KITCHENER‐WATERLOO, ON (April 4, 2017) ––Residential sales through the Multiple Listing System (MLS® System) of the Kitchener‐Waterloo Association of REALTORS® (KWAR) continued their monthly ascent in March with 729 properties sold in Kitchener‐Waterloo and area. This represents a 24.2 percent increase compared to the same month last year, and is the highest March on record.

“This is the first time we’ve seen residential sales come anywhere close to the 700 unit mark so early in the year,” says James Craig, President of the KWAR. “These are exceptionally strong numbers, in fact’ we’ve only surpassed 700 units in a single month three other times: May 2007, and then not again until May and June of last year.”

During the first quarter of 2017, there were 1,532 home sales, 13.4 percent above last year’s result for the same period and 30 percent above the previous 5‐year quarterly average.  On a monthly basis, home sales were 41 percent above the previous 5‐year average for the month of March.

Residential sales in March included 444 detached homes (up 15.0 percent compared to March 2016), 164 condominium units (up 49.1 percent) which include any property regardless of style (i.e. semis, townhomes, apartment, detached etc.). Sales also included 67 semi‐detached homes (up 76.3 percent) and 48 freehold townhouses (up 14.3 percent).

The average sale price of all residential sales increased 32.3 percent to $493,226 compared to March 2016. Detached homes sold for an average price of $583,144 an increase of 35.6 percent, while the average sale price for an apartment style condominium was $265,524, an increase of 25.4 percent. Townhomes and semis sold for an average of $368,554 (up 29.9 percent) and $412,226 (up 49.1 percent) respectively.

Once again in their latest monthly news release, the Canadian Real Estate Association called the disparity between limited housing supply and robust demand in Ontario’s Greater Golden Horseshoe “without precedent”. In Kitchener‐Waterloo, the number of months of inventory has stood at or below one month for eight consecutive months.

Despite the low inventory, Craig notes that people were listing their homes in large numbers last month. “We had 844 new listings processed through our MLS® System in March which is above the previous 5‐year average of 807 for the month of March.” However, due to extraordinary demand, the number of active residential listings still on the market at the end of March was well below normal with only 434 residential properties for sale, way below the previous 5‐year March average of 1,508.

The average days on market in March were significantly shorter than a year ago: 14 days, compared to 35 days. On a month to month basis, it took four fewer days to sell a home in March compared to the month before.

“In the past several months there has been plenty of conversation in the media, in the pubs, and at all levels of government surrounding housing affordability, and it’s a concern I share,” says, Craig.  “Earlier this month the Ontario Real Estate Association alongside the Ontario Home Builders’ Association called on the province to create a taskforce to address home affordability. While homeownership is an investment that has served most Canadians extremely well, it’s also becoming very difficult for those first‐time buyers who are trying to share in that dream and get into the market.”

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®. REALTORS® have their fingers on the pulse of the market. They know the questions to ask, the areas to probe and what to look for so that you get a complete picture of the property and community you’re considering.

KITCHENER-WATERLOO, ON (March 3, 2017) ––There were 474 residential sales in February through the Multiple Listing System (MLS^® System) of the Kitchener-Waterloo Association of REALTORS^® (KWAR), an increase of 4.2 percent  compared to February 2016.

“Sales in February were well above what we would see in a typical February,” says James Craig, President of the KWAR.  The 10-year average for residential sales in Kitchener-Waterloo and area for February is 405 units. “Last month’s sales would have been much higher still were it not for the fact that we continue to have a real shortage of listings.”

Residential sales in February included 299 detached homes (up 5.7 percent compared to February 2016), 107 condominium units (up 3.9 percent) which include any property regardless of style (i.e. semis, townhomes, apartment, detached etc.). Sales also included 32 semi-detached homes (down 3 percent) and 31 freehold townhouses (up 3.3 percent).

A lack of listings to satisfy the strong consumer demand is fuelling multiple offers often resulting in sale prices above the actual asking price, which pushed the total residential average sale price in February up 27.5% compared to the same month last year to $463,355.

