TORONTO, July 5, 2012 –
Greater Toronto REALTORS® reported 9,422 home sales through the TorontoMLS system in June 2012. The number of transactions was down by 5.4 per cent in comparison to June 2011. The year-over-year decline was largest in the City of Toronto, where sales were down by 13 per cent compared to June 2011. Sales in the rest of the Toronto Real Estate Board (TREB) market area were comparable to a year ago.
“Buyers continue to face the substantial upfront cost associated with the City of Toronto’s unfair Land Transfer Tax,” said TREB President Ann Hannah. “Recent polling by TREB suggests that many households are considering home purchases outside of the City of Toronto to avoid paying the Land Transfer Tax. This goes a long way in plaining the disproportionate decline in sales in the City versus surrounding regions.”
The average selling price in June was $508,622 – up by 7.3 per cent compared to June 2011. The mortgage payment associated with the average priced home in June, assuming five per cent down and a five-year fixed rate mortgage amortized over 25 years, would account for approximately 35 per cent of the average household’s income in the GTA after adding property tax and utility payments.
“According to new mortgage lending guidelines set out by Finance Minister Jim Flaherty, the GTA housing market remains affordable. The share of the average household’s income going toward major home ownership payments for the average priced home remains below the 39 per cent ceiling recently announced by Mr. Flaherty,” said Jason Mercer, TREB’s Senior Manager of Market Analysis.
Jonathan's Opinion
Based on this month’s data, rumors are already spreading that the Toronto and surrounding area’s real estate market is reaching its peak, and is due for a correction. While it is true that we may be due for a correction, I can assure you that the time is not now.
Even with the new mortgage rules (see last months post) and lower sales, the market will continue behaving the way it has up to now. Prices will continue climbing, albeit slower; demand is still higher than supply, which will sustain the Seller’s market and bidding wars.
