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Record First Quarter Sales!

TORONTO, April 6, 2010

- Greater Toronto REALTORS® reported 10,430 sales through the Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) in March, pushing total first quarter 2010 sales to 22,418 – the best result on record under the current Toronto Real Estate Board (TREB) boundaries. The average price for March transactions was $434,696. The average price for the first quarter was $427,948.

"The strong rebound in the existing home market was one of the initial drivers of economic recovery," said TREB President Tom Lebour. "While we don't expect to see the same rates growth moving forward, GTA households will remain confident in ownership housing as a quality long-term investment, especially as economic recovery expands across all industries."

The annual rate of growth for new listings continued to accelerate in March. The number of new listings grew by 42 per cent compared to March of 2008.

"The average home price in the GTA will continue to grow this year, but the pace will slow as we move through the spring," said Jason Mercer, TREB's Senior Manager of Market Analysis. "As growth in new listings starts to outstrip growth in sales, buyers will experience more choice, resulting in more sustainable single digit rates of average price growth."

Click Download Market Watch Report for March 2010 to view the whole report.

 

How Can I help You Today?

John den Ouden

Sales Representative

RE/MAX Hallmark Realty Ltd.

416-699-9292

 

Email me at jdenouden@trebnet.com

 

Gorgeous SOHO LOFT at 188 Eglinton Ave. East - Open House Saturday 2-4pm

 
188 EGLINTON AVE. EAST - UNIT #306. SOHO LOFTS - Extra Spacious Corner Sun Drenched Loft. Wall-To-Wall Wrap Around Windows With Custom Window Roller Blinds, 11 Foot Ceilings, Custome Euopean Designed Sliding Glass Door System, Treated/Polished Concrete Floors, Halogen Lighting. Roof Top Patio/Deck, Rec Ctr W/ State Of The Art Exercise Equipment, Steam Rooms, Gas Bbq, Sundeck And Golf/Batting Cage. Open House Saturday, March 20th from 2-4Pm.

Click Here to view the listing details.

How Can I Help You Today?

 

John den Ouden

Sales Representative

RE/MAX Hallmark Realty Ltd.

416-699-9292

 

Email me at jdenouden@trebnet.com

FEBRUARY SALES AND AVERAGE PRICE INCREASE ANNUALLY

Greater Toronto REALTORS® reported 7,291 sales through the Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) in February, representing a 77 per cent increase over February 2009. The average price for these transactions was up 19 per cent year-over-year to $431,509. Sales and average price increases represent both increased demand for ownership housing and the base year effect, which involves a comparison of economic recovery this year to a period of economic decline last year.

"Increases in existing home sales and average price were noted across the GTA in low-rise and high-rise home types. Similar rates of growth were experienced in the City of Toronto and surrounding 905 regions," said TREB President Tom Lebour. "This suggests that first time, move-up and down sizing buyers are all active in the existing home marketplace."

New listings also increased in February, climbing 24 per cent compared to the same month last year.

"Annual growth in new listings is expected to continue. New listings growth will start to outstrip sales growth as we move through 2010," said Jason Mercer, TREB’s Senior Manager of Market Analysis. "As the market becomes better supplied, we will see more sustainable single-digit rates of price growth."

Click Download Market Watch Report for January 2010 to view the whole report.

How can I Help You?

John den Ouden

Sales Representative

RE/MAX Hallmark Realty Ltd.

416-699-9292

Email me at jdenouden@trebnet.com

Sales start off strong in 2010!

 

TORONTO, February 3, 2010 

Greater Toronto REALTORS® reported 4,986 transactions through the Multiple Listing Service (MLS®) in January 2010. This result represented a large increase over the 2,670 sales in January 2009 when the home sales were in a recessionary trough. Last month’s sales were slightly higher than the January average in the five years preceding 2009.

“The GTA housing market has rebounded well from the lows in sales experienced at the beginning of 2009. Sales climbed back to healthy levels across the GTA because the cost of home ownership remained affordable in the Toronto area,” said TREB President Tom Lebour. “Increasingly confident consumers moved to take advantage of affordable home ownership.”

The average home selling price in January 2010 climbed 19 per cent to $409,058, compared to 343,632 in the same month last year.

“Expect strong annual growth rates for existing home sales and average price through the first quarter as we continue to make comparisons to the weak market conditions at the beginning of 2009,” said Jason Mercer, TREB’s Senior Manager of Market Analysis. “The rate of sales and price growth will be lower in the second half of 2010.”

Click Download Market Watch Report for January 2010 to view the complete report.

