Basement Waterproofing Technology

Basement leakage is the most common problem found in houses, and over 90% of all basements will leak and suffer damage at one time or another. Some evidence of moisture penetration can be found in almost every house. A house with water problems does not necessarily mean it was poorly constructed. Water can appear in even the best-built home.

Moisture problems can be intermittent. In some houses, water penetration will occur after virtually every rainfall. In other houses, it will occur only after periods of prolonged rain. In most cases, however, the resultant damage gives no indication of frequency.

Not all basement leakage problems are solvable, but the majority of leakage problems can be solved by directing surface water away from the building regarding around the foundation or/and using a downspout extension to force rainwater to flow away from the house.

Warning signs of water leakage:

• Mold and mildew: Fungus that grows in damp and dark areas, and causes discoloration, or musty odors.
• Musty odors: This could be the result of the decay process from mold, and dry rot.
• Peeling paint
• Damp spots on walls: Water has absorbed through your walls.
• White substance on basement walls: This is a chemical breakdown of the bonding agent that holds your walls together. The white substance is a sign of possible structural deterioration.
• Cracked walls: Should be inspected to determine the exact cause.
• Rust on appliances, furniture or furnaces.
• Dry rot: Black fungus grows mostly on walls or wooden surfaces, causing wood to decay.

Why is waterproofing important?
A wet basement can dramatically reduce the value of your home. Studies show that most people won't even consider buying a home with water leakage. Selling a home with water leaks can easily result in as much as a 25% reduction in the sale price.

Even if you rarely have problems with dampness or flooding, it's best to solve the problem completely before doing any remodeling work. Permanent solutions can take time to implement. A good place to start is to talk to an independent home inspector who specializes in waterproofing problems.

Damp proofing or waterproofing on walls?
There is a big difference between damp proofing and waterproofing. By definition, dampproofing can retard moisture but, unlike waterproofing, it does not stop hydrostatic water pressure.

To damp-proof, you apply a coat of tar-based material to the outside walls. Tar damp proofing is inexpensive and meets the lowest minimum standard.

Dampproofing may be acceptable if there is sandy soil and great drainage. But often, there is a high water table or poor soil. Clay holds rainwater, which builds up hydrostatic pressure against the foundation. Moreover, water cannot drain through the undisturbed soil under the footings and groundwater level rises.

Complete waterproofing is ideal
Good waterproofing is a wise investment. It is not just a coating but a whole system that includes:

1- Redirect water away from the foundation
The various exterior waterproofing barriers have varying levels of effectiveness in protecting the outside wall areas. However, wall anti-leaking barriers do not affect water penetration due to water accumulation at the footer or floor level. The ideal solution to this problem lies in directing the accumulation of water away from the foundation or into drainage or pumping systems.

2- Install an interior drainage system
To control leakage in the basement, you may want to install a drainage system on the inner side of the foundation. The floor is broken up along the perimeter of the basement wall and drain tile is placed in a trench that carries the water to a discharge point, or sump pump, which takes the water away from the house.

3- Apply waterproofing compounds to the walls
With mild or occasional capillary seepage, capillary waterproofing materials can be applied to either exterior or interior wall and floor surfaces. If properly applied, they will penetrate several inches into concrete and close off minor cracks by forming crystals in the presence of water. You should carefully read the product label to determine if the product waterproofing limitations is sufficient to fix the problem. Waterproofing paint is most effective if applied directly over cement and not to existing painted walls.

Tips for First Time Home Buyers

The pride of home ownership is the number one reason why Canadians desire their own home. There is no landlord looking over your shoulder. You are able to make home improvements knowing that any appreciation that results will be to your benefit. Home ownership gives you and your family a sense of stability and security. It's making an investment in your future.

Home ownership is the cornerstone of financial independence and security. It may seem a daunting prospect to younger people or first-time buyers, but it is achievable.

