![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.livabl.com\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/JPbombales-2327-compressed.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nPhoto: James Bombales<\/em><\/p>\n There\u2019s been plenty of talk about Toronto\u2019s booming real estate market over the past few months. But according to a new report, five other Ontario cities\u2019 housing markets are going to explode in the next few years.<\/p>\n According to the real estate research organization Real Estate Investment Network (REIN), Ottawa, Kitchener-Waterloo, Hamilton, Barrie and Brampton all have the potential to become leading housing markets in the next five years.<\/p>\n REIN measured several economic factors including the GDP, employment and population growth of each market in order to make its selection.<\/p>\n\n \u201cOn January 25, an agreement was signed to redevelop LeBreton Flats, prime land close to the downtown core of Ottawa,\u201d reads the report. \u201cThe plan includes a new LRT station and will move Ottawa\u2019s hockey team to a new home. It is expected that the plan will have a strong positive effect on demand and values.\u201d <\/p>\n Other factors driving the Ottawa housing market? Housing affordability, new transportation infrastructure, and a strong job market. <\/p>\n Kitchener-Waterloo is described as having \u201coverall largely positive fundamentals,\u201d as migration is set to increase to the area in coming years. It\u2019s listed above Hamilton due to its \u201caffordability factor.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cKitchener-Waterloo is also benefiting from the Toronto ripple effect by way of Hamilton,\u201d reads the report. \u201cAs prices in Hamilton rise, some buyers are choosing Kitchener and Waterloo instead of other, less affordable cities…In terms of housing affordability, according to RBC the region is setting at 35 per cent, well under the Canadian average of 48.7\u201d<\/p>\n Barrie is described as being poised for \u201cinevitable growth,\u201d as it is identified as a key area in Ontario\u2019s growth plan. Finally, Brampton is noted as being \u201cstrategically located\u201d close to Toronto, while embarking on several revitalization projects REIN believes will draw in home buyers and investors.<\/p>\n