The chart above shows the average detached housing prices for Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Toronto, Ottawa* and Montréal* as well as the average of Vancouver, Calgary and Toronto condo (apartment) prices (Left Axis). On the right axis is the MLS Annual Total Residential Sales across Canada; the most recent data point being a projection to year end.

In October 2014 Toronto single family detached average prices hit new historical highs on Absorption Rates that are the highest among Canada’s 6 biggest cities. Look also at the total MLS sales across Canada which are projecting the biggest single year since the 2008-2009 plunge. It’s been a banner year for sales.

Meanwhile Edmonton, Ottawa and Montreal prices ticked down in their flat channels along with Calgary prices that dropped with the energy patch selloff while Vancouver ticked up inside Bull Horse Mt.  

It remains interesting to note that the combined average price of a Vancouver, Calgary & Toronto condo is currently 25% more expensive than a median priced Montreal SFD and note also that in the spring of 2006, those 3-City average condos zoomed 58% in price (over $100,000) in just 3 months as the buy side of the market freaked out over the inversion of the 10yr less the 2yr spread as it went negative (Yield Curve). 

Mattress money has gushed into condos with no respect for fundamentals or plan for contingencies that may be required if Pit of Gloom II develops and one must write off capital gains and rely on employment earnings.