Like many would-be homeowners, you may be wondering how you can possibly afford to buy your first home. Even if you think you can’t afford a home, these saving tips and financing strategies can take you there sooner than you think and turn you from a renter into an owner.

Develop a culture of saving
The first priority for you should be to develop a culture of saving. This not only helps you in budgeting and planning for the future but also to satisfy banks and other lending institutions that you have a clear commitment to save.

Start an automatic saving plan
Saving for a down payment can be a financial challenge but it’s a step forward to owning your dream home. Make saving automatic by setting up an automatic savings plan at your bank to regularly move a specific amount of money directly from your chequing account to a savings account. You’ll be surprised at how much you can save and how quickly the “pay yourself first” approach adds up.

Borrow from yourself
The federal government’s Home Buyer’s Plan (HBP) lets you borrow from your Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP) to help purchase your first home. You and your partner can each withdraw up to $20,000, provided it’s not locked in and the money has been in the RRSP for at least 90 days.  You have to repay the loan in installments over the next 15 years to avoid a tax hit. 
 
Take a holiday from tax
If you open a new Tax-Free Savings Account (TFSA), you won’t pay any tax on earnings, which will help you compound your savings. You can contribute up to $5,000 a year to a TFSA, and save for anything you like, tax-free.
 
Review your mortgage options
Once you make the decision to purchase a property, the next choice is the type of loan to suit your budget. The two most common types of loans are the variable interest rate loan and the fixed interest rate loan.  

You can now choose to pay back your mortgage over 25 or 30 years, instead of the traditional 20-year amortization period. This means you will pay more interest over the long term, but you can reduce monthly payments to get into your starter home. You can always change this later, once your income rises and you can pay your mortgage down faster.
 
Get into a starter house
Try to be as flexible as possible when choosing your first home. Unless you are status-conscious, your first home doesn’t necessarily have to be your dream home. You could settle for a starter home, which you can afford with a small down payment and easy mortgage installments. There are plenty of lower-priced houses out there in need of repair, with some "Do-It-Yourself" projects where you can add more value to the house. Just be careful not to buy a property where the cost of repairs will eat up any profits you might make when you sell.

In just a few years you will build enough equity in your starter home to make it easier for you to sell and move into your dream home. Buying your first home is an exciting process. After all, your home could be the largest asset you’ll ever own. Being able to finance most of its cost will take a load off your back in the future.

Remember to look at the big picture. While buying a house is a great way to build wealth, maintaining your investment can be labour-intensive and expensive. When unexpected costs for new appliances, roof repairs, and plumbing problems crop up, there's no landlord to turn to, and these costs can drain your bank account. So consider whether you're ready for the expense and effort of homeownership before making the commitment.

Preparing Your Home for Winter

As the winter season approaches and the air grows crisp, it's time to start thinking about preparing your house for the season. Once winter blows in, homeowners have to get serious. It is important to consider the fact that the winter season means spending a lot more time indoors. Roofs must shed rain and snow, windows and doors must reject the cold, and the heating system must keep rooms comfortable. If any of these components don't hold up, you might be faced with scrambling around in the wet, cold, and dark to fix them.

By handling these important yet reasonably easy tasks, you can avoid considerable grief later.

1)  Inspect the roof
If possible, go up onto the roof to check its condition. Look for cracked or missing shingles, bald spots on shingles, missing or damaged flashing, and other conditions that might allow leaks. Replace any roof shingles that are missing or damaged. You can also seal minor cracks or tears with roofing cement or do the minor repairs yourself. 

2) Check the gutters
While you're on the ladder, look into the gutters. If they are clogged with leaves and debris, clean them. Gutters prevent basement and foundation flooding and water damage to siding, windows, and doors. When clogged with leaves and debris, they will fill with rainwater and overflow. 

3) Look at the siding
Check the siding for cracks or damage. You can seal up any leaky spots with a clear caulking compound. But, if close inspection of the paint reveals problems such as blistering, peeling, wrinkling, or chalking, either touch them up or call a painting contractor.

