Home prices flatten out in Waterloo Region as market begins to balance out, realtors say

The Waterloo Region Association of Realtors (WRAR) says that the average cost of buying a home rose by 0.1 per cent in September from August to $752,421.

The average sales price of a home in Southern Ontario appears to be levelling out, according to data provided by local realtors on Wednesday.

The Waterloo Region Association of Realtors (WRAR) says that the average cost of buying a home rose by 0.1 per cent in September over a month earlier to $752,421. This still represents 4.7 per cent decrease compared to September 2021.

Home prices had declined monthly since February, when they reached an all-time high of $1,007,109 but in August, there was just a 0.4-per cent decrease over July.

Not surprisingly, the cost of buying a detached home was a driver, as WRAR says the average price in September was up from August to $862,435. This is month-over-month gain of 1.3 per cent although 7.4 per cent lower year-over-year.

“We seem to be moving towards a more balanced market; buyers now have more inventory to choose from, yet sellers can still expect their properties to sell within a reasonable timeframe,” WRAR president Megan Bell said.

“We’re also observing that sale prices are shifting closer to the asking price.”

Bell also noted that the sales-to-new listings ratio was 56.4 per cent in September, which is just above the 55-per cent line the CMHC uses to denote a seller’s market. She also noted that number was 70.8 per cent in August.

A total of 518 homes changed hands across the region, according to WRAR, which is a decrease of 25.3 per cent compared to the previous September.