September 2017
Dear Friend,
There is a lot of misinformation in the real estate market these days. The confusion is created by the fact that we have different markets in different areas of the city and yet people are trying to have a general statement over the whole marketplace. Imagine, it’s like having a one size fits all bathrobe that can fit a five-foot person or six-foot person. Yes, it fits but not really well. That’s the problem with general statements.
Last month (August) there were 6,357 homes sold and the listing inventory of approximately 16,500 listings or about 3 listings per sale. The rule of thumb is that when you have a balanced market there is one sale for every 4 to 6 listings. It’s balanced because buyers have a good choice of what they can buy and they can negotiate slowly and properly with the sellers to come to a price that both parties are happy with. A sellers’ market is when there are less than four listings for every sale and that means the buyers do not have much of a choice and bidding wars occur, as experienced over all the last few years. A buyers’ market is where there are more than six listings for every sale and the buyers have an advantage over the sellers in that they can find the most desperate sellers who need to sell.
As we enter the fall market, on average, there are three listings for every sale, so a sellers’ market. Some areas of the city (Central Toronto) fit this model. Other areas of the GTA (Richmond Hill or Newmarket) have 5 listings for every sale or a balanced market. King City, on the other hand, has 10 listings for each sale, a buyers’ market. Condominium apartments, on the other hand, are a hot commodity, with 1 sale for every two listings.
Every segment the city is experiencing a different market, and that’s not taking into account detached or semi-detached homes, again, a difference that’s important to the strategy when buying or selling.
More than ever before, that’s the value an experienced realtor like myself brings to the table, giving you the necessary information so you can make the right decision.
If you are trying to figure out the market, or have a friend who is considering buying or selling, give me a call and let me show you what is really happening.
Have a great September
Your Friend in Real Estate.
Steven
P.S. I am never too busy for your referrals.