OTTAWA REAL ESTATE BOARD NEWS RELEASE-MAY 3, 2017

Spring conditions produce blossoming resale market

OTTAWA, May 3, 2017 - Members of the Ottawa Real Estate Board sold 1,795 residential properties in April through the Board’s Multiple Listing Service® System, compared with 1,711 in April 2016, an increase of 4.9 per cent. The five-year average for April sales is 1,613.
“The April resale market continued its upward trend in units sold, just shy of a record set in 2010,” says Rick Eisert, President of the Ottawa Real Estate Board. “Sales activity is indicating a trend towards a seller’s market. Lower inventory, combined with increased demand, is creating many more multiple offer situations and quicker moving properties, with the average cumulative days on market dipping to just 71 days.”
April’s sales included 312 in the condominium property class, and 1,483 in the residential property class. The condominium property class includes any property, regardless of style (i.e. detached, semi-detached, apartment, townhouse, etc.), which is registered as a condominium, as well as properties which are co-operatives, life leases, and timeshares. The residential property class includes all other residential properties.
“We continue to see a trend in the amount of high-end units selling,” reports Eisert. “Properties selling for $500,000 and up has increased over last year, and even more significantly in the over $1 million market, which doubled in sales over April 2016. Since the beginning of the year 83 properties over $1 million switched hands, compared to only 38 in the same time-frame last year. The increase in sales for high-end properties may be fuelled by a combination of the migration of buyers from Toronto and move-up buyers. Another contributing factor is that many, generally well paying, jobs are opening up in the high-tech sector, driving more people into the Ottawa market.”
The average sale price of a residential-class property sold in April in the Ottawa area was $435,883, an increase of 7.9 per cent over April 2016. The average sale price for a condominium-class property was $268,553, an increase of 2.9 per cent over April 2016. The Board 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 and conditions will vary from neighbourhood to neighbourhood.
“The two most active price points in the residential market continue to be the $300,000 to $399,999 followed by the $400,000 to $499,999 range, combined accounting for 55.1 per cent of the market. Within the condo market, the most active price point was between $150,000 and $249,999, accounting for 53.8 per cent of the market,” says Eisert. “In addition to residential and condominium sales, OREB Members assisted clients with renting 865 properties since the beginning of the year.”

OTTAWA REAL ESTATE BOARD NEWS RELEASE-OCTOBER 5, 2016

No fall(ing) back in Ottawa’s resale market

OTTAWA, October 5, 2016 - Members of the Ottawa Real Estate Board sold 1,371 residential properties in September through the Board’s Multiple Listing Service® System, compared with 1,241 in September 2015, an increase of 10.5 per cent. The five-year average for September sales is 1,171.
“Again this month, we have broken the record for residential and condominium units sold, with 200 more units sold than the five-year average for September sales,” says Shane Silva, President of the Ottawa Real Estate Board. “With average sale prices remaining virtually unchanged since the beginning of the year, this could be an indication that prices have adjusted to market expectations and sales have rebounded as a result.”
September’s sales included 269 in the condominium property class, and 1,102 in the residential property class. The condominium property class includes any property, regardless of style (i.e. detached, semi-detached, apartment, townhouse, etc.), which is registered as a condominium, as well as properties which are co-operatives, life leases, and timeshares. The residential property class includes all other residential properties.
“Units listed in both residential and condominium property classes continue to decline,” indicates Silva. “From 2,076 listed in September 2015 to 1,822 listed in September 2016 for residential properties, and from 637 listed in September 2015 to 588 listed in September 2016 for condominium sales. With fewer listings coming on to the market, combined with recent higher unit sales, overall inventory is declining. The basic economics of supply and demand at play will continue to have an impact on the Ottawa resale market.”
The average sale price of a residential-class property sold in September in the Ottawa area was $383,793 a decrease of 0.1 per cent over September 2015. The average sale price for a condominium-class property was $252,136, a decrease of two per cent over September 2015. The Board cautions that average sale price information 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 average sale price is calculated based on the total dollar volume of all properties sold.
“The hottest segments in our market for September continue to be two-storey and bungalow residential homes in the $300,000 to $400,000 price range, followed by one-level and two-storey condos in the $200,000 to $300,000 and the $100,000 to $200,000 price range” says Silva. “In addition to residential and condominium sales, OREB Members have assisted clients with renting almost 2,500 properties since the beginning of the year.”