4) Investigate weather stripping
Also, look to see if windows and doors are effectively sealed with weather stripping. Weather stripping will prevent drafts and winter heat loss. If the weather stripping is damaged, it's usually easiest and most effective to entirely replace it rather than to repair it.

5) Check your heating system
Have your heating system checked by a licensed heating/air-conditioning professional. Most furnace manufacturers recommend at least annual inspections. 

6) Sweep the chimney
Have your chimneys inspected by a chimney service and, if necessary, cleaned. Cleaning is generally recommended at least once a year for an active fireplace. 

7) Trim the trees
Trim trees away from the house. Have dead trees and branches removed by professional tree trimmers, or do it yourself.                                    

8) Check the smoke and Carbon Monoxide detector
Buy extra smoke detector batteries and change them when daylight savings ends. Also, test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors to make sure they work, and buy a fire extinguisher or replace an extinguisher older than 10 years.

9) Store plenty of salt
Make sure you are stocked with rock salt, snow shovels, and any other items you will need during the winter. 

10) Drain and shut off outdoor water faucets remove and store garden hoses,

11) Examine the basement floor and walls for cracks or leaks; seal as needed.
 

If you plan to reside elsewhere during the winter months, you may want to partially shut down your home. In addition to the tips above, consider the following:

• Leave the temperature at its lowest setting, usually between 5 to 7 degrees Celsius, or install a low-heat thermostat to maintain the air temperature at approximately 5 degrees Celsius
• Turn off and drain the water heater; leave a reminder to refill before restarting.
• Keep the electricity on so lights will continue to function (put them on timers).
• Unplug the microwave, clothes dryer, televisions (not on timers), and other appliances not in use.
• To avoid large repair bills and the hassle associated with breakdowns, take the time now to develop an action plan for the coming months. You'll feel secure in your warm home or while you're away from home.

The fall season is a good time for you to start thinking about preparing your home for winter. As temperatures begin to drop, your home will require maintenance to keep it in tip-top shape through the winter. By following the easy steps above, you will ensure to have a warm and comfortable winter at the peace of your home!

The ins and outs of mortgage interest rates

Interest rates have a powerful impact on the Canadian real estate market, and understanding how they work is an integral part of successful homebuying. Whether you're a first-time homebuyer or a veteran investor, learning more about interest rates can help you make more informed decisions about buying or selling property. 

How Are Interest Rates Determined?
The interest rate is the amount charged on top of the principal by a lender to a borrower for the use of assets. The interest rate charged by banks is determined by a number of factors, such as the state of the economy. A country's central bank sets the interest rate, which each bank uses to determine the range of annual percentage rates (APRs) they offer.

Central banks tend to raise interest rates when inflation is high because higher interest rates increase the cost of debt, which discourages borrowing and slows consumer demand.

How does Interest Rates Affect the Canadian Housing Market? 
Interest rates directly impact the real estate market by influencing consumer borrowing power and affordability. 

When interest rates are low, consumer borrowing power increases and more buyers come. It drives up demand, increasing prices and increasing competition in certain areas.  

On the other hand, when interest rates rise, consumer purchasing power decreases, and fewer people can afford to buy in some market regions. It can lead to reduced demand and lower prices as sellers become more flexible with their pricing. 

It's important to remember that fluctuations in interest rates can vary significantly between provinces, cities, and even neighborhoods. For example, cities like Toronto and Vancouver may experience different price changes due to their unique housing markets and local factors like supply and demand that may not be present elsewhere in the country. Interest rate changes should be monitored carefully when making any real estate decision. 

Current Interest Rates in Canada and Mortgage Rates Trends 
When the Bank of Canada changes its benchmark interest rate, it filters down to affect mortgage and other interest rates, influencing how attractive it is to buy a home in Canada. The current prime rate of 7.25% could put downward pressure on prices and send some would-be buyers back to the sidelines. 

