Sales Surge in Grey Highlands & Municipality of Meaford

For those of you with real estate holdings in the Municipalities of Grey Highlands and Meaford, market activity in both of those areas this year; have shown a marked improvement over 2011. Unit sales reported through the MLS® system of the Georgian Triangle Association of REALTORS® (GTAR) through the end of April reflects sales increases of 48% in Grey Highlands while sales activity in the Municipality of Meaford are up 40%. Both of these two areas saw sluggish sales throughout 2011, finishing the year in excess of 20% below 2010’s results.

  Throughout the Beaver Valley, sales have no doubt been impacted by the closure of Talisman Resort. The facility has been a long term draw for the area, attracting skiers in the winter with golfers and others looking to escape the GTA in the summer months. The Municipality of Meaford on the other hand is typically a very stable real estate market. If anything, buyers have migrated to Meaford in recent years attracted by more affordable housing.

  The Town of Collingwood continues to be one of the busiest Municipalities in our region for real estate in 2012. Unit sales are up 28% through April and with the many new subdivisions that have sprung up in recent years, we are starting to see steady resale activity of these newer homes in places like Georgian Meadows and Creekside .

  Notwithstanding the less than spectacular ski and snowboard season, the Blue Mountains is seeing positive sales activity as well this year with unit sales up 23%. Lastly sales in Wasaga Beach and Clearview Township are up 16% and 2% respectively.

  Absent somewhat so far this year, are sales in the upper price ranges. Year-to-date through April there have been 12 MLS® sales reported in the $1.0 to $1.499 price range compared to 9 in 2011 an increase of 33%. Sales above $1.5 million however total just 1 property in 2012 as compared to 3 in the first 4 months of 2011. Between $700,000 and $999,999 sales are down 31% with 11 sales so far this year compared to 16 in 2011. Whatever the reason, upper-end buyers are definitely being more cautious this year.