Home sales down 47 per cent in Windsor-Essex
Real estate in Windsor-Essex has been a rollercoaster ride over the past few years and in January, the wild ride continued.
From January 2022 to January 2023, the number of homes sold dropped by nearly 47 per cent, marking the 11th straight month the region has reported a drop in sales, according to WECAR.
The average sale price was also down nearly 20 per cent to $516,117, down from $636,422 just a year prior.
“Early ‘22, that was not normal pricing,” said Dan Gemus, a Windsor-Essex Realtor. “That was the peak and it was crazy. It was getting a little out of hand.”
Gemus points to many factors which have contributed to the cooling market, including many listings, a stereotypically slow Winter and climbing interest rates.
“We've had, what, eight rate hikes now?” said Gemus. “And people, as the rates have gone up, have said wait a second. Before I buy a house, should I wait to see if these rates are going to go any higher?”
But now that interest rates seem to have peaked for now, Gemus predicts prices will hold steady or mildly increase throughout the year. But he’s not quite ready to declare this a buyer’s market.
“We're just going back to those normal times, which is not a bad thing,” he said. “It's good for buyers and quite frankly, for sellers. Prices have gone up so much in Windsor Essex over the last four or five years that unless you purchased in the last year, you're still gonna make a return on your investment.”
After a recent uptick in buyer action, Gemus expects the spring to bring out even more buyers and sellers.
Agents are now listing homes close to what they hope to sell them for and Gemus predicts you aren’t likely to see many bidding wars like you did a year ago.
The bigger challenge, Gemus said, will be managing seller expectations when they choose to list.
“They're still hoping to get you know, the spring 2022 prices, when that's not happening,” said Gemus. “They're getting discouraged. So I think it's up to us as an industry in real estate to educate our sellers on what they can expect in a market like this.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Nearly half of China's major cities are sinking, researchers say
Nearly half of China's major cities are suffering 'moderate to severe' levels of subsidence, putting millions at risk of flooding especially as sea levels rise.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.
Judge says 'no evidence fully supports' murder case against Umar Zameer as jury starts deliberations
The judge presiding over the trial of a man accused of fatally running over a Toronto police officer is telling jurors the possible verdicts they may reach based on the evidence in the case.
Sports columnist apologizes for 'oafish' comments directed at Caitlin Clark. The controversy isn't over
A male columnist has apologized for a cringeworthy moment during former University of Iowa superstar and college basketball's highest scorer Caitlin Clark's first news conference as an Indiana Fever player.
Health Canada to change sperm donor screening rules for men who have sex with men
Health Canada will change its longstanding policy restricting gay and bisexual men from donating to sperm banks in Canada, CTV News has learned. The federal health agency has adopted a revised directive removing the ban on gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, effective May 8.
Colin Jost names one celebrity who is great at hosting 'Saturday Night Live'
Colin Jost, who co-anchors Saturday Night Live's 'Weekend Update,' revealed who he thinks is one of the best hosts on the show.
'Shopaholic' author Sophie Kinsella reveals brain cancer diagnosis
Sophie Kinsella, the best-selling author behind the 'Shopaholic' book series, has revealed that she is receiving treatment for brain cancer.
LeBlanc says he plans to run in next election, under Trudeau's leadership
Cabinet minister Dominic LeBlanc says he plans to run in the next election as a candidate under Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's leadership, amid questions about his rumoured interest in succeeding his longtime friend for the top job.