Greater Toronto Area REALTORS® reported 6,455 sales through TREB’s MLS® System in September 2018 - up 1.9 per cent compared to September 2017 - with the average selling price of $796,786. New listings entered into TREB’s MLS® System in September 2018 amounted to 15,920 – down by 3.1 per cent compared to the same month last year.

With sales up year-over-year and new listings down, market conditions became tighter. Many buyers may have found it more difficult to find a home meeting their needs. Toronto Real Estate Board President Garry reminds of the importance of working with an expert:

It is healthy to see sales and prices in many areas across the Greater Toronto Area up a bit, compared to last year’s lows. At the same, however, it is important to remember that TREB’s market area is made up of over 500 communities. Market conditions have obviously unfolded differently across these communities. This is why it’s important to work with a REALTOR® who is familiar with local market conditions in your areas of interest.

While higher borrowing costs and tougher mortgage qualification rules have kept sales levels off the record pace set in 2016, many households remain positive about home ownership as a quality long-term investment. As the GTA population continues to grow, the real challenge in the housing market will be supply rather than demand. The Toronto Real Estate Board is especially concerned with issues affecting housing supply as we move towards municipal elections across the region.

On a monthly basis, after preliminary seasonal adjustment, sales edged up by 0.2 per cent in September 2018 compared to August 2018. The average selling price, after preliminary seasonal adjustment, edged lower by 0.5 per cent month-over-month. As Jason Mercer, TREB’s Director of Market Analysis, said:

Generally speaking, annual rates of price growth have been stronger for higher density home types in 2018, including condominium apartments, townhouses and semi-detached houses. In many neighbourhoods, these home types provide more affordable home ownership options. This is why a policy focus on increasing mid-density housing options throughout the GTA is important.

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