CBC News
Home resales held steady on a monthly basis in August, but increased by 18.5 per cent compared to the same time last year, the Canadian Real Estate Association said Tuesday. (more…)

July sales right on mark

(August 6, 2009 – Hamilton, Ontario) The Hamilton-Burlington area resale market reported a total of 1,369 units sold in July, indicating an increase of 10.6 per cent over the same month last year.  The total unit sales for the first seven months of 2009 are being reported at 7.4 per cent lower for the same period last year, while new units listed are 8.3 per cent lower for the year-to-date, according to Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) statistics released by the REALTORS® Association of Hamilton-Burlington (RAHB).

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June marks highest sales on record

(July 6, 2009 – Hamilton, Ontario) The Hamilton-Burlington area resale market reported a total of 1,604 units sold in June, indicating an increase of 18.6 per cent over the same month last year, and an increase of 18.5 per cent over May. The total unit sales for the first six months of 2009 are being reported at 10 per cent lower for the same period last year, while new units listed are 7.8 per cent lower for the year-to-date, according to Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) statistics released by the REALTORS® Association of Hamilton-Burlington (RAHB).

“Strong sales in June resulted in a second quarter on par with Q2 of 2008, and with more sales that 2005 and 2006,” said Bruce King, RAHB President. “June marked the sixth straight month of increased sales, and had the highest number of residential sales on record, surpassing the record number sold in May 2007 during that year’s scorching market.” (more…)

(June 4, 2009 – Hamilton, Ontario) The Hamilton-Burlington area resale market reported a total of 1,342 units sold in May, indicating a decrease of 8.2 per cent over the same month last year, but an increase of 9.4 per cent over April.  The total unit sales for the first four months of 2009 are being reported at 17 per cent lower for the same period last year, while new units listed are 7.6 per cent lower for the year-to-date, according to Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) statistics released by the REALTORS® Association of Hamilton-Burlington (RAHB). (more…)

Retail sales rise for third-straight month

THE CANADIAN PRESS

OTTAWA-Retail sales increased for the third straight month in March in a further evidence of a stabilizing Canadian economy or at least a slowing of the torrid pace of decline experienced early this year.

And economists say the data, one of the last major pieces of information left that make up the first quarter gross national product reading, suggests the first three months of 2009 might not be as bad as some feared. (more…)

The numbers are in and it is definitly not all doom and gloom !! There were 1232 homes sold in April. This represents a 12.6% decrease from last April 2008. We have had two quarters of declines, however some pricing is returning to last years levels.  The average freehold price was $ 302,306 which is a 0.3% increase. Condominiums are down 5% with an average price is $ 213,675.00 . The warm weather and excellent interest rates are adding excitement to the real estate market. This also demonstrates that Real Estate in Canada is and always will be an excellent long term investment. Some statistics have been provided by the Hamilton – Real Estate Board.

If you are Listing your home it is still imperative ( as always )  to price your home properly. There is still lots of inventory that is not selling due to  poor pricing  decisions.

 The Hamilton-Burlington area real estate market showed a total of 1,044 unit sales in March, this is a decrease of 4.7 per cent from March 2008.

The average price of freehold residential properties sold in the month of March was $277,406.In the condominium market the average price of condominiums in March was $210,519.

March’s total average residential sales price decreased 9.4 per cent over the same month in 2008. Sales have been steady and many buyers are taking advantage of very competitive interest rates. Spring has certainly brought some welcomed activity to the market. I am hoping for a strong market in April.

 Carl

The February market has showed signs of life with 750 sales. However please note this is a 27.6% DECREASE  from last years stats. We have showed a 58% increase since January which demonstrates people have come out of hibernation. The average price of residential  properties is at $ 278,611 which is impressive compared to what has happened in the United States. The actual market price decline is 4.2%.

As mentioned the biggest mistake people are making is they are chasing the market. Listing  your home on “fall Statistics” makes no sense.  Pricing is extremely critical, however I cannot emphasize enough the importance of home staging.  

On a personal note I have ran open houses the past four weeks and the number of visitors has totalled to 56 family’s and first time buyers. This is tremendous traffic! Thats is 14 per open house ! Many buyers are taking advantage of the land transfer tax rebate and various credits to off set costs for the first time home buyer. It has been a challenge to move the more expensive inventory and in my view the reductions have been more dramatic. Interest rates are very low and most mortgage people have been posting 2.5 plus .80 = 3.30 variable.

This is an excellent time to buy but as always I caution people to buy what they can afford.

Carl

some statistics provided from the hamilton real estate board

HAMILTON-BURLINGTON Showed 476 units sold in January. This is a 42 % decrease from last year. This demonstrates a market shift, however there is still movement in the market place. Actual price declines have been modest. Some Condominiums prices have seen a 2 – 3% increase in Price. It seems the home that was $ 319,000 last  year , may have to be down to $ 299,000 to effect a sale. The typical townhouse that was $ 299,000 may have to be 284,900 . Now these are generalizations but it is very important to note that a sharp price will beat out the competition and  I cannot emphasize home staging enough.  I provide home staging with a ” full time” experienced home stager which helps  the Seller  beat out the competition.

Year to Year statistics provided by the Hamilton Real Estate Board

Here is the January Market update for Burlington Hamilton:

December 478 units have been sold. A estimated decrease of 27% from last year. For 2008 we were down in sales approximately 12.7%. The average price of residential properties were $ 255,000. Condos have held up wll with a slightly lower decrease. The average price was approximately$ 179,000.The first quarter is expected to be tough, and many sellers are listing their propertys based on fall statistics, not recognizing these prices were set before the ” meltdown” . The U.S and Canada are poised for major spending  which hopefully will kick start the ecomony which especialy in the manufacturing sector has grinded to a halt.

The Postive is it is a good time to purchase with low interest rates and more realistic prices on the market . Real Estate is a long term investment, and should be treated as such.