It was another solid month of home sales in March here in Waterloo Region. Residential property sales through the MLS system continued to climb month over month with 619 properties sold. This represents a 15.1 percent increase compared to the March of 2014 which was the second lowest March on record since 2006.
During the first quarter of 2015, there were a total of 1,343 home sales, 3.6 percent above last year’s total for the same period and 8.4 percent below the 5 year quarterly average, which is again great news and shows continued strength of our local housing market.
Sales activity in the $300,000 – $349,999 increased significantly in the month of March with 151 homes sold in that range, a 49.5% increase from the same time last year. Pushing the average sales price up for the month were increased sales in the $500,000 – $749,999 range which posted a 61.5% increase equating to 63 sales compared to 39 in March 2014.
March’s sales included 436 single detached homes (up 25.3 %), 95 condominium units (down 2.1 %), 41 semi-detached (down 8.9) and 41 freehold townhouses (down 6.8%).The average sale price of all residential sales increased 7.4 percent to $347,722 compared with March 2014. Single detached homes sold for an average price of $384,635 an increase of 4.0 percent compared to last year. In the condominium market prices were up 12.1%, with the average condo unit selling for $238,846.
Overall the market is still moving forward and prices remain stable. We are expecting another busy spring market which seems to be well underway at this point.
If you have any questions about the local market or would like more information on home prices for your neighborhood, please feel free to give me a call or email direct at kevinbaker@kwhometeam.ca
With the summer over and September and the school season upon us the real estate market is back in full swing. The summer showed very good sales vs previous years with a total of 567 homes sold. The month of august posted a 9.2% increase in the home sales compared to the same month last year. Homes sales in the month of August were also 9.3% above the 5 year average for the month and were second highest on record compared to August sales in the last 5 years.
Kitchener Waterloo and the entire region continues to be strong. Higher than average sales activity in August and year-to-date speaks volumes about the confidence consumers have in our local economy and home ownership as an investment.
The breakdown of residential sales included 367 single detached homes ( up 4.9% from last year), 42 semi-detached (up 13.5%) 39 townhomes (up 77.3%) and 115 condominium units (up 11.7%). The year to date numbers are up 2.7 percent compared to the five year average with 4648 homes being sold.
If we look at average sale price of all residential homes sold through the Multiple listing service system, there was an increase of 3.9 percent last month to $329,892 compared to August 2013. Single detached homes sold for an average price of $378,251 and increase of 5.4 percent compared to last year. The average sale price for a condo unit was $225,167 an increase of 1.5 percent and the average sale price for a freehold townhome was $287,369, a decrease of 1.9 percent from the same time last year.
Overall a fantastic month in the Kitchener Waterloo Housing market. We expect the trend to continue in to the fall selling season as well.
If you have any questions or would like more specific pricing on your home or something that you are looking at purchasing please feel free to give me a call at 519-579-4110 or email direct to kevinbaker@kwhometeam.ca
It was another solid month for home sales in Waterloo Region. Although the number of sales was down compared to last year they were up compared to the 5 year average. Prices were also up which is a great sign that the buyers are still out there and looking to make a move. If you have any questions or would like more specific pricing on your home please don’t hesitate to give me a call.
STEADY STREAM OF HOME SALES FOR THE MONTH OF MAY
KITCHENER-WATERLOO, ON (June 4, 2014) –– Residential property sales through the Multiple Listing
System (MLS® System) of the Kitchener-Waterloo Association of REALTORS® (KWAR) in May were down
5.6 percent compared to last year’s record setting month of May.
A total of 725 residential properties were sold in the month of May compared to 768 the same time
last year. This was only the second time since 2007 that residential sales in May have exceeded 700
total sales. Comparing the 5-year average for the month of May shows a 5.7 percent jump in
residential sales.
“The spring home buying season was in full swing this May” says Lynn Bebenek, President of KWAR.
“Strong sales and price gains reflect the confidence homebuyers have in regional housing market as
a great place to live and invest.”
