Home sales in April were 1.9 percent above the 5-year average for the month. There were a total of 683 residential properties sold in the month of April compared to 683 the same time last year. In comparison to March, residential sales grew 11.6 percent, continuing the trend of increasing home sales since the beginning of 2013.

“Low interest rates and a strong local economy continue to make it favourable for people to invest in homes in the Region,” says Dietmar Sommerfeld, President of KWAR. “This April set a record for dollar volume of sales compared to the last 10 years.”

April’s sales included 471 single detached homes (up 3.5 % from last year) 117 condominium units (down 7.9 %), 47 semi-detached (down 14.5 %) and 41 freehold townhouses (down 2.4 %). Year-to-date residential sales were only 1.1 percent below the 5-year average with a total of 2,085 units to date.

The average sale price of all residential sales through the KWAR’s MLS® System increased 6.2 percent last month to $334,777 compared with April 2012. Single detached homes sold for an average price of $378,936 an increase of 6.1percent compared to last year. The average sale price for a condominium was $216,209, a decrease of 0.7 percent compared to April 2012.

The KWAR cautions that average sale price information can be useful in establishing long term trends, but should not be used as an indicator that specific properties have increased or decreased in value. The average sale price is calculated based on the total dollar volume of all properties sold. Those requiring specific information on property values should contact a local REALTOR®.

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“Home sales have been affected by tightened mortgage rules,” says Dietmar Sommerfeld, President of KWAR. “First time buyers are most impacted but at the same time low interest rates should help foster a healthy upcoming spring market.”

Home sales in the month of March totalled 607 units, 9.4 percent lower than the same month a year ago and 1.5 percent below the 5-year average. March’s sales included 393 single detached homes (down 12.1 %), 107 condominium units (down 12.3 %), 58 semi-detached (up 5.5) and 43 freehold townhouses (up 7.5%).

While sales were down last month compared to the same period a year ago home sales have increased month over month since January of this year and the average sale price of all residential sales increased 2.9 percent to $320,229 compared with March 2012. Single detached homes sold for an average price of $367,714 an increase of 3.4 percent compared to last year. In the condominium market prices were up 3.6%, with the average condo unit selling for $206,298.

The KWAR cautions that average sale price information can be useful in establishing long term trends, but should not be used as an indicator that specific properties have increased or decreased in value. The average sale price is calculated based on the total dollar volume of all properties sold. Those requiring specific information on property values should contact a local REALTOR®.

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A total of 445 residential properties sold last month, a 31.3 percent increase compared to January 2013. February’s residential sales included 297 detached homes (down 9.7 percent compared to February 2012) 81 condos (down 12.9 percent), 36 semis (up 5.9 percent), and 29 freehold townhouses (down 25.6 percent).

“Sales in February showed a healthy increase over January,” says Dietmar Sommerfeld, President of the KWAR. “The reduction in the number of sales on a year over year basis can be attributed to the tightened mortgage rules implemented by the government in mid-2012.”

The average sale price of all homes sold in February increased 5.4 percent to $324,998 from the same time last year. Single detached homes sold for an average price of $368,573, an increase of 5 percent compared to February 2012. Average sale prices for condos rose to $218,591, an 8.8 percent increase from last year and townhomes followed closely with an 8.3 percent bump putting the average selling price at $283,513.

“With continued low mortgage rates we expect a healthy spring market,” says Sommerfeld. “It remains an incredibly good time to buy or sell in our market.”

The KWAR cautions average sale price information can be useful in establishing long term trends, but should not be used as an indicator that specific properties have increased or decreased in value. The average sale price is based on the total dollar volume of all residential properties sold.

Consumers uncertain about current market conditions should work with a REALTOR® to develop an effective selling strategy. If you are buying, a REALTOR® will negotiate on your behalf and guide you through every step. A REALTOR® understands the local market and must, by law, look after your best interests.

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Thursday May 9, 2013

The KWAR’s XPO⁴ on Thursday May 9 will feature a wildly energetic keynote from New York Times bestselling author and leading authority on real estate trends Stefan Swanepoel.

