We have taken a closer look at the sales data for the month of August 2018 for the top five "downtown" area's - Centretown, Byward Market and Sandyhill, Little Italy (which includes Lebretown Flats), Hintonburg, and Westboro. The information will be specific to apartment style condominiums, and only what sold through the MLS. Also, DOM (Day's On Market) is calculated to include the conditional period which in Ottawa is almost every single transaction to be roughly 10-14 days.
CENTRETOWN
The market in Centretown slowed down over the month of August as most buyers and sellers are typically traveling or enjoying the summer before heading back to work. Compared to last month, (July 2018 stats) we saw our average selling price drop from $371,512 to $358,201, and only 32 new listings to July's 48. List to Sold prices came back to along what it was last year.
What does this mean? While you could argue things slowed down, the lack of demand (fewer buyers) showed its head, and unless we see an increase in new listings in September, the DOM and list to sale price ratio will tighten up as there will be less to buy. We saw a more balanced market in August.
BYWARD MARKET AND SANDY HILL
(INCLUDES LOWERTOWN)
Compared to July, we saw a $90,000 reduction in average sale price, fewer days on market, and a tighter list to sold price. In August we saw an equal amount of new listings to sold listings.
What does this mean? There was a higher demand for lower priced properties, and a strong pull from investors looking in that sub 300k market. The low amount of new listings, shorter days on market, and higher list to sold price ratio means things can easily jump in September unless we see more product come on the market. A sellers market below $300k, and a buyers market above $300k.
Little Italy
(INCLUDING LEBRETON FLATS)
The seven sales in July were hot, which is evident in the 99.7% average list to sold price and the 35 average days on market. The average selling price dropped, which needs to be taken with a grain of salt since we have such low number of data points.
What does this mean? The properties that sold, were priced well and hot for the buyers looking. Its a buyers market, unless you are looking at one of the hot listings. Last month saw 14 new listings with only 4 sold.
HINTONBURG
Looking at the differences over last year might give you a scare - however with such few data points, you need to understand it is not a perfect example and rather use trends to better understand the market. We saw more new listings and more sales this month than last month. The days on market stayed the same, and the average selling price dropped. Other than price, things have certainly improved over last year!
What does this mean? As with other areas, the amount of sales below the 300k continue to dominate. The market has certainly improved over last year, and I would be willing to bet that next month you will see the selling price jump back up. The lower DOM over last year still signifies that more buyers are looking here than before, and would be a good time to sell!
WESTBORO
Like last month, Westboro continues to be one of the hot markets with high prices and low inventory. A very tight List to Sold Price ratio and such few new listings makes this a unique market when you see the high DOM. The right properties are selling for close to ask, but taking longer. I would be willing to bet that September will see DOM drop.
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