Toronto Real Estate Market Report | February 2024

Greater Toronto Area (GTA) home sales and new listings were up on an annual and monthly basis in February 2024. Selling prices also edged upward compared to a year earlier. Population growth and a resilient regional economy continued to support the overall demand for housing. Higher borrowing costs kept home sales below the February sales record reached in 2021.

“We have recently seen a resurgence in sales activity compared to last year. The market assumption is that the Bank of Canada has finished hiking rates. Consumers are now anticipating rate cuts in the near future. A growing number of homebuyers have also come to terms with elevated mortgage rates over the past two years. To minimize higher monthly payments, some buyers have likely saved up a larger down payment, chosen to purchase a less-expensive home type and/or looked to a different location in the GTA,” said TRREB President Jennifer Pearce.

REALTORS® reported 5,607 GTA home sales through TRREB’s MLS® System in February 2024 – an increase of 17.9 per cent compared to February 2023. Even after accounting for the leap year effect, sales were up by 12.3 per cent yearover-year. New listings were up by an even greater annual rate than sales in February, pointing to increased choice for buyers. On a seasonally adjusted month-over-month basis, February sales were lower following two consecutive monthly increases while new listings were flat. Monthly figures can be somewhat volatile, especially when the market is approaching a transition point.

Home selling prices in February 2024 remained similar to February 2023. The MLS® Home Price Index Composite benchmark edged up by 0.4 per cent. The average selling price of $1,108,720 increased by a modest 1.1 per cent. On a seasonally-adjusted monthly basis, both the MLS® HPI Composite and the average selling price edged upward.

“As we move through 2024, an increasing number of buyers will re-enter the market with adjusted housing preferences to account for higher borrowing costs. In the second half of the year, lower interest rates will further boost demand for ownership housing. First-time buying activity will also be a contributing factor, as many renters look to trade high monthly rents for a long-term investment in which they can live and build equity,” said TRREB Chief Market Analyst Jason Mercer.

“Population growth has been at a record pace and with the anticipated lower borrowing costs, the demand for housing – both ownership and rental – will also increase over the next two years. Unaffordable housing not only has a financial impact but also a social impact. Recent research conducted for TRREB by CANCEA in our 2024 Market Outlook and Year in Review report underscores the negative impact of unaffordable housing on peoples’ mental health and life satisfaction. It’s comforting to see that there has been some real building happening in the GTA and that the provincial government is rewarding those municipalities that are working to eliminate the red tape and meet those homeownership needs,” said TRREB CEO John DiMichele.

Our Market Report Summary

GTA home sales and new listings increased annually and monthly in February 2024.

• Selling prices also rose compared to the previous year.

• Population growth and a strong regional economy supported housing demand.

• Higher borrowing costs kept sales below the record set in February 2021.

• Market anticipates the Bank of Canada has finished hiking rates, with expectations of future rate cuts.

• Some buyers have adjusted to elevated mortgage rates by saving larger down payments, choosing less expensive homes, or looking in different GTA locations.

• February 2024 saw 5,607 GTA home sales, a 17.9% increase from February 2023.

• New listings rose at a higher annual rate than sales, providing more choice for buyers.

• Home selling prices remained similar to February 2023, with a 0.4% increase in the MLS® HPI Composite benchmark and a 1.1% increase in the average selling price.

• Buyers are expected to re-enter the market with adjusted housing preferences due to higher borrowing costs.

• Lower interest rates in the second half of the year will boost demand for ownership housing.

• First-time buying activity will contribute to demand as renters seek to invest in long-term housing.

• Record population growth and anticipated lower borrowing costs will increase housing demand over the next two years.

• Unaffordable housing has negative impacts on mental health and life satisfaction.

• The GTA has seen significant building activity, and the provincial government is incentivizing municipalities to meet homeownership needs by reducing red tape.

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