TRREB: Elevated Borrowing Costs Taking a Toll on Housing Affordability
TORONTO, ONTARIO, December 5, 2023 – High borrowing costs and uncertain economic
conditions continued to weigh on Greater Toronto Area (GTA) home sales in November 2023.
Sales were down on a year-over-year basis, while listings were up from last year’s trough in
supply. With more choice in the market, selling prices remained basically flat year-over-year.
“Inflation and elevated borrowing costs have taken their toll on affordability. This has been no
more apparent than in the interest rate-sensitive housing market. However, it does appear relief
is on the horizon. Bond yields, which underpin fixed rate mortgages have been trending lower
and an increasing number of forecasters are anticipating Bank of Canada rate cuts in the first
half of 2024. Lower rates will help alleviate affordability issues for existing homeowners and
those looking to enter the market,” said Toronto Regional Real Estate Board (TRREB) President
Paul Baron.
GTA REALTORS® reported 4,236 sales through TRREB’s MLS® System in November 2023 – a
six per cent decline compared to November 2022. Over the same period, the number of new
listings was up by 16.5 per cent. On a seasonally adjusted monthly basis, sales edged up
compared to October 2023, while new listings were down by 5.5 per cent.
The MLS® Home Price Index Composite benchmark and the average selling price, at
$1,082,179, in November 2023 were basically flat in comparison to November 2022. On a
seasonally adjusted monthly basis, the MLS® HPI Composite benchmark was down by 1.7 per
cent. The average selling price was down 2.2 per cent month-over-month.
“Home prices have adjusted from their peak in response to higher borrowing costs. This has
provided some relief for buyers, from an affordability perspective. As mortgage rates trend lower
next year and the population continues to grow at a record pace, expect demand to increase
relative to supply. This will eventually lead to renewed growth in home prices,” said TRREB
Chief Market Analyst Jason Mercer.
“Houses and condos are meant to be homes, first and foremost. We know the demand for
homes, both rental and ownership, will grow for years to come. We have seen some productive
policy decisions recently that should help with housing affordability, including allowing existing
insured mortgage holders to switch lenders without the stress test. Additionally, in the interest of
household and economic stability, we continue to call on the Office of the Superintendent of
Financial Institutions (OSFI) to apply the same approach to uninsured mortgages. It also goes
without saying that further policy work is required to bring more supply online,” said TRREB
CEO John DiMichele.

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