The  Barrie area spring real estate market  is different from last year's yet again.

April and May are traditionally the busiest months of the year for new listings and buyer activity. This year is busier to date than last year which was also slower at this point than the previous year.  Last years market got off to a late start where as this year, the buyers started out early.

The continuation of low interest rates along with national headlines indicating that those rates are not likely to last too long into the future has generated increased urgency among those who are ready to enter into home ownership for the first time. 

I spent an afternoon this week in meetings with Toronto area Realtors, listening to their stories about the real estate market they are experiencing. The GTA real estate market is increasingly at the mercy of investors from around the globe. Homes in Toronto are selling for tens of thousands of dollars over the list prices with most listings experiencing multiple offers and bidding wars in the first few days on the market and through "bully offers" arriving before a home is even listed on the MLS. In some cases the final sale prices are over $100,000 beyond the asking price! 

With the average price of a townhouse set $200,000 higher in Toronto than in Barrie, the prospect of home ownership is now completely out 

of reach for most would be first time Toronto buyers and the dream of home ownership for many families has become an impossible one to attain without stepping outside of the frenzy to more stable and fiscally rational communities. The average home price in the GTA is now double that of Barrie Ontario. The price of gas to make the commute from Barrie to Toronto and back during the week now pales in comparison.

Barrie Ontario is gaining the attention of investors. The local economic numbers are improving and the promise for the future looks bright. A new regional health centre and cancer treatment facility, the prospect of gaining a new university in the next few years, the shaping of Barrie as a technology node which has attracted some of the major Banks along with IBM to the region and  major retail developments underway are all contributing factors. The change of focus from expansion to renewed development of the core city has the attention of the investment community as the growing numbers of development proposals landing on the desk at City hall continues to show.

If you know of anyone who is planning on purchasing or selling property in the Barrie area this year, have them give me a call. I would like to discuss their plans and the key areas for investment with those looking to buy in the area, Those who are planning to sell stand to benefit financially from a carefully laid out marketing plan that gives consideration to what I have discussed here. There are a number of actions a seller can take that will set their home apart and insure them top dollar on their sale.