Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver

Increased demand helps housing market reach balanced territory

Home buyer demand has returned to more historically typical levels in Metro Vancouver over the last three months.

The Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver (REBGV) reports that residential home sales in the region totalled 2,333 in September 2019, a 46.3 per cent increase from the 1,595 sales recorded in September 2018, and a 4.6 per cent increase from the 2,231 homes sold in August 2019.

Last month’s sales were 1.7 per cent below the 10-year September sales average.

“We’re seeing more balanced housing market conditions over the last three months compared to what we saw at this time last year,” Ashley Smith, REBGV president said. “Home buyers are more willing to make offers today, particularly in the townhome and apartment markets.”

There were 4,866 detached, attached and apartment properties newly listed for sale on the Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) in Metro Vancouver in September 2019. This represents a 7.8 per cent decrease compared to the 5,279 homes listed in September 2018 and a 29.9 per cent increase compared to August 2019 when 3,747 homes were listed.

The total number of homes currently listed for sale on the MLS® system in Metro Vancouver is 13,439, a 2.7 per cent increase compared to September 2018 (13,084) and a 0.3 per cent increase compared to August 2019 (13,396).

For all property types, the sales-to-active listings ratio for September 2019 is 17.4 per cent. By property type, the ratio is 12.7 per cent for detached homes, 18.9 per cent for townhomes, and 21.9 per cent for apartments.

Generally, analysts say that downward pressure on home prices occurs when the ratio dips below 12 per cent for a sustained period, while home prices often experience upward pressure when it surpasses 20 per cent over several months.

“This is a more comfortable market for people on both sides of a real estate transaction,” said Smith. “Home sale and listing activity were both at typical levels for our region in September.”

The MLS® Home Price Index composite benchmark price for all residential homes in Metro Vancouver is currently $990,600. This represents a 7.3 per cent decrease over September 2018 and a 0.3 per cent decrease compared to August 2019.

Sales of detached homes in September 2019 reached 745, a 46.7 per cent increase from the 508 detached sales recorded in September 2018. The benchmark price for a detached home is $1,406,200. This represents an 8.6 per cent decrease from September 2018 and is virtually unchanged compared to August 2019.

Sales of apartment homes reached 1,166 in September 2019, a 43.6 per cent increase compared to the 812 sales in September 2018. The benchmark price of an apartment property is $651,500. This represents a 6.5 per cent decrease from September 2018 and a 0.4 per cent decrease compared to August 2019.

Attached home sales in September 2019 totalled 422, a 53.5 per cent increase compared to the 275 sales in September 2018. The benchmark price of an attached home is $767,500. This represents a 7.2 per cent decrease from September 2018 and a 0.6 per cent decrease compared to August 2019.

Note:

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

Contact:

Mark Moldowan
Senior Writer / Communication Strategist
Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver
604.730.3153
mmoldowan@rebgv.org

Fraser Valley Real Estate Board

Property sales in Fraser Valley have recovered bringing market into balance

SURREY, BC – For the third straight month, home sales in the Fraser Valley surpassed 2018 levels bringing the market back in line with long-term averages.

The Fraser Valley Real Estate Board processed 1,343 sales of all property types on its Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) in September, a 3.5 per cent increase compared to sales in August 2019, and a 29.8 per cent increase compared to the 1,035 sales in September of last year.

Darin Germyn, President of the Board, says, “The market’s return to balance is good news for both buyers and sellers, however it’s important to put the 30 per cent year-over-year increase in sales into context. September’s sales went from amongst the worst in 10 years to just above our 10-year average.
“Home prices are still dropping compared to a year ago, but on a month-to-month basis, prices are moderating because supply is shrinking. Our incoming supply of new listings has dropped consistently for the last four months pushing our total inventory in the Fraser Valley to the lowest it’s been since April, which has had an impact on prices.”

There were 7,946 active listings available in the Fraser Valley at the end of September, an increase of 3.9 per cent compared to September of last year and a decrease of 1.2 per cent compared to August 2019. The Board received 2,769 new listings in September, a 17.5 per cent increase compared to August 2019’s intake of 2,357 new listings and a 6 per cent decrease compared to September of last year.

Germyn adds, “Financing is still a challenge for many clients, but fortunately in a balanced market like this, REALTORS® have the time to work with clients and advise them of the best strategies for them, whether they are buying or selling.”

MLS® HPI Benchmark Price Activity

Single Family Detached: At $950,000, the Benchmark price for a single-family detached home in the Fraser Valley decreased 0.4 per cent compared to August 2019 and decreased 3.9 per cent compared to September 2018.
Townhomes: At $520,000 the Benchmark price for a townhome in the Fraser Valley in the Fraser Valley decreased 0.3 per cent compared to August 2019 and decreased 4.8 per cent compared to September 2018.
Apartments: At $405,500, the Benchmark price for apartments/condos in the Fraser Valley decreased 0.9 per cent compared to August 2019 and decreased 7.6 per cent compared to September 2018.

For the Fraser Valley region, the average number of days to sell an apartment in September was 41, and 37 for townhomes. Single family detached homes remained on the market for an average of 46 days before selling.

Metro Vancouver Real Estate Market Update - September 2019