Choosing the RIGHT Patio Furniture

Patio furniture can greatly enhance your outdoor living space.  By choosing your patio furniture wisely you will not only create a great outdoor ambiance but will also extend your inside décor to the patio and backyard.  

Choosing patio furniture should not be a hard decision. There are many types of outdoor furniture to choose from.  Taking a walk through a home improvement store, a patio furniture store, or a garden centre during the spring and summer months will remind you of the many types and styles of furniture that are available.  Since there are so many options, selecting outdoor patio furniture or accessories to suit your decorating style should be a breeze.

Several factors should be taken into consideration: price, style, and landscaping:

When it comes to price, you need to examine your budget carefully. While it’s true you get what you pay for, it is possible to get an excellent deal for a high-quality product. Your comfortable patio furniture should not be a place where you skimp on money because it is an investment that will last for years to come. It is important to remember though, price doesn’t always equate to quality.

There are several different styles of comfortable patio furniture and what you choose will depend on your personal taste. Outdoor furniture is most commonly made out of wood, metal, plastic, wicker, or a combination thereof. Choose a style you like that fits your budget. Focus mostly on the cushions themselves–some sets may not come with them–because this is where your comfort is going to come from. Some sets may offer more comfortable cushions than others. Who wants to sit on the bare furniture? When you choose the material, consider the climate you live in and how well it will hold against the elements.

Depending on the number of people you wish to seat and the available space, you will need to choose something suitable from the many outdoor furniture sets on the market. It's a good idea to choose something that has matching seats, benches, and canopies if you want a coordinated look. For some people, outdoor tables may be all that is required, either because they already have other outdoor furniture and simply want to accommodate more people or because they want to have additional table space for all the extra food, drinks, and tableware that goes with outdoor entertaining.

You should measure and plan where you will put the furniture to ensure you have room for the entire set, including an umbrella to provide shade.

Finally, it is important to remember that most outdoor furniture requires maintenance.  It may require re-staining, steam-cleaning, or covering during harsh weather periods.  Be sure to know what maintenance your outdoor furniture requires as this will add to the cost of the furniture over the long run.

Real Estate Terms Everyone Should Know

Buying or selling real estate can be a tricky process. There are hundreds of commonly used terms that could make up a language of their own. Here are some home-buying terms that you will most likely encounter when you purchase your home.

Amenities
Features that enhance and add to the value or desirability of real estate. Common amenities include swimming pools, professional landscaping, a gourmet kitchen, and so on.

Amortization
This is a schedule that outlines your loan payments for the duration of the home-buying loan. It details how much of each monthly payment goes toward the principal and how much goes toward the loan interest. Initially, the bulk of your payments will be applied toward the interest.

Appraisal
An estimate of the value of property is made by a qualified professional called an “appraiser”.

Bungalow
A one-story house, cottage, or cabin.

Breach
Violation of an obligation in a contract.

Broker
A real estate professional who has acquired a higher level of training and experience than a sales agent. A minimum number of classes must be taken along with passing a state exam to acquire a broker’s license. Generally, they are a legal representative or a proprietor of the office. Brokers usually charge a fee or receive a commission for their services.

Building Code
A set of stringent laws that control the construction of buildings, design, materials, and other similar factors.

Condominium
A large property complex that is divided into individual units and sold. Ownership usually includes a non-exclusive interest in certain "common properties" controlled by the condominium management.

Close
The final procedure in a home sale in which documents are signed and recorded. This is the time when the ownership of the property is transferred.

Closing Costs
Expenses in addition to the purchase price for buying and selling a property.

CMA
Comparative Market Analysis. A CMA is a report that shows prices of properties that are comparable to a subject property and that were recently sold, are currently on the market, or were on the market, but not sold within the listing period.

Conventional Mortgage
A first mortgage is issued for up to 75% of the property’s appraised value or purchase price, whichever is lower.

Counter Offer
An offer made by the seller back to the buyer alters one or several terms and/or conditions of the offer as originally written.

Deed
A legal document that conveys (transfers) ownership of a property to a buyer.

Earnest Money
Along with an offer, buyers can make a deposit on the home to demonstrate the seriousness of the offer. When an earnest money deposit is made, it is held by an escrow until closing. It is then added to the down payment.

Escrow
Funds held before closing by a third party, usually including the earnest money deposit. Future taxes and homeowners insurance, held by the mortgage company after closing, are also considered escrow.