May’s sales included 514 single detached homes (down 3.4 % from last year) 101 condominium units
(down 17.9 %), 60 semi-detached (up 3.4 %) and 43 freehold townhouses (down 2.3 %).
The average sale price of all residential sales through the KWAR’s MLS® System increased 3.5 percent
last month to $345,323 compared with May 2013. Single detached homes sold for an average price
of $386,474 an increase of 2.1 per cent compared to last year. The average sale price for a
condominium was $226,157, an increase of 6.4 percent compared to May 2013.
So you are thinking about buying a condo and don’t know where to start. Before you buy, know the following:
Condo fees-Know how much they are and what they cover. When are they due and what happens if another owner falls behind? Is there a separate fee for garbage disposal or snow removal? Is landscaping included in the condo fees if there are common yard areas? Ask as many questions as you can. You don’t want to be stuck with, “hidden” expenses after you buy.
Know Your Neighbors-What are the approximate ages of the other condo owners/tenants? Do they have little kids or teenagers? Are they college kids who come home late and play loud music? Ask the other condo owners about any issues with noise before you purchase
Check the Reserve-Make Sure the Association has adequate funds to pay for emergency repairs. When you own a condo you should always have an emergency fund. If there are assessments you’ll be responsible for paying for your “share”, whether the damage or repairs impacted your unit or not.
Condo Association-Does one owner like to throw his/her weight around and dictate how the building is run? Is there a condo association president? Why is his/her role? How often do all of the owners meet to discuss building issues? Is the meeting virtual (skype) or in person? Do you have to host the meeting in your home regularly?
Read the Association’s Rules-If the association has formal written rules, read them. Many of the important things you’ll need to know about living in the building will be included in the association’s rules. Want to know the policy on pets, allowing renters, and who’s responsible for what? Read the rules.
Ask About Pets-Does your future neighbor own a dog that barks all the time? Isn’t house-trained and has accidents on the carpet in the common areas? Is aggressive and scares your kids? Our neighbor’s German Sheppard has lunged at survivor dog. Now we know to pick him up whenever, Karma (dog’s real name, go figure!) is around.
Security-Do your neighbors keep the front doors of the building closed and locked at all times? Is there a security system or a doorman?
Maintenance-If your condo association doesn’t contract with a maintenance company, be sure to ask about who does routine maintenance i.e. who changes light bulbs in the common areas, who salts the sidewalks during snowstorms, and who vacuums the common areas.
Cosmetics-Does the association care about the cosmetics of the building? Do they continuously make improvements to the common areas of the building (which can be expensive)? Or do they let things slide until things are in a bad state of repair and need a total overhaul (also expensive). Are most of the units owner occupied or rented? Typically owners take better care of the building than renters.
Unwritten Rules –sometimes there are ridiculous, “unwritten rules” that pop up once you’re an owner. For example, “We don’t do laundry when it’s raining because the water from the rain combined with the water from the washer floods the basement apartment” or, “We don’t put our air conditioners in the middle window of our units because some air conditioners drip water down the front of the basement and onto the basement apartment’s entrance”. Ask about this unwritten rules and be prepared for them (because inevitability one of these with catch you by surprise.
At the end of the day it is important to know as much information as possible so you can make an informed decision. Remember to use a reputable Real Estate Sales Person who understands the Local condo market here and can assist in showing and taking care of negotiations etc. If you need any advice or are looking to purchase a condo or loft in the Waterloo Region please don’t hesitate to give me call at 519-579-4110 or email direct to kevinbaker@kwhometeam.ca
The nice weather looks like it is finally here to stay which is great news for the local Kitchener Waterloo Real Estate Market. Over the past months we have been experiencing a slight slow down in sales mostly due to the abnormally cold weather we have been having. The weather man is promising nicer weeks ahead and a warm summer so that is great news.
Although sales in April are up over March of this year, we are down year over year approximately 6%. The condo market here is Kitchener Waterloo is growing at a fast pace with many new building projects underway but the sales there have remained flat.
