Greater Toronto REALTORS(R) Report Commercial Market Figures

TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - March 4, 2015) - Toronto Real Estate Board President Paul Etherington announced that TREB Commercial Network Members reported 553,178 square feet of industrial, commercial/retail and office space leased through the TorontoMLS system in February 2015. This result was up by almost 38 per cent compared to February 2014. Leased industrial space, which accounted for approximately 80 per cent of all leasing activity, was the driver of the year-over-year growth.

The average industrial lease rate, for properties leased on a per square foot net basis with pricing disclosed, was $5.26 - in line with the February 2014 average of $5.29. The average lease rates for commercial/retail and office properties fluctuated to a greater degree compared to last year, but this was largely the result of a different mix of properties leased this year compared to last.

"While one month does not make a trend, it was encouraging to see an uptick in the amount of square footage leased in February compared to the same period last year. The fact that the growth was driven by the industrial sector is particularly notable, given that a good portion of the economy in southern Ontario is focused on the production of goods for export south of the border," said Mr. Etherington.

The number of industrial, commercial/retail and office properties reported sold through the TorontoMLS system in February 2015, at 37, was down in comparison to 52 sales for the same month in 2014. Average selling prices were up substantially, but this was mainly due to a change in the size and location of properties sold.

"We are facing an uncertain economic outlook in 2015. However, the lower value of the Canadian Dollar relative to the US Dollar coupled with lower borrowing costs could be helpful to businesses operating in the GTA, particularly those that are focused on producing exports. It is possible that a growth in exports could lead to a growth in demand for real estate as producers expand production," continued Mr. Etherington.

February 2015: Per Square Foot Net Commercial Leasing Summary

Lease Transactions Completed on a Per Square Foot Net Basis with Pricing Disclosed on TorontoMLS

	Leased Square Feet						Average Lease Rate
	Feb. 2015	Feb. 2014	% Change				Feb. 2015		Feb. 2014		% Change
Industrial	437,587	318,684	37.3	%		Industrial	$	5.26	$	5.29	-0.5	%
Commercial	80,787	39,616	103.9	%		Commercial	$	18.40	$	22.29	-17.5	%
Office	34,804	43,110	-19.3	%		Office	$	11.43	$	14.05	-18.7	%
Total	553,178	401,410	37.8	%
Source: Toronto Real Estate Board

February 2015: Commercial Sales Completed with Pricing Disclosed on TorontoMLS

	Sales (Price Disclosed)					Avg. Sale Price Per Sq. Ft. (Pricing Disclosed)
	Feb. 2015	Feb. 2014	% Change				Feb. 2015		Feb. 2014		% Change
Industrial	15	10	50.0	%		Industrial	$	150.75	$	99.80	51.1	%
Commercial	18	34	-47.1	%		Commercial	$	372.96	$	260.74	43.0	%
Office	4	8	-50.0	%		Office	$	228.91	$	155.26	47.4	%
Total	37	52	-28.8	%
Source: Toronto Real Estate Board

Greater Toronto REALTORS® are passionate about their work. They are governed by a strict Code of Ethics and share a state-of-the-art Multiple Listing Service. Over 40,000 TREB Members serve consumers in the Greater Toronto Area. TREB is Canada's largest real estate board.