Wednesday, December 6, 2006

TORONTO, December 6, 2006 -- The Greater Toronto Area’s resale housing market maintained its strong pace in November as 6,281 homes changed hands during the month, Toronto Real Estate Board President Dorothy Mason announced today.

“The market is holding very steady as we progress through autumn and we are seeing a good level of activity across the board,” Mrs. Mason said. “Overall conditions are very healthy and 2006 remains within just one and a half percent of last year’s all-time record sales pace.”

Despite a slight moderation from last November’s total of 6,646 transactions, the resale market remains on solid footing according to Jason Mercer, CMHC’s Senior Market Analyst for the GTA.

“Existing home sales have remained very respectable through the first two months of the fourth quarter,” Mr. Mercer said. “Home buyers have remained confident in their ability to purchase a home due to low borrowing costs and steady employment and wage growth, on average.”

In the city’s east end, Scarborough Town Centre / Woburn (E09) saw an increase in overall sales of 30 per cent compared to November 2005, led by a jump in condominium transactions.

A jump in transactions of semi-detached homes fueled an overall sales increase of 53 per cent in the York South area of Toronto (W03) compared to the same timeframe a year ago.

North of Toronto in Richmond Hill North (N05), detached homes were the most common housing type changing hands as the area saw an overall increase in sales of 29 per cent compared to last November.

“It’s a great time to be getting in the market or making your move,” TREB’s President added. “Conditions in the GTA remain very stable, and that’s good news for consumers.”