Stefan’s wide industry experience — agent, broker/owner, president of a global franchise, association executive, MLS president, Dotcom CEO and consultant to hundreds of real estate companies — has equipped him to stay on top of the critical issues and trends impacting the future of real estate.

The Future is Now is the theme of this year’s fourth annual conference and tradeshow and Stefan Swanepoel is sure to be a captivating speaker.

To get us started in the morning for the general session, we have invited the region’s three urban Mayors and Regional Chair for a panel discussion that will be moderated by Ian McLean, President and CEO of the Greater Kitchener-Waterloo Chamber of Commerce.

XPO⁴ will also feature a tradeshow, luncheon, seminars, and networking reception, all for the ridiculously low price of $35 plus HST.

Registration is now open, please visit www.kwar.ca/XPO for more information.

Thursday May 9, 2013

Registration for REALTOR XPO⁴ is now open for exhibitors and sponsors!

This year’s event will take place at Bingemans Conference Centre in Kitchener on Thursday May 9, 2013.

REALTOR® XPO⁴ is a Conference and Tradeshow for REALTORS® hosted by one of Canada’s most dynamic real estate associations—the Kitchener-Waterloo Association of REALTORS®.

This one day event is an opportunity for REALTORS® to learn from high quality speakers on relevant topics, find out about products, technology and information useful to their business and network at the tradeshow.

For exhibitors, XPO⁴ is a chance to network with Waterloo region’s dynamic REALTOR® community. If your company is launching a new product or service or simply wants to promote its services to this unique target audience, this is an opportunity you won’t want to miss.

We are pleased to announce that this year’s keynote speaker is none other than Stefan Swanepoel!!!  With 20 real estate books and reports during the last two decades, New Your Times bestselling author Stefan Swanepoel has become widely accepted as the leading authority and visionary on Trends, Change and Technology in the real estate brokerage industry.

To download our application form, click here.

Visit the XPO Conference website at www.kwar.ca/XPO

There were a total of 337 residential properties sold last month, a 2.3 percent decrease compared to the same month last year, and a 23.9 percent increase from December 2012.

“January’s sales were in line with the 10-year average for our area,” Dietmar Sommerfeld, President of the KWAR points out.

January’s residential sales included 237 detached homes (up 6.8 percent compared to January 2012) 49 condos (down 34.7 percent), 24 semis (up 14.3 percent), and 26 freehold townhouses (up 4 percent).

Residential sales between $250 and $349,999 were strong showing a 32 percent (157 vs. 119 units) increase compared to January last year.

The average sale price of all homes sold in January increased half a percent to $319,283 from the same time last year. Single detached homes sold for an average price of $354,540, a decrease of 2.6 percent compared to January 2012. In the condominium market the average sale price in January was $212,408, a 4.7 percent decrease compared to the same month a year ago.

The KWAR cautions average sale price information can be useful in establishing long term trends, but should not be used as an indicator that specific properties have increased or decreased in value. The average sale price is based on the total dollar volume of all residential properties sold.

Consumers uncertain about current market conditions should work with a REALTOR® to develop an effective selling strategy. If you are buying, a REALTOR® will negotiate on your behalf and guide you through every step. A REALTOR® understands the local market and must, by law, look after your best interests.

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ROOF is an agency committed to providing for the safety, support, and overall well-being of homeless youths and youths-at-risk, age 12-25, in the Waterloo Region.

Dietmar Sommerfeld, President of the KWAR presented the cheque to Sandy Dietrich-Bell, Executive Director of ROOF on behalf of Kitchener-Waterloo’s REALTORS^®.

“We are pleased to support ROOF again this year,” says Sommerfeld. “REALTORS^® support building better communities, and agencies such as ROOF are working hard to end the cycle of homelessness.”

Speaking on behalf of ROOF, Dietrich said, “These funds will be used to carry on the good work that our Lifeline program does.  Lifeline is the very foundation of ROOF’s programming, enabling youth to access services through the day and evening.  The services provided meet their basic needs (food, showers, access to laundry, crisis counseling, job searches, housing searches, etc.).  Once these needs are met, we can work with the youth to assist them in finding a new path…one that leads them out of homelessness and into a more stable and healthy lifestyle.”

