Predictions for the Toronto Real Estate Market in 2024

Real estate, like every other sector, is shaped by a variety of interconnected factors ranging from economic health to consumer preferences. We’re here to help guide you with some informed predictions of what we see in store for the 2024 Toronto real estate market.

Hindsight 2023: A Retrospective Look at the Property Market

The 2023 real estate market was rather animated. Primarily, the market experienced a  slowdown, indicated by the decrease in overall listings across various neighborhoods. Consequently, prices fell on average by about five and a half percent. However, in certain regions, losses ranged between 20 and 30% — although many have yet to regain those losses.

2024 Market Forecast: The Pendulum Swing in Buyer Confidence

The year 2024 is likely to witness an upswing in the real estate market, starting with restored buyer confidence. Historically, there has always been a reset of the market about the third or fourth week of January that heralds the trends for the year.

As we progress through 2024, we might observe buyers getting off the fence and exploring their options. However, it is unlikely that sellers will find themselves in multiple offer situations until the spring. This revitalization will probably kick in around March or April when the market is expected to experience more aggressive activity.

The Pricing and Interest Rates Puzzle

Another notable prediction for the 2024 real estate market has to do with pricing. As we continue through the year, it is expected that prices will see an upward trend coinciding with reduced interest rates. There is an expectation for a softening in the interest rates possibly by about 1% at the end of May or early June. This change can stabilize the economy and aid homeowners in meeting financial obligations.

The Locality Conundrum: Migration and Spatial Needs

Another fascinating dimension of the 2024 real estate market predictions touches on locality. Some families may be compelled to leave their beloved neighborhoods due to increased taxes or a need for more space — a phenomenon similar to the trends observed during the pandemic.

The neighborhoods likely to attract these people include smaller communities in the 905 areas — East, North, and West. The expected outcome is a stable acceleration in real estate activities within these regions, although the fate of the condo market seems a bit uncertain.

The Golden Opportunity: New Development

As the year unfolds, we anticipate that new properties are going to be the hot commodity in the real estate market. Whether it's a freehold property, townhome, or condo, newly developed properties can present a smart investment option for a five to 10-year timeframe. We have posted a couple of videos for pre-con, one is located here: Tips for Avoiding Preconstruction Nightmares and the other is located here: Pre-construction Condos: What to Look For When Buying.

Sage Advice for 2024   

As far as year-end advice goes, the most important thing for the real estate market in these early stages of 2024 is to remain calm and patient. Despite the current shortage of inventory, we recommend that buyers avoid impulse buying decisions which could push prices up prematurely. After all, more listings are expected to roll in as the year progresses. 

Conclusion: Stability and Growth

In conclusion, the Toronto real estate market in 2024 should see much more stability than 2023. There is a high potential for stability and growth in some neighborhoods, where you might see a 4-7% increase by fall. While regions that suffered significant losses in 2023 could see a 10% recovery. Ultimately, the impact of interest rates on the economy will significantly shape the market trajectory this year.