April 2024 Market Updates

by Sam Dabbagh

LSTAR’S NEWS RELEASE FOR APRIL 2024

April Shows More Signs of Stabilization

In April, 710 homes exchanged hands via the London and St. Thomas Association of REALTORS® (LSTAR) MLS® System, a slight decrease of 2.9% compared to the same month a year ago. Year to date, there have been 2,381 total sales, up 6.1% from the first four months of 2023.

“More new listings came on the market in April, which continues to show a marketplace with some balance between buyers and sellers,” said 2024 LSTAR Chair Kathy Amess. “We saw 1,425 new listings, up 43.8% over the previous year, with an overall sales-to-new listing ratio of 52%. According to the Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA), a ratio between 40% and 60% is generally consistent with a balanced market.”

The average sales price in April was $656,037, slightly down 1.5% compared to April 2023. It is slightly up 1.5% from the average sales price in March, which was $646,155. Meanwhile, the Composite MLS® Home Price Index (HPI) Benchmark Price was $602,800, unchanged from a month ago and up 5.1% compared to three months ago.

The table below displays April’s average prices and MLS® HPI Benchmark Prices in LSTAR’s main regions.

The HPI benchmark price reflects the value of a “typical home” as assigned by buyers in a certain area based on various housing attributes, while the average sales price is calculated by adding all the sale prices for homes sold and dividing that total by the number of homes sold. The HPI benchmark price is helpful to gauge trends over time since averages may fluctuate by changes in the mix of sales activity from one month to the next.

“It’s important to remember that every home transaction is unique,” Amess said. “Based on what the Bank of Canada decides to do during its next announcement on June 5, your local REALTOR® can help navigate this ever-changing environment, with real-time data, market insights and professional guidance.”

The following table displays April’s benchmark prices for all housing types within LSTAR’s jurisdiction and shows how they compare with those recorded in the previous month and three months ago.

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