Homeowners – Exterior Remodeling Projects Prove Best Bang for Your Buck

Homeowners – Exterior Remodeling Projects Prove Best Bang for Your Buck: "RISMEDIA, December 24, 2009—Despite a slow market and a slight decrease in the resale value of most remodeling projects, Realtors report that the smartest home improvement investments may also be some of the least expensive. Results from the 2009 Remodeling Cost vs. Value Report show that small-scale exterior projects are ...

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Looking Ahead: Canada's Housing Demand to 2036

Looking Ahead: Canada's Housing Demand to 2036: "As the Canadian population ages, immigration will be the key factor driving housing demand for the next few decades. Jim Adair looks at what other changes are in store for the housing industry."

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December 2009

GTA REALTORS® Report December Mid-Month Resale Housing Market Figures

TORONTO, December 17, 2009 - Greater Toronto REALTORS reported 3,079 existing home

transactions in the first two weeks of December compared to 1,487 in 2008. The strong

growth represents both increased home ownership demand and the fact that we are

comparing the recovery phase of the sales cycle this December with the contraction

phase experienced last winter

Year-to-date sales, at 84,888, were up 16 per cent compared to the same period last year

and have moved in line with the healthy levels experienced in the 2004 through 2006

period.

"We experienced a very strong and broad based recovery in the second half of 2009,"

said Toronto Real Estate Board President Tom Lebour. "The rebound in the housing

sector speaks to the confidence that households have in overall economic recovery.”

The average resale home price during the first two weeks of December rose 17 per cent to

$423,103. The year-to-date average was $395,411, up four per cent compared to the same

period in 2008.

“The double-digit price growth we have experienced since September will continue

through the first quarter of 2010. Average price growth will move to a sustainable pace in

the spring as listings increase," according to Jason Mercer, TREB's Senior Manager of

Market Analysis.

Summary Of December Sales And Average Price

December

2009 2008

Sales Average Price Sales Average Price

City of Toronto ("416") 1,343 $460,828 619 $382,759

Rest of GTA ("905") 1,736 $393,918 868 $344,887

GTA 3,079 $423,103 1,487 $360,652

Source: Toronto Real Estate Board

Greater Toronto REALTORS® are passionate about their work. They adhere to a strict Code of Ethics

and share a state-of-the-art Multiple Listing Service. Serving over 29,000 Members in the Greater

Toronto Area, the Toronto Real Estate Board is Canada’s largest real estate board. Greater Toronto Area

open house listings are now available on www.TorontoRealEstateBoard.com.

Strong Sales Increases Continue in August

September 2, 2009 -- August 2009, Greater Toronto REALTORS® reported 8,035 sales, up 27% per cent from August 2008. The average price for August transactions was $387,921 – up by six per cent compared to the same month last year. "The increase in demand for existing homes has been widespread across different housing types and price ranges," said TREB President Tom Lebour. "This suggests many categories of home buyers have chosen to make a long-term investment in housing, from first-time buyers to move-up buyers or buyers who are seeking a lifestyle change." Year-to-date sales, at 58,421 were up two per cent compared to the first eight months of 2008. Average price, at $385,978 was up by less than one-half of one per cent. "We have heard more positive economic news lately. The improved housing market has played a key role," explained Jason Mercer, TREB's Senior Manager of Market Analysis. "Home sales have helped other sectors of the economy through home buyers' spending on things like financial and legal services, moving, renovations and home furnishings."

Median Price In August, the median price was $338,000, from the $318,000 recorded during August of 2008.

GTA REALTORS® Report August Mid-Month Resale Market Figures

GTA REALTORS® Report August Mid-Month Resale Market Figures TORONTO, August 18, 2009 - In the first two weeks of August, Greater Toronto REALTORS® reported 3,832 sales – up 27 per cent compared to the first two weeks of August 2008. The average price for these transactions was up three per cent year-over-year to $383,796. "The results for the first half of August indicate that many households in the GTA remain confident in their ability to purchase and pay for a home over the long term," said TREB President Tom Lebour. Year-to-date sales, at 54,303 are up slightly compared to 54,138 in 2008. Average price, at $385,603 is down by less than one half of one per cent. "Strong resale housing demand will contribute to broader economic recovery as each transaction results in substantial spin-off benefits to other sectors of the economy," explained Jason Mercer, TREB's Senior Manager of Market Analysis. Summary Of August Sales And Average Price August 2009 2008 Sales Average Price Sales Average Price City of Toronto ("416") 1,465 $391,252 1,192 $394,563 Rest of GTA ("905") 2,367 $379,181 1,827 $360,326 GTA 3,832 $383,796 3,019 $373,844 Source: Toronto Real Estate Board Greater Toronto REALTORS® are passionate about their work. They adhere to a strict Code of Ethics and share a state-of-the-art Multiple Listing Service. Serving over 28,000 Members in the Greater Toronto Area, the Toronto Real Estate Board is Canada’s largest real estate board. Greater Toronto Area open house listings are now available on www.TorontoRealEstateBoard.com.

