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By Penelope Graham, Zoocasa
Special to the Financial Independence Hub
Think breaking into the Toronto real estate market is tough? Try making a lateral move; there’s a whole new crop of challenges facing those looking to cash in on their home’s equity, according to a recent bank report.
While much has been made over the plight of first-time buyers, they’re not the only ones feeling the pinch. Home owners with a long-term position in the market and who have become considerably house-rich — namely baby boomers — are also put off by the market’s challenges.
And while this generation has received criticism for hunkering down in their family homes rather than adding them back to the supply of low-rise, detached housing, the fact is many would love to cash out: but they face the same hurdles as their millennial counterparts.
According to a recent poll conducted by CIBC, two in five Canadian homeowners planning to sell their homes are poised to profit on their home sale — but 62% are reluctant to put it on the market due to the high cost of buying another home.
“In today’s market, homeowners are facing a conundrum as to whether to buy, sell or stay put,” says David Nicholson, vice-president of CIBC Imperial Service. “Buying or selling your home is one of the biggest decisions you’ll make. That’s why it’s important to make the decision for the right personal and financial reasons and see past the noise in the marketplace. Evaluating the pros and cons as part of an overall financial plan can help you decide what’s best for you.”
Sixty-seven per cent of boomers (aged 55 and up) indicated they wished to downsize to a smaller home, condo or nursing / retirement home.
The search for affordable options
Most downsizing boomers aren’t looking to acquire another million-dollar detached property, but recent price surges within the condo market may leave them feeling as though their options are limited. The Greater Toronto Area market has infamously experienced a 33% year-over-year price increase, and much of that double-digit growth has spilled over into the condo segment.
The Q1 Condo Market Report released by the Toronto Real Estate Board reveal condo prices are up nearly 25% throughout the GTA, with the average unit now fetching $489,551.
“Condominium apartments have historically been the housing type of choice for many first-time buyers due to the relatively lower price point compared to ground-oriented housing options,” stated TREB President Larry Cerqua. “Given that more than half of intending home buyers are expected to be first-time buyers in 2017, according to a recent Ipsos poll conducted for TREB, it makes sense that demand for this housing type has remained strong.”
Avoiding the Housing Market Hassle
One of the main reasons why boomers are hesitant to re-enter the market? It’s just plain stressful, according to a recent national report compiled by Zoocasa. Thirty-two per cent of boomers indicated they found buying a home more stressful than saving for retirement – just a 4% difference than the millennial segement.
Zoocasa’s 2017 Housing Trends and Sentiments Report also found that 54% of prospective buyers cite rising real estate prices as the main barrier to purchasing a home, while 39% indicated it was finding the right property, and 35% reported it was saving a large enough down payment.
Penelope Graham is the Managing Editor of Zoocasa.com, a leading real estate resource that uses full brokerage service and online tools to empower Canadians to buy or sell their home faster, easier, and more successfully.