The great news is that prices are still climbing. Average price is up 2.9% or almost $344,000. That means that even with the low inventory levels that we have been experiencing the buyers are still out there and willing to pay to get the home of their dreams.
For a complete rundown on the stats you can read them below. If you have any questions on the market in general or specific pricing of your home feel free to give us a call. We would be happy to come over.
APRIL HOME SALES UP OVER MARCH, DOWN YEAR-OVER-YEAR
KITCHENER-WATERLOO, ON (May 6, 2014) – There were fewer residential property sales through the
Multiple Listing System (MLS® System) of the Kitchener-Waterloo Association of REALTORS®
(KWAR) in April compared to the same month last year.
A total of 652 residential properties sold in the month of April compared to 691 the same time last
year, a decrease of 5.6 percent. In comparison to March, residential sales grew 21 percent,
continuing the trend of monthly increases in home sales since the beginning of this year.
“We’re continuing to see increasing sales activity month after month,” says Lynn Bebenek President
of the KWAR. “Persistently bad weather seems to have delayed decision to buy or sell homes, but the
combination of increasing monthly sales, lower mortgage rates and some sun should drive increases
in the months ahead.”
April’s sales included 445 single detached homes (down 6.1 % from last year) 121 condominium units
(on par with last year), 38 semi-detached (down 19.1 %) and 41 freehold townhouses (down 2.4 %).
Year-to-date residential sales were 6.6 percent below last year with 1,948 residential homes sold thus
far.
While sales were a little slower this month the average sale price of all residential sales through the
KWAR’s MLS® System increased 2.9 percent to $343,839 compared with April 2013. Single detached
homes sold for an average price of $387,130 an increase of 2.2 percent compared to last year. The
average condominium price was up 9.8 percent selling for $237,008, partially due to the sales of
higher end condominium townhomes alongside traditional condos.
With the cold weather still keeping its grip on us here in Kitchener Waterloo, the Residential Real Estate market is starting to show signs of life. Even though the volume of sales are down about 4% the prices are still rising steadily. Condos are leading the way for another month in a row up 6.3%.
Have a look at the entire Media release from the Kitchener waterloo real estate board and if you have any questions please don’t hesitate to give me a call.
HOMES SALES STEADY IN FEBRUARY
KITCHENER-WATERLOO, ON (March 5, 2014) –– Residential sales through the Multiple Listing System (MLS®) of the
Kitchener-Waterloo Association of REALTORS® (KWAR) were down 4.0 percent in February compared to the
same month last year and up 34 percent compared to January’s results which were hampered by extreme
cold and snow.
A total of 431 residential properties were sold compared to 449 the same time last year. Residential sales in
February included 274 single detached homes (down 8.7% from last February), 33 semi-detached (down
13.2%), 28 townhomes (down 3.4%) and 93 condominium units (up 16.3%).
“February sales showed a healthy increase compared to January,” stated Lynn Bebenek, President of the
KWAR. “Low interest rates and a diverse and vibrant regional economy will continue to support a stable market
for the Kitchener-Waterloo area.”
Single detached homes sold for an average price of $387,288 an increase of 5.1 percent compared to last
year. The average sale price for a condominium was $233,657 an increase of 6.8 percent while townhomes and
semis sold for an average of $281,636 (down 0.7%) and $246,171 (down 3.0%) respectively. The average sale
price of all residential sales through the KWAR’s MLS® System increased 3.0 percent to $335,217 compared to
February 2013.
“Following up on what has been one of the coldest winters on record I expect we will see home buyers and
sellers out in full force come the spring time,” said Bebenek.
For many first-time homebuyers, saving the 5 per cent downpayment is one of the big obstacles to home ownership, especially if you’re paying rent, paying down student loans, and trying to live a life. Here are some programs and tips that can give your downpayment a boost – to get you into your home faster:
The federal Home Buyers’ Program (HBP) lets first-time homebuyers withdraw up to $25,000 each (or $50,000 for a couple) tax-free from their RRSPs. You’ll need to pay those funds back, of course, on a repayment plan.
