News: Vancouver Real Estate Market

The latest data for February indicates that prospective home sellers in Metro Vancouver are still hesitant to participate in the housing market, resulting in below average sales activity and a subsequent increase in the number of available homes for sale. According to the Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver (REBGV), there were only 1,808 residential home sales in February 2023, a decrease of 47.2% from the previous year. The sales activity was also 33% below the 10-year February sales average....

Inventory remains low in Metro Vancouver while home sales dipped well below monthly historical averages in January.

The Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver (REBGV) reports that residential home sales in the region totalled 1,022 in January 2023, a 55.3% decrease from the 2,285 sales recorded in January 2022, and a 21.1% decrease from the 1,295 homes sold in December 2022.

Last month's sales were 42.9% below the 10-year January sales average.

"Due to seasonality, market activity is quieter in January....

The Federal government’s new legislation banning foreign buyers from directly or indirectly purchasing property in Canada for a period of 2 years came into effect on January 1, 2023.

Who is a Foreign Buyer or Non-Canadian for the the purpose of this legislation?

The act defines a non-Canadian as:

1. An individual who is neither a Canadian citizen nor a person registered as an Indian under the Indian Act nor a permanent resident;
2. The Act restricts non-Canadians from avoiding the ban by...

According to the Royal LePage House Price Survey released today, the aggregate price of a home in Canada decreased 2.8 per cent  year-over year to $757,100 in the fourth quarter of 2022; the first year-over-year decline recorded since the end of 2008 during the global  financial crisis. On a quarter-over-quarter basis, the aggregate price of a home in Canada decreased 2.3 per cent. This is the third consecutive quarterly decline, and the smallest decrease so far. 

In December, Royal...

On January 1, 2023 the government introduced a cooling off period for buyers, a home buyer protection period, that allows home buyers three business days to back out of an accepted offer.

Key Points about the home buyer rescission period:

• The period will be effective January 1, 2023.
• Buyers will have three business days following the accepted offer date to back out of a residential purchase agreement.
• The period is mandatory and can't be waived by the parties to the contract.
• Buyers who back...

After seeing record sales and prices during the pandemic, Metro Vancouver's housing market experienced a year of caution in 2022 due to rising borrowing costs fueled by the Bank of Canada's ongoing battle with inflation.

The Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver (REBGV) reports that residential home sales in the region totalled 28,903 in 2022, a 34.3% decrease from the 43,999 sales recorded last year, and a 6.6% decrease from the 30,944 homes sold in 2020.

The 2022 sales total was 13.4% below the...

While typically a quiet month of market activity based on seasonal patterns, November home sale and listing totals lagged below the region’s long-term averages.

The Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver (REBGV) reports that residential home sales in the region totalled 1,614 in November 2022, a 52.9% decrease from the 3,428 sales recorded in November 2021, and a 15.2% decrease from the 1,903 homes sold in October 2022.

Last month’s sales were 36.9% below the 10-year November sales average....

Home sale activity across the Metro Vancouver housing market continued to trend well below historical averages in October.

The Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver (REBGV) reports that residential home sales in the region totalled 1,903 in October 2022, a 45.5% decrease from the 3,494 sales recorded in October last year, and a 12.8% increase from the 1,687 homes sold in September 2022. Last month's sales were 33.3% below the 10-year October sales average.

"Inflation and rising interest rates continue...

Home sellers were more active in Metro Vancouver's housing market in September while home buyer demand remained below the region's long-term averages.

The Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver (REBGV) reports that residential home sales in the region totalled 1,687 in September 2022, a 46.4% decrease from the 3,149 sales recorded in September 2021, and a 9.8% decrease from the 1,870 homes sold in August 2022.

Last month's sales were 35.7% below the 10-year September sales average.

"With the Bank...

Metro Vancouver's* housing market is experiencing a quieter summer season marked by reduced sale and listing activity.

The Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver (REBGV) reports that residential home sales in the region totalled 1,870 in August 2022, a 40.7 per cent decrease from the 3,152 sales recorded in August 2021, and a 0.9 per cent decrease from the 1,887 homes sold in July 2022.

