Corinne McCabe , Broker

We are almost a month into 2019 and it feels like the Toronto real estate market is getting a fresh start. As we enter a more balanced market, the discussion is still about the lack of inventory. We are all watching for signals that buyer sentiment will heat up. In recent months home price growth has faltered, mortgage rates have risen to their highest point in nearly eight years, and favor has started to shift from seller to buyer.

The long-term prospects for housing are good because demographics are going to continue to support demand. The largest cohort of millennials will be turning 29 this year entering peak home-buying age and contributing to the increase in first-time home buyer demand. Older millennial move-up buyers will have more options in the mid to upper price point and will make up the majority of millennials who close in 2019. Toronto’s housing market might be in an uneven slump, but experts are saying don’t expect a major decrease in house prices, because the city is seeing accelerated growth in its adult population which will keep the market humming!

The freehold market is starting to build up some steam. We are starting to see an uptick in new listings and a surprising amount listed above $3 million. Buyers are circling and they are willing to move quickly when they see a property that ticks all the right boxes. In the resale condo market, we saw a small 12% increase in new listings from the prior week while sales were up a whopping 68%, and of those sales more than 50% sold at or above the asking price which is a solid indicator that the condo market is trading well.

Ah January. The month of new beginnings as we all wait for the real estate market to take off. Generally speaking January is a slow month for new listings and the weather has been kind to us, but research indicates that listings in the freehold sector have backed off substantially from a year ago while demand has not wavered. The Bank of Canada decision to hold its benchmark interest rate steady, and RBC lowering its mortgage rate 15 basis points yesterday with likely more cuts to come, has given some people hope they'll be able to buy or trade up.

In the freehold market listings continue to be a source of concern. Compared to the same time last year the east end of the city (E01-E03) is way down in listings. But we are seeing multiple offers starting up again. A listing in the east end listed for $649K attracted 14 offers and sold for $853K. Are potential sellers reluctant to list their properties for sale in this uncertain market? The buyers are out there waiting.

The resale condo market on the other hand has started off with a boost in new listings, almost 50% more than a year ago. The sales are virtually the same but 2019 is starting off strong with 58% of the condos sold in the downtown core selling at or above the list price. As many as 25,000 finished condo units will be delivered this year. That's a big supply jolt for a market that has delivered fewer than 15,000 finished units over the past two years.

Bosley Real Estate Ltd. is a full service boutique brokerage operating in Toronto, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Port Hope and Cambridge Ontario since 1928. We have four centrally located offices and over 250 sales representatives selling and leasing homes and condominiums in all the vibrant communities we work in. Our brand is well recognized internationally thanks to our unique affiliation with Leading Real Estate Companies of the World. Our sales teams meet weekly to discuss market conditions, trending topics, and anecdotes that more accurately reflect the true temperature of the real estate market.