October 2024– GTA Housing Market News
Here is our quick market update for the Toronto Real Estate Board and Milton area.
Home sales in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) saw a notable year-over-year increase in October 2024, with a sharp rise in activity compared to the same month in 2023. While new listings also rose during this period, the increase was less pronounced, leading to tighter market conditions than the previous year. The average selling price saw a modest annual increase.
Although we are still in the early stages of the Bank of Canada’s rate-cutting cycle, it’s clear that more buyers returned to the market in October.
The improvement in affordability, driven by lower borrowing costs and relatively stable home prices, contributed to a rebound in market activity.
In total, GTA REALTORS® reported 6,658 home sales through TRREB’s MLS® System in October 2024—an increase of 44.4% compared to the 4,611 sales recorded in October 2023. New listings reached 15,328, up by 4.3% year-over-year. On a seasonally adjusted basis, October sales rose compared to September.
The MLS® Home Price Index Composite benchmark was down 3.3% year-over-year, while the average selling price increased by 1.1% to $1,135,215 compared to October 2023. Seasonally adjusted, the average price also edged higher compared to September.
Despite tighter market conditions in October, there remains a significant inventory of homes, giving buyers plenty of options. This ample choice is expected to keep price growth moderate in the near term. However, as inventory continues to be absorbed and home construction struggles to keep pace with population growth, we anticipate stronger price increases, likely starting in the spring of 2025.
To further improve affordability, policymakers could consider reducing taxes for homebuyers. TRREB supports the Conservative Party of Canada’s proposal to eliminate the GST on new homes priced under $1 million, which would provide much-needed relief for first-time buyers. Expanding this rebate would not only make homes more affordable but could also encourage increased construction.
Given that the average price of a home in high-cost markets like the GTA and Vancouver exceeds $1 million, a more flexible approach, such as gradually phasing out the rebate between $1 million and $1.5 million, would better address the needs of these markets. It is encouraged that Provincial governments should also consider adopting similar measures.
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Milton Real Estate Market
The average price in Milton $1,040,242
Burlington Real Estate Market
The average price in Burlington $1,088,016
Oakville Real Estate Market
The average price in Oakville $1,495,46
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