Grey Highland Sales Up 57% in 2012

During the past 2 to 3 years, real estate sales through much of the Georgian Triangle have steadily come back following the most recent economic downturn which started in late 2007. By the end of last year, most area municipalities began to see a return to more consistent real estate sales activity.

Two exceptions were the municipalities of Grey Highlands and Meaford which in 2011 saw sales decreases in the 20% to 25% range. Seven months into 2012, this trend has completely reversed itself with year-to-date MLS® unit sales in Grey Highlands and the Municipality of Meaford up 57% and 18% respectively. No doubt the closure of Talisman Resort has had some impact on recreational property sales in the Beaver Valley, part of Grey Highlands. While Talisman continues to remained closed and is for sale, Grey Highlands real estate has once again become popular with 74 MLS® sales thus far in 2012 versus just 47 sales in the first 7 months of 2011.

The Municipality of Meaford which includes the former Municipalities of Sydenham and St. Vincent has up until last year seen steady growth as buyers have headed west of the major ski resorts in search of better pricing. Year-to-date MLS® sales total 67 properties, 10 more than what had sold during the first 7 months of 2011.

Year-to-date MLS® sales in the municipalities throughout our area are as follows:

• Clearview 97 sales up 3% from 2011
• Collingwood 204 sales up 7%
• Grey Highlands 74 sales up 57%
• Municipality of Meaford 67 sales up 18%
• Town Blue Mountains 95 sales up 17%
• Wasaga Beach 242 sales up 13%

  Market activity is expected to remain stable through the balance of 2012.  As we get through August and into September, recreational buyers begin to think about the coming ski season so certain segments of the market ie: condos and ski chalet sales typically increase through the fall months.