FSBO, For Sale By Owner
This term refers to property that is being sold without a real estate agent. FSBO is also used to refer to the homeowner who is selling the property.

Foreclosure
The process after home buying is complete by which a lender repossesses and resells a property after the owner has defaulted.

Investment Real Estate
Real estate that generates income or is otherwise intended for investment purposes rather than as a primary residence. It is common for investors to own multiple pieces of real estate, one of which serves as a primary residence, while the others are used to generate rental income and profits through price appreciation. The tax implications for investment real estate are often different than those for residential real estate.

Land
Property or real estate, not including buildings or equipment does not occur naturally. Depending on the title, land ownership may also give the holder the rights to all natural resources on the land. These may include water, plants, human and animal life, fossils, soil, minerals, electromagnetic features, geographical location, and geophysical occurrences.

Land Value
The total value of the land, including any upgrades or improvements to the land.

Land Transfer Tax
Payment to the provincial government for transferring property from the seller to the buyer.

Lien
This is a legal claim that keeps the property from being sold until the lien is paid off.

MLS - Multiple Listing Service
An organization that collects, compiles, and distributes information about properties listed for sale by its members, who are real estate brokers. Membership isn’t open to the general public, although selected MLS data may be sold to real estate listing websites. MLS’s can be local or regional.

Real Estate Agent
A person with a state/provincial license to represent a buyer or a seller in a real estate transaction in exchange for a commission. Most agents work for a real estate broker or realtor.

Title Insurance
An insurance policy that protects a lender’s or owner’s interest in real estate property from assorted types of unexpected or fraudulent claims of ownership. It’s customary for the buyer to pay for the lender’s title insurance policy.

Zoning
Government (usually municipal) laws that control the use of land within a jurisdiction.

Buying a Condo as an Investment

Not too many years ago, buying a condo was considered a compromise move. Condos are more affordable, particularly for first-time buyers who have a tough time breaking into the housing market. Until recently the cheap entry fee entitled you to apartment-style living, no yard to call your own, and lusterless appreciation—not an attractive package to most home buyers.

This may be changing, the latest statistics from Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) show condos make sense for investment or ownership. Rentals are increasing every year according to recent market statistics. 

New construction favouring condos.
Recent statistics show that the construction of condos is actually increasing. New construction of singles and semis have fallen steadily since 2002. Young people seeking a downtown lifestyle, empty nesters downsizing, and people tired of commuting, all make condos extremely popular and support a robust market.

Hi-rise sales stable
Condo sales have had some ups and downs, but sales volume by year has been quite steady. The rental market for condos is improving as potential first-time buyers postpone home purchases in favour of renting. Renters are less inclined to leave their apartments and pursue home ownership.

Is a condo a good investment?
As with any real estate, a condo could be a good or bad investment. It all depends on the building and the market. There are some great condo investments in many areas around the country and there are also some bad investments.

The condo situation looks promising. The percentage of total sales is expected to continue rising this year. Condos are selling well and renting well, making them a good investment whether you're planning on moving in or leasing out.

Condo buying tips
Look for a condo that's in a development that has a high ratio of owner-occupants to renters. Some lenders don't lend on condos that have a high rate of absentee ownership. Also, owner-occupants tend to be more concerned about keeping things going well in the development.

Find out what the condo fees are and what is covered by this fee and include it in your costing. Some condos prohibit pets, and some have parking, storage, and renting restrictions. Read and understand the Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions (CC&Rs) and any other pertinent governing documents before you complete a purchase.

It's usually best to avoid buying into a condo complex where the homeowner's association is involved in litigation. To find out if there are any other association issues that you might want to avoid, read copies of the minutes from recent homeowner's association meetings. One of the best ways to get the straight scoop on a condo project is to talk with some of the current residents. Find out what they like and what they don't like about living there before you decide to buy.

What are the tax, legal, and financing considerations?
If you decide to invest in a condominium rental property, many of your personal expenses may be deducted from your income in addition to the normal tax deductions such as a mortgage, interest, depreciation, and other condominium-related expenses. For example, you would normally be entitled to set up a small office in your current residence for managing your investments, which would include keeping your records. You could deduct a percentage of all your home-related expenses. The normal formula is to take the square footage of the office area that you are using relative to the total square footage in your home. In general terms, 10% to 15% or more is usually deducted for that portion.

