Strong Average Price Growth in September 2012

GTA REALTORS® RELEASE MONTHLY RESALE HOUSING FIGURES

TORONTO, October 3, 2012 – Greater Toronto Area (GTA) REALTORS® reported 5,879 transactions
through the TorontoMLS system in September 2012.  The average selling price for these transactions
was $503,662, representing an increase of more than 8.5 per cent compared to last year.
The number of transactions was down by 21 per cent in comparison to September 2011.  However, it is
important to note that there were two fewer working days in September 2012 compared to September
2011. The majority of transactions are entered on working days. On a per working day basis, sales were
down by 12.5 per cent year-over-year.

“While sales have been lower due to stricter mortgage lending guidelines, we continue to see substantial
competition between buyers.  The months of inventory trend remains low from a historic perspective,
which explains the strong price increases we are experiencing,” said Toronto Real Estate Board
President Ann Hannah.
September average selling prices were up compared to last year for all major home types.  Price growth
was strongest in the City of Toronto, including condominium apartments with eight per cent year-overyear growth.  All benchmark home types included in the MLS® Home Price Index (MLS® HPI)
experienced year-over-year price increases, with substantially stronger increases for low-rise home types.
“Barring a major change to the consensus economic outlook, home price growth is expected to continue
through 2013.  Based on inventory levels, price growth will be strongest for low-rise home types, including
single-detached and semi-detached houses and town homes,” said TREB’s Senior Manager of Market
Analysis, Jason Mercer.

If you wish to get a full detailed market watch for Septemeber 2012, feel free to contact me!

Regards,
Zeenia Kola
Sales Representative with Re/Max Realty Specialists Inc., Brokerage
Email: zeenia@zeeniakola.com
Ph: 905-828-3434
Add: 2691 Credit Valley Rd, #101, Mississauga, L5M 7A1
Website: http://www.zeeniakola.com/
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Thinking of selling your home in the next 1 or 2 months? For free and confidential Market Evaluation of your home click here!

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Great News: Bank of Canada maintains overnight rate target at 1 per cent!!

OTTAWA – The Bank of Canada today announced that it is maintaining its target for the overnight rate at 1%. The Bank Rate is correspondingly 1 1/% and the deposit rate is 3/4 %.

The global economic recovery is proceeding broadly in line with the Bank’s projection in its January Monetary Policy Report (MPR), although risks remain elevated. U.S. activity is solidifying and remains supported by stimulative fiscal and monetary policies. Ongoing challenges associated with sovereign and bank balance sheets will limit the pace of the European recovery and are a significant source of uncertainty to the global outlook. Robust demand from emerging-market economies is driving the underlying strength in commodity prices, which could be further reinforced temporarily by supply shocks arising from recent geopolitical events.

The recovery in Canada is proceeding slightly faster than expected, and there is more evidence of the anticipated rebalancing of demand. While consumption growth remains strong, there are signs that household spending is moving more in line with the growth in household incomes. Business investment continues to expand rapidly as companies take advantage of stimulative financial conditions and respond to competitive imperatives. There is early evidence of a recovery in net exports, supported by stronger U.S. activity and global demand for commodities. However, the export sector continues to face considerable challenges from the cumulative effects of the persistent strength in the Canadian dollar and Canada’s poor relative productivity performance.

While global inflationary pressures are rising, inflation in Canada has been consistent with the Bank's expectations. Underlying pressures affecting prices remain subdued, reflecting the considerable slack in the economy.

Reflecting all of these factors, the Bank has decided to maintain the target for the overnight rate at 1 per cent. This leaves considerable monetary stimulus in place, consistent with achieving the 2 per cent inflation target in an environment of significant excess supply in Canada. Any further reduction in monetary policy stimulus would need to be carefully considered.

Stay Posted: The next scheduled date for announcing the overnight rate target is 12 April,2011



Warm Regards,
Zeenia Kola
Sales Representative with Re/Max Realty Specialists Inc., Brokerage
Email: zeenia@zeeniakola.com
Ph: 905-828-3434
Add: 2691 Credit Valley Rd, #101, Mississauga, L5M 7A1
Website: http://www.zeeniakola.com/
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May Sales in GTA Region Remain High

June 3, 2010 -- Greater Toronto REALTORS® reported 9,470 sales through the Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) in May, representing a 1% dip from May 2009. In comparison to previous years, this was the third highest May sales result on record.

“The pace of transactions slowed in May following record-setting sales in February, March and April,” said Toronto Real Estate Board President Tom Lebour. “Buyers who otherwise would have been purchasing a home in May moved more quickly this year, likely to get ahead of mortgage rate hikes.”

New listings were up 38% annually to 18,940. The average price for May transactions was $446,593 – up 13% compared to the average of $395,609 recorded in May 2009.

“The gap between listings and sales has widened, which means there is more choice for buyers,” said Jason Mercer, TREB’s Senior Manager of Market Analysis. “The annual rate of price growth will slow in the second half of 2010, from the current double digit pace into the single digits.”

To read the full report http://www.zeeniakola.com/ShowResources.cfm?TypeOfPage=5&Page=1

Warm Regards,
Zeenia Kola
Sales Representative with Re/Max Realty Specialists Inc., Brokerage
Add: 2691 Credit Valley Road, Mississauga, ON L5M 7A1
Ph: 905-828-3434
Email: zeenia@zeeniakola.com
Website: http://www.zeeniakola.com/
or
http://zeeniakola.com/AgentProfile/contactme.cfm

Flaherty tightens mortgage rules

Jim Flaherty announced today plans to tightened mortgage lending rules which will take into effect on April 19, 2010. Please read below. I have also included a globe and mail link at the bottom of the page.

The Honourable Jim Flaherty, Minister of Finance, today announced a number of measured steps to support the long-term stability of Canada's housing market and continue to encourage home ownership for Canadians.

"Canada's housing market is healthy, stable and supported by our country's solid economic fundamentals," said Minister Flaherty. "However, a key lesson of the global financial crisis is that early policy action can help prevent negative trends from developing."

The Government will therefore adjust the rules for government-backed insured mortgages as follows:

• Require that all borrowers meet the standards for a five-year fixed rate mortgage even if they choose a mortgage with a lower interest rate and shorter term. This initiative will help Canadians prepare for higher interest rates in the future.
• Lower the maximum amount Canadians can withdraw in refinancing their mortgages to 90 per cent from 95 per cent of the value of their homes. This will help ensure home ownership is a more effective way to save.
• Require a minimum down payment of 20 per cent for government-backed mortgage insurance on non-owner-occupied properties purchased for speculation.

"There's no clear evidence of a housing bubble, but we're taking proactive, prudent and cautious steps today to help prevent one. Our Government is acting to help prevent Canadian households from getting overextended, and acting to help prevent some lenders from facilitating it," said Minister Flaherty. "If some lenders aren't willing to act themselves, we will act. These measures demonstrate the Government is committed to taking action when necessary to support the long-term stability of a sector that is so vital to our economy and the financial well-being of Canadian families."

These adjustments to the mortgage insurance guarantee framework are intended to come into force on April 19, 2010.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/economy/jim-flaherty-tightens-mortgage-rules/article1469432/

Regards,

For further information contact:
Zeenia Kola with Sales Representative with Re/Max Realty Specialists Inc. Brokerage.
Ph: 905-828-3434
Website: www.zeeniakola.com
Email: zeenia@zeeniakola.com

or visit

http://www.zeeniakola.com/AgentProfile/contactme.cfm