Detached homes sold for an average price of $549,691 an increase of 30.7 percent, while the average sale price for an apartment style condominium was $246,736, an increase of 8.8 percent. Townhomes and semis sold for an average of $388,721 (up 20.6 percent) and $369,624 (up 31 percent) respectively.

“It’s a similar story throughout Ontario’s Greater Golden Horseshoe,” notes Craig.  “In their January release, the Canadian Real Estate Association called the region’s imbalance between limited housing supply and robust demand without precedent”.

Last month there were 427 active listings on the KWAR’s MLS® System, compared to 1,226 in February of last year.

The average days on market in February were significantly shorter than a year ago: 18 days, compared to 39 days. On a month to month basis, the market was in a real frenzy in February, with it taking four fewer days from list to sale date last month compared to January.

“The dream of homeownership is very much alive and well,” says, Craig. “It’s a challenging time to be selling or purchasing a home and sellers may be tempted into thinking they can simply stick a sign in the yard because it’s such a strong sellers’ market.” But Craig notes that in these market conditions it is even more important than ever to avail yourself of the professional knowledge of a local REALTOR® to guide you through these unique and evolving market conditions.

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®. REALTORS® have their fingers on the pulse of the market. They know the questions to ask, the areas to probe and what to look for so that you get a complete picture of the property and community you’re considering.

Have you been grappling with this major decision since the start of this year – Keep my place and live here, or sell it and get way more for my asking price like everyone else around you?  What it all comes down to is exactly that – Should I stay or should I go??

Over the last six to eight months prior to the new year of 2017 we have seen an incredible change in the Kitchener-Waterloo Region Real Estate Marketplace with many homes netting far greater values than what they may be actually worth.  This is partially due to the lack of inventory levels and the influx of many new buyers from other surrounding areas wanting to get into the Kitchener-Waterloo market.

As mentioned in the KWAR (Kitchener Waterloo Association of Realtor’s) market update for December 2016 it was mentioned:

“2016 was marked by unrelenting demand for homes, in the face of fewer homes being put on the market,” said James Craig, President of the KWAR. There were 8,003 residential listings processed through the KWAR’s MLS® System in 2016, a decrease of 9.7 percent compared to 2015.

“For the past several months we’ve seen the number of months of inventory ranging between a ten-year low of 1 and 2 months,” says Craig. “While this puts sellers in a very strong position, it’s not so easy when those same sellers need to downsize or move-up.”

read the full blog post in our last December Blog

With this I wanted to clear any misconceptions you may have towards why you should make the decision to SELL your home sooner rather than later, while also keeping in mind the transition of where you will move forward with this if in fact you decide to unlock your equity and make this dream a reality.

This home sold for $155,000 more than the asking price by Riz within 12 hours of listing onto the MLS market.

I have monitored the market place since the start of the year and while in I personally can attest to having a record breaking multiple offer sale of my own in 2016 netting my sellers $155,000 more than the asking price for the above home in Laurelwood, Waterloo, we have since seen some close records being made during the start of this year of 2017 which I will share with you below.

These homes below have been listed on MLS (Multiple Listing Service) and have SOLD within just under 1 week, one being 9 days.  In most cases the homes have been showcased by way of open houses or just visits from a vast number of buyers and some of these homes have had 30 – 40 offers presented with multiple offers.

Property 1:  Listed on January 18, 2017 and sold in 9 days this Kitchener home sold for 137% over the asking price with numerous offers.

 Property 2:  This Kitchener Townhome situated in popular Huron Village was listed on January 19, 2017 and sold in 2 days for 110% over the asking price with numerous offers.

 Property 3:  This Laurelwood, Waterloo single detached home sold within 6 days of listing on January 18, 2017 for 105% over the asking price with many buyer offers.