In addition, you would be entitled to deduct a part of the car-related expenses involved in managing your investment portfolio, whether it is one rental property or more than one. The percentage of all your car-related expenses can vary, obviously depending on the usage of the car relating to your investment.

If you are seriously contemplating investing in a condominium, it is important to consult your real estate agent and seek the advice of a competent tax and accounting professional, and legal advice from a lawyer specializing in condominium law.

Pricing Your Home To Sell!

When you decide to sell your home, setting your asking price is one of the most important decisions you will ever make. Depending on how a buyer is made aware of your home, price is often the first thing he or she will look at. Many homes are discarded by prospective buyers as not being in the appropriate price range before they even have a chance of a showing.

Your asking price is often your home's "first impression", and if you want to receive the most money you can for your home, it's imperative that you make a good first impression.

Setting the asking price of your property is as much about knowing how buyers think as it is about how much the property is worth.

1. Price it right
In order to set the right price, check out your competition first. A little real-estate research can be handy. Take a look at homes sold in your neighbourhood. Ask yourself: what are they selling for? How long have they been on the market? Study the supply and demand within your neighbourhood to consider whether to price your home above or below the market value.

Pricing your home lower than your competitors can essentially generate more offers, thereby driving the price higher. On the other hand, price it too high and you risk buyers going into “sticker shock”.

2. The missing penny trick
To grab the attention of potential buyers, Take a pricing tip from discount retailers like Walmart. Take, for example, $19.99 vs. $20.00. While it is only a penny difference between the two, the $19.99 price seems like a better deal! Why? Because when people see a price, they make judgements in a fraction of a second whether it is a good or bad deal. And, since we read from left to right, the first number receives the most focus. Therefore, a home listing for $199,999 will generate more attention than $200,000 because people will perceive $199,999 to be a better deal. Retailers have been using this proven strategy for a long time; make it work for you.

3. Raise the reference point
You can raise people’s reference point by asking for a higher price. People use that information in setting their reference price. In addition, you can affect the reference price of buyers by telling them the price of competing properties in the neighbourhood. However, pass along this information only if the comparisons are in your favour.

On the other hand, if you set a price that is implausibly higher, the impact will be less than if you set a price that's more reasonable.

4. Send the right message
People associate precise numbers with bargains. If a house should sell for around $300,000, then offering a round number like $295,000 will convey quality and willingness to negotiate, and choosing a higher but precise number like $295,485 would indicate a bargain.

A precise number may also signal that you have given careful consideration to the price and you aren't inclined to negotiate, however, you may want to use this trick with caution.

5. Setting the asking price.
If your home is in new development and you want to give the impression of prestige, go for a nicely rounded (up) price. But if you're going for a quick sale and you want to give the impression of a bargain, go for a precise number.

6. Make the price cuts easy-to-understand
We perceive easily computable discounts as better than larger discounts. A discount from $395,485 to $385,485 might seem better than from $395,485 to $378,495.

When a home has been on the market too long and very few offers have been made, the logical option is to reduce the asking price. But by how much? The trick here is to reduce the price by a nice, easy-to-calculate number so buyers can easily calculate their savings.

The longer your house sits on the market, the less cash it commands. Use these expert tricks to sell your house fast and maximize your profit.

National Real Estate Market Eases Into Summer

The demand for ownership housing is stronger than last year despite higher borrowing costs. However, home sales were hampered last month by uncertainty surrounding the Bank of Canada’s outlook on inflation and interest rates. Furthermore, a persistent lack of inventory likely sidelined some willing buyers because they couldn't find a home meeting their needs. 

 

Ontario - June’s Resale Market Eases Into Summer

Toronto,  05 July 2023 -- Home sales and the average selling price in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) in June 2023 remained above last year’s levels. Seasonally adjusted sales dipped on a month-over-month basis. The seasonally adjusted average selling price and the MLS® Home Price Index (HPI) Composite benchmark were up compared to the previous month.

“The demand for ownership housing is stronger than last year, despite higher borrowing costs. With this said, home sales were hampered last month by uncertainty surrounding the Bank of Canada’s outlook on inflation and interest rates. Furthermore, a persistent lack of inventory likely sidelined some willing buyers because they couldn't find a home meeting their needs. Simply put, you can't buy what is not available,” said Toronto Regional Real Estate Board (TRREB) President Paul Baron.