OTTAWA REAL ESTATE BOARD-March news release 2016-03-03 VP

Extra day in leap year causes jump in sales for February
March 3, 2016 - Members of the Ottawa Real Estate Board sold 911 residential properties in February through the Board’s Multiple Listing Service® system, compared with 850 in February 2015, an increase of 7.2 per cent. The five-year average for February sales is 908.
“Although the weather was very unpredictable this month, with many highs and lows and several winter storms, the Ottawa resale market only saw activity pick up,” says President of the Ottawa Real Estate Board, Shane Silva. “Residential and condo sales combined increased by 52.3 per cent since last month. However, we need to factor in the leap year, which added an extra day to the month of February, and 46 sales on that day alone.”
February’s sales included 199 in the condominium property class, and 712 in the residential property class. The condominium property class includes any property, regardless of style (i.e. detached, semi-detached, apartment, townhouse, etc.), which is registered as a condominium, as well as properties which are co-operatives, life leases and timeshares. The residential property class includes all other residential properties.
“In February, 2,312 homes were listed, up 26.6 per cent since January, and inventory on hand at the end of February rose by 10.7 per cent since January,” says Silva. “We’re starting to see more homes coming onto the market in preparation for the busy spring selling season. If you’re thinking of putting your home on the market, this is a great time to do so.”
The average sale price of a residential-class property sold in February in the Ottawa area was $384,632, an increase of 1.2 per cent over February 2015. The average sale price for a condominium-class property was $249,727, a decrease of 6.8 per cent over February 2015. The Board cautions that average sale price information 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 average sale price is calculated based on the total dollar volume of all properties sold.
“The highest concentration of properties sold continues to be in the $300,000 to $400,000 price range, followed by the $200,000 to $300,000 range,” says Silva. “These price ranges continue to have the highest concentration of properties sold – residential and condo – while two-storey, bungalow, and one-level condos have the highest concentration of buyers. In addition to residential and condominium sales, OREB Members assisted clients with renting 414 properties since the beginning of the year.”

OTTAWA REAL ESTATE BOARD-December news release 2016-01-06 VP

Record-breaking December, contributes to a strong 2015Members of the Ottawa Real Estate Board sold 703 residential properties in December through the Board's Multiple Listing Service® System, compared with 638 in December 2014, an increase of 10.2 per cent. The five-year average for December sales is 653. The total number of residential and condo units sold through the Board's MLS® System throughout all of 2015 was 14,658, compared with 13,919 in 2014, an increase of 5.3 per cent. Separately, residential and condo unit sales each outperformed the 2014 numbers.

"Looking back at the 2015 market, we started the year off with extreme cold temperatures in the first quarter of the year, but that didn't stop homebuyers," says new President of the Ottawa Real Estate Board, Shane Silva. "We saw the busy spring selling season pick up as early as March this year, and continue well throughout the summer, with a small dip in July, followed by record-breaking sale numbers in September. Three months later, December broke the record for the highest number of residential and condo properties sold at 703 units, only comparable to 2011, when 699 properties sold."

December's sales included 160 in the condominium property class, and 543 in the residential property class. The condominium property class includes any property, regardless of style (i.e. detached, semi-detached, apartment, stacked etc.), which is registered as a condominium, as well as properties which are co-operatives, life leases and timeshares. The residential property class includes all other residential properties.

"The listing inventory for both residential and condos trended higher all year, showing signs of tapering off in October," says Silva. "Increased inventory levels contributed to the market favouring Buyers for much of the year; however as the inventory levelled out in the fall, we moved into more balanced conditions. Cumulative days on market increased to 109 days in December, while the average for the year comes in at 86 days. Average residential sale prices are up slightly over last year, which is great for the Ottawa market. All combined, these indicators point to a stable real estate market."

The average sale price of a residential-class property sold in December in the Ottawa area was $386,961, an increase of 5.5 per cent over December 2014. The average sale price for a condominium-class property was $250,393, a decrease of 7.5 per cent over December 2014. The year-to-date numbers for the average residential sale price in 2015 was $391,940, an increase of 1.9 per cent over 2014. While the average condominium sale price was $259,691, a decrease of 1.5 per cent over 2014. The Board cautions that average sale price information 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 average sale price is calculated based on the total dollar volume of all properties sold.

"A trend all year long, the hottest segments of our market are properties sold in the $300,000 to $400,000 price range, with 31.6 per cent of the year's sales, followed by the $200,000 to $300,000 range, with 26.2 per cent of the year's sales" says Silva. "In addition to residential and condominium sales, OREB Members assisted clients with renting 181 properties in December, and over 3,000 properties this year."

OTTAWA REAL ESTATE BOARD-March News Release [2015-04-08 VP]

Busy spring season arrives amidst March snow banks

Members of the Ottawa Real Estate Board sold 1,208 residential properties in March through the Board's Multiple Listing Service® system, compared with 1,184 in March 2014, an increase of two per cent. The five-year average for March sales is 1,236.

"Sales increased month over month, with 356 more properties sold in March over February, a 41.8 per cent increase," says David Oikle, President of the Ottawa Real Estate Board. "Indications of a fast approaching spring market were noted in February, and these numbers are proof that Ottawa is indeed experiencing an upswing in sales."

March's sales included 228 in the condominium property class, and 980 in the residential property class. The condominium property class includes any property, regardless of style (i.e. detached, semi-detached, apartment, townhouse, etc.), which is registered as a condominium, as well as properties which are co-operatives, life leases and timeshares. The residential property class includes all other residential properties.