Existing home sales set July record

August 14, 2009 Tony Wong
BUSINESS REPORTER

Canadian existing home sales set a record for July, up 18.2 per cent from the same time last year according to figures released today.

A total of 50,270 homes exchanged hands last month, breaking the previous record set in July of 2007 when the market was at its peak, according to the Canadian Real Estate Association.

Year over year gains in Toronto (up 28 per cent), Calgary (up 22 per cent) and Montreal (up 19 per cent) helped set the record. Vancouver was the stand out, however, with a 90 per cent year over year gain.

Prices nationally are up 7.6 per cent from a year ago to $326,832.

However, only seven markets in Canada posted new average price records. This suggests that a strong rebound in sales activity in the more expensive cities in Canada is skewing national prices upward.

The trend toward fewer listings is also having an impact. For the seventh month in a row, listings were down. This time by 13 per cent in July as buyers have fewer inventory to choose from.

Nationally, there were 4.4 months of inventory last month, well below the recessionary peak of 12.8 months in January of this year.

"Home sales through the MLS systems in July provide clear evidence that sentiment about making major purchases continues to improve," said CREA Chief Economist Gregory Klump. "These trends are supporting average prices."

thestar.com

EDITOR'S PICKS

CMHC

Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) is Canada's national housing agency, which is best known as a provider of mortgage loan insurance. It is also involved in helping Canadians most in need to gain access to safe, affordable housing. CMHC is a source of reliable, objective housing information for Canadians and is well-known internationally for sharing expertise with others around the world.

GTA

GTA REALTORS® report resale record in July

TORONTO, August 6, 2009 - In July 2009, Greater Toronto REALTORS® reported a record

9,967 sales, up 28 per cent from July 2008. The average price for July transactions was

$395,414 – up by six per cent compared to the same month last year.

"Households confident in their positioning within the current economic environment have taken

advantage of housing affordability in the GTA," said TREB President Tom Lebour. "The real

estate sector has been one of the sectors making a positive contribution to economic growth in

the GTA, not to mention Ontario and Canada more broadly."

Year-to-date sales, at 50,632 are down 1.2 per cent compared to the first seven months of 2008.

Average price, at $385,808 is down by less than one-half of one per cent.

"The steep drop-off in sales experienced at the beginning of the year has all but dissipated,"

explained Jason Mercer, TREB's Senior Manager of Market Analysis. "With five months left to

go in the year, it is probable that total existing home sales in 2009 will be at or above last year's

level."

Summary Of July Sales And Average Price

July

2009 2008

Sales Average Price Sales Average Price

City of Toronto ("416") 3,880 $421,110 3,132 $395,343

Rest of GTA ("905") 6,087 $379,035 4,674 $355,401

GTA 9,967 $395,414 7,806 $371,427

Source: Toronto Real Estate Board

For a complete copy of the Market Watch Report visit www.TorontoRealEstateBoard.com

Greater Toronto REALTORS® are passionate about their work. They adhere to a strict Code of

Ethics and share a state-of-the-art Multiple Listing Service. Serving over 28,000 Members in the

Greater Toronto Area, the Toronto Real Estate Board is Canada's largest real estate board.

Greater Toronto Area open house listings are now available on

www.TorontoRealEstateBoard.com.

GTA REALTORS® report sales

GTA REALTORS® report sales up first two weeks of July TORONTO, July 20, 2009 - In the first two weeks of July, Greater Toronto REALTORS® reported 4,437 sales up 27 per cent compared to the first two weeks of July 2008. The average price for these transactions was up four per cent year-over-year to $394,750. "The resurgence in home ownership demand experienced in the spring has continued into the summer. Home buyers continued to take advantage affordable market conditions in the first half of July," said TREB President Tom Lebour. "If the mid-month results carry forward, we may see the best July on record." Year-to-date sales, at 45,213 are down four per cent compared to 2008. Average price, at $384,645 is down one per cent. "The GTA housing market has held up very well this year given the current economic climate, especially relative to past economic slow-downs," explained Jason Mercer, TREB's Senior Manager of Market Analysis. "The cost of borrowing has been key. With inflation in check, the Bank of Canada has been able to aggressively lower interest rates – an option that wasn’t available in the early 1990s or early 1980s." Summary Of July Sales And Average Price July 2009 2008 Sales Average Price Sales Average Price City of Toronto ("416") 1,703 $419,754 1,369 $419,199 Rest of GTA ("905") 2,734 $379,174 2,128 $353,257 GTA 4,437 $394,750 3,497 $379,072 Source: Toronto Real Estate Board For a complete copy of the Market Watch Report visit www.TorontoRealEstateBoard.com Greater Toronto REALTORS® are passionate about their work. They adhere to a strict Code of Ethics and share a state-of-the-art Multiple Listing Service. Serving over 28,000 Members in the Greater Toronto Area, the Toronto Real Estate Board is Canada’s largest real estate board. Greater Toronto Area open house listings are now available on www.TorontoRealEstateBoard.com.