Mortgage Interest rates have been on the rise for about a year

Mortgage Interest rates have been on the rise for about a year now. After sitting at or near all time record lows for most of the past 4 years, mortgage interest rates have now climbed about 2.5% over the past year. You can see the trend of mortgage interest rates graphed here.

The question "Should I lock in for the long term or go short term" is a common question. You will find the answer here.

The Bank of Canada has increased many times over the past year. The lowest rate in 5 years was in August of 2004 when the bank prime rate was 2.25 The Average over the past 5 years, from 06/2001 - 04/2006 was 3% and the High was in June of 2001 when it was 4.75 Banks and lenders typically charge a minimum of 1% above the bank rate for Bank prime for their best customers. Thus, with the Bank of Canada prime being 4.25 today, a Bank rate prime would be at least 5.25%

This is an excellent link to view and compare Today's Low Canada and Ontario Current Mortgage Interest rates from major lenders for discounted, variable, fixed and prime rates in Canada and a mortgage calculator

Condominium sales post double-digit gains in Q1 2006 in most major Canadian centres, says RE/MAX

Condominium sales post double-digit gains in Q1 2006 in most major Canadian centres, says RE/MAX

06:30 EDT Thursday, May 11, 2006


"For some first-time buyers, condominiums represent the only means of homeownership."

MISSISSAUGA, ON, May 11 /CNW/ - Unprecedented demand for condominium apartments and town homes has sparked double-digit gains in unit sales in most major Canadian centres during the first quarter of 2006, according to a report released today by RE/MAX.

The RE/MAX Condominium Report found that both sales and prices were climbing in the eight markets examined, including Halifax, Ottawa, Toronto, Calgary, Edmonton, Kelowna, Victoria, and Vancouver. The highest percentage increases were found in Alberta, with sales in both Calgary and Edmonton ahead of 2005 first quarter figures by approximately 40 per cent. The number of condominiums sold in Victoria, Kelowna, and Toronto were up in excess of 10 per cent, while more moderate gains of five, four and three per cent were reported in Vancouver, Ottawa, and Halifax respectively.

"Rapid price appreciation has had a definite impact on condominium sales across the country," says Michael Polzler, Executive Vice President and Regional Director, RE/MAX Ontario-Atlantic Canada. "As the cost of more conventional housing rises, condominiums represent the only means of home ownership for some first-time buyers."

Western markets, in particular, are reporting strong upward pressure on overall residential average price (includes all single-family dwellings, including condominiums). To illustrate, housing values in Calgary rose a substantial 26 per cent to just over $308,000 year-to-date while average price in Vancouver jumped 22 per cent over the 2005 level to more than $482,000. Although Toronto experienced a more modest increase of approximately six per cent over Q1 2005, hot pocket areas are seeing even greater appreciation.

"Affordability has become a serious issue across the country," says Elton Ash, Regional Executive Vice President, RE/MAX of Western Canada. "Despite relatively low interest rates and the availability of longer amortization periods, many first-time buyers are finding they have to stretch their budgets to realize the dream of home ownership. Condominiums are the easy answer for most because they offer the best of both worlds -- affordability and location."

Entry-level purchasers and move-up buyers, typically aging baby boomers, are most active in the condominium market. The most popular price point is $150,000 - $250,000, although in markets like Vancouver and Toronto, the strongest segments are closer to $300,000 - $400,000. Luxury sales are brisk from coast to coast, with almost all markets surveyed reporting an upswing in sales over $500,000. In Toronto, sales of condominiums priced in excess of $500,000 have risen 68 per cent to 170 units year-to-date, compared to 101 units during the same period in 2005.

"For many years, young professionals under the age of 40 dominated Toronto's condominium market," says Polzler. "The pendulum is now starting to shift, with baby boomers between 50 to 60 years of age emerging as a force in the marketplace. The condominium lifestyle is the major attraction for most mature buyers."

In Vancouver, more and more upscale developments are coming on-stream, especially in the Coal Harbour and the Beach Crescent neighbourhoods.

"With Canada's economic engine firing on all cylinders, and no dark clouds on the horizon, it's relatively safe to say that 2006 will be a banner year for condominium sales across the board," says Ash. "This is particularly true in the West, where condominiums are becoming an increasingly attractive alternative to single-detached housing."

