There were 734 residential homes sold through the Multiple Listing System (MLS® System) of the Kitchener-Waterloo Association of REALTORS® in July.
This was an increase of 25.7 per cent compared to the same month last year, and well above the previous ten-year average for July of 531.
“Competition was high for buyers looking to lock down a house in July,” said Colleen Koehler, President of KWAR.
“The rate of home sales in July resembled the kind of month we would normally see in May, and I chalk up much of that to the pent up demand that built as we moved into Stage 3 of reopening in mid-July.”
Total residential sales in July included 464 detached homes (up 39.3 per cent from July 2019), and 65 condominium apartments (up 3.2 per cent). Sales also included 153 townhouses (up 4.8 per cent) and 52 semi-detached homes (up 23.8 per cent).
The average sale price of all residential properties sold in July increased 22.8 per cent to $639,814 compared to the same month last year, while detached homes sold for an average price of $745,149 an increase of 21.4 per cent.
During this same period, the average sale price for an apartment-style condominium was $392,770 for an increase of 15.2 per cent. Townhomes and semis sold for an average of $465,756 (up 12.8 per cent) and $522,872 (up 20.4 per cent) respectively.
The median price of all residential properties sold in July increased 21.7 per cent to $595,000 and the median price of a detached home during the same period increased 17.4 per cent to $675,000.
“Elevated homebuyer activity combined with constrained supply put huge pressure on prices last month,” said Koehler.
“Homebuyers remain very confident about owning a home in Waterloo Region, and with mortgage rates still at near-record-low levels I expect we will continue to see strong home buyer demand going into the fall”.
There were 888 new listings added to the MLS® System in KW and area last month, an increase of 4.3 per cent compared to July of last year, and 15.5 per cent more than the previous ten-year average for July.
The total number of homes available for sale in active status at the end of July was 592, a decrease of 32.6 per cent compared to July of last year. The average days to sell in July was 17 days, compared to 22 days in July 2019.
The number of Months Supply (also known as absorption rate) continues to be very low at just 1.3 months for the month of July, 27.8 per cent below the same period last year. The previous ten-year average supply of homes for July was 3.1 months, and in the past 5 years, the average supply for July was 2.1 months.
Koehler notes real estate was deemed an essential service from the beginning of the lockdown and REALTORS® have been taking all the necessary precautions to ensure transactions are done safely.
KWAR’s president advises consumers talk to their REALTOR® about what measures they will be taking to protect your health and safety as they help you on your real estate journey.