Total Real  Estate Sales Activity for the area:

• Total # of unit sales were up 36.8% from 76 in 2011 to 104 in January 2012.
• Total # of Listings in the Georgian Triangle Association of Realtor MLS were up by 4.1% in January 2012, from 489 in 2011 to 509 in 2012.
• Total # of expired listings were up 7.9% from 406 in 2011 to 438 in 2012.
• Total sales volume for January 2012 was 32,099,402, up 43% from 22,452,605.

Residential Real Estate Sales Activity

• The total sales volume for all residential real estate was up by 52% from 17,838,005 in 2011 to 27,257,902 in January 2012.
• Residential unit sales were up by 30%, a total of 87 residential sales 2012 compared to 67 in 2011.
• Average residential price was up 25.6% from $285,447 (2011) to 358,643 (2012).

Collingwood: January 2012

• The total number of single family residential sales were up by 73% from 11 in 2011 to 19 in 2012. This is the highest number of unit sales since January 2006 when 27 units sold.
• The number of listings were up to by 61% from 41 in January 2011 to 66 in 2012.
• Average sale price was up 4.7%  - $316,416 in 2012 up from $301,429 in 2011.
• The 12 month average sale price was up 4.2% from $278,616 (2011) to $290,398 (2012).

Blue Mountains January 2012

• The total number of single family residential  sales are up by 57% from 7 units sold in 2011 to 11 in 2012.
• The number of listings were down to by 26% from 58 new listings in January 2011 to 43 in 2012.
• Average sale price was up 16% – $551,591 in 2012 up from $461,458in 2011.
• The 12 month average sale price was up 7.6% from $517,159 (2011) to $556,689 (2012).

Clearview January 2012

• The total number of single family residential  sales are the same at 8 for 2011 and 2012.
• The number of listings were down to by 29% from 41 in January 2011 to 29 in 2012.
• Average sale price was up 59% for the month, $414,781 in 2012 from $168,250 in 2011.
• The 12 month average sale price was down 11.20% from $305,822 (2011) to $344,395 (2012)

MLS® sales activity reported through the Georgian Triangle Association of REALTORS® (which includes the municipalities of Collingwood, Wasaga Beach, Clearview, Blue Mountains, Grey Highlands and Meaford) posted a healthy gain of 16% for the 4th quarter of 2011 with 457 properties changing hands in the final three months of the year versus 393 in the 4th quarter of 2010.

• Overall, 4th quarter sales volume in 2011 totalled $129.5 million reflecting a 13% increase over 4th quarter 2010 sales of $115.2 million.  Unlike the 4th quarter of 2010 when sales activity softened largely due to the impact of stricter lending rules and confusion surrounding the implementation of Ontario’s Harmonized Sales Tax on July 1, 2010, sales activity in virtually all price ranges showed a marked improvement in the 4th quarter of 2011 compared to the same period last year.
•  Unit sales below $250,000 totalled 240 in the 4th quarter of 2011 marking a 15% increase over 4th quarter 2010 results; in the $250,000 – $499,999 price range, 4th quarter sales of 177 properties represented a 21% increase over the 4th quarter of 2010. In the $500,000 -$999,999 price range, 4th quarter sales of 35 properties reflected a slightly stronger demand in this price range for 2011 where 33 properties sold in the 4th quarter of 2010. Lastly, sales activity in the $1 million plus price range during the 4th quarter of 2011 totalled 5 properties which is consistent with the number of  homes sold over $1 million in the 4th quarter of 2010.
• The number of new MLS® listings during the 4th quarter of 2011 totalled 1,225 units, up 3% from the 4th quarter of 2010. As of the end of December, new listings for the year totalled 6,477 units, a 3% increase from the number of new listings that came on the market in 2010.
• The number of expired listings for 2011 totalled 3,218 properties which is essentially unchanged from 2010. These statistics reflect the fact that 1 in every 3 houses listed for sale actually sell.
• The year ended on a positive note with December sales of 113 units reflecting a 28% increase over the 88 properties sold in December 2010.
• Monthly sales volume in December 2011 was $33.4 million versus $31.4 in December of last year, an increase of 6%.
• Listing activity jumped sharply in December 2011 with a total of 329 new listings posted to the local MLS® system during the month, compared to 270 new listings in December last year, an increase of 22%.
• Year-to-date MLS® sales for 2011 totalled 1,869 units versus 1,906 in 2010, representing a 2% decrease in number of units sold year-over-year.
• Conversely, 2011 dollar volume of $548.2 million is up marginally over the $544.8 million in MLS® sales reported in 2010.
• Sales in the under $250,000 price range for 2011 of 964 are down 5% compared to 2010; while in the $250,000-$499,999 range, sales increased 2% with 728 sales reported for 2011 versus 2010. In the $500,000-$999,999 range, 2011 sales of 148 properties represented a 3% decrease in sales from the 153 units sold in 2010. Annual sales in the $1 million plus price range remained strong throughout the year with 29 sales in 2011 versus 28 in 2010.

The Town of Collingwood and Wassaga Beach showed the strongest demand for residential homes in 2011 with MLS® sales activity up 8% in both of these municipalities versus 2010. Residential sales in the Blue Mountains for 2011 were essentially unchanged from 2010 whereas MLS® residential sales activity in Grey Highlands and the Municipality of Meaford during 2011 were down 21% and 25% respectively.

While market conditions are expected to remain stable in the 1stquarter of 2012, consumers are encouraged to consult a local REALTOR® to obtain a qualified evaluation of their home or to obtain other in-depth market information before making any crucial buying or selling decisions.

Links to Data

Canadian Real Estate Association

•  Canadian Home Sales Edge higher in December

Georgian Triangle Association of Realtors

•  2011 Year Review - 4th Quarter Press Release

2011 Market Review Graphs – GTAR, Collingwood, Blue Mountain & Clearview