Highlights:

- Inventory levels were an issue in many markets examined, resulting in
upward pressure on condominium values.
- Multiple offers were commonplace in three markets during the first
quarter of 2006 - Vancouver, Calgary, and Toronto.
- Condominiums accounted for close to 50 per cent of total residential
sales in the Greater Area Vancouver between January - March 31, 2006.
RE/MAX is Canada's leading real estate organization with over 16,150 sales associates situated throughout its more than 620 independently owned and operated offices across the country. The RE/MAX franchise network, now in its 33rd year of consecutive growth, is a global real estate system operating in over 63 countries. More than 6,320 independently owned offices engage 117,595 member sales associates who lead the industry in professional designations, experience and production while providing real estate services in residential, commercial, referral, relocation and asset management. For more information, visit: www.remax.ca

To view the report, please visit:
http://files.newswire.ca/40/REMAXReport.pdf

See more condos information in Mississauga

Toronto Real Estate Board Reports Over 8,000 Sales - Solid April 2006

Over 8,000 Sales Make for a Solid April

April of 2006 was another great month. Volume of sales and average prices were up compared to previous months.

Wednesday, May 3, 2006 -- Toronto Real Estate Board Members reported a solid 8,361 sales in April, TREB President John Meehan reported today. "April's result was the third best performance ever recorded for the month, and year-to-date sales, at 28,020, are up five per cent over January-to-April of 2005."

Meanwhile, prices trended upward in April, with the average rising four per cent over March to $366,683. It was also up seven per cent over the $342,032 recorded in April of 2005. "A price jump like this is good news for home-owners. However, potential purchasers can take comfort from the fact that, with listings up four per cent over last April 25,245), further increases should be quite limited for the remainder of the year."

The month of May is starting out strong and hopefully this higher level of activity will continue for weeks to come. The mortgage interest rates have increased marginally this year, from about 6% at the beginning of 2006 to about 6.45% in early May. This has caused many people who were locked in at the lower rates to enter the market and take advantage of their lower locked in rate.

I wish you all the best!

Mark

TREB Average Sales month and year to date

The chart at the right will show you the monthly and year to date sales volumes for the different areas of the Toronto Real Estate Board.

It's interesting to see West zones make up more than one third of all sales through the Toronto board. The West, Mississauga, Etobicoke, Oakville Brampton etc. are by far the hottest areas of the city with the highest number of sales.

Mississauga Real Estate Market in April Continues to Improve

The Mississauga Real Estate Market Continues to Improve in the month of April. Sales volumes are up and prices are steady.

We are now experiencing a good real estate market where properly priced properties are taking about 2 to 3 weeks to sell. This is a more 'normal' time period and gives buyers and sellers time to digest market conditions without acting with too much pressure.

See my MLS listings on Google Maps here

Looks like March was another good month for sales, read more

Now that the March sales numbers are in the record books, you can read more about sales volumes and prices from last month in this article

Prices seem to have stabilized for month over month. This is somewhat unusual compared to the last 10 years of spring markets. It is difficult to predict where the prices will go over the next month or two, but if patterns over the past years are any indication, prices will likely improve over the next few months.

I hope this finds you and yours happy and healthy!

Mark

For more information please contact A. Mark Argentino

A. Mark Argentino Associate Broker, P.Eng.,
Specializing in Residential & Investment Real Estate
RE/MAX Realty Specialists Inc.
2691 Credit Valley Road, Suite 101, Mississauga, Ontario L5M 7A1

BUS 905-828-3434
FAX 905-828-2829
E-MAIL mark@mississauga4sale.com
Website: Mississauga4Sale.com

Prices Steady - Volume up Compared to last year

TORONTO - Wednesday, April 5, 2006--TREB Members reported 8,707 sales of existing homes in March, a 10 per cent increase over the 2005 total of 7,904, Toronto Real Estate Board President John Meehan announced today. "The March performance is the second best ever recorded for the month," Mr. Meehan said. "Furthermore, year-to-date we have seen 19,831 sales, which is the best first quarter result since statistics have been kept."

Prices steadied last month, with the average registering at $353,134, almost the same as in February and up seven per cent from the $330,545 recorded in March of 2005. Inventory climbed four per cent over last March to 22,765, and average time-on-market fell to 30 days.

Breaking down the total Numbers into TREB Areas for this month

3,281 sales were reported in TREB’s 28 West districts and averaged $334,274
1,558 sales were reported in the 14 Central districts and averaged $458,623
1,710 sales were reported in the 23 North districts and averaged $381,774
2,158; sales were reported in TREB’s 21 East districts and averaged $282,954

Public Open houses on my listings this Saturday and Sunday April 8th and 9th

Please visit either of these links see them all here or quick list here to see my listings that are on the list of Public Open Houses this weekend
Thank you,
Mark

Toronto CMA Housing Starts Sag in February

Toronto CMA Housing Starts, SAAR
Total housing starts in the Toronto Census Metropolitan Area (CMA) declined in February.  Construction began on 1,539 homes, representing a 33 per cent drop from the same month in 2005.  On a seasonally adjusted basis, the annual rate of housing starts dipped to 28,300 versus the January rate of 46,300.