 

How Can I Help You today?

 

John den Ouden

Sales Representative

RE/MAX Hallmark Realty Ltd.

416-699-9292

Email me at: jdenouden@trebnet.com

 

RE/MAX 2010 Housing Market Outlook - Housing performance expected to accelerate in 2010

Housing performance expected to accelerate in 2010, as economic stability returns to Canadian markets, says RE/MAX

Mississauga, ON (December 3, 2009) - In the midst of one of the most tumultuous economic periods in recent history, residential real estate has proven to be a safe harbour, with sales and average price expected to post gains in most major Canadian cities in 2009, according to a report released today by RE/MAX.

The RE/MAX Housing Market Outlook for 2010 examined residential real estate trends in 23 markets. The report found that sales are forecast to recover in almost all major centres by year-end 2009, led by an anticipated 45 per cent increase in Greater Vancouver. Two markets -- Ottawa and Quebec City -- are expected to hit historic highs in the number of homes sold. Average price should post new records in 65 per cent of markets surveyed this year. As economic performance ramps up across the country, so too will residential real estate. Eighty-three per cent of markets (19/23) are expecting sales to increase over 2009 levels while housing values are forecast to escalate in 91 per cent (21/23) of Canadian centres in 2010. The remaining markets will match 2009 levels.

Approximately 465,000 homes are expected to change hands nationally in 2009, a seven per cent increase over one year ago. Canadian housing values are forecast to close the year at $318,000, up five per cent from $303,594 in 2008. By year-end 2010, the number of homes sold is predicted to climb another two per cent to 475,000 units. The average price of a home is also expected to experience an uptick, rising two per cent to $325,000 - the highest level in Canadian history.

"2009 was without question the year of the house," says Michael Polzler, Executive Vice President, RE/MAX Ontario-Atlantic Canada. "Real estate not only defied industry and analysts' predictions in 2009 -- it's performance went well beyond the realm of expectation by boosting consumer confidence levels and ultimately kick starting the national economic engine. While low interest rates were a principle factor driving home buying activity, no one can discount the value that Canadians place in owning a home."

Information from RE/MAX Ontario-Atlantic Canada Inc.

 

How Can I Help You Today?

John den Ouden

Sales Representative

RE/MAX Hallmark Realty Ltd.

416-699-9292

Email me at jdenouden@trebnet.com

GTA Home Sales Remain Strong in November

Greater Toronto REALTORS® reported 7,446 sales in November – slightly more than double the November 2008 result when GTA home sales had dipped markedly due to the economic downturn. Year-to-date sales were up 14 per cent compared to the first 11 months of 2008.

“This year in the GTA home sales will be in line with the healthy levels experienced between 2004 and 2006,” said Toronto Real Estate Board President Tom Lebour.

“Increased resale home transactions in the Toronto area and country-wide played a key role in pushing the Canadian economy out of recession in the third quarter.”

The average price for November transactions was up 14 per cent year-over-year to $418,460. The average price year-to-date was up four per cent to $394,464.

“Very strong annual growth rates for sales and average price should be expected through the first quarter of 2010, because we will be comparing the current recovery to the housing market decline experienced last winter," according to Jason Mercer, TREB's Senior Manager of Market Analysis. “As we move into the spring, growth rates will move to more sustainable levels.”

Click Download Market Watch Report for November 2009 to view the whole report.

 

How Can I Help You Today?

John den Ouden

Sales Representative

RE/MAX Hallmark Realty Ltd.

416-699-9292

Email me at jdenouden@trebnet.com

 

TREB Reports Strong Growth in October MLS Transactions

TORONTO, November 4, 2009

- In October 2009, Greater Toronto REALTORS® reported

8,476 sales, up 64 per cent from October 2008. The average price for October transactions was $423,559 – up by 20 per cent compared to the same month last year.

"Strong sales growth has occurred across many property classes – from price ranges that would attract first-time buyers to luxury properties selling for over one million dollars," said TREB President Tom Lebour. “The highest rate of sales growth in October was experienced for properties selling for over $750,000. In contrast, luxury home sales declined at an above-average rate last year.”

Year-to-date sales, at 74,721, were up nine per cent compared to the first ten months of 2008. Average price, at $392,264 was up by almost three per cent.

"After a short dip in the winter, the average home price in the GTA has rebounded because sales have been high relative to listings," according to Jason Mercer, TREB's Senior Manager of Market Analysis. “Watch for listings to rebound in 2010 as home owners react to the strong sales and price growth experienced in the latter half of this year.”

