Prices remain above 2021 levels
Hamilton, ON (January 4, 2023) – 2022 marked a year of adjustment in housing demand across the REALTORS® Association of Hamilton-Burlington (RAHB) market area as sales activity eased by 30 per cent over the near-record highs achieved in 2021. Rising lending rates, previous price gains and limited supply options weighed on potential purchasers. At the same time, new listings continued to grow in the region, but only for homes priced above $800,000. The pullback in sales was enough to support inventory gains across all price ranges by December. While inventories have nearly doubled, levels reported in 2022 are still nearly 20 per cent below long-term averages for the region. Moreover, supply levels remained well below typical levels for homes priced below $600,000.
“The pandemic, combined with historically low interest rates, created an exponential surge in housing demand. Supply could not keep pace, resulting in price growth that far exceeded expectations over a two-year period,” said Lou Piriano, RAHB President. “2022 saw conditions start to shift back to a more balanced market. Improved supply is an important component to stabilizing both sales and home prices.”
Across the RAHB market area, easing sales and rising supply have shifted the market from the extreme sellers’ market conditions at the beginning of the year to one considered relatively balanced. The shift took some pressure off home prices, which hit a record high in February but declined 25 per cent by December. While the price adjustment within the year was significant, it is important to note that as of December, prices remain over 16 per cent higher than pre-pandemic levels. On an annual basis, prices are still nearly 10 per cent higher than in 2021.
“If higher lending rates continue, they will weigh on home sales in 2023, however; the dip in prices coupled with better supply choice could start to support a more stable market for the foreseeable future,” continued Piriano.
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