HOME SALES EASE IN AUGUST, UP ON YEAR-TO-DATE BASIS
KITCHENER-WATERLOO, ON (Sept 3, 2010) – Home sales eased in August, but remain stable when you consider the exceptionally strong spring market experienced in Kitchener-Waterloo and area.
There were a total of 475 home sales through the Multiple Listing System (MLS®) of the Kitchener-Waterloo Real Estate Board (KWREB) in August, compared with 586 sales the same month one year ago, a decrease of 18.9 percent.
“It’s important to remember that 2010 got off to an exceptionally strong start”, says Ted Scharf, President of the KWREB. “In anticipation of the HST, and in response to tougher mortgage rules implemented in the spring, prospective homebuyers came out in droves in February and March. “
Despite the summer slowdown, on a year-to-date basis, the number of residential transactions is up 5.6 percent to 4,616 units compared to last year, making this the second best year on record to-date.
Though demand softened somewhat last month, the overall average price of all residential properties sold through the MLS® System of the KWREB increased 9.4 percent in August to $280,493 on an annualized basis.
Scharf reminds consumers to use caution when looking at averages. The average sale price is based on the total dollar volume of all residential properties sold. In August, there was a 38.5 percent increase in homes selling for more than $400,000, 61 compared to only 44 in August of 2009, which helped to bump up the average residential sale price.
According to the president of the KWREB, a growing population, a diverse local economy, and the availability of low interest rate mortgages should continue to maintain the affordability of homes.
“Waterloo region is a great place to live, and invest in real estate,” says Scharf. “And we’ve had many reminders of that lately” he said, noting the federal funding announcements for the region’s rapid transit project, and news earlier in the month from the Real Estate Investment Network naming Waterloo region the best place in Ontario for real estate investment. ......-GOTO OUR NEWS SECTION FOR GRAPHS

Sales for March

MARCH HOME SALES SURPASS THE 700 THRESHOLD

KITCHENER‐WATERLOO, ON (April 6, 2010) – For the first time in the month of March, residential property sales through the Multiple Listing System (MLS®) of the Kitchener‐Waterloo Real Estate Board (KWREB) surpassed the 700 transactions threshold.

Home sales surged last month to 731 units, an increase of 47.1 percent relative to March 2009 results. In February there were 555 sales.

“Usually we start to see this kind of activity in April and May,” said, Ted Scharf, President of the Kitchener‐Waterloo Real Estate Board, “but spring has sprung a little earlier this year in terms of home sales.”

March’s sales included 427 detached homes (up 31.8 percent from 2009), 134 condominium units (up 69.6 percent from 2009), 71 semis (up 54.3 percent from 2009) and 93 townhouses (up 111.4 percent from 2009).

The most popular price range continues to be for homes selling between $225,000 and $250,000, with 120 sales in March, up 36.4 percent over last year. But demand for the highest price ranges continues to grow, with a notable 200 percent increase in residential sales over $500,000. In March there were 39 homes sold in March for more than half a million dollars, compared to only 13 properties this time last year.

Strong sales resulted in a 9.6 percent increase in the average sale price of homes sold in March to $276,695, as compared with one year ago. Detached homes saw an average sale price of $326,233 a 13.7 percent increased compared with March 2009.

Encouraging sales are a number of factors: The economic outlook, consumer confidence, the coming Harmonized Sales Tax, and most notably, the recent announcement of mortgage rate increases, with more adjustments expected to come.

REALTORS® believe that healthy communities depend on a strong economy, safe neighbourhoods, a clean environment, access to housing and the protection of rights of property owners. The KWREB recognizes the need to support and enhance the Quality of Life enjoyed by residents of Waterloo region.

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KITCHENER-WATERLOO HOME SALES STRONG

"KITCHENER

‐

WATERLOO, ON (February 3, 2010) – Sales of residential properties through the MLS®

System of the Kitchener

‐

Waterloo Real Estate Board (KWREB) last month represented the best January

ever, nudging by the previous record set in 2006. It was also the fifth month in a row that home sales in

the region reached a monthly high.

Home sales activity reached 416 residential sales last month, a jump of nearly 64 percent compared to

January 2009. Relative to December 2009, sales saw a 16.5 percent gain last month.

The total dollar volume of residential properties purchased last month also increased exponentially from

January 2009 to $115,991,276, up 84 percent, resulting in higher average sale prices.

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SEASONS GREETINGS!

SEASONS GREETINGS, HAPPY HOLIDAYS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR!

As a special treat and something special for X-mas day,

here is a suggestion to help breakfast onto the tray,

pain du Francais or French Toast as we say

can become extra unique when you mix it the following way:

Ghost of Christmas Repast French Toast(c/o S.Moore)
6 eggs(beaten)
2 teaspoons vanilla
1 tablespoon maple syrup
1 cup egg nog or 1 cup Bailey's Irish cream
1 teaspoon cinnamon
mix until smooth and dip your bread into the batter (slightly older bread works best)
melt 2 tablespoons of Crisco vegetable shortening (pastry crust type/golden) in frying pan on medium.
when Crisco is melted and clear, drop battered bread slices into pan, flipping when side is crispy.

Serve with back bacon and an apple compote(next recipe) on top or extra syrup.

APPLE COMPOTE:
8 peeled and sliced/chopped apples
2 tblspn butter
1 tspn cinnamon
1 tblspn brown sugar
1/2 cup maple syrup
2 oz. spiced rum
1/2 cup orange juice or apple cider

Place apples, cinnamon and butter in saucepan and bring to a gentle bubble, stirring
and adding juice and sugar until apples are soft and coated.
Add syrup and rum(Sailor Jerry's is recommended) near the end when your stomachs
can nae wait no longer and the kitchen smells like Holiday spirits.

ENJOY!!!
-The Young Team