Jan
29
Is A Semi-Detached House Right For You?
Is A Semi-Detached House Right For You?
In Toronto you will find semi-detached homes are very common. What defines a semi-detached homes is the obvious, in that one side is attached to another home. Semi-detached homes can be found in almost every part of Toronto and what is attractive to buyers is they are much more affordable than the price of a detached home.
Now the features of semi-detached home:
- mutual or shared driveway
- smaller living space
- located in more established neighbourhoods
- affordability
- fenced backyard
- more difficult for major renovations especially exterior
- some share common elements – roof, porch driveway
- less privacy
But in saying this I have buyers who love the idea of living in city and not being saddled with a long suburban commute. Have a look at Toronto’s monthly semi-detached housing prices for 2013. What I have done is break it down by the city but as well as Toronto central, Toronto east and Toronto west.
| Geographic Area | Monthly Sales | Average Price | Median Price | Average Selling Price to Listing Price | Average Days on Market | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January 2013 | City of Toronto | 147 | $586,080 | $515,000 | 100% | 22 |
| Toronto Central | 50 | $717,085 | $625,000 | 98% | 24 | |
| Toronto West | 41 | $500,080 | $461,000 | 100% | 23 | |
| Toronto East | 56 | $532,066 | $477,500 | 101% | 20 | |
| February 2013 | City of Toronto | 234 | $618,777 | $540,000 | 101% | 17 |
| Toronto Central | 72 | $844,304 | $730,830 | 100% | 16 | |
| Toronto West | 65 | $488,243 | $480,000 | 101% | 21 | |
| Toronto East | 97 | $538,845 | $500,000 | 102% | 15 | |
| March 2013 | City of Toronto | 314 | $607,334 | $549,500 | 102% | 12 |
| Toronto Central | 92 | $771,232 | $654,000 | 101% | 14 | |
| Toronto West | 93 | $521,185 | $470,120 | 102% | 12 | |
| Toronto East | 129 | $552,554 | $520,000 | 103% | 12 | |
| April 2013 | City of Toronto | 415 | $595,398 | $531,000 | 103% | 14 |
| Toronto Central | 102 | $817,649 | $726,000 | 102% | 16 | |
| Toronto West | 120 | $469,325 | $455,500 | 102% | 19 | |
| Toronto East | 193 | $539,538 | $510,000 | 104% | 9 | |
| May 2013 | City of Toronto | 434 | $633,625 | $579,000 | 103% | 13 |
| Toronto Central | 139 | $807,076 | $722,000 | 103% | 14 | |
| Toronto West | 131 | $543,893 | $535,000 | 103% | 15 | |
| Toronto East | 164 | $558,290 | $546,200 | 104% | 10 | |
| June 2013 | City of Toronto | 380 | $618,194 | $550,000 | 103% | 14 |
| Toronto Central | 106 | $790,824 | $703,750 | 103% | 14 | |
| Toronto West | 119 | $536,375 | $479,800 | 103% | 18 | |
| Toronto East | 155 | $562,952 | $542,000 | 103% | 11 | |
| July 2013 | City of Toronto | 340 | $584,499 | $560,250 | 101% | 17 |
| Toronto Central | 102 | $715,756 | $646,400 | 101% | 15 | |
| Toronto West | 115 | $518,946 | $479,000 | 101% | 20 | |
| Toronto East | 123 | $536,940 | $515,000 | 102% | 16 | |
| August 2013 | City of Toronto | 231 | $576,022 | $509,000 | 101% | 17 |
| Toronto Central | 58 | $788,542 | $682,500 | 101% | 18 | |
| Toronto West | 80 | $501,230 | $461,500 | 101% | 19 | |
| Toronto East | 93 | $507,819 | $481,888 | 102% | 22 | |
| September 2013 | City of Toronto | 298 | $616,049 | $564,000 | 103% | 14 |
| Toronto Central | 90 | $782,911 | $752,000 | 104% | 11 | |
| Toronto West | 97 | $515,094 | $478,000 | 102% | 19 | |
| Toronto East | 111 | $568,978 | $520,000 | 104% | 13 | |
| October 2013 | City of Toronto | 331 | $642,112 | $585,000 | 103% | 15 |
| Toronto Central | 100 | $803,490 | $718,500 | 104% | 12 | |
| Toronto West | 99 | $541,738 | $500,000 | 101% | 19 | |
| Toronto East | 132 | $595,135 | $553,500 | 104% | 13 | |
| November 2013 | City of Toronto | 267 | $640,208 | $585,000 | 103% | 17 |
| Toronto Central | 88 | $790,729 | $672,500 | 102% | 19 | |
| Toronto West | 67 | $534,793 | $495,110 | 103% | 21 | |
| Toronto East | 112 | $585,003 | $548,000 | 104% | 14 | |
| December 2013 | City of Toronto | 136 | $644,423 | $551,000 | 101% | 21 |
| Toronto Central | 34 | $919,017 | $777,944 | 100% | 26 | |
| Toronto West | 50 | $546,104 | $526,000 | 101% | 19 | |
| Toronto East | 52 | $559,418 | $542,268 | 102% | 18 |
If you want to compare prices with detached you can check out my blog on Buying a Detached Home
The quick math shows that the average Toronto semi-detached home in January of 2013 sold for $586,080 and was on the market for 22 day. Now if you would deferred buying until December the average price jumped to $644,423 with only 21 days to sell. Within 2013 you are looking at an increase of $58,343 or 10 percent.
Toronto central area is where you will find where semi-detached homes will set you back the most. This is because you are looking to purchase in neighbourhoods like The Annex, Leaside, Cabbagetown and Trinity-Bellwoods. Toronto’s east end is the next and here you can find some great homes in such popular neighbourhoods as Riverdale, The Beaches, Danforth and East York. If you are considering Toronto west then you are looking at High Park, Dovercourt, Roncesvalle and The Junction to call home.
The advantage of buying a semi-detached home (besides price) is that you will find them in the older established parts of Toronto. Most having been built before World War Two have great character in both unique style and craftsmanship. You will find it difficult where any builder is constructing new semi-detached units as they have been replaced with row/townhouses.
I should mention that if you plan to renovate you may encounter some difficulties. It should be noted that since you are attached you share some key structural elements. Things such as foundation, load bearing walls and joists may increase your renovations costs or modify your plans.
If you are looking for specific Toronto neighbourhood statistics on either semi-detached or detached home fire me off an email.