GTA REALTORS® reported 7,481 sales through TRREB’s MLS® System in June 2023 – up 16.5 %compared to June 2022. The number of listings was down by three %over the same period.

The year-over-year increase in sales coupled with the decrease in new listings mean market conditions were tighter this past June relative to the same period last year. The average selling price was up by 3.2 %to $1,182,120. The MLS® HPI Composite benchmark was still down by 1.9 %on a year-over-year basis - the lowest annual rate of decline in 2023. On a month-over-month basis, the seasonally adjusted average price and MLS® HPI Composite benchmark were up.

“A resilient economy, tight labour market and record population growth kept home sales well above last year’s lows. Looking forward, the Bank of Canada’s interest rate decision this month and its guidance on inflation and borrowing costs for the remainder of 2023 will help us understand how much sales and price will recover beyond current levels,” said TRREB Chief Market Analyst Jason Mercer.

“GTA municipalities continue to lag in bringing new housing online at a pace sufficient to make up for the current deficit and keep up with record population growth. Leaders at all levels of government, including the new mayor-elect of Toronto, have committed to rectifying the housing supply crisis. We need to see these commitments coming to fruition immediately, or we will continue to fall further behind each month,” stressed TRREB CEO John DiMichele. “In addition to the impact of the listing shortage, housing affordability is also hampered on an ongoing basis by taxation and fees associated with home sales and construction as well as the general level of taxation impacting households today. Going forward, we need to look at all of the factors influencing the household balance sheet and people’s ability to house themselves,” continued DiMichele.

 

Ottawa - June’s Resale Market Eases Into Summer

Ottawa, July 5, 2023 -- Members of the Ottawa Real Estate Board (OREB) sold 1,658 residential properties in June through the Board’s Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) System, compared with 1,493 in June 2022, an increase of 11%. June’s sales included 1,234 in the freehold-property class, up 10% from a year ago, and 424 in the condominium-property category, a 16% increase from June 2022. The five-year average for total unit sales in June is 1,881.

“Although June’s transactions surpassed last year’s, the number of sales, average prices, and new listings declined on a week-to-week basis over the course of the month. Compounded by the typical summer decline in activity, the Bank of Canada’s interest rate adjustment at the beginning of the month may have also flattened the curve,” says Ottawa Real Estate Board President Ken Dekker.

The average sale price for a freehold-class property in June was $746,445, a decrease of 4% from 2022, but still on par with May 2023 prices.

The average sale price for a condominium-class property was $448,380, an increase of 2% from a year ago and up 1% over May 2023 prices.

With year-to-date average sale prices at $731,847 for freeholds and $432,885 for condos, these values represent a 10% decrease over 2022 for freehold-class properties and a 7% decrease for condominium-class properties.

“Supply is trending in the right direction. The increase in inventory is encouraging and indicates sellers have confidence in the market. A growing resale housing stock will result in more selection for buyers and more sales,” Dekker suggests.

June’s new listings (2,758) were 14% lower than June 2022 (3,212) and down 2% from May 2023 (2,822). The 5-year average for new listings in June is 2,802.

Months of Inventory for the freehold-class properties has increased to 2.1 months from 1.9 months in June 2022 and 1.5 months in May 2023.

Months of Inventory for condominium-class properties has decreased to 1.4 months from 1.6 months in June 2022, although up from 1.3 months in May 2023.

Days on market (DOM) for freeholds stayed on par with last month at 23 days and increased to 27 days for condos compared to last month (26 days).

“We are looking forward to a strong second half of 2023 in terms of sales volume and prices compared to last year. Whichever side of the transaction you are on, the advice of a professional REALTOR® who has their pulse on the week-to-week variabilities in Ottawa’s resale market is priceless.”

 

British Columbia - Metro Vancouver Market Highlights 

Metro Vancouver, 5 June 2023 -- Residential property sales in Metro Vancouver Continuing the trend that has emerged in the housing market this year, the benchmark price for all home types in Metro Vancouver1 increased in June as home buyer demand butted up against a limited inventory of homes for sale in the region.

The Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver (REBGV) reports that residential home sales in the region totalled 2,988 in June 2023, a 21.1 %increase from the 2,467 sales recorded in June 2022. This was 8.6 %below the 10-year seasonal average (3,269).