A financial gift from a parent or blood relative can be used as a downpayment. You’ll need to document in writing that the funds are a gift and that you are not required to pay the money back at any time.
A parent or grandparent could also provide a loan with a modest interest rate and reasonable expectations for loan repayment. Or you could look at borrowing the downpayment through a loan or unsecured line of credit.
If your dream home is out of reach, look for a starter home. Use today’s low interest rates to start hammering down your mortgage, then watch for the opportunity to get the home of your dreams – using the equity and credit rating you’ve been building!
JANUARY’S DEEP FREEZE SLOWS OVERALL HOME SALES
CONDO SALES UP IN JANUARY
With most of the country still locked in the DEEP FREEZE, Kitchener waterloo still remains strong on pricing even though sales are slipping a little. The warm weather approaching soon(i hope), I would expect that the market will kick into high gear with strong sales.
If you have any questions on the market in general or specific pricing of your home please don’t hesitate to give me a call.
See below to read the excerpt from the Kitchener Waterloo Real Estate Boards stats.
KITCHENER-WATERLOO, ON (February 5, 2014) –– Homes sales through the Multiple Listing System (MLS®) of the
Kitchener-Waterloo Association of REALTORS® (KWAR) in January were down 5.3 percent compared to January
of last year.
A total of 319 residential properties were sold compared to 337 the same time last year. Residential sales in
January included 207 single detached homes (down 13.4% from last January), 17 semi-detached (down 29.2%),
18 townhomes (down 28%) and 74 condominium units (up 54.2%).
“Coming off a strong 2013, the pace of home sales slowed down somewhat in January,” stated Lynn Bebenek,
President of the KWAR. “The weather didn’t help much either; the extreme cold and heavy snow made
January a less than desirable month to be out looking at houses.”
January’s deep freeze didn’t hamper sale prices however, single detached homes sold for an average price of
$375,009 an increase of 5.7 percent compared to last year. The average sale price for a condominium was
$214,921 an increase of 1.5 percent, while townhomes and semis sold for an average of $263,679 (down 0.9%)
and $254,807 (up 3.5%) respectively. The average sale price of all residential sales through the KWAR’s MLS®
System increased 1.1 percent to $323,533 compared to January 2013.
“The winter months can be hit or miss depending on the weather,” says Bebenek. “Buyers and sellers will be all
the more eager once spring hits, and we are expecting a strong spring market.”
Your home may be the biggest investment you’ll ever make. That means you want to be smart with your mortgage. Although we can’t say for sure what mortgage rates will do – or how the housing market will shift – we have compiled our top tips for the year ahead; sensible strategies for today’s homebuyers and owners.
Variables are back. Several lenders are offering strong “prime minus” rates that could save you thousands in interest. And the Bank of Canada is still holding their key “overnight rate” very steady and very low… making variable-rate mortgages a sensible option right now. Fixed versus variable has always been a challenging mortgage decision. Let us help you decide which financing option best meets your needs.
Don’t sleepwalk through your mortgage renewal. Don’t miss out on an opportunity to save thousands on your mortgage. When your lender sends you a letter saying it’s time to renew… then it’s time to get an expert second opinion. We’re independent and we have access to over 50 lenders. If there’s a better deal, we’ll find it.
Pay your phone bill on time! Paying your bills on time has always been the most important credit habit. Equifax recently started to include phone companies on credit bureau reports – so your lender can see if you have any delinquencies with your phone bills. Look like a good borrower.
Keep other good credit habits. Don’t let your credit accounts exceed 30 per cent of your limit. Don’t cancel an old credit card without getting advice. And don’t sign up for store cards: they often have crazy interest rates, and the application triggers a credit inquiry (you don’t want a lot of those).
Mortgage versus total debt. Do you have high-interest debt outside your mortgage that you won’t be able to pay off in the next few months? Then think about rolling that debt into a new low-rate mortgage. This one, smart strategy could save you thousands… and boost your monthly cash flow. We can analyze your situation to see if you qualify.
