Ottawa Real Estate Board News Release – December 2014
Members of the Ottawa Real Estate Board sold 893 residential properties in November through the Board’s Multiple Listing Service® system, compared with 888 in November 2013, an increase of 0.6 per cent. The five-year average for November sales is 935.
“Sales have been remarkably similar to last year overall, with units sold for the first eleven months of the year at 13,291, just slightly above the year-to-date sales for 2013,” says Randy Oickle, President of the Ottawa Real Estate Board. “Inventory levels are starting to dip back down, which is normal for this time of year, and average sales prices keep steady with last year. Overall, it has been a typical year so far for the real estate market in Ottawa – steady and fluctuating between a balanced and buyer’s market.”
November’s sales included 170 in the condominium property class, and 723 in the residential property class. The condominium property class includes any property, regardless of style (i.e. detached, semi-detached, apartment, townhouse, etc.), which is registered as a condominium, as well as properties which are co-operatives, life leases and timeshares. The residential property class includes all other residential properties.
“Properties have taken longer to sell, requiring most sellers to be more patient with the market,” explains Oickle. “Resale condos are slightly behind last year’s volume, likely caused by increased competition with new condo developments. Although the market slows somewhat in December, Sellers should note that many buyers for 2015 will begin their search over the holiday period, statistically the highest property search period.”
The average sale price of residential properties, including condominiums, sold in November in the Ottawa area was $356,900, an increase of 0.4 per cent over November 2013. The average sale price for a condominium-class property was $250,425, a decrease of three per cent over November 2013. The average sale price of a residential-class property was $381,936, an increase of 0.7 per cent over November 2013. The Board cautions that average sale price information can be useful in establishing trends over time but should not be used as an indicator that specific properties have increased or decreased in value. The average sale price is calculated based on the total dollar volume of all properties sold.
“The $300,000 to $349,999 price range had the highest concentration of properties sold in November, followed by the $350,000 to $399,999 range. There were 93 properties sold in the price range between $500,000 to $749,999,” says Oickle. “The rental market continues to be hot in Ottawa, with approximately 175 properties rented in November, and over 2,300 rented since the beginning of the year. Ottawa Real Estate Board members can assist you with a variety of needs, whether you are looking to rent, or wanting to better understand the prices in your area.”
Although home sales statistics and average sale prices are helpful tools in gauging the real estate market, be sure to give Chris a call or send him an e-mail for more detailed information on the market in your Ottawa neighbourhood. Whether you’re planning to sell a townhome in Orleans or you’re looking to move to one of the city’s top walking districts, the Ottawa Move Team can help you find out what your current home is worth and get you started on the search for your next dream home! Whatever your real estate needs may be, contact Chris and the Ottawa Move Team today.