"The market continues to outperform expectations across all segments, but the apartment segment showed the most relative strength in June. The benchmark price of apartment homes is almost cresting the peak reached in 2022, while sales of apartments are now above the region’s ten-year seasonal average. This uniquely positions the apartment segment relative to the attached and detached segments where sales remained below the ten-year seasonal averages." Andrew Lis, REBGV director of economics and data analytics

There were 5,348 detached, attached and apartment properties newly listed for sale on the Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) in Metro Vancouver in June 2023. This represents a 1.3 %increase compared to the 5,278 homes listed in June 2022. This was 3.1 %below the 10-year seasonal average (5,518).

The total number of homes currently listed for sale on the MLS® system in Metro Vancouver is 9,990, a 7.9 %decrease compared to June 2022 (10,842). This was 17.4 %below the 10-year seasonal average (12,091).

Across all detached, attached and apartment property types, the sales-to-active listings ratio for June 2023 is 31.4 per cent. By property type, the ratio is 20.9 %for detached homes, 38.5 %for townhomes, and 39.4 %for apartments.

Analysis of the historical data suggests downward pressure on home prices occurs when the ratio dips below 12 %for a sustained period, while home prices often experience upward pressure when it surpasses 20 %over several months.

“Despite elevated borrowing costs, there continues to be too little resale inventory available relative to the pool of buyers in Metro Vancouver. This is the fundamental reason we continue to see prices increase month over month across all segments,” Lis said. “With the benchmark price for apartments now standing at $767,000, we repeat our call to the provincial government to adjust the $525,000 threshold exempting first-time home buyers from the Property Transfer Tax, to better reflect the price of entry-level homes in our region. This is a simple policy adjustment that could help more first-time buyers afford a home right now.”

The MLS® Home Price Index composite benchmark price for all residential properties in Metro Vancouver is currently $1,203,000. This represents a 2.4 %decrease over June 2022 and a 1.3 %increase compared to May 2023.

Sales of detached homes in June 2023 reached 848, a 28.3 %increase from the 661 detached sales recorded in June 2022. The benchmark price for a detached home is $1,991,300. This represents a 3.2 %decrease from June 2022 and a 1.9 %increase compared to May 2023.

Sales of apartment homes reached 1,573 in June 2023, an 18.6 %increase compared to the 1,326 sales in June 2022. The benchmark price of an apartment home is $767,000. This represents a 0.5 %increase from June 2022 and a 0.8 %increase compared to May 2023.

Attached home sales in June 2023 totalled 547, a 17.6 %increase compared to the 465 sales in June 2022. The benchmark price of an attached home is $1,098,900. This represents a one %decrease from June 2022 and a 1.5 %increase compared to May 2023.

 

Alberta - Another Record-high Month for Calgary

City of Calgary, July 4, 2023 – The housing market in Calgary witnessed a surge in apartment condominium sales, setting a new total residential record with 3,146 sales achieved in June. Although year-to-date sales are currently 23 %lower than last year, they remain significantly higher than pre-pandemic levels.

Notably, there has been a positive trend in new listings, providing relief and a monthly increase in inventory levels. However, despite these improvements, the inventory for June stood at 3,458 units, marking a decline of over 36 %from last year and reaching the lowest levels for June in nearly two decades.

“The demand for housing remains robust, bolstered by a healthy labour market and increased migration levels, which helps offset the impact of higher lending rates,” said CREB® Chief Economist Ann-Marie Lurie. “Although we have seen some recent improvements in new listings, particularly for apartment condominiums, it is not enough to cause any substantial change from the low inventory situation in our city. While new home starts are on the rise, it will take time to observe their impact on supply.”

With a supply of just over one month, the current market conditions continue to favour sellers, placing upward pressure on home prices. In June, the total residential benchmark price reached $564,700, representing a monthly unadjusted gain of one %and four %higher than last year's levels.

Detached- A monthly gain in new listings supported a monthly increase in inventory levels. However, with only 1,651 units available in June, levels hit a new record low for the month. Inventories declined across most price ranges, but the steepest declines occurred in homes priced below $600,000. Of all the inventory in June, only 24 %was priced below $600,000, a significant drop from last year, where that market segment represented 45 %of the supply.

 Limited inventory, especially in the lower price ranges, ensured that the market continued to favour the seller, driving further gains in home prices. As of June, the benchmark price reached $685,100, an unadjusted monthly gain of nearly two %and a year-over-year increase of six per cent. Year-over-year gains were the highest in the most affordable North East and East districts.

