2020 set to be red hot for real estate in the GTA

Housing website Zoocasa recently got a decent amount of media attention when they released a blog outlining reasons for 2020 being a very hot year for real estate. In summary, Zoocasa is pointing to a lack of supply as the main reason prices will soar this year. Zoo is also making the point that the measures implemented to cool the rapid price growth from 2016-2018 are now well and truly spent. The foreign buyer tax and stress tests are not going to cap prices anymore, the market has priced them in and found ways to accommodate the extra burdens.

The TREB is echoing Zoocasa’s prediction and argue that buyers are now back and much more engaged in the market than before. The psychology of the market has shifted from perceptions of lukewarm activity to a once again hot and steamy outlook and prices are on the up. The market had a brief re-balancing away from sellers to buyers but has now shifted back to being a much more assertively sellers’ market. The average home price in Toronto is now just over $910K, this includes homes and condos medians.

All the data points to sales and prices now having fully hit the highs which inspired the drastic and sudden government intervention in the market some years ago with the foreign buyers tax and the stress tests. Tembo predicted that a recovery, if ignited, could easily have the market rapidly gain back the ground it lost. And we were right. What has been impressive is that the recovery has occurred at a faster pace than even we imagined. Both Vancouver and Toronto have led the way in making sharp gains and returning to the historic highs experienced in the last boom.

Nothing is pointing to a sudden and massive increase in supply. Even though the provincial government is extremely pro-development, there is little capacity in the market to build tens of thousands of extra homes and condos to meet demand. Developers have no reason to swamp the market when they can continue to anticipate and pocket bigger and bigger gains. Interest rates will remain low. There is also some possibility that the Feds will move to make it easier for people to take on mortgage debt given they are in minority government and need to bolster their standing with swing voters.

Toronto’s Condo Market Crackles On

As Tembo previously reported in its newsletter and past blogs, the Toronto condo market is undergoing a massive upsurge in activity and dynamism. In the last 20 years, Toronto’s real estate sector has enjoyed tremendous growth in activity, prices, and supply, especially in the form of condos. The city’s previously impressive skyline is now on track to surpass many American megacities traditionally viewed as architecturally and structurally more imposing, such as Chicago’s. A huge number of the new skyscrapers and high rises built in the city are condo buildings.

New figures show astronomical price increases in many Toronto neighbourhoods, particularly in Scarborough, where some prices increased over 60% from a year ago. As the price of detached homes continues to steadily increase with demand remaining strong, many first-time buyers continue to turn to the condo market to begin their respective real estate journeys. Despite a vast slew of new factors impacting the market, condos continue to be available in strong numbers and are far more affordable than detached, semi-detached homes or townhomes.

The most dynamic price growth was seen in much of Scarborough, north-west Etobicoke, and along the downtown core and lakeshore areas of the city. While 20-40% price growth was common throughout the city, it is important to note that base prices a year ago for many condos in the city’s periphery were very low, partially explaining the explosive nature of the price increases. Prices increases were most modest in the city’s midtown area.

The supply of condos continues to increase and generally is meeting demand as approvals and new construction continues to improve market supply. Another important factor is that many millennials are now in a position to afford an entry into the real estate market, and are turning to condo purchases to start building equity. Investors, foreigners, and retired, affluent baby boomers are also buying condominium units.