Markham Real Estate | Homes For Sale in Markham
If you've searched for real estate in the Greater Toronto Area before, you know that it's not always easy to choose between the different cities that make up the whole. They each have their own positives and negatives. For those of you who are currently searching for a GTA home, allow us to paint you a broad picture of our community, Markham, Ontario. Not only does this website have information on all the aspects you need to know about to make a decision, such as schools, job prospects, history, things to do, and health care, but it also acts as a real estate databank for anyone who already knows they want to buy or sell a home in Markham, ON. It's all here, right at your fingertips.
Markham, Ontario: the Mark of Excellence
Like many municipalities in the province, Markham, Ontario is a cobbled together mixture of numerous former towns and villages. Established as a farming township along the Don and Rouge Rivers, Markham was absorbed into Greater Toronto during the population explosion of the 1970s and 1980s, and in the process has become more urban. Still lacking a cohesive downtown area, the community atmosphere of Canada's largest town is attractive to new residents. Currently over 261,000 people call it home.
While many residents choose to commute to Toronto for work, there are employment opportunities in Markham, ON as well. The high tech industry is particularly strong, with companies such as Apple, AMD, Motorola, and IBM setting up shop in the area, prompting the citizens to declare their town the high-tech capitol of Canada. Local students strong showings on standardized tests are attributed to teachers from the local school board, and post secondary educators find opportunities at Seneca College. Health care is another important employment sector, as Markham is home to two hospitals.
Most of the appeal for residents and tourists lies in Markham, ON's rural small town feel. There are two main streets that are great for window shopping and five theme farms that offer visitors the chance to enjoy aspects of farm life like horseback riding. The Markham Fair is the biggest draw but there are also festivals celebrating music, food, kids' culture and various holidays. The community is also very supportive of the arts, and many people turn out to see the productions put on by the Markham Little Theater.
The Markham, Ontario Real Estate Market
Though the recession isn't affecting us here in Canada as badly as it's affecting our American neighbors, it's still a buyers market out there, which makes it a great time to purchase property. Housing values in Markham, ON are down more than ten percent from a year ago in most categories. A one storey house that would once have cost you $480,000 now costs only $425,000. If you want to buy you should do so soon, however, because values have already begun to recover. A month ago, you could have gotten the same house for $410,000.
The above value is only an average. Obviously homes vary in price depending on neighborhood and style. Condos will be less expensive than town houses which are cheaper than detached homes, generally speaking. The types of home you will find here include homogenous modern suburban houses, semi-detached town houses, largish farm plots, historic mansions, converted gallery lofts, European town houses, houses subdivided into flats, and high rise condominiums.
The type of home you choose will largely dictate which Markham, Ontario neighborhood you will end up living in. Originally separate communities, Markham's neighborhoods each have a unique feel. Berczy Village, for instance, is a mixed use community with an emphasis on open green space while Thornhill is known as an upscale condo enclave. There are brand new homes cropping up in planned subdivisions like Wismer Commons while the homes in Vinegar Hill are historic. There are even some neighborhoods, like Cedar Grove, which are still agricultural.
Contact a Markham, ON Real Estate Agent
Once you've decided that Markham, ON is for you, the hard part of the real estate purchase is only just beginning. Now you have to prepare or look at listings, deal with appraisals, inspections, home visits, and endless piles of paperwork. If this sounds daunting to you, don't worry. We're here to help. As Markham, Ontario real estate agents, no on knows our town better than we do. We can handle all the more complex elements of the transaction for you so you can actually enjoy the process. Get a qualified professional on your side. Contact ustoday.