03/10/2023
Now that we have entered the "spring market," it's an opportune time to discuss market forecasts and anticipate what's in store for those who are considering buying or selling a property this year.
The housing market faced a challenging year in 2022, as home prices declined in several major cities, and sales slowed down due to increasing interest rates and a national inflation crisis.
In January and February, National home sales were down according to the Canadian Real Estate Association, however, The Bank of Canada has announced that they’re going to put the brakes on rate increases for the foreseeable future, which has increased confidence in many buyers.
Experts are expecting the housing market recovery to be gradual at first, mainly due to the significant increase in interest rates that we saw, that will likely continue to restrain activity and limit purchasing power for some time.
Here are what experts are expecting in the housing market for 2023:
⓵. There will be fewer homes sold this year than were sold in 2022, and the national average home price is forecast to decline 5.9% due to the massive hike in interest rates we saw.
⓶. Markets are trending away from a seller’s market to a balanced market (defined by an average of 45-90 days on the market).
⓷. Property types, such as condos and townhouses, will increase in popularity in major cities because they offer more affordability.
⓸. Without a significant increase in housing supply, a return of buyers to the market – some driven by very high rental rates – should start to put upward pressure on prices again.
What does this mean for you? If you're considering selling, the time is NOW! If you're planning on buying a home, let's get together and put together a plan to help you achieve your goals as we head into a more balanced market.