There were 8,268 MLS^® residential unit sales recorded across the province in December, a record for the month which represents an increase of 57.8% from December 2019. The average MLS^® residential price in BC was $847,600, an increase of 12.5% from the same month last year. Total sales dollar volume was $7 Billion, a 77.5% increase year-over-year.

“While 2021 is expected to get off to a roaring start, the level of supply in the market is near a record low,” added Ogmundson. “That will likely translate to considerable pressure on prices until listings pick-up.”

There were 93,953 residential unit sales recorded by MLS^® in 2020, an increase of 21.5% from the 77,350 units sold in 2019. The annual average MLS^® residential price in BC was $782,027, an 11.7% increase from $700,369 recorded the previous year. Total sales dollar volume was $73.5 Billion, a 35.6% increase from 2019.

“Housing markets across the province staged a remarkable recovery during the COVID-19 pandemic and recession,” said BCREA Chief Economist Brendon Ogmundson. “We expect considerable momentum heading into 2021.”

Total active residential listings were down 16.1% to 20,725 units in December. The average price and unit sales, broken down by statistics from each Real Estate Board can be found below. Year-over-year % change in parentheses.

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

Last month, there was steady home buyer demand with a decrease in home seller supply across Metro Vancouver. According to the Real Estate Board (REBGV), there were 2,150 residential home sales last month which is a 44.9% increase from the same month last year and a 36.9% increase from last month. However, February 2020 sales were 15.6% below the 10-year February sales average.

“Home buyer demand again saw strong year-over-year increases in February while the total inventory of homes for sale struggled to keep pace,” Ashley Smith, REBGV president said. “This was most pronounced in the condominium market.”

There has been a 2.8% increase in MLS listings compared to February 2019 for detached, attached and apartment homes on the Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) in Metro Vancouver in February 2020 which brings it to 4,002 units. This also represents a 3.4% increase compared to last month.

There has been a 20.7% decrease compared to February 2019 and a 6.7% increase compared to January 2020 for numbers of homes currently listed for sale.

"Our Realtors are reporting increased traffic at open houses and multiple offer scenarios in certain pockets of the market. If you’re considering listing your home for sale, now is a good time to act with increased demand, reduced competition from other sellers, and some upward pressure on prices," says Smith.

The sales-to-active listings ration for last month is 23.4% across all property types. A breakdown of this ratio is as follows:

- Detached Homes - 17.3%
- Townhomes - 26.9%
- Apartments - 28.4%

For all residential properties in Metro Vancouver, the MLS® Home Price Index composite benchmark price is currently at $1,020,600 which is a 0.3% increase in comparison to February 2019 and a 2.7% increase over the past six months.

A breakdown of February 2020 sales is as follows:

- Detached Homes - There were 685 sales which is a 52.9% increase from February 2019. The benchmark price for a detached home is $1,433,900 which is a 0.7% decrease from February 2019 and a 1.9% increase over the past six months.

- Apartment Homes - There were 1,061 sales which is a 39.8% increase from February 2019. The benchmark price for an apartment property is $677,200 which is a 0.9% increase from February 2019 and a 3.6% increase over the past six months.

- Attached Homes - There were 404 sales which is a 45.8% increase from February 2019.The benchmark price of an attached home is $785,000 which is a 0.6% increase from February 2019 and a 1.7% increase over the past six months.

Source: Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver (REBGV)

There was a total of 7,093 residential unit sales recorded by the Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) in August, which is a 4.9% increase from the same month last year. There was also an increase of 2.6% from the same month last year for the average MLS® residential price bringing it to $685,575. Total sales dollar volume saw an increase of 7.6% from the same month last year to $4.86 Billion.

"BC home sales continue to recover from a policy-driven downturn," said BCREA Deputy Chief Economist Brendon Ogmundson. "Home sales have been rising through the spring and summer, but still remain well below pre-B20 stress test levels."

MLS® residential active listings in the province were up 10% from August 2018 to 40,098 units and were essentially flat compared to July on a seasonally adjusted basis. Overall market conditions remained in a balanced range with a sales-to-active listings ratio of about 18%.

Year-to-date, BC residential sales dollar volume totalled $34.9 Billion which is a 16% decrease from the same period in 2018. Residential unit sales totalled 50,806 units which is a 12.2% decrease. The average MLS® residential price was down 4.4% year-to-date at $686,303.    

For a detailed look at the residential average prices, active listings and sales-to-active-listings data for August 2019, click here.

Source: British Columbia Real Estate Association (BCREA).

