Ontario Housing Market's Strong Growth Will Continue Through 2017, Says Central 1 Credit Union

TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - Oct. 5, 2015) - Ontario home prices, sales and starts will keep rising for the next two years, says a new forecast by Central 1 Credit Union.

The surprising strength of the Ontario market this year has led Central 1's Chief Economist Helmut Pastrick to boost his forecast for this year and 2016 and 2017.

"Sales have been strong this year but fewer new listings are coming on the market, so prices are rising in most regions," Pastrick said. "Continued low mortgage rates have helped spur sales."

The outlook is positive for further gains in the housing market against the backdrop of low mortgage rates and some improvement in economic and income growth in 2016 and 2017, Pastrick said.

"Home sales, prices, and starts will head higher," he said. "Despite worsening affordability, the market will expand as long as no economic recession occurs."

Highlights:

• Ontario MLS® residential sales are up 10.5 per cent over last year through to August.
• The average sale price is up 8.1 per cent at $465,444.
• Greater Toronto sales were up 10.4 per cent year-to-date in August, while sales in Hamilton-Burlington rose 11.5 per cent, Niagara Region sales were up 14.9 per cent, and Windsor-Essex sales climbed 18.3 per cent.
• Sales in Ottawa, Sudbury, and Thunder Bay registered only single-digit gains.
• Residential sales are now expected to come in 9.8 per cent higher than last year at 226,100 units. The average sale price forecast is raised to $466,000 from $453,000 previously, an 8.1 per cent rise over 2014.
• Prices are expected to climb to new records in 2016 and 2017, reaching an average annual price of $538,000.
• Housing starts are now forecast at 67,600 units this year, compared to 61,300 units previously, a 14.3 per cent increase over 2014, largely due to condo construction in Toronto.
• Starts are expected to rise each year reaching 72,100 units in 2017.

Read the full report Ontario Housing Forecast Update 2015-2017.

About Central 1

With offices in Vancouver, Mississauga and Toronto, Central 1 - which holds approximately $14 billion in on balance sheet assets - provides wholesale financial products and trust services, along with digital and payment services that power innovation in retail financial services for more than 300 credit unions and institutional clients from coast to coast.

In addition, Central 1 is the primary liquidity manager, payments provider and trade association for our member/owner credit unions in B.C. and Ontario. Our members represent a consumer-oriented, full-service retail financial system that serves 3.3 million members and holds more than $102 billion in assets. For more information, visit www.central1.com.