The Bank of Canada has been raising its key interest rate aggressively to combat high inflationary pressures by resetting the supply-demand dynamic in the marketplace. However, higher interest rates almost immediately impact the housing market through higher monthly housing payments. As the five-years-fixed mortgage period ends for consumers in Canada, households will have to start higher monthly payments.

Is it a good time to buy a house in Canada?
This is not an easy question to answer because there are a myriad of aspects to take into consideration. Multiple factors, such as interest rates and your financial status, will play a paramount role in determining whether it would be a propitious time to purchase a home. Say interest rates continue to surge. This would make borrowing money to purchase a house significantly more challenging due to elevated borrowing costs. As a result, the demand for homes would drop ultimately leading to a reduction in prices.

High borrowing costs and increasing inventory causing a shift to a Buyer's Real Estate Market

The impact of high borrowing costs, high inflation, uncertainty surrounding future Bank of Canada decisions, and slower economic growth continued to weigh on Canadian home sales in September. With sales slowing and new listings returning to more normal levels, demand and supply are continuing to come into better balance. This is giving buyers more time and more choice. 

 

Ontario - Market is Better-supplied with more new listings

Toronto, October 03, 2023 -- The impact of high borrowing costs, high inflation, uncertainty surrounding future Bank of Canada decisions and slower economic growth continued to weigh on Greater Toronto Area (GTA) home sales in September. However, despite the market being better-supplied with listings, the average selling price was up year-over-year.

“The short and medium-term outlooks for the GTA housing market are very different. In the short term, the consensus view is that borrowing costs will remain elevated until mid-2024, after which they will start to trend lower. This suggests that we should start to see a marked uptick in demand for ownership housing in the second half of next year, as lower rates and record population growth spur an increase in buyers,” said TRREB President Paul Baron.

REALTORS® reported 4,642 home sales through TRREB’s MLS® System in September 2023 – down 7.1% compared to September 2022. The year-over-year dip in sales was more pronounced for ground-oriented homes, particularly semi-detached houses and townhouses. On a month-over-month seasonally-adjusted basis, sales were also down slightly.

New listings were up strongly on a year-over-year basis from the extremely low level in September 2022. The number of listings also trended upward on a month-over-month seasonally adjusted basis.

The MLS® Home Price Index (HPI) Composite benchmark was up by 2.4% year-over-year. The average selling price was up by three% over the same time period. On a month-over-month seasonally-adjusted basis, both the average selling price and the MLS® HPI Composite benchmark edged lower by less than one%.

“GTA home selling prices remain above the trough experienced early in the first quarter of 2023. However, we did experience more balanced market in the summer and early fall, with listings increasing noticeably relative to sales. This suggests that some buyers may benefit from more negotiating power, at least in the short term. This could help offset the impact of high borrowing costs,” said TRREB Chief Market Analyst Jason Mercer.

“TRREB’s annual consumer polling has shown that half of intending home buyers in Toronto will be first-time buyers in any given year. The average price of a condo apartment in Toronto is over $700,000. Yet, the first-time buyer exemption threshold for the City’s upfront land transfer tax has remained at $400,000 for a decade-and-a-half. With this in mind, TRREB applauds Toronto City Council for asking City staff to provide a report on a more appropriate exemption level moving forward,” said TRREB CEO John DiMichele. He further stressed that “many housing and taxation policies are currently set in opposition and we need all levels of government to align policies and work together to solve this housing crisis.”

 

Ottawa Home Sales Hold Steady in Lackluster September

Ottawa, October 6, 2023 -- The number of homes sold through the MLS® System of the Ottawa Real Estate Board (OREB) totaled 946 units in September 2023. This was unchanged from September 2022.

Home sales were 29.6% below the five-year average and 23.6% below the 10-year average for the month of September.

On a year-to-date basis, home sales totaled 9,889 units over the first nine months of the year. This was a large decline of 13% from the same period in 2022.

