Want a way to measure home price trends in a chosen area? MLS has designed a tool that does just that. The MLS Home Price Index (HPI) allows users to measure home price trends in the Greater Vancouver region and other major markets in the country. The HPI follows a similar concept to the economic tool called the Consumer Price Index (CPI). With the HPI, it measures inflation or deflation as well as the change in the price of housing features. It "tracks price levels at a point in time relative to price levels in a base (reference) period for one- and two-storey single family homes, townhouse/row units and apartment units".
The MLS HPI model is typically utilized to calculate Benchmark Prices. A "benchmark home" is one with similar attributes to those in the surrounding area in which it is located. Relative Benchmark Prices measure the percentage by which the Benchmark Price in a particular area and category is in relation to the overall market at any specific point in time.
The tools put out by MLS are there at your disposal and for your convenience. Check out their website here for all these handy tools. For all your real estate needs, contact Amalia Liapis at amalia@wesellvancouver.ca or alternatively, at 604-618-7000.