What’s the prepayment penalty? Don’t let anyone tell you prepayment penalties are “all the same”. They’re not. If you ever need to get out of your mortgage early, the right mortgage could save you thousands. Not all lenders calculate penalties the same way, and the differences can be substantial. It helps to know which lenders have the most fair prepayment penalties. With access to dozens of lenders – we’ve got that information at our fingertips.
If one of you wants to keep the marital home. If you are going through a separation or divorce and one of you wants to keep the marital home, we’ve got some great mortgage options, including a mortgage to 95 per cent. Your home can be the asset that gives you both a fresh start!
A paydown will pay it forward. Take every opportunity to beat down your mortgage principal using any prepayment privileges! Use tax refunds, bonuses, whatever. Or switch to weekly or bi-weekly payments. Every dollar you pay down on principal means every future payment goes further.
Thinking renovation? We see what you see. Your reno will add value to your home. That’s why we have a special “Refinance Plus Improvements” mortgage that lets you refinance up to 80 per cent of the new, post-reno value of your home. Cool deal.
Come in for a checkup. Your mortgage needs an annual checkup. Really. Life doesn’t stand still, which means your needs may have changed. Even a minor tweak can pay big dividends.
The Stats are in and it was another positive year for the Kitchener Waterloo Real Estate Market.
More homes were sold in 2013 than in the previous two years, and the 6,366 residential sales processed through the Multiple Listing System (MLS®) of the Kitchener-Waterloo Association of REALTORS® (KWAR) this past year were above the 10-year average.
In a year when troubling news concerning one of the region’s largest employers dominated not only headlines, but the hearts and minds of many, the Kitchener-Waterloo housing market fared remarkably well.
“Throughout last year we saw the fate of Waterloo region called into question by those who didn’t fully grasp the depth of our region’s overall economy,” said Lynn Bebenek, President of the KWAR. “While the strength of our housing market is only one economic indicator, this past year demonstrated the confidence buyers and sellers have in Kitchener-Waterloo’s real estate market.”
Sales of homes got off to a slow start in 2013 before heating up in May and stayed strong through to the end of the third quarter. In December, following two months of slower activity, a total of 279 residential properties sold, representing an increase of 3 percent over the same month last year.
The dollar volume of sales in 2013 increased 6.5 percent over last year, totalling $2,057,707,041 and surpassing the “2 billion” dollar mark for the first time in the KWAR’s history.
Close to half of all residential properties (47%) sold above $300,000 in 2013 compared to 43% in 2012. The average price of all residential properties sold in 2013 increased 4 percent to $323,335. Single detached homes sold for an average price of $366,907 in 2013, an increase of 3.7 percent. In the condominium market the average sale price in 2013 was $216,866, an increase of 1.5 percent compared to the previous year.
Home sales in 2013 included 4,241 detached homes (up 4.2 percent from 2012), 1,151 condos (down 3.9 percent), 505 semis (up 3.7 percent), and 399 townhouses (down 0.3 percent)
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.
KITCHENER-WATERLOO, ON (November 5, 2013) –– Residential property sales through the Multiple Listing System
(MLS®) of the Kitchener-Waterloo Association of REALTORS® (KWAR) in October were down 4.0 percent
compared to October of last year.
A total of 481 residential properties were sold compared to 501 the same time last year. Year-to-date sales are
up 3.3 percent with 5,620 homes trading hands so far this year. That stands 2.2 percent above the 5-year
average and up 3.2 percent from the same time in 2012. Residential sales in September included 313 single
detached homes (down 2.8% from last October), 44 semi-detached (down 8.3%), 36 townhomes (up 9.1%) and
85 condominium units (down 7.6%).
“On a monthly basis the number of sales in October was in line with the average of the past 5 years,” says
Dietmar Sommerfeld, President of KWAR. “Looking at year-to-date figures, homes sales are the highest they’ve
been compared to the last five years.”
Sommerfeld says he is confident about the local economy and the region’s housing market, pointing to a
recent Canadian Mortgage Housing Corporation (CMHC) report (Fall 2013) that states steady mortgage rates
combined with stable/increasing employment in the Region will continue to keep housing demand strong
moving into early 2014.
