Home Prices Inch Up in March as We Enter the Spring Market
WATERLOO REGION, ON (April 5, 2023) — Sales volume through the Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) System of the Waterloo Region Association of REALTORS® (WRAR) set another low last month, with 611 homes sold in March, representing a decrease of 38.4 per cent compared to March 2022 and 33.6 per cent below the previous 5-year average for the month.
“Sales activity was well below average in March, and while the number of homes sold is down, sale prices have increased modestly month over month,” says Megan Bell, president of WRAR. “With borrowing costs stabilizing and lenders promoting more appealing rates, I think we will see more buyers coming off the sidelines this spring, adding demand to our already popular Waterloo Region and pushing home prices up slightly.”
Total residential sales in March included 356 detached (down 39.9 per cent from March 2022), and 126 townhouses (down 29.6 per cent). Sales also included 86 condominium units (down 32.8 per cent) and 42 semi-detached homes (down 53.3 per cent).
In March, the average sale price for all residential properties in Waterloo Region was $779,017. This represents a 18.6 per cent decrease compared to March 2022 and a 2.4 per cent increase compared to February 2023.
- The average price of a detached home was $910,152. This represents a 17.4 per cent decrease from March 2022 and an increase of 2.9 per cent compared to February 2023.
- The average sale price for a townhouse was $640,484. This represents a 19.9 per cent decrease from March 2022 and a decrease of 0.6 per cent compared to February 2023.
- The average sale price for an apartment-style condominium was $482,882. This represents a decrease of 15.2 per cent from March 2022 and an increase of 5.3 per cent compared to February 2023.
- The average sale price for a semi was $700,208. This represents a decrease of 18.2 per cent compared to March 2022 and an increase of 4.9 per cent compared to February 2023.
WRAR 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 MLS® Home Price Index (HPI) provides the best way to gauge price trends because averages are strongly distorted by changes in the mix of sales activity from one month to the next.
MLS® Home Price Index Benchmark Price | ||||||
| Kitchener-Waterloo | Cambridge | ||||
Benchmark Type: | March 2023 | Monthly % Change | Yr./Yr. % Change | March 2023 | Monthly % Change | Yr./Yr. % Change |
Composite | $739,400 | 1.8 | -21.2 | $746,300 | 0.5 | -20.6 |
Detached | $839,500 | 2.0 | -20.4 | $776,100 | 0.7 | -21.1 |
Townhouse | $600,500 | 2.0 | -23.5 | $641,700 | 0.7 | -17.5 |
Apartment | $474,000 | 0.1 | -18.0 | $483,000 | -1.9 | -13.5 |
“This is a peculiar market. While we certainly will not have the same volume of sales as in 2022, demand remains strong. For those that were previously hesitant to sell their properties, March’s slight uptick in sales prices is a good indication of the continued pent-up demand within the Region and we do not anticipate this slowing down anytime soon,” says Bell. “These and other shifting influences mean it has never been more important for buyers and sellers alike to work with a local REALTOR® to help provide expertise during the homebuying and selling process.”
While on a year-over-year basis, prices have come down close to 20 per cent, they are up compared to two years ago.
There were 859 new listings added to the MLS® System in Waterloo Region last month, a decrease of 44.1 per cent compared to March of last year and a 30.5 per cent decrease compared to the previous ten-year average for March.
The total number of homes available for sale in active status at the end of March was 716, an increase of 17.2 per cent compared to March of last year and 42.4 per cent below the previous ten-year average of 1243 listings for March.
The number of months of inventory is up 85.7 per cent compared to March of last year, but still historically low at 1.3 months. The number of months of inventory represents how long it would take to sell off current inventories at the current sales rate.
The average number of days to sell in March was 19, compared to 8 days in March 2022. The previous 5-year average is 15 days.
View our HPI tool here to learn more: https://wrar.ca/hpi/
Click on any of the graphs below for an interactive view.
WRAR cautions that average sale price information can help identify long-term trends but should not be to indicate 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. Months Supply is the inventory of homes for sale at the end of a given month, divided by the average monthly closed sales from the last 12 months. Those requiring specific information on property values should contact a Waterloo Region 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.
Media Contact: Tania Benninger, Stakeholder Relations, 519-584-1141
The Waterloo Region Association of REALTORS®️ (WRAR) is a new association that has been formed through the recent amalgamation between the Cambridge Association of REALTORS®️ and the Kitchener-Waterloo Association of REALTORS®️. We have a new name, a fresh start, but the same awesome REALTOR®️ community—just better together! While WRAR officially began offering member services on August 1, 2022, the two previous associations have over 150 years of combined experience. We are proud to support the needs of REALTORS®️ and brokerages serving one of Canada’s fastest growing and thriving communities—Waterloo Region.
Source: https://wrar.ca/home-prices-inch-up-in-march/
