There were a total of 598 home sales in Kitchener-Waterloo and area though the Multiple Listing System (MLS® System) of the Kitchener-Waterloo Association of REALTORS® (KWAR) in August. This represents a 26.4 percent increase in sales compared to August of 2015. It also ranks as the most active August on record and 37.6 percent above the 5-year average for the month.
Year-to-date sales also climbed to new heights with 4,703 residential sales so far in 2016. Again, this is the highest on record for this period and 23.4 percent above the 5-year average.
Active residential listings continue to remain depressed in comparison to the same time last year. The number of active residential listings on the KWAR’s MLS® System to the end of August sat at 863, which is 46.6 percent lower compared to same period last year’s 1,616 homes that were on the market. “It wasn’t just temperatures heating up in August”, says KWAR President Charlotte Zawada. “We’re still experiencing tight market conditions in terms of available homes for sale and this continues to push home prices in the Region upward,” says Zawada.
August’s sales included 353 single detached homes (up 19.7 percent compared to August 2015) and 151 condominium type units (up 36.0 percent) which include any property regardless of style (ie. semis, townhomes, apartment, detached etc). Sales also included 40 Semi-detached homes (up 14.3 percent) and 49 freehold townhouses (up 69.0 percent). The average sale price of all residential sales in August increased 15.2 percent to $402,000 compared to August 2015.
“We saw strong residential activity this summer season and with record setting year-to-date sales it’s clear that buyers remain confident about the value of homes in Kitchener-Waterloo,” says Zawada. Single detached style homes sold for an average price of $487,050 an increase of 20.9 percent compared to last year. The average sale price for an apartment style condominium was $233,302, an increase of 7.9 percent. Townhomes and semis sold for an average of $298,148 (up 10.2 percent) and $299,353 (up 5.5 percent) respectively.
The KWAR cautions that average sale price information can be useful in establishing long-term trends, but should not be used as an indicator that specific properties have increased or decreased in value. The average sale price is calculated based on the total dollar volume of all properties sold. Those requiring specific information on property values should contact a local REALTOR®.
Important information
The KWAR cautions that average sale price information can be useful in establishing long term trends, but should not be used as an indicator that specific properties have increased or decreased in value. The average sale price is calculated based on the total dollar volume of all properties sold. Those requiring specific information on property values should contact a local REALTOR®. With a REALTOR® at your side, you can have all the facts you need to make an informed decision.
The Kitchener-Waterloo Association of REALTORS® (KWAR) is a member focused not-for-profit Association representing over 1,200 local REALTOR® members. The Association was formed in 1937 and continues to provide a robust Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) System, continuing education, and related services to its members. The term REALTOR® is a trademark identifying members in good standing of CREA who provide real estate brokerage services in compliance with CREA’s By-Laws and Rules, the REALTOR® Code, and in compliance with all applicable federal and provincial laws and regulations. The MLS® trademark is also owned by CREA and is used by the KWAR under license. The MLS® Marks identify professional services rendered by members in good standing of CREA to effect the purchase and sale of real estate as part of a co-operative selling system (the “MLS® services”), in compliance with CREA’s By-Laws and Rules, the REALTOR® Code, and in compliance with all applicable federal and provincial laws and regulations. The MLS® System of the KWAR is operated in association with the MLS® Marks. An MLS® System includes an inventory of listings of participating REALTORS®, and ensures a certain level of accuracy of information, professionalism and co-operation amongst REALTORS® to affect the purchase and sale of real estate.All of KWAR’s listings may be found on the public website: www.REALTOR.ca.
President
Charlotte Zawada
For more information,
please contact:
(519) 576-1400
inquiries@kwar.ca