ROOF is one of three local charities that are receiving funds through the 2012 round of REALTORS Care Foundation (RCF) grants. The REALTORS® Care Foundation acts on behalf of Ontario REALTORS^® in funding shelter-related charities across the province.  The KWAR is proud to support the RCF, through the Every REALTOR^® Campaign, ensuring that investments are made back in our community through local charities.

Since 1993 the KWAR has donated in excess of half a million dollars to support local charities.  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 KWAR recognizes the need to support and enhance the Quality of Life enjoyed by residents of Waterloo region.

The KWAR Volunteer Award commemorates the vital contribution of volunteers within the Association and honours their significant efforts, without which, the Association would not exist. The award is given to an individual who has demonstrated commitment and dedication as an Association volunteer and who has also made significant impact on their community through various volunteering efforts.

“Horace Coelho exemplifies the passion and desire of REALTORS® to improve the Quality of Life for their communities,” says KWAR President Dietmar Sommerfeld.

Horace Coelho, a REALTOR® since 2002, spent the early years of his working career as a lawyer in Bombay, India specializing in the Landlord/Tenancy Act. He transitioned to sales and marketing and spent 37 years working initially for Colgate-Palmolive managing western India and retired at Pitney Bowers of Canada as District Manager for Kitchener. It was after retiring from Pitney Bowes that he decided to embark on a career in real estate working with Coldwell Banker Peter Benninger Realty.

Coelho has worked tirelessly in his community. Among his many contributions he has volunteered at KW Cross Cultural and Community Services assisting immigrants integrate and transition of life in Canada. As a former member of the Grants Committee for the Kitchener-Waterloo Community Foundation he helped local organizations secure capital funds for initiatives to improving the quality of life in KW and surrounding areas. He currently holds a position on the Supportive Housing of Waterloo Region (SHOW) Board of Directors which built a 30-unit complex for the homeless and runs various programs to support the homeless in Kitchener-Waterloo.

“Horace is a man with deep compassion and caring for the most vulnerable people in our community. I see as one of his strengths the capacity to bring a deep spiritual understanding as to how we are all interconnected.” remarked Barry Cull, Board Chair of SHOW.

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 KWAR recognizes the need to support and enhance the Quality of Life enjoyed by residents of Waterloo region.

Dietmar Sommerfeld, President of the KWAR presents $5000 on behalf of REALTORS® to Mary's Place board members: Nora Martin, Mandy Dennison, President, Elizabeth Clarke, CEO, and Chris Meyer.

The Kitchener-Waterloo Association of REALTORS® is pleased to make a donation of $5000 through its REALTORS® Care foundation to support Mary’s Place.

Mary’s Place is YWCA Kitchener-Waterloo’s 60-bed emergency shelter for women and families (including fathers and adolescent male children) experiencing homelessness.

Dietmar Sommerfeld, President of the KWAR presented the check on behalf of REALTORS® to Mary’s Place board members: Nora Martin, Mandy Dennison, President, Elizabeth Clarke, CEO, and Chris Meyer.

Sheryl Loeffler, Director of Philanthropy for YWCA Kitchener-Waterloo says, “The grant will provide 83 nights of emergency shelter, 291 meals and snacks, and 11 weeks of crisis support for a person experiencing homelessness–which, we believe, is an extraordinary gift.”

Mary’s Place provides basic necessities, such as food and shelter, crisis support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, specialized programs for women and families, life skills training, access to a chaplain, a nurse practitioner and other information, as needed, in a respectful, empowering environment.

Mary’s Place is one of three local charities to be receiving funds through the 2012 round of REALTORS® Care Foundation (RCF) grants. The RCF acts on behalf of Ontario REALTORS® in funding shelter-related charities across the province. The KWAR is proud to support the foundation, and this year donated a total of $15,000 for local charities through its Every REALTOR® Campaign.

Since 1993 the KWAR has donated in excess of half a million dollars to support local charities. 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 KWAR recognizes the need to support and enhance the Quality of Life enjoyed by residents of Waterloo region.