Semi-Detached - New listings in June improved, helping support modest monthly gains in inventory levels. However, with 268 units in inventory and 240 sales, the months of supply remained exceptionally tight at just over one month. The persistently tight market conditions have contributed to further price gains for this property type. As of June, the benchmark price reached $613,100, over two %higher than last month and nearly six %higher than levels reported in the previous year at this time.

Persistently tight conditions across all districts supported price growth. Year-over-year price growth ranged from a low of 4.5 %in the city centre to a high of 17 %in the East district. 

Row - Both sales and new listings trended up over the levels reported last month. Still, with a sales-to-new-listings ratio of 86 %and months of inventory below one month, conditions continued to favour the seller placing upward pressure on home prices.

In June, the benchmark price reached $400,000, over two %higher than last month and over 11 %higher than last year. Prices improved across all districts in the city, with the most significant monthly gains occurring in the East, North East and South districts. These districts have also reported year-over-year price gains of nearly 20 per cent.

Apartment Condominium - Sales in June reached 857 units, 48 %higher than last year. Over the past three months, sales growth was enough to cause year-to-date sales to rise by 11 %over last year. The gain in sales was possible thanks to improving new listings. However, persistently strong demand for affordable products has prevented inventories from improving. In June, inventory levels reached 1,116 units, the lowest level for the month reported since June 2013.

Persistently tight conditions contributed to the sixth consecutive month where prices rose. As of June, the benchmark price reached $303,200, nearly two %higher than last month and 12 %higher than last year’s levels. While unadjusted prices have hit a new record high, prices remain below the peak in the City Centre, North East and East districts.

Waterloo Region Real Estate Market Shows Resilience With Increase in Home Sales and Average Prices

WATERLOO REGION, ON (July 6, 2023) — In June, there were 780 homes sold through the Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) System of the Waterloo Region Association of REALTORS® (WRAR), representing an increase of 4.6 per cent compared to the previous year and a decline of 12.3 per cent compared to the previous 5-year average for the month.

“The real estate market in Waterloo Region showed signs of a rebound in June, with monthly sales increasing on a year-over-year basis for the first time this year,” says Megan Bell, president of WRAR. “The total number of home sales are down nearly 25 per cent for the first half of 2023 compared to last year but have been steadily climbing since January.”

Total residential sales in June included 468 detached (up 5.9 per cent from June 2022), and 149 townhouses (up 4.9 per cent). Sales also included 118 condominium units (up 22.9 per cent) and 42 semi-detached homes (down 32.3 per cent).

In June, the average sale price for all residential properties in Waterloo Region was $839,869. This represents a 6.4 per cent increase compared to June 2022 and a 2.0 per cent increase compared to May 2023.

• The average price of a detached home was $1,005,519. This represents a 10.4 per cent increase from June 2022 and an increase of 4.1 per cent compared to May 2023.
• The average sale price for a townhouse was $665,984. This represents a 0.2 per cent increase from June 2022 and a decrease of 4.4 per cent compared to May 2023.
• The average sale price for an apartment-style condominium was $470,163. This represents a decrease of 6.2 per cent from June 2022 and a decrease of 3.3 per cent compared to May 2023.
• The average sale price for a semi was $691,507. This represents a decrease of 1.1 per cent compared to June 2022 and a decrease of 5.0 per cent compared to May 2023.

“In June we saw robust demand for detached properties, driving a significant 10.5 per cent increase in the average sale price of a detached home,” says Bell. “While the central bank raised its benchmark interest rate to 4.75 per cent near the beginning of the month, demand remains strong. Buyers and sellers can expect a competitive market as the number of homes for sale continues to be well below the long-term average,” says Bell.

There were 1,321 new listings added to the MLS® System in Waterloo Region last month, a decrease of 21.6 per cent compared to June of last year and a 3.5 per cent increase compared to the previous ten-year average for June.

The total number of homes available for sale in active status at the end of June was 1007, a decrease of 23.1 per cent compared to June of last year and 32.8 per cent below the previous ten-year average of 1499 listings for June.

The number of months of inventory is up 5.9 per cent compared to June of last year, but still historically low at 1.8 months. The number of months of inventory represents how long it would take to sell off current inventories at the current sales rate.  

The average number of days to sell in June was 15, compared to 13 days in June 2022. The previous 5-year average is 17 days. 

View the Home Price Index tool here to learn more: https://wrar.ca/hpi/