A recent Ipsos Reid poll found that the majority of Ontarians are confident in the current and future state of the housing market. The research, conducted on behalf of the Ontario Real Estate Association (OREA), revealed that 59 per cent of Ontarians see the market as “favourable.”

Looking ahead to 2014, 33 per cent of those surveyed say that the market will strengthen in the coming year and, over a ten year period, 50 per cent believe a stronger market is in store. In this instance, the strength of the market refers specifically to the long-term investment of homeownership.

Conversely, only 18 per cent of Ontarians say that the housing market is “unfavourable,” while 23 per cent take a neutral stance.

The survey sampled 1,517 Ontarians. The respondents with the most optimistic view of the housing market included current homeowners and prospective buyers and sellers. Of those intending to buy or sell within the next two years, 70 per cent and 77 per cent respectively view the market as favourable.

From a regional perspective, 71 per cent of those in the Greater Toronto Area are optimistic about the state of the housing market and what’s to come. This is followed by 61 per cent of Toronto city proper residents, 58 per cent of Eastern Ontarians, 54 per cent of Southwestern Ontarians, 47 per cent of Northern Ontarians and 45 per cent of Central Ontarians.