Click Download Market Watch Report for October 2009 to view the whole report.

 

How Can I Help You Today?

John den Ouden

RE/MAX Hallmark Realty Ltd.

416-699-9292

Email me at jdenouden@trebnet.com

GTA REALTORS® report resale record in July

TORONTO, August 6, 2009

- In July 2009, Greater Toronto REALTORS® reported a record 9,967 sales, up 28 per cent from July 2008. The average price for July transactions was $395,414 – up by six per cent compared to the same month last year.

"Households confident in their positioning within the current economic environment have taken advantage of housing affordability in the GTA," said TREB President Tom Lebour. "The real estate sector has been one of the sectors making a positive contribution to economic growth in the GTA, not to mention Ontario and Canada more broadly."

Year-to-date sales, at 50,632 are down 1.2 per cent compared to the first seven months of 2008. Average price, at $385,808 is down by less than one-half of one per cent. "The steep drop-off in sales experienced at the beginning of the year has all but dissipated," explained Jason Mercer, TREB's Senior Manager of Market Analysis. "With five months left to go in the year, it is probable that total existing home sales in 2009 will be at or above last year’s level."

Click Download Market Watch Report for June 2009  to view the whole report.

 

How Can I Help You?

John den Ouden

Sales Representative

RE/MAX Hallmark Realty Ltd.

416-699-9292

 

Email me at jdenouden@trebnet.com

 

 

YARD SALE FOR THE CURE - SATURDAY, MAY 30th

Yard Sale For The Cure is the brainchild of some friends of mine - Rachael Smith nad Andrew Howard.   Click Here to read about how it all began. It's an inspiring story and the fundraising idea is brilliant. I'm proud to say that RE/MAX Hallmark is a founding sponsor of this worthwhile cause.

Yard Sale for the Cure is an organization that raises money for Breast Cancer research and treatment by holding a massive series of Yard Sales in selected neighbourhoods across Canada. In 2005, the inaugural event was held in the Toronto Beaches. It was a huge success, raised $45 000 and brought people together with a great sense of community and purpose. Now a growing number of people from across Canada are taking on this idea and Yard Sale for the Cure will be launched in markets across the country. To date Yard Sale for the Cure has raised over $450,000.

Yard Sale for the Cure will be widely publicized and advertised in each of the communities, so lots of people will be attracted to shop at your Yard Sale. In fact, in 2006, $3.2 million dollars of PR and over $200 thousand in free media was secured to help promote the one event.

For more information about organizing a Yard Sale go to their website at www.yardsaleforthecure.com

 

How Can I Help You Today?

John den Ouden

RE/MAX Hallmark Realty Ltd., Brokerage

Email me at jdenouden@trebnet.com

Breakfast Program for Kids!

A colleague and friend of mine, Carolyn Griffis, saw a need a few years ago that shook her up.  Some high-risk public schools were loosing their funding for their breakfast programs.  She rallied some co-workers at RE/MAX Hallmark to financially support and volunteer at one particular school to assist in keeping the program alive.

This program has mushroomed with assistance from the Toronto Real Estate Board.  Our company and others now supply nutritious breakfasts to 1,500 children in 10 public schools each and every day.  It costs $1.00 a day to feed a child.  Unfortunately the Toronto District School Board has identified 80 additional schools in immediate need of a nutrition program. 

Two years ago, we held our first Breakfast Program Fundraiser, raising over $23,000.00 to build a kitchen at First Nations Public School. 

On May 7, 2009, we are holding our second Fundraising Event.  The generosity of people is really overwhelming and our goal?  A modest $15,000.00, given the economy has hurt a few companies.  The event is being held at MYTH Restaurant, 417 Danforth Avenue.  Start time is 7:00 p.m.  This year we have amazing donations:  Platinum Basketball Tickets, Platinum Hockey Tickets, Behind the Bench Baseball Tickets, Chalet for 2 nights in Collingwood, Wine Tour for 10 Niagara Region, lots of beautiful Art, Jewellery and of course, our generous suppliers are providing much needed Real Estate stuff for us to bid on. 

There is a lively LIVE Auction and an excellent Silent Auction as well.  We hope to have over 60 items in the Silent Auction arena.

Tickets are $25 and all proceeds go to the Children's Breakfast Program.  Hope you can come out! We'd love to see you! Or, if you would like to make a donation contact me. A tax receipt is available for any donation over $10.

How Can I Help You Today?

John den Ouden

RE/MAX Hallark Realty Ltd.

Email me at jdenouden@trebnet.com