About half (52%) of Canadians feel real estate will become more costly by 2014, according to a new survey by BMO Bank of Montreal, part of its annual Spring Housing Report released Thursday.

Kit Kadlec – Canadian Real Estate Magazine

Real estate prices have yet to slow down in most parts of the country, despite predictions they’d eventually even out before rolling back later this year.

Comment: Just another year where the “experts” are wrong…

“As the economy starts to pick up, I think it’s more likely we’re going to see rising rates going forward,” said Katie Archdekin, head of mortgage products at BMO Bank of Montreal, during a media conference this morning.

BMO earlier this year made headlines with a 2.99% rate, and while Archdekin acknowledged the temporary offering successfully “brought attention,” she declined to predict if something like it could be offered again this year.

A new buying trend this year has an increase in young single females buying turn-key properties, said Conrad Zurini, broker of record for Re/Max Realty Inc., also present for the conference call.

“Last year, we saw a lot of buyers settling for properties that meet some of their demands with the intention of undergoing renovations to bring it to the next level,” he said. “That seems to be changing this year, with most buyers – led by the single female demographic – wanting a property that doesn’t need the extra work.”

Zurini and Archdekin were joined by Paul Maranger, senior vice president, sales and broker, for Sotheby’s International Realty. Maranger said demand in luxury single-family homes and condos were remaining strong, especially in Toronto.

He noted that foreign buyers, particularly from Asia, were helping to push demand for luxury condos, while having less impact on single family homes. That’s because many of them come from regions that primarily feature high-rise living, and thus such buyers have been sticking to what’s familiar to them.

When asked about the Maritime provinces, Zirini said the strong buying activity there is likely to balance out there this year, and likely offer a glimpse at what will happen elsewhere in the country.

“The east is going to set the tone for the rest of the country,” he said. “It’s kind of microcosm of the the rest of the country. And those trends will spill over into Ontario.”

The BMO survey also included the following findings:
* A quarter (27%) of homeowners have plans to either buy or sell in the next year
* The majority of homeowners are confident that housing values will hold in their area (84%)

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Contact the Jeffrey Team for more information – 416-388-1960

Laurin & Natalie Jeffrey are Toronto Realtors with Century 21 Regal Realty.
They did not write these articles, they just reproduce them here for people
who are interested in Toronto real estate. They do not work for any builders.
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