Single detached homes sold for an average price of $352,807 an increase of 3.6 percent compared to last
year. The average sale price for a condominium was $214,226 a decrease of 0.7 percent compared to
October of last year. The average sale price of all residential sales through the KWAR’s MLS® System increased
3.3 percent to $312,785 compared to October 2012.
If you ever have any questions on the information provided or specific pricing of your home feel free to give me a call to discuss. I am always happy to help.
Mortgage rates on the rise? No need to panic; what you need is some smart strategies to prepare. Here are our top 5 tips:
1.Don’t take the money. If you’re buying a new home, don’t be tempted to borrow the maximum amount your lender will allow.
2.Do more than the minimum.If you have a variable-rate mortgage, build in some wiggle room by setting your payments higher than required.
3.Plan to pre-pay. Find out what your pre-payment privileges are and pay whatever you can.
4.Conduct a reality check.Find out what your mortgage balance will be at renewal and use our online mortgage calculator to project what your payments could be if you renewed at a higher rate. Start to ease up to your new payment level so at renewal, it’s like a merge lane!
5. Watch your bad debt. Be cautious about any credit card or other high-interest debt.
Getting prepared for higher rates is not about panicking, it’s about being prudent.Give me a call if you have any questions.
I have been getting alot of questions on how the state of Blackberry is going to affect the local Real Estate Market here in Kitchener Waterloo. Have a look at the video to hear my thoughts on what the future holds..
City of Waterloo Residential Rental Licensing Update – NEW CLASS Z LICENSE
The rental housing licensing by-law has been in effect for one year. City staff have reviewed the by-law for consistency and areas of improvement, and on Monday, August 12, Waterloo city council passed a motion to approve amendments to the by-law.
The amended by-law now includes an additional sixth class of license in order to appropriately capture residential rental units that are similar in nature to apartments but do not meet all aspects of the definition. The new Class Z license will capture rental units that meet two of the three criteria for being an apartment (having four or more dwelling units and being horizontally separated) but do not have an interior common hallway.
City staff have created this new class of residential license to allow properties without an interior common hallway to be licensed and meet safety standards – without having to meet specific bedroom or floor space standards. This amendment ensures consistency in application and enforcement of the by-law.
The application process and deadlines remain the same. Landlords can avoid long waits in line by applying for their license online at mypermits.waterloo.ca.
To review the residential rental housing by-law in its entirety, please visit www.waterloo.ca/bylaw
If you’re buying your first home, take advantage of the Home Buyers Tax Credit (HBTC).
The credit is designed to assist first-time home buyers with the extra costs associated with buying a home, like legal fees, disbursements and land transfer taxes. The $5,000 non-refundable HBTC amount provides up to $750 in federal tax relief. You qualify if neither you nor your spouse (or common-law partner) have owned and lived in another home for the past five years*. If you have a disability – or are purchasing the home for a relative with a disability – you may also qualify for the program, even if you are not a first-time buyer.
Today in Stephen Poloz’s first policy decision since he replaced Mark Carney as the Bank Governor he has kept the prime rate or the benchmark rate unchanged. This rate has held steady at 3% since September of 2010.
Today’s announcement noted that there will be a continuation of steady rates “as long as there is significant slack in the Canadian economy, the inflation outlook remains muted, and imbalances in the household sector continue to evolve constructively.”
The prime rate for most lenders should stay at 3%, great news for variable rate holders. In regards to fixed rates, that market is in a state of flux. With bond prices dropping of the past month that has put upwards pressure on yields which in turn raise interest rates. If you have any questions on what to do or who to call to get a great rate locked in before your next home purchase please give me a call and I am happy to help.
