Friday, June 29, 2007

Toronto REALTORS® Demonstrate Importance of Working Together

TORONTO, June 25, 2007 -- REALTORS ® are skilled at bringing people together, and that is exactly what they did during the Toronto Real Estate Board’s Civic Connections: Working Together reception, which featured a keynote address by Dr. David Suzuki. The recent event also included the presentation of a political contribution award to City of Toronto Councillor Michael Feldman, and the presentation of scholarships to two exceptional students.
“In their line of work, REALTORS® are always bringing people together. The Toronto Real Estate Board wanted to take this a step further and bring together political and community leaders to foster the relationships that will help us all to meet the challenges that we face,” said Dorothy Mason, President of the Toronto Real Estate Board (TREB).
The event featured a keynote address by internationally renowned scientist, environmentalist, and broadcaster, Dr. David Suzuki. Politicians, civil servants, and REALTORS® from TREB’s Board of Directors and Government Relations Committee heard how they can work together to address environmental concerns. Dignitaries in attendance included GTA Mayors, Toronto City Councillors, GTA Councillors, MPPs, Municipal City Managers, and a GTA fire chief.
“No issue needs us all to work together more than the environment and nobody articulates this better than Dr. Suzuki. His passionate address illustrated the need for the public and elected officials to think about their actions on a global scale,” said Mason.
The Toronto Real Estate Board also took the opportunity to recognize the efforts of City of Toronto Councillor Michael Feldman by awarding him TREB’s first ever Political Contribution Award.
“On countless occasions, Councillor Feldman has demonstrated what can be achieved when we work together.
His contributions to the City of Toronto, and to the advancement of the real estate industry in the Greater Toronto Area through his work in the private and public sectors is unsurpassed. TREB is proud to present him with this award,” Mason said.
Also for the first time, two $5,000 TREB Past President’s scholarships were presented to two GTA graduating high school students planning to continue their education. TREB Past President John W. Meehan presented Rachel Johnston of University of Toronto Schools with an award for her 500word essay on “The environmentally friendly home of the future.” Adam Kahn of Thornhill Secondary School was honoured for his essay addressing the question, “Should property rights be enshrined in the Canadian Constitution?”
“These scholarships help reaffirm the importance that REALTORS® place on continuing education,” said Mason.

Source: Toronto Real Estate Board

Wednesday, June 20, 2007

Home resales up 24 per cent in first half of June

Home resales up 24 per cent in first half of June TORONTO, June 19, 2007 -- During the first fifteen days of June, resale home transactions jumped 24 per cent compared to the same timeframe a year ago, Toronto Real Estate Board President Dorothy Mason announced today. The first half of the month yielded a remarkable 5,074 sales, an increase of 1,000 transactions from last year's mid-June figures. This total was also 12 per cent higher than the 4,522 sales recorded in the first half of May, which ended as the most active month ever.
“We are going through one of the strongest spring markets ever,” Mrs. Mason said. “There is a lot of momentum carrying over from that and it bodes well as we move into summer.”In Scarborough Centre / Woburn (E09), sales of detached homes doubled as 38 per cent more overall transactions took place compared to mid-June a year ago.
Alderwood / Mimico (W06) in Toronto's west end saw an overall increase in activity of 50 per cent compared to figures from last year.
Toronto's Annex neighbourhood (C02) saw the number of transactions to mid-June increase by 61 per cent compared to 2006.
Outside the city, brisk sales of town homes and detached homes in central Vaughan (N08) led the way as overall transactions increased 53 per cent over the same timeframe a year ago.
The average price of a resale home at mid-month was $384,576, an increase of seven per cent over the $358,648 recorded during the first half of June 2006. Inventory stood at 23,725 listings, reflecting a good amount of choice and helping to keep price increases under control.
“We have strong local and national economies, great value in the marketplace and solid returns on investment,” TREB's President said. “It's an excellent time to be in the market, and savvy consumers are taking advantage of these great conditions.”
Toronto REALTORS® are passionate about their work. They adhere to a strict code of ethics and share a state-of-the-art Multiple Listing Service. Serving more than 25,000 Members in the Greater Toronto Area, the Toronto Real Estate Board is Canada's largest real estate board. Greater Toronto Area open house listings are now available on http://www.torontorealestateboard.com/find_a_home/open_house/index.htm

Source: Toronto Real Estate Board

Friday, June 08, 2007

Toronto Market Reaches New Heights!

TORONTO, June 4 th , 2007 -- In May the Toronto Area resale housing market experienced its most active month ever as 11,146 homes changed hands, Toronto Real Estate Board President Dorothy Mason announced today. The total for the month was 18 per cent higher than May of 2006.
“The level of activity has been very strong through the spring, but it jumped to another level in May,” Mrs. Mason said. “Overall, our yeartodate figures show that sales are about eight per cent ahead of last year’s pace.
”In West Agincourt •E05•, condominium activity more than doubled as overall sales increased by 39 per cent compared to last May.
Condominiums are by far the most common housing type in Toronto’s downtown / Harbourfront neighbourhood •C01•, where transactions jumped 37 per cent overall compared to May of 2006.
In the Cooksville / Port Credit area of Mississauga •W12•, 41 per cent more transactions took place compared to a year ago.
North of Toronto in Vaughan Centre •N08•, overall resale activity increased by 40 per cent compared to the same timeframe in 2006.
With the average price just five per cent higher than a year ago, at $382,787, Mrs. Mason noted that the market is a strong investment, yet still quite accessible.
“We have an excellent combination of healthy, controlled price increases and a very high level of activity,” Mrs. Mason said. “People are demonstrating that it’s a great time to start out in the market or switch to a different home.”
Toronto REALTORS® are passionate about their work. They adhere to a strict code of ethics and share a stateoftheart Multiple Listing Service. Its 23,739 listings resulted in May’s 11,146 sales. Serving more than 25,000 Members in the Greater Toronto Area, the Toronto Real Estate Board is Canada's largest real estate board. Greater Toronto Area open house listings are now available on http://www.torontorealestateboard.com/find_a_home/open_house/index.htm

Source: Toronto Real Estate Board