There were 6,623 homes sold through the Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) System of the Waterloo Region Association of REALTORS® (WRAR) in 2023, a decrease of 14.8 per cent compared to 2022, and a decline of 23.2 per cent compared to the previous 5-year average for annual sales.

On a monthly basis, there were 285 homes sold in December, a decrease of 0.7 per cent compared to December 2022, and 25.6 per cent below the previous 5-year average for the month.

“It should not be a surprise to anyone that for the second year in a row, the housing market in Waterloo Region has been affected by higher interest rates, resulting in a significant decline in annual sales,” says Christal Moura, President of WRAR. “This year’s sales reached their lowest point in over two decades.”

According to Moura, the trend observed in December reflects the overall slowdown in home sales throughout the year, with sales falling behind historical levels. The last time annual sales in Waterloo Region recorded fewer than 7,000 units was the year 2000.

Total residential sales in December included 172 detached (up 3.6 per cent from December 2022), and 54 townhouses (down 6.9 per cent). Sales also included 35 condominium units (up 2.9 per cent) and 24 semi-detached homes (down 4.0 per cent).

For 2023, total residential sales included 3,901 detached (down 17.0 per cent), and 1,339 townhouses (down 6.5 per cent). Sales also included 904 condominium units (down 9.2 per cent) and 457 semi-detached homes (down 26.6 per cent).

In December, the average sale price for all residential properties in Waterloo Region was $740,697. This represents a 2.8 per cent increase compared to December 2022 and a 2.1 per cent decrease compared to November 2023.

  • The average price of a detached home was $848,151. This represents a 2.6 per cent increase from December 2022 and a decrease of 4.7 per cent compared to November 2023.
  • The average sale price for a townhouse was $617,023. This represents a 0.8 per cent increase from December 2022 and an increase of 1.2 per cent compared to November 2023.
  • The average sale price for an apartment-style condominium was $490,816. This represents a 5.0 per cent increase from December 2022 and an increase of 9.0 per cent compared to November 2023.
  • The average sale price for a semi was $613,283. This represents a decrease of 0.5 per cent compared to December 2022 and a decrease of 0.5 per cent compared to November 2023.