Mid-Month Resale Housing Market Figures!

TORONTO, June 16, 2011 – The number of sales and the average selling price reported by Greater Toronto REALTORS® were both up during the first 14 days of June 2011. Sales through the first two weeks of June amounted to 4,787 – up 16 per cent over the same period in 2010. The average selling price for these transactions, at $477,853, was up nine per cent.

“The spring has always been the busiest time in the resale market, but the results for May and the first two weeks of June represented a marked improvement over last year. Low mortgage rates have kept affordability in check and buyers have felt confident in paying for a home over the long term,” said Toronto Real Estate Board (TREB) President Bill Johnston.

The number of new listings on the TorontoMLS® between June 1st and June 14th was down by eight per cent compared to 2010. “Listings have been in short supply this year, while a lot of people have been looking to buy. The result has been enhanced competition between buyers and more upward pressure on price,” said Jason Mercer, TREB’s Senior Manager of Market Analysis. “Strong price growth will prompt more home owners to list as we move toward 2012.”

Time To Repeal The Land Transfer Tax

GTA REALTORS®, and the public, continue to look forward to the fulfillment of the election commitment, of Mayor Rob Ford and numerous City Councillors, to repeal the Toronto Land Transfer Tax.

It is clear that the public expects the Mayor and City Council to move forward with the commitment to repeal the Toronto Land Transfer Tax, and it is unlikely that they will forget about this.

This is a significant tax: it costs the average Toronto home buyer almost $6,500, and when added to the Provincial Land Transfer Tax, average Toronto homebuyers face almost $14,000 in land transfer taxes. REALTORS® look forward to working with the Mayor and City Council on a reasonable approach to deliver on this promise.

TREB has consistently opposed the Toronto Land Transfer Tax as an unfair tax that hurts Toronto's economy. TREB strongly believes that the commitment by Mayor Rob Ford, and numerous City Councillors, during and after the election campaign to repeal the Toronto Land Transfer Tax was, and is, sensible.

Recently, the City's Budget Chief has pointed out the budgetary challenges facing the City. REALTORS® believe that City Council is moving in the right direction by conducting a comprehensive review of City services; we also strongly believe that the commitment to repeal the Toronto Land Transfer Tax can, and should, move forward.

A recent public opinion poll conducted by Ipsos Public Affairs for TREB, found that 75 per cent of Torontonians support Toronto Mayor Rob Ford's commitment to repeal the Toronto Land Transfer Tax.

In light of the City's Budget Chief's recent comments, the poll contained interesting results. In particular, even when asked to consider the City's expected budget shortfall, the public's support for the repeal of the Toronto Land Transfer Tax remains very strong, with 68 per cent of Torontonians believing that the Mayor should follow-through on this commitment, despite the City's budget challenges.

The poll also found that the public is paying attention to this issue: a large number of Torontonians, 61 per cent, were previously aware that Mayor Ford has committed to repeal the Toronto Land Transfer Tax.