Rashida's Corner

2017 was an interesting year for the Toronto real estate market.

It was a roller coaster ride of activity, the highs and lows brought about by government’s decisions to try to slow down home prices increases utilizing negative policy changes.

Record sales in the first quarter of the year were followed by a decline in demand in the spring and summer, as home buyers adopted a wait and see attitude towards purchasing as the Ontario Fair Housing Plan (FHP) was announced. Research later showed that while foreign home buying was not a major driver of sales and prices in the GTA, the FHP, which included a foreign buyer tax, had a marked psychological impact on the marketplace. Government policy continued to influence consumer behavior as changes to federal mortgage lending guidelines were announcedlate summer, and buyers jumped into the market to buy before the guidelines took effect in January.

2017 ended with over 92,000 homes sold and average prices rising to $822,681, up 12.7% over 2016. The condominium market saw the highest increase in prices, followed by semidetached homes as affordability continued to be the major factor influencing buyer decisions.

All of the current market conditions have been brought about by demand, as population growth outstripped the growth of supply. If the government would shorten the length of time it took to bring new land and new homes to the market (currently years), (a positive policy, as opposed to negative policies of increased taxation and limitation) prices would stabilize.

I believe that the first 3 month of 2018 will be less active than usual due to a number of factors. The first one is that the negative press of the comparison to last year, (best in history) vs this year, will put the average person into a waiting mode to see what happens to prices. The second factor is that many buyers who would have bought in the first quarter, bought in the fall, before the new mortgage changes took effect. And lastly, it’s COLD and less buyers will be out. That means the first 3 months will be a great time to buy, before everyone jumps back into the market April and May.

It might sound self-serving of me to say this, but consider that none of the factors that created this market have changed. Demand, economy, immigration, low interest rates, have not changed. Prices in Toronto will only drop long term if the population shrinks, and I do not see that happening.

Some people wait and see what happens, others make things happen. If you are looking to buy or invest, I believe now is the time!

Give me a call, I’ll be happy to put my knowledge and expertise to work for you!

Stay warm, its cold out there!

Your Friend in Real Estate