“Sales activity came in right on par with where it stood at the same time last year but was still running well below typical levels for a September,” said Ken Dekker, OREB President. “New listings have surged in the past several months, which has caused overall inventories to begin gradually rising again. However, available supply is still low by historical standards, and we have ample room to absorb more listings coming on the market. Our market is also right in the middle of balanced territory, and while MLS® Benchmark prices are down from last year they are still trending at about the same levels from 2021.”

The MLS® Home Price Index (HPI) tracks price trends far more accurately than is possible using average or median price measures.

The overall MLS® HPI composite benchmark price was $643,600 in September 2023, nearly unchanged, up only 0.5% compared to September 2022.

The benchmark price for single-family homes was $727,500, essentially unchanged, up just 0.6% on a year-over-year basis in September.

By comparison, the benchmark price for townhouse/row units was $510,900, a small gain of 2.5% compared to a year earlier, while the benchmark apartment price was $422,300, falling by 1.1% from year-ago levels.

The average price of homes sold in September 2023 was $675,412, increasing by 2.7% from September 2022. The more comprehensive year-to-date average price was $672,837, a decline of 6.5% from the first nine months of 2022.

The dollar value of all home sales in September 2023 was $638.9 million, up modestly by 2.7% from the same month in 2022.

OREB cautions that the average sale price can be useful in establishing trends over time but should not be used as an indicator that specific properties have increased or decreased in value. The calculation of the average sale price is based on the total dollar volume of all properties sold. Price will vary from neighbourhood to neighbourhood.

The number of new listings saw an increase of 9.8% from September 2022. There were 2,259 new residential listings in September 2023. New listings were 4.8% above the five-year average and 7% above the 10-year average for the month of September.

Active residential listings numbered 2,997 units on the market at the end of September, a sizable gain of 14% from the end of September 2022. Active listings haven’t been this high in the month of September in five years.

Active listings were 33.9% above the five-year average and 18.5% below the 10-year average for the month of September.

Months of inventory numbered 3.2 at the end of September 2023, up from the 2.8 months recorded at the end of September 2022 and below the long-run average of 3.3 months for this time of year. The number of months of inventory is the number of months it would take to sell current inventories at the current rate of sales activity.

British Columbia - Renewed Bank of Canada Tightening Slows Sales Activity

Vancouver, BC – October 12, 2023 -- The British Columbia Real Estate Association (BCREA) reports that a total of 5,531 residential unit sales were recorded in Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) systems in September 2023, an increase of 10.4% from September 2022. The average MLS® residential price in BC was $966,530 up 4.8% compared to September 2022. The total sales dollar volume was $5.3 billion, representing a 15.7% increase from the same time last year.

“Home sales in BC have clearly been impacted by the Bank of Canada's recent tightening of interest rates, along with the resulting surge in mortgage rates,” said BCREA Chief Economist Brendon Ogmundson. “Home sales are once again trending at below average levels as potential buyers struggle with a high cost of borrowing.”

 Active listings in the province were up slightly month-over-month at just over 33,000 total listings and were 8.1% higher year-over-year.

 Year-to-date BC residential sales dollar volume was down 15% to $57.9 billion, compared with the same period in 2022. Residential unit sales were down 11.5% to 59,570 units, while the average MLS® residential price was down 4% to $972,049.

 

 

Alberta - Calgary Home Sales at Record Highs in September, Yet Supply Remains a Challenge

City of Calgary, October 3, 2023 – Sales reached another record high in September with 2,441 sales. Despite the year-over-year gains reported over the past four months, year-to-date sales are still nearly 12% lower than last year's levels.

New listings also improved this month compared to last year and relative to sales. This caused the sales-to-new listings ratio to fall to 76%, preventing further monthly declines in inventory levels.