Hey Everyone, Here are the stats for the Waterloo Region and it looks like another great month. With a solid July we are now in positive territory for the year on Sales Volume, while prices remain up from last year which is great news for home sellers. If you have any questions or need any advice on buying or selling please feel free to give me a call at 519-579-4110 or email to kevinbaker@kwhometeam.ca
HOME SALES CONTINUE UPWARD TREND
KITCHENER-WATERLOO, ON (July 4, 2013) –– Residential property sales through the Multiple Listing
System (MLS® System) of the Kitchener-Waterloo Association of REALTORS® (KWAR) half way through
the year are up 1.4 per cent compared the same time last year. Residential sales totaled 3,511, 2.2
per cent ahead of the previous 5-year average of residential sales year-to-date.
In the month of June 648 residential properties were sold compared to 607 in June of last year,
representing a 6.8 per cent increase in sales volume.
“Residential sales in Kitchener-Waterloo continue to perform well” says Dietmar Sommerfeld,
President of KWAR. “We’re seeing a slow and steady upward trend in sales which is exactly what we
like to see, stable and steady growth.”
June’s sales included 422 single detached homes (up 9.9 % from last year) 122 condominium units
(down 7.6 %), 58 semi-detached (up 9.4 %) and 35 freehold townhouses (up 6.1 %). Year-to-date
residential sales display a similar distribution with 2,367 single detached homes (up 3.6 %) 605
condominium units (down 9.4 %), 283 semi-detached (up 6.0 %) and 218 freehold townhouses (up 0.5
%).
On a year-to-date basis, the average sale price of all residential sales increased 4.6 per cent to
$327,569 compared to 2012. Single detached homes sold for an average price of $371,898 an
increase of 4.2 per cent compared to last year. The average sale price for a condominium units sold
in the first half of the year was $215,219, an increase of 2.7 per cent over 2012.
HOME SALES HEAT UP IN MAY
KITCHENER-WATERLOO, ON (June 4, 2013) –– Residential property sales through the Multiple Listing System (MLS®
System) of the Kitchener-Waterloo Association of REALTORS® (KWAR) in May were up 16.1 per cent compared
to the same time last year. Led by strong sales of single detached homes, it’s the first time sales have surpassed
the 700 unit mark in the Month of May since 2007.
A total of 765 residential properties were sold in the month of May compared to 659 the same time last year.
Comparing the 5-year average for the month of May shows a 16.3 per cent jump in activity this past month.
Year-to-date sales are practically on par with the same time last year nudging up by six residential sales.
“Waterloo region’s residential real estate market was alive and well in May, says Dietmar Sommerfeld, President
of KWAR. “On a year-to-date basis, we are seeing sales activity that is right in line with last year’s results and a
little above the 5 year average.”
May’s sales included 528 single detached homes (up 17.9 % from last year) 122 condominium units (up 2.5 %),
59 semi-detached (up 20.4 %) and 45 freehold townhouses (up 18.4 %). Year-to-date residential sales were 3.5
per cent above the 5-year average with a total of 2,860 units to date.
The average sale price of all residential sales through the KWAR’s MLS® System increased 6.9 percent last month
to $333,288 compared with May 2012. Single detached homes sold for an average price of $378,473 an
increase of 7.4 per cent compared to last year. The average sale price for a condominium was $212,638, an
increase of 3.8 percent compared to May 2012.
“The spring home buying season was in full swing in May,” says President Sommerfeld. “This was reflected in the
strong price gains and is a sign of the confidence that homebuyers have in the local housing market and
Waterloo region as a great place to live and invest.
The Bank of Canada is keeping the key policy rate unchanged in the last rate announcement under outgoing Governor Mark Carney. The Bank said that Canadian “growth in the first quarter was stronger than the Bank projected” and that looking ahead “consumer spending is expected to grow at a moderate pace, business investment to grow solidly,” and inflation to remain subdued. The Bank also noted that “growth in total household credit is slowing.”
As we’ve seen in previous announcements, the Bank indicated that our historic low rates “will likely remain appropriate for a period of time” as a result of continued weakness in the economy, but hinting that any future rate move will likely be a modest rate increase.
The prime rate for most lenders should stay at 3%, exactly where it has been for almost three years, since September 2010.
The Bank’s next rate decision is scheduled for July 17.
If you have any questions on rates or the Real Estate market in Waterloo Region feel free to give me a call.
