TORONTO, April 5, 2016 - Toronto Real Estate Board President
Mark McLean announced record TREB MLS® home sales for the first quarter of 2016
following a strong result for March transactions. There were 10,326 sales in
March and 22,575 sales in the first quarter. The year-over-year growth rate for
sales was 15.8 per cent for Q1 2016 and 16.2 per cent for March 2016. For the
TREB market area as a whole, double-digit yearover-year rates of sales growth
were experienced for all major home types during the first quarter. The
positive annual growth in sales was not mirrored on the listings front. The
number of new listings entered into TREB's MLS® System during March and the
first quarter were down compared to the same periods in 2015. “At the beginning
of 2016, TREB’s outlook for the year pointed to a strong possibility of a
second consecutive record year for home sales. This outlook was based, in part,
on upbeat consumer survey results pointing to robust home buying intentions. It
is clear that these upbeat intentions have translated into record first quarter
results,” said Mr. McLean. The MLS® Home Price Index Composite Benchmark for
March 2016 was up by 11.6 per cent compared to March 2015. The average selling
price for all home types combined was up 12.1 per cent year-over-year in March
and 13.6 per cent in the first quarter. “Demand was clearly not an issue in the
first three months of 2016, regardless of the housing market segment being
considered. The supply of listings, however, continued to aggravate many
would-be home buyers. We could have experienced even stronger sales growth were
it not for the constrained supply of listings, especially in the low-rise market
segments. The resulting strong competition between buyers has underpinned the
double digit rates of price growth experienced so far this year, ” said Jason
Mercer, TREB’s Director of Market Analysis.
As the temperatures continue to drop, we'll all be spending more time indoors. There are countless ways to make your home feel cozier for the winter if you have extra money to spend, but if you're being mindful of your finances after the holidays, here are some ideas to help you do it without spending. Bring Out the Blankets As the temperatures drop, it’s time to bring out all of those extra throw blankets and quilts you have lying around in storage. Drape blankets over your couches, chairs, beds, and ottomans; fill a blanket ladder and display it in the corner of a room; or fold extra blankets and place them in the corner. Sticking to warm textures such as wool where possible will help to make the space feel cozy. Light Candles Lighting some candles around your home is one of the easiest ways to make your space feel cozy, and who doesn’t have a stash of candles sitting around somewhere in their home? Not only will the flickering light add a sense of warmth and charm, but your ...
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