Nonetheless, inventory levels in September remained over 24% lower than levels seen last year and, when measured relative to sales activity, has not changed enough to cause any significant shift in supply and demand balances. As of September, the months of supply has remained relatively low at less than two months.

“Supply has been a challenge in our market as strong inter-provincial migration has elevated housing demand despite higher lending rates,” said CREB® Chief Economist Ann-Marie Lurie. “While new listings are improving, it has not been enough to take us out of sellers’ market conditions.”

In September, the unadjusted residential benchmark price was $570,300, similar to last month and nearly 9% higher than last year.

City of Calgary Housing Stats September

Detached - Inventory levels remained at record lows for the month as the sales-to-new listings ratio remained relatively high at 76%. The decline in inventory levels has been driven by homes priced below $700,000, as supply levels show some improvement for homes priced above this level. While detached sales improved over levels reported last year, much of the gains were driven by the higher-priced properties with some supply options. Overall, homes priced below $700,000 continue to struggle with less than one month of supply.

Despite persistently tight market conditions, the unadjusted benchmark price remained relatively stable this month compared to last month, as a monthly price adjustment in the West end of the city offset monthly gains in all other districts. Overall, at a benchmark price of $696,100, prices are still over 11% higher than levels reported last year at this time, with year-over-year gains ranging from a high of 20% in the East district to a low of 9% in the City Centre.

Semi-Detached - September reported a boost in new listings compared to sales activity as the sales-to-new listings ratio dropped below 70%, the first time it has done that since September of last year. The one-month shift supported a monthly increase in inventory levels, but with 295 units available, inventories have not been this low since September 2005.

Following ten consecutive monthly price gains, benchmark prices in September did ease slightly over the last month. However, at a benchmark price of $621,300, prices are still 11% higher than last year’s levels. The monthly pause in price was primarily driven by adjustments in the West and North West districts, which saw the months of supply rise above levels reported last year and last month.

Row - The pullback in monthly sales outpaced the pullback in new listings, causing the sales-to-new listings ratio to fall to 84%. While conditions are still exceptionally tight, it is an improvement over the 90% average reported since April. The shift also prevented any further monthly declines in inventory levels. However, with less than one month of supply, the persistently tight conditions continue to place upward pressure on prices.

The benchmark price in September reached $419,400, a 1.5% monthly gain and 17% higher than levels reported last year. Price gains have occurred across all districts, with the most significant gains occurring in the most affordable districts in the city.

Apartment Condominium - New listings in September were at the highest levels reported for September, contributing to the record-high sales this month. Year-to-date apartment condominium sales reached 6,286 sales, a 25% gain over last year and a record high for the city. Higher lending rates and tight rental market conditions have kept demand for apartment-style products strong. While inventory levels did see a modest gain compared to last month, thanks to a lower sales-to-new-listings ratio, conditions remain exceptionally tight with 1.5 months of supply.

The persistently tight market conditions have continued to drive further price gains. In September, the unadjusted benchmark price reached $312,800, a 1.2% increase over last month and nearly 15% higher than last year.

REGIONAL MARKET FACTS

Airdrie - With 204 new listings and 144 sales, the sales-to-new-listings ratio dropped to 70%, the first time that has happened since 2020. Improved new listings compared to sales helped support a modest monthly gain in inventory levels. However, September inventory levels are still amongst the lowest levels reported since 2005, keeping the months of supply exceptionally low with just over one month.

The persistently tight market conditions have continued to drive further price gains in the city. In September, the unadjusted benchmark price reached $518,000, reflecting a year-over-year increase of over 8%. Price gains have occurred across all property types, with the largest year-over-year gains occurring in the apartment condominium sector.

Cochrane - Both sales and new listings eased in September, leaving inventory levels relatively stable this month. While inventories are nearly 40% lower than long-term trends for the month, they are not at the record lows seen. The pullback in sales compared to inventory levels also caused the months of supply to push up above two months, the first time we have seen that since February.

