Existing home sales in the Greater Toronto area totaled 86,170 in 2010, down 1% from 2009, with the average price rising 9% to $431,463. While the market started very strong, conditions softened in the summer due to new lending rules and the HST, before strengthening again as affordability concerns eased. The median price in December 2010 was $355,000, up from $349,000 in December 2009, and annual price growth is expected to remain around 5% in 2011.