'Small measure of relief': Kitchener-Waterloo sees more listings, slower home sales in April

The Kitchener Waterloo Association of Realtors (KWAR) reports home sales in the area were down in April, with 633 properties sold through their Multiple Listing Service (MLS) System.
That’s a decrease of 25 per cent compared to April 2021 and 13.4 per cent compared to March 2022.
“Last month introduced a small measure of relief to the market,” Megan Bell, president of KWAR said in a media release.
The average sale price for all residential properties in the Kitchener-Waterloo area was $907,205 in April. That’s up 19.6 per cent over April 2021, but down 5.5 per cent compared to March 2022.
While this is now the second month homes prices in the region have decreased, KWAR warned it’s too soon to establish a trend.
(Kitchener-Waterloo Association of Realtors)
“The trajectory the market was on was simply not sustainable, however, I want to emphasize it would be premature to draw any conclusions on just a single month’s activity,” Bell said.
“The housing market in Waterloo region is still very much a sellers’ market, but sellers may need to adjust their expectations.”
Bell said the association noticed the price shift after the Bank of Canada’s recent rate increase, indicating “it has been cheap money empowering too many buyers to chase after too few listings driving the market rather than anything else.”
(Kitchener-Waterloo Association of Realtors)
There were 1,277 new listings added to the MLS System in K-W and area last month, an increase of 16.2 per cent compared to April of last year, and a 40 per cent increase compared to the previous ten-year average for April.
The total number of homes available for sale in active status at the end of April was 703, an increase of 48.6 per cent compared to April of last year, and 40 per cent below the previous ten-year average of 1,169 listings for April.
This is the first time since September 2019 that the total number of homes for sale metric has been over 700.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Russia's invasion of Ukraine a 'turning point' in world history: defence chief
Canada's chief of defence says Russia's invasion of Ukraine is going to change the course of history.

Climate goals may be at odds with G7 response to fallout from Russian invasion
G7 leaders opened their summit Sunday with a discussion about shaping the global economy at a time when conflict and unrest are driving up prices and access to key goods around the world.
Russia strikes Kyiv as troops consolidate gains in the east
Russia attacked the Ukrainian capital early Sunday, striking at least two residential buildings, the mayor of Kyiv said, as elsewhere Russian troops fought to consolidate their gains in the country's east.
Live updates: G7 nations seek to counter Chinese influence
The latest on the G7 summit: The Group of Seven leading democratic economies has formally launched at its annual summit a global infastructure and investment partnership aimed at pushing back China's influence in the developing world.
U.S. Ambassador Cohen on inflation, the convoy protests, abortion rights and gun control
David Cohen has been the United States' Ambassador to Canada since November 2021, and in the time since, both Canada and the United States have experienced a series of shared challenges. In an interview at his official residence in Ottawa, Cohen opens up about the state of the relationship.
Norway mourns victims of Oslo shooting with memorial service
Norway's prime minister and members of the royal family joined mourners at a memorial service Sunday at Oslo Cathedral for the victims of a shooting attack as the capital held its annual LGBTQ Pride festival.
As Senate-confirmed justices end Roe, how will voters react?
Republicans are heading into a November midterm election that is poised to swiftly become a referendum on the court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, as voters decide which party should control Congress
People with COVID-19 can infect and sicken cats and dogs by cuddling them: study
Cat and dog owners who cuddle their pets when infected with COVID-19 could end up making the animals sick with the virus, according to a Canadian study.
Rate of extreme rainfall expected to increase dramatically by 2100
New research looking at the frequency of heavy rainfall across the globe shows that a drastic increase in downpours is expected over the years to come.