Last month's sales were 29.2 per cent below the 10-year August sales average.

"With inflationary pressure and interest...

Metro Vancouver's housing market has entered a new cycle marked by quieter home buyer demand and a gradual rise in the supply of homes for sale.

The Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver (REBGV) reports that residential home sales in the region totalled 1,887 in July 2022, a 43.3% decrease from the 3,326 sales recorded in July 2021, and a 22.8% decrease from the 2,444 homes sold in June 2022.

Last month's sales were 35.2% below the 10-year July sales average.

"Home buyers are exercising more caution...

Increased supply and slowing sales push Greater Vancouver toward balanced market for the first time in more than two years

Key highlights from the release include:

• Royal LePage reduces national home price forecast to +5.0% in fourth quarter of 2022; expects home prices to hold relatively flat through the second half of the year in greater regions of Toronto and Vancouver. Greater Montreal Area expected to see continued price appreciation.
• National aggregate home price increases 12.1% year-over-year...

With interest rates and housing supply increasing, Metro Vancouver* home buyers are operating in a changing marketplace to begin the summer season.

The Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver (REBGV) reports that residential home sales in the region totalled 2,444 in June 2022, a 35% decrease from the 3,762 sales recorded in June 2021, and a 16.2% decrease from the 2,918 homes sold in May 2022.

Last month’s sales were 23.3% below the 10-year June sales average.

"Home buyers have more selection...

After reaching record-setting levels in 2021, home sale activity has returned to more typical seasonal levels in Metro Vancouver this spring due, in large part, to rising interest rates.

The Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver (REBGV) reports that residential home sales in the region totalled 2,918 in May 2022, a 31.6% decrease from the 4,268 sales recorded in May 2021, and a 9.7% decrease from the 3,232 homes sold in April 2022.

Last month’s sales were 12.9% below the 10-year May sales average....

Home sale activity in Metro Vancouver remained above historical averages in October while the overall supply of homes for sale dipped to levels not seen in three years.

The Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver (REBGV) reports that residential home sales in the region totalled 3,494 in Oct. 2021, a 5.2 % decrease from the 3,687 sales recorded in Oct. 2020, and an 11 % increase from the 3,149 homes sold in September 2021.

Last month’s sales were 22.4 % above the 10-year Oct. sales average....

National aggregate home price increases 21.4% year-over-year

Third quarter highlights:

• Royal LePage maintains its 2021 forecast, with the national aggregate home price expected to rise 16.0% in Q4, compared to a very strong Q4 2020
• Very low inventory pushes potential buyers to sidelines amid national housing supply crisis, resulting in pent-up demand
• 5% of regions surveyed saw double-digit year-over-year aggregate price growth in Q3
• Condominiums continue price rebound in urban centres as return to...

Home sale activity remains elevated across Metro Vancouver's housing market while the pace of homes being listed for sale continues to follow long-term averages.   The Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver (REBGV) reports that residential home sales in the region totalled 3,149 in September 2021, a 13.6 % decrease from the 3,643 sales recorded in September 2020, and a 0.1 % decrease from the 3,152 homes sold in August 2021.  Last month's sales were 20.8 % above the 10-year September...

While home buyers remained active in Metro Vancouver throughout the summer, the supply of homes for sale declined steadily since June.

The Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver (REBGV) reports that residential home sales in the region totalled 3,152 in August 2021, a 3.4% year over year increase and a 5.2% decrease from the 3,326 homes sold in July 2021.

Last month's sales were 20.4% above the 10-year August average.

"August was busier than expected, and listings activity isn't keeping up with...

Metro Vancouver's housing market saw more moderate sales, listings and pricing trends in July compared to the heightened activity experienced throughout much of the pandemic.

The Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver (REBGV) reports that residential home sales in the region totalled 3,326 in July 2021, a 6.3% increase from the 3,128 sales recorded in July 2020, and an 11.6% decrease from the 3,762 homes sold in June 2021.

