BUYING/SELLING: A number of Realtors® are now writing newsletters/articles full of statistics which many of you will have already seen. In the interest of your time, in this Review, you can link to accurate statistics provided by our Board, Provincial and National Associations if you are so inclined. Links can be found below. We are at your service should you wish statistical advice on a particular neighbourhood or property.

In general, our marketplace is starting to balance again after several years of "Buyers’ Market" moving up to 36% of listings selling from 34% in 2008. This is a direct result of Sellers who did not HAVE to sell leaving the market and Sellers who DID pricing their properties more accurately. The Buyers came back to the marketplace starting in April, attracted by the amount of inventory and low interest rates, but savvy about values.

Highs and Lows - vacant land, condos, detached homes, in brief:

COLLINGWOOD: The high sales of the year were a 5 bdrm elegant home on Minnesota St., in a bidding war, for $1,029,000, a 4400 sq. ft. semi-detached townhome in Mariners Haven for $930,000, and a 16 acre development parcel near Princeton Shores for $500,000.

The low sales were a small building lot on Poplar S/R for $16,667, a 540 sq. ft. condo at Bayview Terrace for $84,000, and an “as is” 1045 sq. ft. house on Sixth St. for $100,000.

Average price for a re-sale residence in Collingwood is now $254,646 (down slightly from $256,270 for ’08). April through October was the best time to sell.

THE BLUE MOUNTAINS: The high sales were a 6 bdrm/6 bath custom home at the G.Bay Golf Club for $1,845,000, a 2500 sq. ft. condo-townhome at Edgewater for $525,000, and a 100 acre view parcel above Osler Bluff for $1,250,000.

The low sales were an "as is" 780 sq. ft. house on Elma for $130,000, a small building lot in Clarksburg for $34,000 and a studio condo at Mountain Springs Resort for $72,900.

Average price for a re-sale residence in The Blue Mountains is now $453,258 (up 2% from $444,290 for ’08). July through November was the best time to sell.

CLEARVIEW: There were no reported condo sales, but otherwise, the high sales were a 5 acre, 5 bdrm view chalet near Osler Bluff for $1,095,000, 101 vacant acres in the Pretty River Valley for $608,000, and 100 acre farm near Sunnidale for $895,000.

The low sales were a small building lot in Singhampton for $38,500 and an "as is" 2500 sq. ft. house in Nottawa for $95,000.

Average price for a re-sale residence in Clearview is now $251,213 (down 9.5% from $277,704 for ’08). May through October was the best time to sell.

RENTALS: With another fabulous winter behind us, the ski crowd was eager to rent for winter 09/10, but had learned from delaying the year before that there is no rush any more, there are lots of properties for rent right up to the last minute, and that they may avail themselves of the deep discounts of "left-over" properties, particularly two-bedroom condos seem to be in over-supply.

Rental homeowners, like Sellers, now have to lower their expectations in order to compete for rental dollars. Summer renters are already calling and will have a ton of choice as well, but for homeowners who aren’t too ambitious, we again predict a good summer season as renters take advantage of the ease and affordability of vacationing just a few hours drive from home. Besides realistic asking prices, the renters look for new or newly renovated. Improving a property not only increases the value of the asset but makes it more competitive for rentals!

THE FUTURE: Most of the economists are predicting continuing consumer confidence through the first half of 2010 and continuing low interest rates, but a backlash of non-spending as protest against the HST after July 1st. How long that will last, only time will tell!!!.

Canadian Real Estate Associtation - 2009 resale housing market ends on a high note

Georgian Triangle Real Estate Board - 2009 4th Quarter Statistics

Georgian Triangle Real Estate Board - 2009 Monthly Performance Statistics