 Property 4:  This detached backsplit home nestled in the Maple Hills area of Westmount, Waterloo was listed on January 18, 2017 and sold in multiple offers for 117% over the asking price in just 6 days.

 Property 5:  This end unit townhome in Laurelwood lasted only 6 days while being offered 40 offers and netting 132% over the asking price after being listed on January 18, 2017.

 Property 6:  This Eastbridge, Waterloo Semi-Detached home was listed on January 17, 2017 and sold within 7 days at 127% over the asking price in multiple offer bids.

 Property 7:  This single detached home in sought after Laurentian Hills, Kitchener was listed on January 16, 2017 and sold within 6 days for 112% over the asking price in multiple offers.

In summary, you can see if you are considering selling your home this year, it is imperative that you contact your Real Estate Professional who can guide you with the activity on the current marketplace and get you ready for this fierce and competitive “Seller’s Market.”  Of course, as a buyer one must also consider the vast number of opportunities lost within multiple offers with the increased number of buyers looking to purchase and the lack of inventory available, hence my wanting to reach out to anyone considering selling this year in saying, Don’t put it on HOLD…Call RIZ to get it SOLD!!!™

Let’s setup a time to meet together and discuss how I can get you more money for your home with all the buyers I have waiting to purchase homes in various areas of Kitchener-Waterloo.  My enhanced proven marketing systems have allowed me to deal with thousands of people within the Region over the years and this has brought me many referral clients.  Let me put my marketing skills to work on selling your home!

Click on the image above to be directed to my FREE Home Evaluation Sign-Up Page and let me show you how I can get you more money for your home!!!

KITCHENER-WATERLOO, ON (January 5, 2017) ––There were a total of 6,655 residential sales through the Multiple Listing System (MLS® System) of the Kitchener-Waterloo Association of REALTORS® (KWAR) in 2016. That’s a thousand more units than sold in 2015, amounting to an increase of 18.1 percent and setting a new record for total annual sales.

Dollar volume of all residential real estate sold last year increased 30.9 percent to $2,578,176,468 compared with 2015.

“2016 was marked by unrelenting demand for homes, in the face of fewer homes being put on the market,” said James Craig, President of the KWAR. There were 8,003 residential listings processed through the KWAR’s MLS® System in 2016, a decrease of 9.7 percent compared to 2015.

“For the past several months we’ve seen the number of months of inventory ranging between a ten-year low of 1 and 2 months,” says Craig. “While this puts sellers in a very strong position, it’s not so easy when those same sellers need to downsize or move-up.”

The average sales price of all residential properties sold in 2016 increased 10.8 percent to $387,404 in comparison to 2015. Detached homes sold for an average price of $451,738 an increase of 12.5 percent, while the average sale price for an apartment style condominium was $229,676, an increase of 3.6 percent. Townhomes and semis sold for an average of $287,396 (up 9.9 percent) and $300,806 (up 11.8 percent) respectively.

Home sales in 2016 included 4,203 detached homes (up 16.3 percent from 2015) and 1,511 condominium type units (up 28.1 percent) which include any property regardless of style (i.e. semis, townhomes, apartment, detached etc.). Sales also included 430 semi-detached homes (up 6.2 percent) and 430 freehold townhouses (up 7.2 percent).

Craig says that he expects demand for home purchasing in 2017 will continue to be strong. “There is no smoking gun to explain the current market. Mortgage rates remain low, inducing more consumers to get into the market. We have an extremely attractive community, with a growing population and diverse economy bringing in new residents to the region. Home prices remain affordable when compared to the average GTA prices.” Adding, “The challenge is inventory levels remain low, as homeowners are staying in their homes longer and some who might have otherwise moved up are choosing to avoid the hot market. What I hope to see is more balance returning to the market, because I sure don’t see the appetite for home ownership in Waterloo region letting up anytime soon.”

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®. REALTORS® have their fingers on the pulse of the market. They know the questions to ask, the areas to probe and what to look for so that you get a complete picture of the property and community you’re considering.