The British Columbia Real Estate Association (BCREA) reports a 27% decline in residential unit sales from the same month last year (as per MLS®) which is a total of 4,533 residential unit sales recorded. The average MLS® residential price in the province was $678,625, a 9.3% decline from February 2018. Total sales dollar volume was $3.08 Billion, a 33.8% decline from the same month last year.

“Prospective homebuyers continue to be sidelined by the mortgage stress test,” said Brendon Ogmundson, BCREA Deputy Chief Economist. “As a consequence, and despite a strong BC labour market, sales remained slow in February.”

Total MLS® residential active listings increased 36.5% to 30,891 units compared to the same month last year. The ratio of sales to active residential listings declined from 27.4% to 14.7% over the same period.

“Falling mortgage rates should provide some relief for homebuyers, providing a small boost to affordability heading into the spring,” added Ogmundson.

As per the Real Estate Board of Vancouver, the February statistics for Metro Vancouver can be seen below.

The Metro Vancouver* housing market saw increased supply and below average demand in February. The REBGV reports that home sales in the region saw a 32.8% from the same month last year (1,484 units in February 2019). Last month's sales were 42.5% below the 10-year February sales average.

"For much of the past four years, we’ve been in a sellers’ market. Conditions have shifted over the last 12 months to favour buyers, particularly in the detached home market. This means that home buyers face less competition today, have more selection to choose from and more time to make their decisions." -- Phil Moore, REBGV president

* Areas covered by the Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver include: Whistler, Sunshine Coast, Squamish, West Vancouver, North Vancouver, Vancouver, Burnaby, New Westminster, Richmond, Port Moody, Port Coquitlam, Coquitlam, Pitt Meadows, Maple Ridge, and South Delta.

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.

The real estate market has recovered from the foreign-buyer tax lull that was introduced a year ago with the second-hottest August on record. Last month, there were 3,043 home sales in the Greater Vancouver area which is 2.80% and 22.30% higher than July 2017 and August 2016, respectively. Below you will find a comparative chart that depicts the Greater Vancouver residential sales from 2015 to present.

Once again, demand is outpacing supply with the number of listings declining month over month and year over year. It is a seller's market for August 2017 with a sales-to-active listings ratio of 34.6%. Looking at this ratio by property type, it is 16.3% for detached homes (buyer's market) and 44.8% for townhomes and 76.3% for condominiums (strong seller's markets). Home prices are on the rise which is primarily attributed to the townhome and condo sector. The MLS® composite benchmark price for all residential properties in Greater Vancouver is 1% higher than July at $1,029,700.

“First-time home buyers have led a surge this summer in demand in our condominium and townhome markets,” said Jill Oudil, REBGV president. “Homes priced between $350,000 and $750,000 have been subject to intense competition and multiple offers across the region.”

The benchmark price for single-family homes are now $1,615,100 which is a 2.2% increase compared to August 2016. As for attached units, the benchmark price is now $778,300 which is a 12.8% increase compared to August 2016. Lastly, the benchmark price for condos are now $626,800 which is a 19.4% increase compared to August 2016.

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.

In March, the Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) recorded 9,826 residential unit sales which is a 21.8% decrease in comparison to the same period last year. The total sales dollar volume also saw a decrease of 30% bringing it to $6.79 Billion and the average MLS® residential price saw a decrease of 10.5% bringing it to $690,597 compared to March 2016.

"Consumer demand continues to normalize following blockbuster home sales in 2016," says Brendon Ogmundson, BCREA Economist. "However, the supply of homes available for sale has not recovered and is still declining in many markets around the province."

Although the average price in BC was down year-over-year due to a shift in the composition of sales, home prices in most markets are being pushed higher due to severe supply constraints. This is particularly true for the Victoria region, which currently has less than two months of inventory for sale, as well as for the apartment and townhouse market in the Lower Mainland.

Year-to-date, BC residential sales dollar volume was down 34.7 per cent to $14.1 billion, when compared with the same period in 2016. Residential unit sales declined 25.5 per cent to 20,893 units, while the average MLS® residential price was down 12.4 per cent to $674,856.

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

Source: British Columbia Real Estate Association

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

Another month has come and gone which means we have more monthly statistics to bring you! Looking at the residential property sales, October saw a total of 2,233 units sold which is a 38.8% decrease compared to October 2015 and a 0.9% decrease compared to September 2016. Sales last month were 15% below the 10-year October sales average.

“Changing market conditions compounded by a series of government interventions this year have put home buyers and sellers in a holding pattern,” Dan Morrison, Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver (REBGV) president said. “Potential buyers and sellers are taking a wait-and-see approach to try and better understand what these changes mean for them.”

