Come November, we're firmly into fall but lately the real estate market feels like it's spring out there! Several crazy home sales happened last week including one in our office that had 26 offers and sold for 56% above the list price. One just has to look at the number of multiple offers to know that the demand is high. What's causing this excitement? Simple math ... pent up demand plus a lack of inventory. Also, the news of an interest rate hike, the third one this year has got some buyers motivated to get out there before they get shut out of the market.

New freehold listings increased slightly last week by 5 per cent but sales increased by a remarkable 50% week over week. While pre-emptive offers seem to be slowing down, 62% of properties sold at or above the asking price. The hottest area is still the east core where 73% of homes sold at or above the asking price.

The resale condominium sector is following the same trends. Available new listings increased by a marginal 3%, while sales increased a substantial 64% week over week. Nothing truly shows the pure strength of the condo market like the number of transactions that took place at or above the list price and last week in the 416 it was an exceptional 57% of units sold.