June2017

Ottawa resale market proves strong in first half of 2017.

Members of the Ottawa Real Estate Board sold 2,162 residential properties in June through the Board’s Multiple Listing Service® System, compared with 1,985 in June 2016, an increase of 8.9 per cent.  The five-year average for June sales is 1,818.

“We’re having a stellar year so far in 2017. Year-to-date sales numbers for the first half of the year are up in both the residential and condo property classes, combined coming in at a 13.5 per cent increase over the same time period in 2016,” says Ralph Shaw, President-Elect of the Ottawa Real Estate Board.

“Average sale price in both the residential and condo class is up in the first half of 2017 compared to last year, although not a significant amount.”  June’s sales included 408 in the condominium property class, and 1,754 in the residential property class.

“Listings and inventory levels continue to trend downwards, and REALTORS® report an increase in multiple offers on properties in some pockets around the city,” says Shaw.  “While some areas within the Ottawa market are very active in sales, there are other areas of the city that remain very balanced and steady.”

“Something we hadn’t seen for years, is the recent rise in the lifestyle market in both the residential and condo property class, with 46 over $1 million units sold in June, and 171 units over $1 million sold since the beginning of the year,” says Shaw.  “Both numbers are more than double the amount sold last year.  It indicates that home buyers are looking beyond their basic needs to check off more boxes from their wish lists such as view, downtown location, or acreage property.”

“Since the announcement in April by the Ontario Liberal government of cooling measures in Toronto, it’s no surprise that the Ottawa market has been thriving.  Not only is Ottawa an affordable place to live, it’s also very desirable,” says Shaw.  “We have a great mix of city life and rural expanses.  It’s no wonder MoneySense just named Ottawa as Canada’s best place to live in 2017.”

The average sale price of a residential-class property sold in June in the Ottawa area was $434,502, an increase of 8.8 per cent over June 2016.  The average sale price for a condominium-class property was $289,905, an increase of 9.4 per cent over June 2016.

“The most active price point in the residential market continues to be the $300,000 to $399,999 range, accounting for 35.1 per cent of the market.  Within the condo market, the most active price point was between $150,000 and $249,999, accounting for 50.8 per cent of the market,” says Shaw.  “In addition to residential and condominium sales, OREB Members assisted clients with renting 1,496 properties since the beginning of the year.”

March 2017

News Release - Latest

Spring market primed for a competitive season ahead

OTTAWA, March 3, 2017 - Members of the Ottawa Real Estate Board sold 1,010 residential properties in February through the Board’s Multiple Listing Service® System, compared with 908 in February, an increase of 11.2 per cent. The five-year average for February sales is 872.

“Numbers continue to indicate a positive trend for Ottawa as a whole,” says Rick Eisert, President of the Ottawa Real Estate Board. “Even with the additional day in February last year due to the leap year, sales this year are up in both the residential and condo property classes. Keep in mind though, that all real estate is local, and that prices and conditions will vary from neighbourhood to neighbourhood.”

“A total of 2,066 homes were listed this month, up almost 25 per cent from January, while inventory on hand still remains low compared to last year,” explains Eisert. “Now is a great time to list your home in anticipation of the increase of buyer interest in the spring that will pick up as early as March.”

February’s sales included 233 in the condominium property class, and 777 in the residential property class. The condominium property class includes any property, regardless of style (i.e. detached, semi-detached, apartment, townhouse, etc.), which is registered as a condominium, as well as properties which are co-operatives, life leases and timeshares. The residential property class includes all other residential properties.

The average sale price of a residential-class property sold in February in the Ottawa area was $417,374, an increase of 8.5 per cent over February 2016. The average sale price for a condominium-class property was $258,397, an increase of four per cent over February 2016.

“This month revealed a larger average price gain in the residential property class than usual due to an increase in the number of properties sold in the $750,000 to $999,999 and over $1 million price range, similar to what occurred with condo prices last month,” explains Eisert. “For example, in the over $1 million price range alone, there was a significant increase in sales over last year; 20 units sold in 2017 versus 6 units in 2016. It is important to note that dramatic changes in the average sale price is not indicative of all property values. We encourage buyers and sellers to talk to a REALTOR® for more information about the housing market outlook where they live, or want to live.”

“In the residential market the most active price point was the $300,000 to $399,999 range for the month of February, followed by the $400,000 to $499,999 range, combined accounting for 54.6 per cent of the market. The condominium market was most active in the $150,000 to $249,999 price range, accounting for 54.9 per cent of the market,” says Eisert. “In addition to residential and condominium sales, OREB members assisted clients with renting 392 properties since the beginning of the year.”

January 2017

The Ottawa real estate market is off to a strong start!

Members of the Ottawa Real Estate Board sold 667 residential properties in January through the Board’s Multiple Listing Service® system, compared with 598 in January 2016, an increase of 11.5 per cent.  The five-year average for January sales is 614.

“The year is off to a great start, with sales up over this time last year, and well above the five-year average,” remarks Rick Eisert, President of the Ottawa Real Estate Board.

“Residential-class resales supported this increase, with a 16.6 per cent growth over January 2016.  The number of properties listed in January has doubled the amount listed in December, which is very typical of sellers getting a jump start on the spring selling season.”
 
January’s sales included 119 in the condominium property class, and 548 in the residential property class.  The condominium property class includes any property, regardless of style (i.e. detached, semi-detached, apartment, townhouse, etc.) which is registered as a condominium, as well as properties which are co-operatives, life leases and timeshares.  The residential property class includes all other residential properties.
 
“While the numbers indicate a positive trend for Ottawa as a whole, we emphasize that all real estate is local, and prices and conditions will vary from neighbourhood to neighbourhood,” explains Eisert.  “We encourage buyers and sellers to talk to a REALTOR® for more information about the housing market outlook where they live, or want to live.”
 
The average sale price of a residential-class property sold in January in the Ottawa area was $394,001, an increase of 1.9 per cent over January 2016.  The average sale price for a condominium-class property was $288,655, an increase of 16.8 per cent over January 2016.
 
“The average sale price for the condominium class saw a big increase over last year,” Eisert says.  “It’s important to note that three properties sold for over $1 million this January, while none were sold in January 2016.  This needs to be taken into consideration when looking at the overall increase in average condo sale price.”
 
“In the residential market the most active price point was the $300,000 to $399,999 range for the month of January, accounting for 35.2 per cent of the market.  The condominium market was most active in the $150,000 to $249,999 price range, accounting for 58.7 per cent of the market,” says Eisert.  “In addition to residential and condominium sales, OREB members assisted clients with renting 201 properties in January.”

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