urbandreamer
recession proof
Interestingly, this tacky vuglar taste of these people is apparent in the smallest properties money can buy in Toronto...cemeteries. I was rather astonished and disgusted by it.
Toronto, September 7, 2011 – Greater Toronto REALTORS® reported 7,542 sales through the TorontoMLS® system in August – a 24 per cent increase over 6,083 sales in August 2010. New listings, at 12,509, were up by 20 per cent compared to August 2010. Market conditions remained tight as sales growth outstripped growth in new listings.
"Home sales in the GTA have stood up well despite a less certain economic outlook," said Toronto Real Estate Board President Richard Silver. "Home sales will be bolstered by low mortgage rates moving forward. The Bank of Canada is expected to be on the sidelines until the second half of 2012 or even into 2013. However, home ownership affordability in the City of Toronto could be further improved with the removal of the City’s land transfer tax. This tax currently represents a substantial upfront cost for home buyers.”
With market conditions remaining tight in the GTA, the average selling price continued to grow strongly in August – up by more than 10 per cent year-over-year to $451,663.
"We remain on pace for the second best year on record for sales. Approximately 90,000 transactions are expected by the end of December," said TREB's Senior Manager of Market Analysis Jason Mercer. "Major home ownership costs, including the average monthly mortgage payment, remain affordable despite the strong price growth experienced so far this year."
Which GTA homes Chinese investors are buying
http://www.moneyville.ca/article/1049562--which-gta-homes-chinese-investors-are-buying?bn=1
Interestingly, this tacky vuglar taste of these people is apparent in the smallest properties money can buy in Toronto...cemeteries. I was rather astonished and disgusted by it.
Those tastes are changing. For example the new builds in Vancouver by Chinese are a lot more understated than they used to be. Monster homes are still popular, but they're not quite as "opulent" as they were in the 80s and 90s. However, it also depends on where the buyers are from and how much connection there is with North America. It seems the newly rich ones coming straight from China have different tastes than the ones where the kids have lived in Canada going to school.Interestingly, this tacky vuglar taste of these people is apparent in the smallest properties money can buy in Toronto...cemeteries. I was rather astonished and disgusted by it.
And detached are up 10% yoy as well. Almost $650000 average for a detached in the 416.August 2011 stats are in:
Condo prices up 11% y/y
http://www.torontorealestateboard.c...updates/news2011/pdf/nr_market_watch_0811.pdf
A question for anyone knowledgable with the innner workings of R/E and various reports that come out periodically.
Sales are up in August 24% as compared with last year and prices are up 11%.
I am following up a few MLS listings for RoCP1. Units are still unsold after a few weeks of listings. Any reasons as to why the increase in sales activities is passing by RoCP1?
KA1 old friend,
I view these reports with the skeptical indifference of a S&P rating of Lehman Bros stock days before it went bankrupt but I can speculate that the monthly report does not signal any kind of overall trend. One thing I can offer is that in this market properties that are priced accurately sell quickly but the MLS is littered with instances of stale and recycled listings by sellers who are not actually seller but rather 'wish price' sellers. That may be the case at College Park.
Interestingly, a lot of people are breaking their mortgages now and getting new fixed rate mortgages. With Canadian 5-year bond yields now below 1.4% and near record lows, fixed rate mortgage rates have fallen through the floor. There is now availability of a 5-year fixed rate rate mortgage from a major bank with all the normal repayment privileges, for under 2.9%. And it's under 2% for a 3-year fixed. Both the 3% and the 2% barriers have been broken.
Think about that for a sec. LESS THAN 3% FOR A 5-YEAR FIXED. Yowza! This is absolutely unprecedented. To a certain extent, this will ease the price drop pressure through to 2016. Even if price increases were to average just 4% per year over those 5 years, a drop of a quarter off prices then will just bring prices back to 2010 levels.
I am not actually predicting price increases of 4% per year going forward, but I do think it's possible, given the status of the economy, current interest rates, and interest rate forecasts for the coming year.