month!! Summer certainly seems to be here.
Well May was another record setting month here in Waterloo region. There were 816 Residential properties sold through the MLS® System in May, an increase of 8.2 per cent compared to May 2016, and a 6 per cent increase compared to the previous month. This is the second consecutive month unit sales have hit an all-time high.
Home sales in May included 493 detached homes (up 3.8 per cent compared to May 2016), 180 condominium units (up 7.8 per cent) which includes any property regardless of style (i.e. semis, townhomes, apartment, detached etc.). Sales also included 64 semi-detached homes (up 39.1 percent) and 70 freehold townhouses (up 22.8 per cent).
With the persistent buyer demand that we’ve been experiencing these past several months, it was great to see that spike in residential listings. It certainly helped to give buyers more choice. There were 1,271 residential properties listed in K-W and area last month, a 38.6 per cent increase compared to May of 2016, and a 29 per cent increase compared to the previous month. It’s the first time in two years that the number of new listings put on the market has exceeded the 1,000 unit mark. The five-year average for new listings in May is 989.
While more homes were listed in May, it continues to be a seller’s market in Waterloo region and across the Greater Golden Horseshoe (GGH) as inventories remain tight at near or less than one month of inventory.
The average sales price of all residential sales increased 31 per cent to $496,664 compared to May 2016. Detached homes sold for an average price of $594,047 an increase of 35.3 per cent, while the average sale price for an apartment style condominium was $293,158, an increase of 25.8 per cent. Townhomes and semis sold for an average of $361,198 (up 30 per cent) and $383,819 (up 29.3 per cent) respectively. Ongoing demand for homes in Waterloo region has resulted in a shorter sales cycle.
The average days on market in May was 12, compared to 24 days a year ago. On a month to month basis, it took two additional days on average from list to sale date in May compared to April.
Looking at the Fair Housing Plan that was announced by the Ontario government in April, we think it is still too soon to know if the measures will have the intended cooling effect on the market. For now, home sales are still booming, and prices are going strong. While we continued to see big year-over year price gains in May, the overall residential average price did dip 3 per cent compared to April. Keep in mind that one month does not make a trend but the spike in listings last month may have contributed to the flatter prices. Looking forward to the summer will help gauge where the market is headed going into the last half of this year.
If you have any questions or are thinking of buying or selling a home in the next few month feel free to give me a call at 519-497-4646 or email to baker_kevin@rogers.com and we can sit down and discuss some options that best suit your families needs.
Have a great June!
Kevin
No Signs of Cooling the Hot Kitchener Waterloo Real Estate Market
The trend continues here in Kitchener Waterloo with no signs of cooling. The demand for homes is Hot Hot Hot.
A total of 540 residential properties changed hands in Kitchener Waterloo and area though the MLS® System. This represents a 29.2 percent increase in sales compared to September of 2015, and is a new record high for the month.
On a year-to-date basis 5,241 residential units have sold compared to 4,456 during the same period in 2015, an increase of 17.6 percent. This is the first time sales have exceed the 5000 unit mark at the end of the third quarter. The demand is strong but the supply of homes still continues to lag well behind. Residential listing inventory totaled 815, a decline of 51 percent compared to September 2015.
Showing the most traction, were the sales of condominium type units, which include any property regardless of style (i.e. semis, town homes, apartment, detached etc.), increasing 80.6 percent to 130 transactions in September relative to the same month a year ago.
Meanwhile, 333 single detached homes sold last month, an increase of 19.8 percent, compared to last year. September’s sales also included 31 Semi-detached homes (down 18.4 percent) and 33 freehold townhouses (up 22.2 percent).
The average price of all residential properties sold year-to-date was $380,692, a 9.7 percent increase over 2015. The average price of a detached home to the end of the third quarter was $443,554, an 11.8 percent increase over 2015. During this same period, the average sale price for an apartment style condominium was $231,187, an increase of 4.5 percent. Townhomes and semis sold for an average of $281,709 (up 8.3 percent) and $293,167 (up 8.5 percent) respectively.
The median price of all residential properties sold year-to-date increased 9.9 percent to $350,000, and the median price of a detached home during the same period increased 10.9 percent to $400,500. Like many other markets in Ontario, it continues to be a sellers’ market here in Waterloo region. Due to the outweighing demand over supply, its putting upward pressure on prices.
With the new changes by the federal government, introducing the mortgage rate “stress test” on all new insured mortgages, could delay home purchases for some first time home buyers, as they assess what they can afford, and possibly save for a bigger down payment.
I don’t believe that these changes will impact our area to a large degree, the very fact that the government is taking steps could cause a slight cooling of the market.
If you have any questions or are thinking of buying or selling this fall please give me a call and we can discuss some strategies that would work best for you.
Have a great Thanksgiving!
Kevin
Ontario Government Has passed the Carbon Monoxide Bill
A new Bill has passed. Nearly five years after a Woodstock family was killed by carbon monoxide poisoning, provincial politicians have passed a bill that mandates all Ontario homes have CO detectors. I think this is a fantastic idea.
For more info visit
KITCHENER WATERLOO HOMES ONLINE.com 