"The average cumulative days on market came in at 83 for the month of March, lower than the average of 99 days in February and 119 days in January indicating that properties are starting to move faster as we enter the second quarter of 2015," explains Oikle. "Year-to-date sales for the first quarter of 2015 are 1.8 per cent higher than the first quarter of 2014. Average sales price has also increased, ever so slightly, by 0.8 per cent. So far, the 2015 resale market in Ottawa remains steady and strong."

The average sale price of residential properties, including condominiums, sold in March in the Ottawa area was $361,572, an increase of 0.7 per cent over March 2014. The average sale price for a condominium-class property was $251,666, no change over March 2014. The average sale price of a residential-class property was $387,141, no change over March 2014. While average sale price information can be useful in establishing trends over time, it should not be used as an indicator that specific properties have increased or decreased in value, because the average sale price is calculated based on the total dollar volume of all properties sold.

"The hottest segments of our market in March were sales between $300,000 to $400,000, followed by the $200,000 to $300,000 price range," says Oikle. "Residential two-storey homes continue to be the highest sold property class, followed by bungalows and one-level condos. In addition to residential and condominium sales, OREB members assisted clients with renting 593 properties since the beginning of the year."

OTTAWA REAL ESTATE BOARD-February News Release [2015-03-04 VP]

Resale buyers brave the February freeze
Members of the Ottawa Real Estate Board sold 853 residential properties in February through the Board's Multiple Listing Service® system, compared with 868 in February 2014, a decrease of 1.7 per cent. The five-year average for February sales is 914.

"Even though we had one of the coldest months on record, resales for the month of February are only slightly down from last year," says President of the Ottawa Real Estate Board, David Oikle. "Looking at residential properties alone, 13 more properties were sold this February over last February - a 1.9 per cent increase; while the condo market on the other hand, has been a little slower to gain momentum. That being said, both residential and condo sales are up a total of 226 combined units since January and there are a total of 6,519 residential listings going into March - both telling signs that the spring market is fast approaching."

February's sales included 168 in the condominium property class, and 685 in the residential property class. The condominium property class includes any property, regardless of style (i.e. detached, semi-detached, apartment, townhouse, etc.), which is registered as a condominium, as well as properties which are co-operatives, life leases and timeshares. The residential property class includes all other residential properties.

The average sale price of residential properties, including condominiums, sold in February in the Ottawa area was $358,206, an increase of 1.3 per cent over February 2014. The average sale price for a condominium-class property was $267,880, an increase of 3.8 per cent over February 2014. The average sale price of a residential-class property was $380,358, a decrease of 0.3 per cent over February 2014. While average sale price information can be useful in establishing trends over time, it should not be used as an indicator that specific properties have increased or decreased in value, because the average sale price is calculated based on the total dollar volume of all properties sold.

"The hottest segments of our market in February were sales between $300,000 to $400,000, followed by the $200,000 to $300,000 range and $400,000 to $500,000 range," says Oikle. "These price ranges continue to have the highest concentration of properties sold, while residential two-storey homes and bungalows continue to have the highest concentration of buyers. In addition to residential and condominium sales, OREB members assisted clients with renting 366 properties since the beginning of the year."

OTTAWA REAL ESTATE BOARD-January News Release- [2015-02-04 VP]

Homebuyers undeterred by January cold

Members of the Ottawa Real Estate Board sold 627 residential properties in January through the Board's Multiple Listing Service® system, compared with 587 in January 2014, an increase of 6.8 per cent. The five-year average for January sales is 633.

"The cold weather proved not to be a deterrent for buyers in January," says President of the Ottawa Real Estate Board, David Oikle. "Residential and Condo sales combined, contributed to an increase in sales this month, and we are right on par with the January average. Residential two-storey and bungalow properties had the highest concentration of buyers. In addition to residential and condominium sales, OREB members assisted clients with renting 183 units this month."

January's sales included 114 in the condominium property class, and 513 in the residential property class. The condominium property class includes any property, regardless of style (i.e. detached, semi-detached, apartment, townhouse, etc.), which is registered as a condominium, as well as properties which are co-operatives, life leases and timeshares. The residential property class includes all other residential properties.

"This month has been a busy month for our Members," says Oikle. "The number of residential and condo properties listed in January (2,018) more than doubled the amount of newly listed properties from December - a normal occurrence at the beginning of the year, in advance of the usual busy spring market."

The average sale price of residential properties, including condominiums, sold in January in the Ottawa area was $348,617, an increase of 0.5 per cent over January 2014. The average sale price for a condominium-class property was $250,406, a decrease of 5.8 per cent over January 2014. The average sale price of a residential-class property was $370,442, an increase of 0.5 per cent over January 2014. While average sale price information can be useful in establishing trends over time, it should not be used as an indicator that specific properties have increased or decreased in value, because the average sale price is calculated based on the total dollar volume of all properties sold.

"The possibility of interest rates approaching record lows will provide even more opportunity for homebuyers," explains Oikle. "The Ottawa resale market remains steady, and we look forward to a productive year ahead."