April 6, 2010 -- Greater Toronto REALTORS® reported 10,430 sales through the Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) in March, pushing total first quarter 2010 sales to 22,418 - the best result on record under the current Toronto Real Estate Board (TREB) boundaries. The average price for March transactions was $434,696. The average price for the first quarter was $427,948.

"The strong rebound in the existing home market was one of the initial drivers of economic recovery," said TREB President Tom Lebour. "While we don't expect to see the same rates growth moving forward, GTA households will remain confident in ownership housing as a quality long-term investment, especially as economic recovery expands across all industries."

The annual rate of growth for new listings continued to accelerate in March. The number of new listings grew by 42 per cent compared to March of 2009.

"The average home price in the GTA will continue to grow this year, but the pace will slow as we move through the spring," said Jason Mercer, TREB's Senior Manager of Market Analysis. "As growth in new listings starts to outstrip growth in sales, buyers will experience more choice, resulting in more sustainable single digit rates of average price growth."

Median Price
In March, the median price was $370,000, from the $317,500 recorded during March of 2009.

                                Housing Market Indicators      

                                March '09          March '10           % Change

Sales                          6,171                10,430              (69%)

New Listings                13,357              18,914               (42%)

Active Listings*           23,642              18,684               (-21%)

Days on Market                40                     20               (-50%)

* All figures for single family dwellings

Source: TREB