The number of homes for sale is scarcer – and more expensive – than ever before in Toronto’s real estate market, but that doesn’t seem to dissuade buyers. Regardless of rising prices, mortgage rules and tight supply, they’re determined to enter the market at any cost. It’s a dichotomy frequently played out in housing headlines, as new data sheds light on the factors behind heating markets.
So what is the emerging real estate reality for buyers – and will they continue to enter the market in droves? A few new reports illustrate the latest challenges for would-be homeowners – and their options.
New GTA Low–Rise Homes Hit Million Mark
Does your wish list include a brand-new, single-family home with yard? You can expect to pay more than $1 million for that dream home in the Greater Toronto Area , whether it’s detached, semi-detached or a townhouse, reveals the latest report from the Building Industry and Land Development Association (BILD). According to their findings, which were gathered by Altus Group, the average price for all newly-built “ground-oriented” homes hit a new record of $1,028,395 in January.
BILD’s numbers highlight the sheer growth seen in new build prices over the last decade. For example, new detached homes, which now cost on average of $1,316,325, went for only $444,368 in January 2007. The average price of a newly-built GTA townhouse has hit $879,619, up from $328,989 a decade ago.
BILD President and CEO Brian Tuckey emphasizes that a sharp decline in the number of new homes is responsible for spiralling prices. There were only 1,524 new ground-oriented homes available for purchase in January – a record low – compared to a whopping 18,400 in January 2007. That’s a 1,107% decrease! There were even fewer new detached homes available for sale, at 534, compared to 12,242 in 2007.
“The GTA is facing a severe shortage of housing supply particularly for single-family homes, which sell as soon as they come to market. When there aren’t enough homes to satisfy demand, prices increase and that is exactly what has been happening in our region over the last decade,” he stated in BILD’s release. He adds there are a number of reasons behind the shrinkage, including “Lack of serviceable land, excessive red tape, and frequent delays in the development approval process,” as well as an increased builder focus on higher-density housing as per the province’s mandate.
“Our industry is implementing provincial policy by building more condominium apartments and less ground-oriented housing. A decade ago, condominiums represented just 42% of available inventory compared to 88% in 2017,” he says.
Demand for condos has also surged, up 11% in January, at 1,199 units sold. Patricia Arsenault, executive vice president of research consulting services at Altus Group, says rising single-family home prices has contributed to the increase in condo buyers, among other factors.
“Among them, end users who prefer the locations and amenities afforded by condominium apartments; families who might have opted for a single-family home, but have been shut out of that segment due to lack of available product; and investors who are the key providers of new rental supply for the GTA’s growing population,” she states.
Townhouses: An Answer for the Missing Middle?
One of the most pressing issues for prospective buyers is the lack of affordable middle ground between condos and the detached market. While the Toronto Real Estate Board reports the average resale condo can still be had for $407,409 in the 416, compared to $1,336,640 for a detached home, most units have too-small square footage for move-up buyers’ needs.
Toronto townhouses are growing increasingly popular for this group, according to 2016 sales data recently compiled by Zoocasa, with the average unit (including new and resale) available for $562,187, which is still within the realm of affordability for many buyers. Check out the map below for the most affordable Toronto neighbourhoods for townhouses (See our full list below).
High Prices Don’t Scare Millennials
Despite these dire warnings of high prices and slim pickings, today’s crop of buyers – and particularly those in the millennial generation – remain determined to enter the market. A new global survey released by HSBC finds that while 34% of Canadian millennials own homes – slightly lower than the 40% global average – as many as 82% intend to buy a home within the next five years.
To manage it, they’re resorting to a few different tactics including borrowing from the “bank of mom and dad”; 37% of millennials turning to parents to help fund their down payments, and 21% returned to live with their parents in order to save up for a home purchase. The 2016 edition of RateHub’s Digital Money Trends report also found 44% of millennial first-time buyers relied on family to help fund their down payments.
They’re also willing to break the bank, with 27% not having a set budget and 53% reporting they only have an approximate amount in mind. Of those who had purchased within the last two years, 42% reported going over budget – whatever it takes to achieve homeownership!
Probably most telling, 37% said they would consider buying a smaller-than-ideal home (compared to 21% globally).
“Despite a strong desire to take the homeownership journey, the findings also suggest that Canadian millennials face some significant barriers, with more than two thirds (70%) saying they haven’t saved enough for a deposit, nor do they have a firm budget in mind,” stated Larry Tomei, executive vice president and head of retail banking and wealth management at HSBC Bank Canada. “The reality is, it’s a challenge – and so I can’t stress enough the importance of having a good plan that includes getting the right financial services advice and support before and after you buy.”
Top Affordable Neighbourhoods for Townhouses
Media Toronto household income = $76,216
Maximum Home Affordability based on that income = $636,886
Average Toronto Townhouse priced $300,000 to $400,00
(1) South Steeles
Sold Price (2016): $306,287
Sold over asking: -$3,285
Five Year price change (2011): 87%
(2) Downsview
Sold price (2016): $323,324
Avg sold over asking: $7,971
Five Year price change (2011): n/a (no townhouses sold in 2011)
(3) Morningside:
Sold price (2016): $383,190
Avg sold over asking: $10,347
Five Year price change (2011): n/a
(4) Malvern
Sold price (2016): $401,032
Avg sold over asking: $19,095
Five year price change (2011): 46%
Average Townhouse prices $400,000 to $495,000
(5) Clairlea
Sold price (2016): $442,652
Avg sold over asking: $13,204
Five year price change (2011): 46%
(6) Tam O’Shanter-Sullivan
Sold price (2016): $457,249
Avg sold over asking: $13,875
Five year price change (2011): 58%
(7) Rosewood
Sold price (2016): $481,425
Avg sold over asking: $32,001
Five year price change (2011): 60%
(8) Willowdale
Sold price (2016): $493,961
Avg sold over asking: $676
Five year price change (2011): 43%
Average Townhouse priced $495,000 to $540,000
(9) Parkdale
Sold price (2016): $495,957
Avg sold over asking: $12,423
Five year price change (2011):
(10) Scarborough Town Centre
Sold price (2016): $496,951
Avg sold over asking: $21,681
Five year price change (2011): 55%
(11) L’amoreaux West
Sold price (2016): $509,765
Avg sold over asking: $32,244
Five year price change (2011): 73%
(12) Agincourt
Sold price (2016): $531,237
Avg sold over asking: $29,794
Five year price change (2011): 71%
Average Townhouses Priced $540,000 to $600,000
(13) Hillcrest Village
Sold price (2016): $541,595
Avg sold over asking: $19.652
Five year price change (2011): 59%
(14) Fairview Oriole
Sold price (2016): $543,407
Avg sold over asking: $25,342
Five year price change (2011): 65%
(15) High Park / Junction
Sold price (2016): $563,029
Avg sold over asking: $28,332
Five year price change (2011): 56%
(16) Church & Wellesley
Sold price (2016): $617,028
Avg sold over asking: -$7,668
Five year price change (2011): 52%
Average Townhouses Priced $600,000 to $640,000
(17) Leslieville
Sold price (2016): $619,493
Avg sold over asking: $16,673
Five year price change (2011): 72%
(18) The Beaches
Sold price (2016): $626,917
Avg sold over asking: $3,537
Five year price change (2011): 9%
(19) Dufferin Dovercourt
Sold price (2016): $631,744
Avg sold over asking: $8,548
Five year price change (2011): 57%
(20) Mimico South
Sold price (2016): $647,618
Avg sold over asking: $14,339
Five year price change (2011): n/a