New listings for Metro Vancouver detached, attached and apartment properties saw a decrease of 3.5% compared to October 2015 (from 4,126 down to 3,981 units) and a decrease of 17% from last month's 4,799 listed properties. There was a 4.5% decrease in total number of current properties in Metro Vancouver listed for sale on MLS® compared to October 2015 (from 9,569 to 9,143) and a 2.3% decrease from last month's 9,354 units.

“While sales are down across the different property types, it’s the detached market that’s seen the largest reduction in home buyer demand in recent months,” Morrison said. “It’s important to work with your local REALTOR® to help you navigate today’s changing trends.”

The MLS® Home Price Index composite benchmark price for all residential properties in Metro Vancouver is currently $919,300. This represents a 24.8% increase compared to October 2015 and a 0.8% decline compared to September 2016.

Source: Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver.

Up until the end of June, we've seen an ongoing trend of residential sales going through the roof. However, it's a different story for July! When comparing July 2016 residential property sales to July 2015 figures, we see a decrease of 18.9% (3,226 vs. 3,978 sales) and a decrease of 26.7% from last month. For the first half of the year, home sales have registered at over 4,000 units per month. July was the first time this year that home sales did not hit the 4,000 mark.

“After several months of record-breaking sales activity, home buyer demand returned to more historically normal levels in July,” Dan Morrison, REBGV president said. “Home sale activity showed some moderating signs in late June and this carried into July,” Morrison said. “We’ll wait and watch over the next few months to see if this marks the return of more normal market trends.”

In July 2016, new listings for detached, attached and apartment properties in Metro Vancouver have seen an increase of 2.5% totalling 5,241 units in comparison to the same month last year and a 10.8 decrease in comparison to last month. There has been a 27.4% decline in total number of properties currently listed for sale on MLS® compared to July 2015 and a 6.9% increase compared to June 2016.

Take a look below at the comparables in the MLS® HPI Composite Benchmark Price from July 2015 to July 2016.

Click on the photo below to enlarge it for better viewing. For a more detailed look at the MLS® Sales Facts, click here.

For all your real estate needs, contact the WeSellVancouver team at info@wesellvancouver.ca or alternatively at 604-801-6654.

Join us as we dive into the residential sales statistics for the month of May. There has been a record number of sales of 13,458 residential units which is a 32.3% increase from May 2015 and a 3.77% increase from April 2016. The total sales dollar volume shot up by 51.1% compared to the same period last year to $9.72 Billion. In relation to the average MLS® residential price in BC, it increased 14.2% year-over-year to $722,146.

"Record housing demand and dwindling inventories are continuing to push home prices higher in most BC regions," said Cameron Muir, BCREA Chief Economist. "Total active residential listings across the province are nearly 30 per cent lower than twelve months ago."

"New home construction activity is at a near record pace in the province," added Muir. "Once the current crop of homes are ready for occupancy there will likely be more selection for home buyers and less upward pressure on home prices."

As a result of the ongoing trend of demand outpacing supply, there are a record number of homes under construction in the Metro Vancouver market. The BC residential sales dollar volume on a year-to-date basis has jumped to $41 Billion which is an increase of 62% in relation to the same period in 2015. The residential unit sales increased by 35.2% to 54,455 units and the average MLS® residential price increased by 19% to $752,105.

Take a look below for a regional breakdown of MLS comparative data and the changes from May 2015 to May 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.

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.

As we take a look at MLS® sales figures for February 2016, it is evident that there has been a substantial increase in residential unit sales in comparison to February 2015 numbers with a total increase of 44.7% (9,637 sales). There is a stark contrast in terms of total sales dollar volume from one year to the next with a total of $7.51 Billion which is a 76.4% increase. The average MLS® residential price in the province was up 21.9 per cent year-over-year, to $779,419.

"Housing demand is now at a break-neck pace," said Cameron Muir, BCREA Chief Economist. "Home sales last month were not only a record for the month of February, but on a seasonally adjusted basis, demand has never been stronger in the province."

"Downward pressure on active listings has created significant upward pressure on home prices in some regions, particularly in Vancouver and the Fraser Valley," added Muir. "While home builders have responded with a record pace of housing starts for BC last month, the supply isn't expected alleviate the imbalance in these markets in the near term."

Looking at year-to-date data, residential sales dollar volume for BC has increased 73.6% to $11.9 Billion in contrast to the same period in 2015 whereas unit sales increased 40.1% to 15,468 units. At the rate this is going, it is no wonder why the intense housing demand is causing a shortage of supply. For all your real estate needs, contact Amalia Liapis at amalia@wesellvancouver.ca or alternatively, at 604-618-7000.