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