For April 2020, there was a 50.8% decline in residential unit sales recorded by MLS^® compared to April 2019 (3,284 units). The average MLS^® residential price in BC was $737,834, a 7.8% increase from $684,430 recorded the previous year. 

"We expected to see a sharp drop in sales for April as we confronted the COVID-19 pandemic,” said BCREA Chief Economist Brendon Ogmundson. “However, buyers and sellers are adapting to a new normal, and activity should pick up as the economy gradually re-opens.”

While the supply of homes available for sale generally rises through the spring, this year was a bit different. Supply was down close to 10% on a seasonally adjusted basis and down 23.7% year-over-year. Prices remained firm despite the large decline in sales.

Year-to-date, there has been a 9.6% increase in the sale dollar volume for BC residential units bringing it to $15.3 Billion (compared to the same period last year). Residential unit sales are down 1.7% bringing it to 20,164 units while the average MLS^® residential price was up 11.6% to $758,614.

The average price and unit sales, broken down by statistics from each Real Estate Board can be found below:

Source: British Columbia Real Estate Association

Looking back at March 2020 housing figures, the British Columbia Real Estate Association (BCREA) reports that a total of 6,717 residential unit sales were recorded by the Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) which is an increase of 17.2% from the same month last year. There was 15.1% increase in the average MLS® residential price in BC bringing it to $789,548 compared to March 2019's average of $685,892. For the total sales dollar volume, it hit $5.3 Billion which is a 35% increase over 2019.

“Provincial housing markets started the month very strong before the COVID-19 pandemic put a halt to activity,” said BCREA Chief Economist Brendon Ogmundson. “Activity will slow considerably in April as households and the real estate sector implement measures necessary to mitigate the spread of this virus.”

“While we don’t know when this unprecedented period will end, markets will be boosted by pentup demand and historically low interest rates when it does,” added Ogmundson. “The ultimate strength of the recovery will depend on how long the economy remains effectively shut down, as well as the efficacy of federal and provincial measures to bridge households through the financial difficulties brought on by the pandemic.”

The year-to-date BC residential sales dollar volume totals $12.9 Billion. In comparison to the same period in 2019, this is an 37.1% increase. The residential unit sales totals 16,866 which is an increase of 21.7% from last year. The average MLS® residential price totals $763,031 which is an increase of 12.6% from last year.

Source: British Columbia Real Estate Association

Based on projections for the remainder of the year, MLS® residential sales are expected to decline 9% to 94,200 units compared to 103,700 units in 2017. As well, 2019 and 2020 forecasts predict sales to decrease to 94,000 and 84,800 units, respectively.

The Lower Mainland - Southwest region of the province (which includes the Greater Vancouver Area, the Fraser Valley and Chilliwack) constitutes ~60% of the housing demand in BC. Housing demand fell sharply in the first four months of 2018 as a result of tighter mortgage qualifications. There was minimal impact on home prices as a result of the slower housing demand.

The type of housing market varies depending on housing type. The detached market in Vancouver and the Fraser Valley is showing a balanced market whereas the attached and apartment markets remain significantly undersupplied. 

While the housing market is slowing in growth, it is still continuing to be supported by a strong economy. Looking at the health of BC's economy has been promising. The economy has expanded at an above-trend growth rate for four consecutive years resulting in increased interprovincial migration, employment growth and overall strong consumer confidence. Early 2018 data has been consistent with the interpretation that the "BC economy will continue to produce the remarkable economic and employment growth enjoyed since 2014".

Currently, there are over 60,000 residential units under construction in BC. The increase in new home completions coupled with the slowing housing demand will result in trending most BC markets towards balanced conditions this year, and lead to less upward pressure on home prices.

For a more detailed look at the housing and economic forecast, click here. For all your real estate needs, contact our offices at 604-801-6654 or alternatively at info@wesellvancouver.ca.

Source: British Columbia Real Estate Association (BCREA)

GREATER VANCOUVER SALES - Last month, the Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver (REBGV) reports a total of 3,022 residential property sales within the Metro Vancouver area (7.1% increase compared to September 2017). The MLS® Home Price Index composite benchmark price for all residential properties in Metro Vancouver is currently $1,042,300. This is a 12.4% increase over October 2016 and a 0.5% increase compared to September 2017.

