Corinne McCabe , Broker

The time is almost upon us to ring in the new year and for many of us to embrace change. The real estate market in 2017 has been anything but typical in the GTA and the fickleness looks set to continue right into 2018. There is so much uncertainty as to how the real estate market will unfold as we head into the new year. Royal LePage is forecasting a 6.8% increase in housing prices next year, but Remax Canada predicts a more conservative 0% price change. So, what will it be? Will the lack of housing supply in big-city markets, including Toronto drive prices up?

The City of Toronto continues to strengthen following the market declines after the province introduced the Ontario Fair Housing Plan in April, and in particular the 15% foreign buyers tax and other cooling measures. The foreign buyers tax has had more of an impact in the 905 area where the residential resale market seems to have stalled.

The condo market has been the hottest sector with the average sale price at $555,396 up twenty-five percent from the same time last year. The high demand for entry-level properties like condos is likely to continue in the new year, as well as a tight vacancy rate for renters.

Going forward what we do not need is further government intervention in the market place. As the market continues to recover in 2018, it is expected to be a more balanced market.

Whatever you celebrate this holiday season, wishing you all peace and joy. Take the time to be with your family and friends and enjoy the fun holiday season.

Happy New Year!

As the calendar flips for the last time this year and we are three weeks shy of Christmas, it feels like we are all gearing up for the holiday festivities. The offices are a little slower, listings are dropping off and the buyers are taking a break. The November stats were released from The Toronto Real Estate Board and for the City of Toronto the average price was up 2 percent to $802,220 from November 2016. We saw a sizable number of new listings (14,349) for the entire GTA, up by 37 percent compared to November 2016. This boost to home ownership could be because of the upcoming changes to mortgage guidelines, which come into effect in January. On a year-to-year basis, the average selling price was up by 13.4 percent compared to same period last year. All the negative headlines are for the entire GTA, but conditions continue to be stronger for the City of Toronto.

The freehold sector in the central and east neighbourhoods saw a drop in new listings last week by 14 percent, while the west end remained on par as the week before. As December approached we also saw a drop in sales by 25 percent for all freehold but the bidding wars were still happening with 27 per cent selling over the asking price.

The condo market in the City of Toronto is still sizzling with the average price now at $555,965. Last week we saw a decline of 12 per cent in new listings for all neighbourhoods and a small decline in sales by 6 percent but the bidding wars were still strong with 32 per cent selling over the asking price. The condo market continues to lead the way in terms of price growth in the GTA.

Bosley Real Estate is looking to recieve gently used coats, hats, mittens etc. Thousands of refugees and newcomers arriving in Toronto this year will not have adequate clothing for the coming season. This clothing drive will hope to help roughly 8,000 people meet their need for warm winter clothing.

If you have anything, particularily boys items, let me know and I can swing by and grab whatever you can spare.

Thanks in advance for your generosity!!!!!