Its election day and this year the election results will be vey interesting. Our real estate market and our economy has been influenced so much by the pandemic and in many ways our election results are influenced by pandemic policies. To date this fall we have not seen our usual increase in listings and particularly after a dry summer buyers are not getting the inventory they have been waiting for. Hence we are seeing some intense bidding on certain homes. It’s not that easy to buy anything now. You have to be very prepared and a good agent is a big help.

Toronto is getting busy again. Traffic is getting bad and slowly people are returning to work and play. In many ways the pandemic has given people some peace and quiet and those that really don’t need to live in the city are reconsidering staying. They still want the luxuries of a nice place but it no longer has to be in Toronto itself. Hence areas out of Toronto remain hot real estate wise and we are seeing luxury places being built where there were few. We are still waiting on the impact that accelerated immigration will have. There is currently a big shortage of staff in the service industry and immigration has always played a large role in this sector. All these people will need a place to live. Governments will need to accelerate processes to allow for more supply to be built. It sounds like everyone agrees that this is necessary. Now to do it.

Housing is a hot topic for this upcoming election – a key election issue. Toronto and surrounding areas just don’t have enough houses for the demand. This includes many parts of Canada. The Government is trying to make housing more accessible by putting more money in buyers hands. However this does not address the need for more rentals and more ownership of housing. Perhaps it may be helpful if there is incentive and less bureaucracy to create rental and homes for purchase – a better plan to create density in certain areas. Understanding that density has to be strategic and neighbourhoods have to be preserved, we just need more. Maybe more effort and money to reassess what we currently have and what we need.

Hot real estate outside Toronto. The demand for vacationing and or moving to areas outside of Toronto has been significant. Prince Edward County is one of the areas which has recently gained popularity. When you go there one can see why. Not only are there some great places to stay but what is interesting is its variety of things to do and visit. It has become somewhat of a foodie area – great restaurants, cheese places, cideries and wineries. Without the hills but with a lake it almost started reminding me of Cherlevoix/Baie St Paul area. The area around Waupoos where we stayed is one of the hot parts. Wellington has the renowned DRAKE DEVONSHIRE and some more known wineries like Norman Hardy but Waupoos has its own vibe. You can enjoy cider and great food overlooking a vineyard and Lake Ontario. Picton has some great restaurants. One can only imagine what this has done and will do to real estate prices.

Younger people who want to get into the market are getting in out of town or buying condos. Demand for condos has risen as house prices have become unaffordable. Demand for homes further from the city have also increased and so have prices. As a result, our cities will change.  The change in demographics will affect infrastructure, commercial real estate, and businesses. The world is changing in so many ways. Adapting to a new reality will be critical.

Lack of product is creating big bidding wars on high demand properties. There has been talk that the market has quieted down but it looks like that is only because supply is low. We have seen a number of properties sell for premium prices recently indicating that the fall could be very busy. Buyers have rested a bit and are ready to go. The market will shift again as many go back to work. Where one lives may be dictated by company policy on going back to the office. It looks like traffic may be heavy in the city if people have to go back and are less apt to take public transportation due to Covid. The pandemic has truly changed the world.

Rental market in the city is heating up. It’s back to bidding wars for city condos as people start heading back to in person work. The young employees who were working remotely and moved home now need a place to live in the city as employers are calling them back. The subway is not the best option as some companies actually do not want their employees going on the subway due to Covid risks. I can’t imagine the traffic if everyone starts driving downtown. We haven’t even started with a lift on immigration which would also bring an influx into the city.

Long lasting results from pandemic – will things ever return to “normal”? It was with great sadness that two businesses who I had a very close connection with recently decided to close their doors. Kingsway Conservatory where my son took music and cello for 12 years and which was a neighbourhood institution closed its doors and sold the building. Pandemic has changed demand and how music is being taught. The owner did not think it would return any time soon. Such a shame as it enriched my kids lives. The other business was Breathe yoga which was also a neighbourhood institution and helped so many in so many ways. My heart goes out to two great women who put their heart and souls into these businesses. Perhaps they will recreate in another place and another time. Good luck and all the best to all others with similar stories!

Prices on building lots have increased substantially even though building costs have increased exponentially. Many builders and those building for themselves are hedging on the fact that building prices will go back down when pandemic is over. However there is that fear – what if they don’t. Building costs have been impossible to predict for over a year. Lack of supply has caused huge fluctuations particularly increases in costs of lumber. All contracts do not guarantee pricing which makes it difficult to budget. Huge delays across the board have been experienced including completion of condo projects. Time is money. Not sure how quickly we can recover.