May 2009

Some have wondered why I keep using the term Oshawa Real Estate in this blog. The truth is that this term happens to be the search term most used by those looking for real estate in Durham Region. We are always fighting to maintain our top ten position on the larger search engines, for each of the terms we expect potential clients to use.

It seems that the more often I repeat Oshawa Real Estate, the higher the website ranks. As of this morning we are ranked #5 with the largest search engine. Our goal is to be in the top three. Let’s see what happens over the next few days with this posting. 

So repeat after me “Oshawa Real Estate”

Have a great day!

“Conditions in the resale housing market have improved remarkably this spring,” said Debbie Dawson, President of the Durham Region Association of REALTORS®. “While April’s 843 sales are lower than the 989 reported in April ‘08’; sales are up by an outstanding 21% from March’s 694.” 

Average selling prices in the Region remain consistent at $269,596 for April ‘09’ only 2% lower than April ‘08’ $275,751 and 2% higher than the $263,970 recorded in March ‘09’

A report released today by RE/MAX confirms that entry-level purchasers are now the engine driving home-buying activity in almost every major centre in Canada.

The 2009 RE/MAX First-Time Buyers Report highlighting first-time buying activity in 32 residential housing markets across Canada found that improved affordability is prompting many first-time buyers to get off the fence, out of the rental, and into the market. While a sense of caution still prevails, more and more first-timers are finding it hard to pass up the chance to become homeowners in today’s buyer-centric real estate climate. Increased inventory and longer days on market coupled with the lowest lending rates ever are presenting opportunities that have not been seen in almost a decade.

“While the current economic crisis has caused some first-time buyers to either take it slowly or apply the brakes, home ownership remains a top priority for those who are able to take advantage of reduced carrying costs, rock bottom interest rates and lower house prices,” explains Michael Polzler, Executive Vice President and Regional Director, RE/MAX Ontario-Atlantic Canada. “Affordability has greatly improved and buyers are firmly in the drivers’ seat in just about every market we surveyed. The new reality is that homeownership remains well within reach for most first-time buyers.”