KITCHENER-WATERLOO, ON (December 2, 2016) ––Home sales through the Multiple Listing System (MLS^® System) of the Kitchener-Waterloo Association of REALTORS^® (KWAR),  totalled 535 last month, an increase of 27.1 percent compared to November of 2015, marking another record breaking month for residential properties sold in Kitchener-Waterloo and area.

November’s sales included 352 single detached homes (up 34.4 percent compared to November 2015) and 118 condominium type units (down 22.9%) which include any property regardless of style (i.e. semis, townhomes, apartment, detached etc.). Sales also included 32 semi-detached homes (up 45.5 percent) and 28 freehold townhouses (down 20 percent).

Record breaking sales are also being tallied on a year-to-date basis with 6,352 residential transactions compared to 5,341 during the same period in 2015, representing an increase of 18.9 percent.  “Year-to-Date Sales to the end of November have now exceeded any previous end-of-year totals on record,” says James Craig, president of the KWAR. He points out that in 2007, sales to the end of the year exceeded 6,000 units for the first time, and haven’t hit that high-water mark again, until now, an entire month earlier.

Inventory levels on the other hand, remain stubbornly low. In their October release, the Canadian Real Estate Association stated that, “the tight balance between housing supply and demand in Ontario’s Greater Golden Horseshoe region is without precedent (including the GTA, Hamilton-Burlington, Oakville-Milton, Guelph, Kitchener-Waterloo, Cambridge, Brantford, the Niagara Region, Barrie and nearby cottage country).”

As of the end of November, the KWAR’ MLS® System only had 565 active residential listings on the market, down 23.1 percent compared to the previous month, and 60.8 percent below the same period last year.

The average price of all residential properties sold in November was $411,602 a 15.5 percent increase over 2015. Detached homes sold for an average price of $473,104, an increase of 13.9 percent compared to November 2015.  During this same period, the average sale price for an apartment style condominium was $209,360, a decrease of 8 percent. Townhomes and semis sold for an average of $310,151 (up 14.8 percent) and $330,534 (up 27.7 percent) respectively.

“With a notable shortage of inventory, many properties are selling above list price,” said Craig. “This is because you have many buyers competing for fewer properties, and this is pushing up the average price.”

The median price of all residential properties sold in November increased 18 percent to $377,500, and the median price of a detached home during the same period increased 16.4 percent to $425,000.

2016 Was The Most Active February We’ve Seen On Record Since 2008

Residential sales through the Multiple Listing System (MLS®) of the Kitchener-Waterloo Association of REALTORS® (KWAR) were up 28.2% compared to the same month last year with 452 homes being sold in the month of February, 18.6% above the 5-year average for the month.

Residential sales (KW & Area) in February included 280 single detached homes (up 40.7% from last February), 33 semi-detached (down 17.5%), 31 townhomes (up 6.9%) and 103 condominium units (up 25.6%).

“This was the most active February we’ve seen on record since 2008, when 464 residential homes were sold,” stated Charlotte Zawada, President of the KWAR. “With interest rates holding steady and Waterloo Region remaining an attractive place to live and invest, I think we will continue to see buoyancy in our local housing market.”

Single detached homes sold for an average price of $419,480 an increase of 7.7% compared to last year. The average sale price for a condominium was $242,272, an increase of 8.3% while townhomes and semis sold for an average of $328,569 (up 10.0%) and $291,770 (up 12.0%) respectively. The average sale price of all residential sales through the KWAR’s MLS® System increased 10.3% to $361,889 compared to February 2015 with 42.0% of home sales in February occurring in the $250,000-$350,000 range.

“This time last year we were experiencing some really frigid temperatures that helped contribute to a 5-year low in home sales for the month. Things have been quite a bit warmer these past few weeks in comparison, and it goes to show how much of a role weather can play when it comes to buying or selling one’s home,” said Zawada.

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.