"Conditions continue to vary significantly based on property type. The detached home market is well supplied with homes for sale, which is relieving pressure on prices," Jill Oudil, REBGV president said. "It remains a much different story in the townhouse and apartment markets. Buyers of these properties continue to have limited supply to choose from and are seeing upward pressure on prices."

Below you will find a comparative chart that depicts the Greater Vancouver residential sales from 2015 to present.

BC SALES - The British Columbia Real Estate Association (BCREA) reports a total of 8,677 residential property sales within BC (4.04% increase compared to September 2017). Total sales dollar volume was $6.25 billion, up 41.6 per cent from October 2016. The average MLS® residential price in the province was $720,129, up 18.7 per cent from October 2016.

"BC home sales trended higher in October, up 23 per cent from January on a seasonally adjusted basis," said Cameron Muir, BCREA Chief Economist. "A lack of supply in the resale market continues to put upward pressure on home prices in most BC regions."

For all your real estate needs, contact Amalia Liapis at 604-618-7000 or alternatively, at amalia@wesellvancouver.ca.

Price of a typical composite Greater Vancouver home rises above the million-dollar mark for first time at $1,019,400. In July, there were 2,960 home sales in the Greater Vancouver area. Across all property types, the sales-to-active listings ratio for July 2017 is 32.2% – still a strong seller’s market, but an easing-off compared with June’s 45.5%. 

“Housing demand is inconsistent across the region right now. Pockets of the market are still receiving multiple offers and others are not. It depends on price, property type, and location,” said Jill Oudil, REBGV president. “For example, it’s taking twice as long, on average, for a detached home to sell compared to both townhomes and condominiums.”

As of July 2017, the benchmark price for detached properties is $1,612,400. This is a slight 1.9% increase compared with July 2016 and a rise of 1.5% in the month since June 2017. The benchmark price of an attached unit such as a townhouse or rowhome is $763,700 – 11.9% higher than July 2016 and a rise of 2.4% over June. The price of a typical condo-apartment in Greater Vancouver has risen to $616,600 – an 18.5% year over year increase and a 2.7% lift in a single month. 

Source: REW.ca

For detailed information on benchmark prices broken down by area and property type, take a look at the statistics package put out by the Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver here. For all your real estate needs, contact Amalia Liapis at 604-618-7000 or alternatively at amalia@wesellvancouver.ca.

While it has been an ongoing trend that demand has been outpacing supply, residential sales have not been slowing down. In the latest market stats released mid-June by the British Columbia Real Estate Association (BCREA), there continues to be a month-over-month surge in residential sales. There has been a 26% increase in sales from April 2017 to May 2017 with a total of 12,402 residential home transactions. If it weren't for the low supply, 20-year low as a matter of fact, sales figures may even be higher than actual figures. This amount is 8% lower than May 2016 when the market was hot.

As you can see below, as a result of 9 of 11 real estate boards in BC having a home sales to active listings ratio above 20%, this has resulted in a seller's market. The BCREA states that anything greater than 20% for a sustained period is a seller's market. The Greater Vancouver region, the Fraser Valley, Chilliwack and Victoria all have seen ratios of over 50%.

Source: British Columbia Real Estate Association

In May 2017, MLS® recorded a total of 12,402 residential unit sales and an average MLS® residential price in BC of $752,536 which is a 7.9% decrease and 4.2% increase, respectively, from the same period last year. Total sales dollar volume amounted to $9.33 Billion which is a 4% decrease from May 2016. 

For a detailed look at residential statistics for May 2017, read our previous blog here. For all your real estate needs, contact Amalia Liapis at 604-618-7000 or alternatively at amalia@wesellvancouver.ca.

It's no surprise that the ongoing trend of housing demand outpacing supply has followed us into the month of May. Let's look back at April 2016 statistics to solidify our understanding of the housing market. 