The major factor contributing to February a sharp decline was the complete absence of new condominium apartment construction.  Condominium apartment starts are volatile, because they reflect the laying of foundations for entire multiple unit buildings at one time.


OWNERSHIP DEMAND REMAINS STRONG
February starts of the other lower density housing types decreased by a much smaller amount.  New footings for single-detacsemi-detachedached and town (row) houses were down by only 4.6 per cent.  New home construction will remain well above average in 2006.  The demand for ownership housing remains strong due to steady growth in employment and real wages coupled with very low borrowing costs.  Households remain confident in their ability to purchase and pay for a home over the long term.

Conclusion

However, due to the expected increase in the share of condominium apartment construction, starts will not be uniformly distributed throughout the year.  Rising average prices have shifted home buyer demand away from single and semi-detached houses toward less-expensive town homes and condominium apartments.  Year-to-date, the average price of a completed and absorbed single-detached home in the Toronto CMA rose to almost $457,000.  This price point is arguably too high for most first time buyers and many move-up buyers as well. From CMHC Market Analysis Centre - Toronto 2006

Toronto Real Estate Board (TREB) - Function and Purpose

The Toronto Real Estate Board (TREB) was founded in 1920 by a small group of real estate practitioners. TREB is now Canada's largest real estate board. There are more than 23,000 Members of TREB.

As stated in their policy manual, the Toronto Real Estate Board (TREB) is committed to advancing the interests of real estate sales people and brokers who comprise of TREB's membership. Members of TREB are also members of the Ontario Real Estate Association (OREA) as well as the Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA).

The Toronto Real Estate Board is the main real estate board in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) that is the home board for real estate agents in the GTA and surrounding areas. These agents belong to and use TREB on a daily basis to promote the mls listings of their clients. Members also utilize the mls data in the area. TREB is one of the largest organized real estate boards in all of North America.

TREB is also responsible for membership, ethics and arbitration decisions and mandates much of the direction of the membership with regards to the public and the government.

REALTORS® who are members of TREB are licensed professionals who must abide by a strict code of ethics and meet continuing education requirements to maintain their status.

The Multiple Listing Service (MLS®) should not be confused with any information advertised on any site or the multiple listing service site operated by CREA. The Multiple Listing Service is a tool accessed only by REALTOR® members with extensive depth and functionality.

Toronto Real Estate Board Members utilize various fundraising events to raise money to make significant contributions to local and national charities such as the Hospital for Sick Children and Habitat for Humanity Toronto. These fundraising activities have also resulted in the construction of a Habitat home for a family in need.

The Toronto Real Estate Board issues news releases twice a month. This includes a full statistical update on local real estate market conditions at the beginning of each month. The publication is called Market Watch and is available from any member realtor

ConclusionThe Toronto Real Estate Board is a very large real estate board that runs the MLS system for listings in the area. TREB helps many agents in the greater Toronto area supply timely and relevant information purchasers and to promote vendor client listings across the GTA and the Southern Ontario region.

What is CREA and how do they help Buyers, Sellers and Agents in Canada?

The Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA) is a trade association in Canada and it represents more than 82,000 real estate people across Canada .

CREA's primary mission is to represent its members at the federal level of government. CREA also defends the publics right to own and enjoy property in Canada .

CREA owns the MLS® trademark logo and name and has a proprietary interest in the REALTOR® trademark that is used in the United States . The REALTOR® trademark can only be used in Canada by members of The Canadian Real Estate Association. These members much accept and respect a strict Code of Ethics set out by CREA.

CREA also administers and owns the mls.ca site for the public. The real estate database systems operated by other member Boards (such as TREB) provide an ongoing inventory of available properties to mls.ca The website mls.ca ensures maximum exposure of properties listed for sale across Canada . This is important because most resale homes in Canada are listed on their local real estate boards and are available through MLS®. This also gives maximum exposure to any seller who decides to sell their property through a local real estate agent.

Buyers can access the mls listing for any property in Canada that is listed on a board that is a member of CREA.

Sellers benefit from CREA by the fact that their mls listing is available to all buyers across Canada and the world who wish to use the online version of the mls system created by CREA.

Conclusion

As you can see, CREA is a major force in organized real estate in Canada. CREA assists not only real estate agents, but also helps many sellers market their property through mls.ca and gives any potential buyer easy access to all mls listings in Canada.