Consumers uncertain about current market conditions should work with a REALTOR® to develop an effective selling strategy. If you are buying, a REALTOR® will negotiate on your behalf and guide you through every step. A REALTOR® understands the local market and must, by law, look after your best interests.

Screen doors let the breeze in and keep the bugs out. They open your home to the sounds and scents of summer, and help cool your house without wasting energy on air conditioning. Want to let in a little more summer this year? Here’s what you need to know about picking the perfect door.

Screen doors have come a long way from the hard-to-open metal models and flapping wood doors of your childhood. Available in metal, vinyl or wood, many feature smooth hydraulic or pneumatic closers and springs or chain stops that keep them from slamming shut or swinging open. Designed for both practicality and curb appeal, doors are available in a wide variety of colours, styles and finishes. Your choices include:

1. Basic vinyl or aluminum. Durable and affordable, these doors come in a surprising variety of attractive styles; you’ll find everything from traditional designs to art deco-inspired geometrics.
2. Storm/screen door combo. Traditionally, people replace the screen door with a storm door in the winter. A combination door makes the “swap” easier; simply remove or slide the glass down in summer and replace it with a screen.
3. Wood. From rustic doors featuring carved animals to pretty “granny doors,” wood can really add to the look of your home. However, winter cold and damp can be hard on them, so manufacturers suggest that you take them down when it gets cold to prevent warping.
4. Sliding. Inexpensive and easy to maintain, sliding screen doors that go with patio doors make it easy to open up your home to a fresh breeze.
5. Retractable screens. If you don’t like the look of a screen door, these are a great option, and are available at your local home improvement store. Screens pull out from the sides and lock shut with a magnetic catch. Handy homeowners will be able to install them with little effort.
With the right screen door for your home, comfort and curb appeal are a breeze!

Tips for installation
Thinking about installing your screen door yourself? Manufacturers include installation instructions that only require hand tools, but most DIY resources suggest an intermediate level of “handiness.” If that doesn’t sound like you, consider using an experienced carpenter or the store’s installation service.

Condo Cool
You don’t have to live in a house to kick back and enjoy the breeze. Welcome summer into your space by installing a screen door to your balcony. It’s a great way to make your indoor and outdoor spaces feel unified and to make your condo feel more spacious.

Looking for that cottage life?

Do you have a dream of owning a place outside of the city where you can escape, kick back and relax? If so, you’re not alone. As demand continues to increase and average prices continue to rise, now more than ever you will need to be patient, establish a list of ‘musts’ and work with a Realtor who understands the recreational market, if you want your dreams to come true.

To begin your search, target potential areas and consider a road-trip to visit your most coveted spots. Once you find your ideal location, narrow your search by establishing a list of priorities. Do you plan to use your recreational property for seasonal versus year-round use? Do you wish to build a new cottage or buy an existing one? What are your hobbies? Is proximity to hospitals, public transit or schools important? If you are near water, lakes can vary tremendously in terms of allowances for boating, fishing and swimming. In the winter, do you want to use both cross-country and downhill skiing facilities?

With your priorities established, you will also be in a strong position to act fast if you need to. Popular sites are in demand.

Buying a recreational property can be considerably more complex than a standard home purchase and it generally takes longer. There is considerably more time and travel involved. The effort, according to a growing number of Canadians, is more than worth it.

Before you begin your search, give me a call. I can get you started down the right path toward your home away from home. If I cannot assist you directly in your purchase transaction, I can refer you to a quality Royal LePage Realtor in your desired area from our network of over 13,000 real estate professionals from coast to coast.

For the most recent Royal LePage Recreational Property Report, visit www.royallepage.ca and click Press Releases.,Demystifying Mortgages – How Much Can You Borrow?

A home is typically the largest purchase you will make in your lifetime, and for most Canadians this means obtaining a mortgage. The amount of your mortgage will determine the size and location of your new home – not to mention the size of your payments. So how do lending institutions decide how large your mortgage loan can be?

Call RIZ today to purchase your home away from home! 519-716-7253 (direct)