Toronto’s housing market roared back to life in the first half of 2010, with single-detached homes and condominium apartments and townhouses posting unprecedented double-digit gains in average price in most districts, according to a report released today by RE/MAX Ontario-Atlantic Canada. This is in stark contrast to the July 2009 RE/MAX report that found that values in approximately 80% of neighbourhoods surveyed in Toronto had depreciated over the same period in 2008.

RE/MAX examined 63 Toronto Real Estate Board (TREB) districts in the single-detached category between January and June of 2010 and found that 85.7% experienced double-digit gains. Mississauga’s Lorne Park (W13) led in terms of percentage increase in average price with a 30.2% upswing in the first six months of the year, bringing year-to-date values in the area to $880,373 (vs. $676,289 in 2009 and $830,041 in 2008). Markham (N01) ranked second with a 27.7% jump to $779,168 (vs. $610,322 in 2009 and $683,050 in 2008) while Armour Heights, Bathurst Manor (C06) came in a close third at 27.5% (rising to $732,535 from $574,599 in 2009 and $589,808 one year earlier). Mississauga’s Creditview, Erindale area (W16) secured fourth spot with an average price of $561,973 – up 26.5% over 2009′s $444,221 and 2008′s $476,877. Rounding out the top five was York Mills, Hogg’s Hollow, Bridle Path (C12) with a 26.2% increase over last year and an average price of $1,868,591 (vs. $1,480,296 in 2009 and $1,580,851 in 2008).

“While first-time buyers dominated housing markets during the first half of 2009, move-up buyers ruled during January to June of 2010,” says Michael Polzler, Executive Vice President, RE/MAX Ontario-Atlantic Canada. “Rising interest rates and the introduction of the Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) in the province helped drive activity, with more than 50,000 sales reported year-to-date – a figure on par with record 2007 levels.”

As in years past – the exception being 2009 – the second half of the year will be more tempered, with price appreciation moderating somewhat in most neighbourhoods. The one exception to the rule will be the hot pocket areas that continue to experience limited inventory.

With affordability a growing issue for many in the Toronto market, the city’s vast supply of existing condominium apartments and townhomes offer a financially attractive alternative. Like single-detached homes, however, condominium prices were on the upswing in the first six months of the year in the 59 TREB districts examined – with 61% reporting double-digit increases.

The Danforth, East York (E03) was the top performing condominium market in terms of price appreciation – with values up 28.2% to $222,421. While the increase is significant compared to the same period in 2009, it’s a more moderate 15% ahead of the $195,019 reported in 2008. Yorkville (C02) secured second spot, with a 22.6% increase in values, bringing average price to $653,745 – a serious uptick over the 2009 level of $553,302 but only a nominal 5.6 increase over 2008′s $619,151. Markham (N01) took third place with an increase of 22.1% to $332,590 over the 2009 figure ($272,316). Bayview Village (C15) – Toronto’s newest condominium corridor – saw a 19.6% increase, with values rising to $331,063. North York (C14) continued to experience upward momentum during the first half of the year, with average price on the Yonge St. line up 19.5% to $363,685, compared to the $304,342 reported during the same period in 2009.

Overall, single-detached homes in TREB’s North district (north of Steeles Ave.) saw the greatest percentage increase, with year-to-date average price rising 17.5% to $617,723 (compared to $525,635 one year ago). Not surprisingly, condominium apartments and townhomes in the central core experienced the most significant upswing, with average price in TREB’s Central district rising 16.8% to $385,996, up from $330,517 one year ago.

“Both housing types experienced serious percentage increases year-over-year – yet its important to keep those price hikes in perspective,” says Polzler. “Last year, 80% of those districts experienced a decline in value. The bounce-back – fuelled by unprecedented market conditions including a severe shortage in listing inventory – simply returned average prices to their normal course.”

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