Last month's sales were 13.3% above the 10-year July sales average.

"Moderation...

Second quarter regional highlights:

• Aggregate price of a home in Canada rose 25.3% year-over-year in the second quarter
• Demand expected to outstrip supply with upward pressure on prices, yet the pace of increases should moderate as peak price appreciation was reached in early Q2
• Greater Montreal's aggregate home price forecast to increase 17.5% year-over-year; the highest in Canada among forecasted regions
• Detached house prices continue to outpace condo appreciation, but the gap is narrowing...

While still elevated, home sale and listing activity in Metro Vancouver has eased back from the record-setting pace seen in March and April of this year.

The Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver (REBGV) reports that residential home sales in the region totalled 3,762 in June 2021, a 54% increase from the 2,443 sales recorded in June 2020, and an 11.9% decrease from the 4,268 homes sold in May 2021.

Last month's sales were 18.4% above the 10-year June sales average.

"Metro Vancouver's housing market...

If you've been looking for a home to buy in Greater Vancouver or really anywhere in British Columbia for that matter, chances are high you’ve seen a home near power lines. Quite often the house you see is one you'll really like and you'll start questioning what affects the transmission lines will have on the property. Do power lines effect property values? Do power lines cause cancer? Are power lines bad for your health? Is it safe to live near power lines? How much do power lines effect home...

The Metro Vancouver housing market saw steady home sale and listing activity in May, a shift back from the record-breaking activity seen in the earlier spring months.

The Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver (REBGV) reports that residential home sales in the region totalled 4,268 in May 2021, a 187.4% increase from the 1,485 sales recorded in May 2020, and a 13% decrease from the 4,908 homes sold in April 2021.

Last month’s sales were 27.7% above the 10-year May sales average.

"While home...

Home sellers have become increasingly active in Metro Vancouver's housing market this spring in response to heightened demand and rising home values that have materialized during the pandemic.

The Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver (REBGV) reports that residential home sales in the region totalled 4,908 in April 2021, a 342.6% increase from the 1,109 sales recorded in April 2020, and a 14% decrease from the 5,708 homes sold in March 2021.

Last month's sales were 56.2% above the 10-year April sales...

Home buyer and seller activity reached unprecedented levels across Metro Vancouver in March.

The Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver (REBGV) reports that residential home sales in the region totalled 5,708 in March 2021, an increase of 126.1% from the 2,524 sales recorded in March 2020, and an increase of 53.2% from the 3,727 homes sold in February 2021.

Last month's sales were 72.2% above the 10-year March sales average and is the highest monthly sales total ever recorded in the region....

In January 2021, Metro Vancouver’s housing market continued the pattern set at the end of last year with home sale activity outpacing the supply of homes listed for sale.

The Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver (REBGV) reports that residential home sales in the region totalled 2,389 in January 2021, a 52.1% increase from the 1,571 sales recorded in January 2020, and a 22.8% decrease from the 3,093 homes sold in December 2020.

Last month’s sales were 36.4% above the 10-year January sales...

• Price of detached homes continue to outpace condominiums as Canadians trade location for square footage
• Despite strong push toward the suburbs, Toronto and Montreal single-family homes see double-digit price gains in city centres
• Median price of a two-storey home in Greater Vancouver rises 8.8% as buyers prioritize square footage
• Out-of-region buyers spur Maritimes’ home prices, as option of remote work and demand for large, affordable properties grows
• Aggregate...

Strong December home sales brought Metro Vancouver's* 2020 sales total in line with the long-term annual average.

The Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver (REBGV) reports that residential home sales in the region totaled 30,944 in 2020, a 22.1% increase from the 25,351 sales recorded in 2019, and a 25.7% increase from the 24,619 homes sold in 2018.  

Last year's sales total was 2.8% below the 10-year sales average.  

"When the pandemic began in March, the housing market came to a near...

Housing demand in Metro Vancouver* continues to outpace historical averages with November sales eclipsing 3,000 for the first time since 2015.   

The Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver (REBGV) reports that residential home sales in the region totalled 3,064 in November 2020, a 22.7% increase from the 2,498 sales recorded in November 2019, and a 16.9% decrease from the 3,687 homes sold in October 2020.   

Last month’s sales were 24.6% above the 10-year November sales average...

The City of Coquitlam adopted changes to the Housing Choices Program in July 2019. The Housing Choices Summary Guide will help you understand what the changes mean for your property.

Coquitlam's Housing Choices Program was approved in 2011, with the aim of creating new small-scale, ground-oriented housing options in specific residential areas of Southwest Coquitlam. See map below.

Click here for details on the latest development opportunity in the area.

The program permits a wide range of housing...

Home sale and new listing activity remained at near-record levels across Greater Vancouver in October.

Residential home sales in the region totalled 3,687 in October 2020, a 29% year over year increase, and a 1.2% increase from the 3,643 homes sold in September 2020.

Last month’s sales were 34.7% above the 10-year October sales average and stands as the second-highest total on record for the month.

"Home has been a focus for residents during the pandemic. With more days and evenings spent at...

In September 2020 the Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver (REBGV) reports that residential home sales in the region totaled 3,643. This is a 56.2% increase from the 2,333 sales recorded in September 2019 and a 19.6% increase from the 3,047 homes sold in August 2020.

"We've seen robust home sale and listing activity across Metro Vancouver throughout the summer months," Colette Gerber, REBGV Chair said. "This increased activity can be attributed, in part, to lower interest rates and changing housing...

In August 2020, residential home sales in the region totaled 3,047 according to the Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver (REBGV). This is a 36.6% increase from the 2,231 sales recorded in August 2019 and a 2.6% decrease from the 3,128 homes sold in July 2020.

"People who put their home buying and selling plans on hold in the spring have been returning to the market throughout the summer," Colette Gerber, REBGV Chair said. "Like everything else in our lives these days, the uncertainty COVID-19 presents...

In July 2020, the British Columbia Real Estate Association (BCREA) reported a total of 10,090 residential unit sales recorded by the Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®). This showed an increase of 26.6% from the same month last year. The average MLS® residential price in BC was $770,810, a 12.9% increase from $682,702 recorded the previous year. Total sales dollar volume in July was $7.8 billion, a 43% increase over 2019.

"The strong recovery in sales activity continued in July," said BCREA...

In July 2020, residential home sales in the region totaled 3,128 according to the Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver (REBGV). This represents a 22.3% increase from the 2,557 sales recorded in July 2019 and a 28% increase from the 2,443 homes sold in June 2020.

"We're seeing the results today of pent up activity, from both home buyers and sellers, that had been accumulating in our market throughout the year," Colette Gerber, REBGV Chair said. "Low-interest rates and limited overall supply are also...

In partnership with Environics, Genworth Canada is excited to share the results of their recent Homeownership and Financial Fitness Study.

Prior to COVID-19, Canadians and Canadian homeowners were showing their strongest financial fitness to date. Social isolation, job loss, remote work, and other sacrifices resulted in a decline on Canadians' financial fitness overall, but by less than it certainly would have been without federal government programs and mortgage deferrals. Getting Canadians back...

Royal LePage revises Canadian home price forecast upwards to 2.3% by year-end 2020, as low rates and pent-up demand face limited housing supply.

What does this mean for Greater Vancouver?

In the second quarter, the aggregate price of a home in Greater Vancouver increased by 1.9% year-over-year to $1,109,069. Based on housing type, the median price of a standard two-storey home in Greater Vancouver increased by 3.7% year-over-year to $1,455,027 in the second quarter. During the same period, the median...

Residential home sales in the region totalled 2,443 in June 2020 accroding to the Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver (REBGV). This is a 17.6% increase from 2,077 sales recorded in June 2019 and a 64.5% increase from the 1,485 homes sold in May 2020.

"REALTORS® continue to optimize new technology tools and practices to help their clients meet their housing needs in a safe and responsible way," Colette Gerber, REBGV Chair said "Over the last three months, home buyers and sellers have become...