Thursday, July 10, 2014

OTTAWA REAL ESTATE BOARD-June News Release [2014-07-04 VP]

Pent up demand from the spring adds to June sales

Members of the Ottawa Real Estate Board sold 1,661 residential properties in June through the Board's Multiple Listing Service® system, compared with 1,593 in June 2013, an increase of 4.3 per cent. The five-year average for June is 1,636.

"It is now very apparent that the long winter we experienced delayed the start of the normally busy spring market," explains David Oikle, President-Elect of the Ottawa Real Estate Board. "As a result, we saw a higher demand going into June, and more homes switching hands. We've had a good May and June for residential sales, and average days on the market has held steady at 42 days."

June's sales included 316 in the condominium property class, and 1,345 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.

"We're also seeing that the Ottawa market is doing well in comparison to the first six months of 2013," says Oikle. "With positive numbers in May and June, year-to-date units sold are now only off by 106 units; while the average sale price has increased 1.5 per cent over a year ago."

The average sale price of residential properties, including condominiums, sold in June in the Ottawa area was $364,264, an increase of 1.4 per cent over June 2013. The average sale price for a condominium-class property was $258,135, a decrease of 2.8 per cent over June 2013. The average sale price of a residential-class property was $389,198, an increase of 1.8 per cent over June 2013. 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.

"Currently the residential and condo unit inventory on hand is just over 8,500, compared to approximately 7,500 last year," explains Oikle. "While this moderate increase of 13 per cent in the inventory of residential and condo units has created more selection for buyers, and increased competition for sellers, this is consistent with an active spring market. Other properties such as rentals, commercial properties, lots, etc. make up the balance of the inventory available, currently standing at approximately 2,500 units."

The Ottawa Real Estate Board is an industry association of over 3,000 sales representatives and brokers in the Ottawa area. Members of the Board are also members of the Canadian Real Estate Association.

Wednesday, June 4, 2014

OTTAWA REAL ESTATE BOARD- May News Release

Spring buyers have come out of hibernationMembers of the Ottawa Real Estate Board sold 1,792 residential properties in May through the Board's Multiple Listing Service® system, compared with 1,797 in May 2013, a decrease of 0.3 per cent. The five-year average for May is 1,765.

"Looking at the units sold this year in comparison to last year, there is only a difference of five units. April was a bit slow for the Ottawa market, but it appears that with the great weather in May, buyers have come out of hibernation," explains Randy Oickle, President of the Ottawa Real Estate Board. "May sales are up 26.2 per cent from April - or 372 units. The inventory on hand continues to grow, and prices remain stable."

May's sales included 303 in the condominium property class, and 1,489 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.

"If we look at the residential property class alone, the units sold year over year are up 1.2 per cent. Although the residential property class is performing as anticipated, the market for condos has been a bit sluggish," says Oickle. "We're seeing a 19 per cent increase in the amount of inventory on hand over this time last year and unit sales are down 7.1 per cent. If you are looking to buy and hold, the selection and prices are attractive. We encourage buyers to consult on of our member REALTORS® to get advice customized to their specific needs."

The average sale price of residential properties, including condominiums, sold in May in the Ottawa area was $381,172, an increase of 3.2 per cent over May 2013. The average sale price for a condominium-class property was $280,661, an increase of 6.9 per cent over May 2013. The average sale price of a residential-class property was $401,626, an increase of 2.1 per cent over May 2013. 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 Ottawa Real Estate Board is an industry association of over 3,000 sales representatives and brokers in the Ottawa area. Members of the Board are also members of the Canadian Real Estate Association.

Thursday, May 8, 2014

OTTAWA REAL ESTATE BOARD-April News Release 2014-05-05

The April resale market slow to bloom

Members of the Ottawa Real Estate Board sold 1,420 residential properties in April through the Board's Multiple Listing Service® system, compared with 1,569 in April 2013, a decrease of 9.5 per cent.

"There has been a decrease in units sold on a year-to-date comparison of 3.9 per cent, but the Ottawa market continues to remain relatively stable," says Randy Oickle, President of the Ottawa Real Estate Board. "With typical 'spring' weather beginning a lot later this year, it is not unexpected to see the market have a later upswing than normal. That being said, properties sold in April were on the market an average of 45 days, a few days less than what was indicated in March."

April's sales included 257 in the condominium property class, and 1,163 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.

"Sales have continued at a steady pace upwards since the beginning of the year, with 233 more properties switching hands in April over March. That's a 19.6 per cent increase since last month," explains Oickle. "Average sale prices are on par with prices from a year ago, even year-to-date price comparisons remain steady."