While conditions remain relatively tight, the shift likely prevented further upward pressure on monthly home prices. The unadjusted benchmark price in September was $532,700, slightly lower than last month due to pullbacks in the detached, semi-detached, and row sectors. Despite the monthly pause, total residential prices are still over five% higher than September 2022 levels.

Okotoks - With 69 new listings and 52 sales, the sales-to-new listings ratio dropped to 75% in September, the lowest ratio seen since August 2022. The gain in new listings relative to sales prevented any further monthly declines in inventory levels. However, with only 70 units available in September, inventory levels are still amongst the lowest reported monthly levels in over 20 years.

The modest adjustment in both inventory and sales did cause the months of supply to rise over last month’s levels. Still, conditions remain relatively tight, especially for semi-detached, row, and apartment-style properties. As of September, the unadjusted benchmark price was $580,200, nearly 9% higher than last year.

Surge of New Listings in September Against Low Number of Sales

 

Inventory of homes climbs quickly in September

WATERLOO REGION, ON (October 4, 2023) — In September, there were 527 homes sold through the Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) System of the Waterloo Region Association of REALTORS® (WRAR), representing an increase of 0.2 per cent compared to the previous year and a decline of 27.1 per cent compared to the previous 5-year average for the month.

“The number of homes sold last month was very close to last year’s decade-low for the month of September,” says Megan Bell, president of WRAR.  “At the same time, we had a record number of new listings for the month of September.”     

Median Sale Prices by Property Type

Total residential sales in September included 302 detached (down 4.7 per cent from September 2022), and 122 townhouses (up 25.8 per cent). Sales also included 68 condominium units (up 9.7 per cent) and 33 semi-detached homes (down 34.0 per cent).

In September, the average sale price for all residential properties in Waterloo Region was $757,753. This represents a 0.7 per cent decrease compared to September 2022 and a 0.3 per cent decrease compared to August 2023.

• The average price of a detached home was $876,590. This represents a 1.6 per cent increase from September 2022 and a decrease of 0.5 per cent compared to August 2023.
• The average sale price for a townhouse was $639,816. This represents no change from September 2022 and a decrease of 2.9 per cent compared to August 2023.
• The average sale price for an apartment-style condominium was $500,092. This represents an increase of 9.9 per cent from September 2022 and an increase 3.1 per cent compared to August 2023.
• The average sale price for a semi was $673,764. This represents an increase of 5.4 per cent compared to September 2022 and an increase 0.1 per cent compared to August 2023.

“There was a significant surge of new listings in September, resulting in the largest number of homes being on the market since March 2016,” said Bell. “For buyers with the financing to be house hunting in September, they would have found more favourable conditions in terms of supply than we have seen in a while.”

At the same time, WRAR’s president points to the recent poll the association conducted, which shows over one-quarter of Waterloo Region residents are considering moving to a more affordable location.

“WRAR recently released a report highlighting that Waterloo region’s residents are struggling under the affordability crisis, with four in ten reporting that they live in housing that is unaffordable,” said Bell.

There were 1,400 new listings added to the MLS® System in Waterloo Region last month, an increase of 52.3 per cent compared to September of last year and a 30.5 per cent increase compared to the previous ten-year average for September.

The total number of homes available for sale in active status at the end of September was 1,448, an increase of 48.8 per cent compared to September of last year and 9.5 per cent above the previous ten-year average of 1322 listings for September.

There were 2.6 months of inventory at the end of September, an 85.7 per cent increase compared to last year and 34.7 per cent above the previous 10-year average. 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 September was 18, compared to 23 days in September 2022. The previous 5-year average is 20 days. 

With the next scheduled Bank of Canada interest rate announcement set for October 25, buyers might be on the sidelines, waiting to see what unfolds. WRAR understands that some buyers may be unsure about their next steps. That’s why we encourage these buyers to reach out to local Realtors who can provide them with valuable insights about the current state of the local market and cater to their specific needs.