Real Estate March 2008
From the desk of: A. Mark Argentino Latest
Newsletter
Subscribe to Mark's valuable RE/MAX
Real Estate newsletter You will receive
useful Real Estate information for Mississauga
and surrounding areas. Plus you will learn
many tips and secrets when selling or buying your
home, I will show you where to find the 'best'
mortgage interest rates as well as provide you
with timely information and a comprehensive overview
of GTA price trends.
March Report: The last month or so has been very eventful in the real estate marketplace.
First of all, the Bank of Canada reduced the prime rate .5% last week. There has not been such a large drop since just after 911. Read More
Secondly, the weather in the GTA has been a major player in slowing down our market somewhat, only time will tell, and soon, if our market will surge as it has in the past 13 years in March/April.
Lastly, the US real estate market and economy is reeling from the sub-prime crisis. We are about 5 months into a recession in the US and most are predicting another 8 to 16 months of this. Read more about the Sub-Prime Meltdown
How much this will affect our GTA real estate marketplace and the Canadian economy in general is not known, but so far we are holding our own and many suggest that we will not feel the effects of the US slowdown and our economy will be fine for the short and long term. I tend to agree.
March Report: March 5, 2008 -- While snow fell in almost record amounts, Toronto Real Estate Board Members recorded a respectable 6,015 sales during the month of February, TREB President Maureen O'Neill announced today.
"While sales were down over 2007 (11 per cent), they are in line with historical levels for the month, and they should increase substantially as the GTA eases into Spring."
Prices rose in February, with the average climbing to $382,048, up four per cent from the $367,687 recorded in February of last year. Days-on-Market stood at 30 days, and the list-to-sale price ratio was 99 per cent.
Activity within the City of Toronto generally matched that of the broader GTA. Sales moderated 14 per cent in the city to 2,310 from last year's figure of 2,697. Prices rose two per cent to $424,235.
GTA Resale Housing Down but Healthy
March 5, 2008 -- President Maureen O'Neill announced today, Toronto Real Estate Board Members recorded 6,015 resale home transactions last month, down 11 per cent in the Greater Toronto Area overall , 14 per cent in the City of Toronto and 9 per cent in the 905 suburbs compared to February 2007.
“To get an accurate perspective of current market conditions, a number of factors have to be considered,” said Ms. O’Neill. “With 18,018 properties available for sale, inventory has decreased seven per cent from last February."
“This indicates that despite moderate sales, there is not an over-supply of homes on the market. Generally, properties that are listed are selling fairly quickly and with a list to sale price ratio of 99 per cent, for the most part, sellers are realizing their asking price,” O’Neill added.
Despite the decrease in the number of sales from this time last year, there was positive news with respect to prices in February. At $382,048 in the Greater Toronto Area and $424,235 in the City of Toronto, the average price increased four and two per cent respectively compared to February 2007. As well, the time on market in February was 30 days compared to 35 days a year ago.
Despite the overall decline, some GTA neighbourhoods experienced strong sales in February.
In Pickering (E13) sales rose 28 per cent overall compared to a year ago due to a strong increase in condo townhouse and condo-apartment transactions.
Strong condo-apartment sales also drove transactions in Rexdale (W10) to an overall increase of 18 per cent compared to February 2007.
Richmond Hill North (N05) experienced a 19 per cent sales increase compared to a year ago primarily as a result of strong detached home transactions.
“All economic indicators are in place for an active year in the GTA, and as the weather improves sales are expected to increase as well,” said Ms. O’Neill.
You may wish to read about the Power of Sale section at my website that will show you the pitfalls to avoid and the clauses to put into your offer when you buy a Power of Sale property in Ontario. This new section will also explain Power of Sale and Foreclosure in detail. Read more here.
Last month was another strong month for sales. Prices and sales volumes were high, read more
I have a few 2008 calendars left in hand. If you would like to receive one of my calendars, please fill in your information at this form and I would be happy to send you a calendar once they arrive!
I found this very interesting mortgage rate website on the internet where they survey mortgage experts to gauge the state of mortgage rates over the next 30 to 45 days: Will rates rise, fall or remain relatively unchanged?
You may read about Sold Stats for W16, W19 and W20. If you want the stats for your area, just email me and I will send them to you.
Listing inventories are low, so if you are thinking of selling, this is a good time to list your home. The market has been 'very good' for the past month or so and new listings are need. Would you like a Complimentary & Quick Over-The-Net Home Evaluation of your property?
It appears as if rates may hold steady for the short term. Many feel The Bank of Canada may hold the course in the near future on their current level of 4.75% prime, (Current Bank prime is shown here), so this should keep mortgage interest rates at their current levels.
Average single family residential prices were UP compared to the previous month. This is typical for this time of year. Price trends over the past 12 years indicate that prices will likely increase over the next month or so.
Last month was another very solid month to add to another banner year in real estate in the GTA. See graphs of the sales figures, read more
My blog is moving along. I enjoy posting to it and keeping you current on the real estate market. I will update the blog throughout each month to keep you current with the real estate market. This newsletter will continue to be published monthly. Read my Mississauga Real Estate Blog
NOTE: You can often negotiate a discount of 1% or more off posted rates. "Best" Mortgage Rates
BANK PRIME
As of
May 13, 2015
the Bank Prime Rate was
5.25%
Bank of Canada Prime Rate was 3.75% as of March 4, 2008 and March 4, 2008 was the date that the Bank of Canada reduced the prime rate by a whopping .5%
Prime means "best," and this is the rate that banks charge their absolute best customers for loans. Changes in the prime rate influence changes in other rates, including variable interest rate mortgages. This rate fluctuates based on economic conditions. Some mortgage companies offer interest rates starting at Prime less .75% as an incentive to borrow from them! These are known as "SUB PRIME" Mortgages and we know what happened in the US when too many sub-prime mortgages were given out in the mid 2000's Read more about Sub-Prime Mortgages
P.Eng. Broker (since 1987)
Your email address is never shared outside of Mississauga Real Estate Market Watch or Mississauga4Sale.com. You may read about my Privacy Policy You may unsubscribe
at any time.
How
will this newsletter benefit you?
You will receive timely updates and valuable information
regarding the Mississauga, Toronto and GTA Real Estate market.
Sawmill Valley Beauty $599,900
Mortgage Rate Watch and Comparison
