Residential real estate values in major Canadian markets post extraordinary gains over 25-year period, says RE/MAX

Mississauga, ON (January 24, 2007) – Residential housing values in virtually all major Canadian centres have posted significant gains since 1981, with almost half reporting double-digit appreciation annually, according to RE/MAX. Leading the charge is Barrie, Ontario with an exceptional 372 per cent increase in average price ($51,665 to $244,000) over the 25-year period.

“The results are nothing short of remarkable, given the economic volatility of the marketplace in the past 25-year period,” says Elton Ash, Regional Executive Vice President, RE/MAX of Western Canada. “This is especially true in recent years when serious external factors such as 9/11, SARS, and an outbreak of forest fires barely registered on housing activity. Any one of these disasters would have had a significant impact on real estate markets in the 1980s.”

Thanks to economic diversity, today’s housing markets are more insulated than in the past. Alberta’s probusiness stance, for example, has served to attract major corporations to the province in recent years. Saskatchewan’s economic base has shifted from agriculture to natural resources virtually overnight. In Ottawa, an economy once solely dependent on the one major employer in the area, the evolution of high-tech has played a substantial role in the overall health of the residential real estate market.

“Immigration has also bolstered residential home sales, particularly in Canada’s largest cities,” says Polzler. “Approximately 250,000 new Canadians arrive annually and we know from experience that many will buy a home within five years of immigrating. Job opportunities have also prompted in-migration across the country as purchasers from more rural communities seek employment in major metropolitan areas.”

Baby Boomers have also been a powerful force behind housing demand, explains Ash, particularly in the upper end where sales have surged in recent years. “Boomers have demonstrated their buying intentions through the purchase of primary residences, recreational and retirement properties and even in financially assisting their children—the next generation of homebuyers—thereby stimulating the first-time segment as well.”

This graph bleow shows the average price increase of single family residential real estate from 1981 to 2007 in the GTA, click the graph below to see a large version

RE/MAX is Canada’s leading real estate organization with over 16,880 sales associates situated throughout its more than 630 independently owned and operated offices across the country. The RE/MAX franchise network, now in its 33rd year of consecutive growth, is a global real estate system operating in over 63 countries. More than 6,740 independently owned offices engage 119,400 member sales associates who lead the industry in professional designations, experience and production while providing real estate services in residential, commercial, referral, relocation and asset management. For more information, visit: www.remax.ca

For more information, visit: www.remax.ca RE/MAX Ontario-Atlantic Canada

Overall average prices.

So, if you are thinking of selling and buying a homes this year, should you buy or sell first?  I've had many clients purchase before they sell.  I just want you to have all the information so you can make the best decision for yourself and your family.  You may read more about buying or selling first here

Read about what happened in real estate last month.

I wish you much success, good health and happiness today and always! 

Mark