The average sale price of residential properties, including condominiums, sold in April in the Ottawa area was $374,015, an increase of 0.8 per cent over April 2013. The average sale price for a condominium-class property was $258,500, a decrease of three per cent over April 2013. The average sale price of a residential-class property was $399,541, an increase of 0.9 per cent over April 2013. 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 spring is a great time to buy or sell real estate, especially with interest rates continuing to remain low," says Oickle. "Talk to an Ottawa-area REALTOR® today for help with buying and/or selling a home, and you will have an ally from start to finish, and everything in between."

Saturday, April 5, 2014

OTTAWA REAL ESTATE BOARD-MARCH NEWS RELEASE 2014-04-04

The spring home-buying season is coming into bloom

Members of the Ottawa Real Estate Board sold 1,126 residential properties in March through the Board's Multiple Listing Service® system, compared with 1,160 in March 2013, a decrease of 2.9 per cent.

"Sales picked up month over month, with 256 more properties switching hands in March than in February," says Randy Oickle, President of the Ottawa Real Estate Board. "That's a 29.7 per cent increase, which is to be expected of a spring market."

March's sales included 230 in the condominium property class, and 896 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.

"A total of 2,776 properties were listed in March, indicating that sellers were getting ready the busy spring market," explains Oickle. "The average days on market stood at 49 for the month of March, lower than the average of 61 days in January and February, indicating that properties are starting to move faster as we enter the second quarter of 2014."

The average sale price of residential properties, including condominiums, sold in March in the Ottawa area was $359,051, an increase of 0.3 per cent over March 2013. The average sale price for a condominium-class property was $251,381, a decrease of 2.1 per cent over March 2013. The average sale price of a residential-class property was $386,690, an increase of 0.2 per cent over March 2013. 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.

"It's a great time to buy or sell real estate," says Oickle. "Talk to an Ottawa-area REALTOR® today for help with buying and/or selling a home, and you will have an ally from start to finish, and everything in between."

The Ottawa Real Estate Board is an industry association of over 3,000 sales representatives and brokers in the Ottawa area. Members of the Board are also members of the Canadian Real Estate Association.

Tuesday, January 21, 2014

THIS MONTH IN REAL ESTATE - JANUARY 2014


TOP STORY:
Surprising insights into the minds of a buyer.



THIS MONTH IN REAL ESTATE - DECEMBER 2013 (CANADA)

Watch this short 1 minute video Published on Dec 3, 2013 by KW.com

Find out what the top Eco Friendly features buyers want in their home:

Wednesday, January 8, 2014

OTTAWA REAL ESTATE BOARD-JANUARY NEWS RELEASE 2014-01-07

Ottawa remains stable in 2013, devoid of large fluctuations

Members of the Ottawa Real Estate Board sold 610 residential properties in December through the Board's Multiple Listing Service® system, compared with 615 in December 2012, a decrease of less than one per cent. The five-year average for December sales is 646, with sales from December 2011 and 2009 increasing that average.

The total number of homes sold through the Board's MLS® system in 2013 was 13,873, compared with 14,326 in 2012, a decrease of 3.2 per cent. The average sale price for residential properties, including condominiums, sold in 2013 was $357,348, an increase of 1.6 per cent over 2012.

"Looking back at the 2013 market, home sales in the first part of the year were, for the most part down, in comparison to the year before," said new President of the Ottawa Real Estate Board, Randy Oickle. "The introduction of tighter mortgage rules in July 2012 largely affected the market well into 2013. However, as the year progressed the market began to pick back up, and then leveled out in November and December. Impending mortgage rate increases may have caused the increase in the second half of 2013, as many first-time home buyers jumped into the market in advance of these increases."

December's sales included 145 in the condominium property class, and 465 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 December in the Ottawa area was $340,021, an increase of 0.9 per cent over December 2012. The average sale price for a condominium-class property was $245,349, a decrease of 5.1 per cent over December 2012. The average sale price of a residential-class property was $369,543, an increase of three per cent over December 2012. 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.

"Although, the government succeeded in its plan to "cool down" the market over the past year and a half, Ottawa remains steady and balanced, devoid of large fluctuations in resale activity," says Oickle. "We are truly fortunate to live and work in such a stable market area, and it seems buyers and sellers agree that Ottawa remains a great place to call home."

The Ottawa Real Estate Board is an industry association of approximately 3,000 sales representatives and brokers in the Ottawa area. Members of the Board are also members of the Canadian Real Estate Association.