There has been an increase of 30.3% residential unit sales when comparing April 2016 to April 2015 with a total of 12,969 units recorded. The total sales dollar volume was $9.64 Billion which is a 52.7% increase compared to the same period in time last year. Looking at the average MLS® residential price in BC of $743,640 shows a year-over-year increase of 17.2%. 

“Housing demand is exceptionally strong across the southern regions of the province,” said Cameron Muir, BCREA Chief Economist. “Consumers appear to be particularly active in the Vancouver Island, the Fraser Valley and the Thompson/Okanagan regions.” “Strong employment growth is helping underpin consumer confidence,” added Muir. 

Despite what appears to be a period of higher than normal unemployment, there has been an additional 78,000 workers employed in BC in the first quarter of 2016 which is a 3.5% increase in comparison to the same period last year. Looking at the year-to-date statistics, the BC residential sales dollar volume is sitting at $31.2 Billion (64.3% increase), unit sales total 28,028 units (36.2% increase) and the average MLS® residential price is currently $761,860 (20.6% increase). Take a look below for a regional breakdown of MLS comparative data and the changes from April 2015 to April 2016. 

Source: British Columbia Real Estate Association (BCREA)

For all your real estate needs, contact Amalia Liapis by e-mail at amalia@wesellvancouver.ca or alternatively by phone at 604-618-7000.

In this blog, we'll be touching base again on the demand for housing in the Greater Vancouver Region. As stated in the previous blog, the demand for housing has slightly outpaced the supply for it. In addition, we will be delving into the current status of the real estate market.

The real estate market is cyclical in which several factors such as interest rates, employment growth, investment growth, construction and immigration influence this cycle. These factors affect whether it is a buyer's, seller's or balanced market.

[1] A buyer's market is when the housing supply is greater than the demand. This generally results in housing prices dropping over a period of time due to the fact that home owners may be eager to sell their property.

[2] On the other end of the spectrum is the seller's market. It is when interest rates are low so there are many qualified buyers but not many homes for sale. In this case, buyers must make quick decisions in order to secure a property due to the housing scarcity. Buyers also face competition with multiple offers on the home they are interested in buying and consequently, housing prices may rise.

[3] Lastly, a balanced market is where there supply and demand are fairly equal to one another (not necessarily at equilibrium though). 

Ray Harris stated, "[o]ur market today sits on the cusp between a balance and seller's market". To measure market activity, the Sales-to-Listings ratio is often utilized. This tool measures the balance between demand and supply and the market categorization is based off of the ratio.

-- A ratio of three sales for five listings means we are in a seller's market (when the ratio is greater than 55%).
-- A ratio of less than seven sales for every 20 listings means we are in a buyer's market (when the ratio is less than 35%).
-- A ratio between 35 - 55% would be considered a balanced market.

 *Market Type Sales Ratio as per the Real Estate Board of Vancouver & most industry analysts.

Source: REBGV Market Type

The real estate industry is a key economic driver in BC. Despite the preconceived notions of Vancouverites, the Greater Vancouver housing market is seeing demand for housing slightly outpace the supply. We continue to see incremental gains in home values, depending on the neighbourhood and property type. According to the Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver (REBGV), residential property sales in the Greater Vancouver area has reached 3,061 in July alone, making it the fourth consecutive month that the Greater Vancouver market has exceeded 3,000 sales (McLeod, 2014). Prior to this upsurge in sales, the housing sales have not surpassed this sales mark since June 2011. 

The MLS Home Price Index (HPI) measures home price trends and home price inflation/deflation in residential markets within territories of participating real estate boards in Canada (MLS, 2014). The HPI composite benchmark price for all residential properties in Metro Vancouver is presently at $628,000. For a single family detached unit, the benchmark price is sitting at $980,500. An overview of the property types and their benchmark price in their respective neighbourhood can be found here: MLS Home Price Index. Benchmarks represent a typical property within each market. 

All in all, the housing market in the Greater Vancouver region has been steadily picking up and although supply is continually increasing, the demand for housing has slightly outpaced supply. 

Below you will find the Residential Average Price in the Greater Vancouver region. As you can see, there has been quite some fluctuation over the past 4.5 years. Residential median prices in July 2014 are sitting at around $805,061. 

 Source: The Canadian Real Estate Association