KITCHENER-WATERLOO, ON (May 6, 2013) –– Residential property sales through the Multiple Listing
System (MLS® System) of the Kitchener-Waterloo Association of REALTORS® (KWAR) in April were
identical compared to April last year.
Home sales in April were 1.9 percent above the 5-year average for the month. There were a total of
683 residential properties sold in the month of April compared to 683 the same time last year. In
comparison to March, residential sales grew 11.6 percent, continuing the trend of increasing home
sales since the beginning of 2013.
“Low interest rates and a strong local economy continue to make it favourable for people to invest in
homes in the Region,” says Dietmar Sommerfeld, President of KWAR. “This April set a record for dollar
volume of sales compared to the last 10 years.”
April’s sales included 471 single detached homes (up 3.5 % from last year) 117 condominium units
(down 7.9 %), 47 semi-detached (down 14.5 %) and 41 freehold townhouses (down 2.4 %). Year-todate residential sales were only 1.1 percent below the 5-year average with a total of 2,085 units to date.
The average sale price of all residential sales through the KWAR’s MLS® System increased 6.2 percent
last month to $334,777 compared with April 2012. Single detached homes sold for an average price
of $378,936 an increase of 6.1percent compared to last year. The average sale price for a
condominium was $216,209, a decrease of 0.7 percent compared to April 2012.
With a lower growth forecast, the Bank of Canada is once again keeping its key policy rate unchanged, noting that our historic low rates “will likely remain appropriate for a period of time, after which some modest withdrawal will likely be required.” With a weaker second half of 2012, the bank projects that growth in Canada will regain some momentum through 2013, with the economy “reaching full capacity in mid 2015 – later than anticipated.”
The prime rate for most lenders should stay at 3%, now unchanged since September 2010.
The Bank’s next rate decision is scheduled for May 29.
As for fixed rates, we continue to enjoy historically low rates for those looking to purchase or refinance, perfect for the spring market!
Some of the Best Rates out there give me a call and I can connect to you to a great Mortgage Broker!
Terms
Posted Rates
Our Rates
6 MONTHS
4.00%
3.95%
1 YEAR
3.00%
2.65%
2 YEARS
3.04%
2.69%
3 YEARS
3.70%
2.65%
4 YEARS
4.64%
2.85%
5 YEARS
5.24%
2.84%
7 YEARS
6.35%
3.49%
10 YEARS
6.75%
3.69%
Rates are subject to change without notice. OAC E&OE
Here is the latest report on how the market is doing in Kitchener Waterloo and the region of Waterloo as of the end of march 2013. As always if you have any questions or need any advice as to when a good time to buy or sell is please give me a call at 519-579-4110 or email kevinbaker@kwhometeam.ca
KITCHENER-WATERLOO, ON (April 4, 2013) –– Residential property sales through the Multiple Listing
System (MLS® System) of the Kitchener-Waterloo Association of REALTORS® (KWAR) were in keeping
with the 10-year historical average for the first quarter.
During the first quarter of 2013, there were a total of 1,397 home sales, 7.6 percent below last year’s
total for the same period.
“Home sales have been affected by tightened mortgage rules,” says Dietmar Sommerfeld, President
of KWAR. “First time buyers are most impacted but at the same time low interest rates should help
foster a healthy upcoming spring market.”
Home sales in the month of March totalled 607 units, 9.4 percent lower than the same month a year
ago and 1.5 percent below the 5-year average. March’s sales included 393 single detached homes
(down 12.1 %), 107 condominium units (down 12.3 %), 58 semi-detached (up 5.5) and 43 freehold
townhouses (up 7.5%).
While sales were down last month compared to the same period a year ago home sales have
increased month over month since January of this year and the average sale price of all residential
sales increased 2.9 percent to $320,229 compared with March 2012. Single detached homes sold for
an average price of $367,714 an increase of 3.4 percent compared to last year. In the condominium
market prices were up 3.6%, with the average condo unit selling for $206,298
KW Condos and Lofts.com 
