Kitchener-Waterloo Real Estate Market Update August 2019

Kitchener-Waterloo Real Estate Market Update August 2019

K-W Real Estate Market Update 
Home sales up compared to same time last year.

586 residential properties sold through the Multiple Listing System (MLS® System) of the Kitchener-Waterloo Association of REALTORS® (KWAR) in July, representing an increase of 15.1 per cent compared to the same month last year.

Home sales in July included 322 detached (up 16.4 per cent), and 62 condominium apartments (down 6.1 per cent). Sales also included 148 townhouses (up 45.1 per cent) and 42 semi-detached homes (down 22.2 per cent).

“Home sales continued their strong momentum from last month,” says Brian Santos, KWAR President. “On a year-to-date basis we’re seeing sales have increased slightly over last year.”

The average sale price of all residential properties sold in July increased by 9.3 per cent to $521,101 compared to July 2018. Detached homes sold for an average price of $613,244 (an increase of 5.4 per cent compared to July of last year.

During this same period, the average sale price for an apartment-style condominium was $339,137 for an increase of 15.9 per cent. Townhomes and semis sold for an average of $414,062 (up 17 per cent) and $434,136 (up 11.9 per cent) respectively.

The median price of all residential properties sold last month increased 10.8 per cent to $489,450 and the median price of a detached home during the same period increased by 8.8 per cent to $575,750.

REALTORS® listed 844 residential properties in K-W and area last month, an increase of 12.8 per cent compared to July of 2018, and an increase of 10.4 per cent in comparison to the previous ten-year average for the month of July.

The total number of homes available for sale in active status at the end of July totalled 863, a decrease of 8.7 per cent compared to July of last year, and well below the previous ten-year average of 1,467 listings for July. Months Supply of Homes for sale stood at 1.7 months in July, which is 15 percent lower than the same period last year.

“The temperature is matching the market,” says Santos. “we’re continuing to see strong consumer demand that is making for a busier than normal market for the middle of summer.”

The average days it took to sell a home in June was 22 days, which is the same number of days it took in July 2018.
Waterloo Busker Carnival 
Waterloo’s wildly successful street performers festival is back!

Mark your calendar for the 31st annual Waterloo Busker Carnival. It’s four days of fun and excitement with a variety of entertaining shows and a wonderful carnival-like atmosphere!

Visit the midway, enjoy delicious food and watch spectacular one-of-a-kind performers that are sure to astonish, excite and inspire.

Performers from around the world will amaze people of all ages. The non-stop, action-packed entertainment includes comedians, contortionists, musicians, acrobats and much more!

The four days of fun takes place between Thursday, August 22nd and Sunday, August 25th behind City Hall in Uptown Waterloo. Bring the entire family to enjoy the endless variety of fun-filled, heart-pounding shows! Hope to see you there :)
Make Your Move, For Pet's Sake 
Pets feel the stress of moving just like any other family member.

When you move, it’s important that your pets feel relaxed and content. Here are a few tips to help ensure your move goes smoothly:

  1. List It - Create a detailed checklist to help avoid any last-minute stress that your pets may pick up on.

  2. Vet the Vet - If you’re moving out of town, ask your vet for a referral and make sure to update your pet’s tags and microchips with your new contact details.

  3. Old Habits - Stick to their usual routine as much as possible before, during and after the move to help keep their anxiety at bay.

  4. Keep Calm - Have someone look after your pets on moving day but if that’s not possible, set them up in a quiet room to help keep them calm.

  5. Doggie Bag - Prepare a well-marked and easily accessible overnight bag with everything you need to help keep your pets happy and relaxed.

  6. Changing Room - Cats especially don’t like change so once you’re in your new home, set up a room with all their familiar essentials so they can slowly get used to their new surroundings.

Once you’re all moved in, give your pets lots of extra TLC to help calm their frayed nerves! Also, don’t forget to pet-proof your new home and do a quick sweep to make sure there aren’t any poisonous pest control traps left lying around by the previous owners.
Back to School Survival Tips 
Those “back to school” days are right around the corner!

Adjusting to “back to school” mode can be a breeze if you prepare in advance and set up a regular routine. Here are a few tips that will help make the transition a little easier:

  1. Back to Bedtimes - Your little night owls will benefit from having bedtimes rolled back a few weeks before school starts.

  2. Post It - Designate a central “information station” where schedules are posted and school notes can be processed.

  3. Chore Change - Responsibilities may need to be adjusted depending on the types of chores and the new morning routine.

  4. Preplan - Get in the habit of doing as much as you can the night before. The morning routine will be much smoother if you lay out clothes and make lunches in advance.

  5. Child Support - Returning to school is an emotional adjustment for children so help them stay positive and ensure you’re around to help put them at ease.

Back to school doesn’t have to be about forgotten lunches, unlabelled belongings and lost permission slips. With a little organization and planning, you'll be able to enjoy the rest of the summer knowing that September will be smooth sailing.
Frozen Grape Treats 
Frozen grapes make a refreshing snack that curb candy cravings!

Frozen grapes are a natural healthy food choice that contain potassium, pectin and vitamin C. The best part is they’re a cinch to prepare! Here's all you need to do:

  • pull the grapes from their stems
  • wash and pat dry with a paper towel
  • place on a cookie sheet and freeze

Frozen grapes are like mini popsicles without the artificial ingredients! You can even use them as ice cubes in your summer drinks to help fancy things up without watering them down. Enjoy!

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