Average Rents Grew Strongly in 2011 -- Greater Toronto REALTORS® reported the leasing of 4,664 condominium apartments during the September to December 2011 period - up 2% from the 4,563 units leased during the same time-frame in 2010. While the number of transactions was up, the number of apartments listed for rent through TorontoMLS during the last four months of 2011 dropped by seven per cent compared to the same period in 2010.
"The rental market for condominium apartments is very tight in the Greater Toronto Area. Growth in rental transactions outstripped growth in listings throughout 2011, even with strong condominium apartment completions," said Toronto Real Estate Board President Richard Silver. "In line with tightening market conditions, the CMHC condominium apartment vacancy rate for the GTA dropped in 2011. The end result was robust increases in average rents."
Average condominium apartment rents for 1-bedroom and 2-bedroom apartments rented during the September through December 2011 period increased by four and five per cent respectively in comparison to the same period in 2010. The average annual rate of increase for one-bedroom and two-bedroom rents was above the rate of inflation in the second half of 2011.
"The number of renters looking for apartments with modern finishes and amenities has steadily increased. The main source for these types of units has been investor-held condominium apartments. As renters have flocked to this segment of the rental market, upward pressure on rents has increased," said Jason Mercer, TREB's Senior Manager of Market Analysis.
There are many television shows today that focus on home staging. If you have not watched any, do yourself a favor and tune in. They all say the same thing: do not even consider putting your house on the market until you have taken a close look at its condition. Experienced sales people know that you only have one shot at impressing potential buyers, so take some time to prepare your home for showings. You will be rewarded with a faster sale and a higher offer.
A very accurate saying is that "Any home will sell once you get the price right." Of course, this is usually said from the perspective of dropping a price until it's too attractive to pass up. Actually, the accurate pricing of your home prior to listing is as much an art as it is a science.
