News: Vancouver Real Estate Market

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...

Highlights:

• 14% of homeowners in Greater Vancouver, 13% in the Greater Toronto Area and 12% in the Greater Montreal Area own more than one property
• More than 40% of secondary property owners in the greater regions of Vancouver and Toronto, and 21% in the Greater Montreal Area, used equity from their primary residence to make the purchase
• 65% of secondary property owners in Greater Vancouver, 64% in the Greater Toronto Area and 35% in the Greater Montreal Area, are collecting rental income, at least...

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...

Survey Highlights:

• 40% of boomer homeowners have at least half of their net wealth in real estate
• 52% of boomer homeowners would prefer to renovate their current property over moving
• 17% of boomer homeowners currently own more than one property
• 64% of boomer homeowners are mortgage-free
• 25% of boomers say they have or would assist a child financially to buy a home

TORONTO, June 30, 2021 – According to a recent Royal LePage survey of boomers in Canada, defined by StatsCan as having been born...

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...

Highlights:

• 75% of first-time homebuyers in Toronto and 69% in Vancouver reported feeling worried that they would not have a large enough down payment to purchase a home (68% and 58% in 2019, respectively)
• In Montreal, 63% of survey respondents felt worried about the size of their down payment before purchasing their first home, in line with the national average of 62%
• First-time homebuyers in all regions, with the exception of Alberta and the Prairies, reported higher rates of anxiety compared to...

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...

First quarter regional highlights:

• Addressing chronically low inventory critical in solving nation's housing affordability crisis
• Aggregate price of a home in Canada rose 14.1% year-over-year in the first quarter of the year
• 67% of the 64 markets surveyed posted double digit year-over-year aggregate home price gains
• Montreal's aggregate home price forecast to increase 16% year-over-year; the highest in Canada among forecasted regions

TORONTO, April 13, 2021 – According to the Royal LePage House...

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....

Royal LePage Survey: Nearly half of Canadians aged 25 to 35 own their home; one quarter of these homeowners have purchased a property since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic

52% say remote work has increased likelihood of moving further from employer

Highlights:

• 68% of non-homeowners aged 25 to 35 intend to purchase a home within five years
• 72% of cohort feels confident in their short-term financial outlook
• 40% of cohort saw their savings grow since mid-March
• Royal LePage survey includes national,...

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...

The British Columbia Real Estate Association (BCREA) has released its 2020 Second Quarter Forecast. According to the release, a 21% decline in Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) residential sales to approximately 61,000 units this year, after recording 77,347 residential sales in 2019. MLS® residential sales are forecast to increase by 45.3% to 88,500 units in 2021.

"The bright outlook for 2020 home sales has been upended by the COVID-19 pandemic and resulting recession," said Brendon Ogmundson,...

The MLS® Home Price Index composite benchmark price for all residential properties in Metro Vancouver today is $1,028,400 according to The Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver (REBGV). This is virtually unchanged from April 2020, a 1.4% increase over the last three months, and a 2.9% increase compared to May 2019.

"Home prices have been stable during the COVID-19 period," Colette Gerber, REBGV Chair said. "While we're seeing a variety of long-term projections for the market, it's critical to...

The Contract of Purchase and Sale (CPS) is one of the key documents used in a real estate transaction. The attached video created by the British Columbia Real Estate Association (BCREA) will help you understand and answer some of the common questions, such as:

• When does the process begin and when is the Contract of Purchase and Sale used?
• What do the terms in the contract mean?
• What information is included in the Contract of Purchase and Sale?

If you want to know more about the CPS form, feel free...

According to the British Columbia Real Estate Association (BCREA), there was a total of 3,284 residential units recorded by the Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) in April 2020. This is a decline of 50.8% from April 2019.

The average MLS® residential price in BC was $737,834, a 7.8% increase from $684,430 recorded the previous year. Total sales dollar volume in March was $2.4 billion, a 46.9% decrease over 2019.

"We expected to see a sharp drop in sales for April as we confronted the COVID-19...

In April 2020, the residential home sales in the region totaled 1,109 as per the Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver (REBGV). This is a 39.4% decrease from the 1,829 sales recorded in April 2019 and a 56.1% decrease from the 2,524 homes sold in March 2020.

"Predictably, the number of home sales and listings declined in April given the physical distancing measures in place," Colette Gerber, REBGV’s president-elect said. "People are, however, adapting. They’re working with their Realtors...

Canada's aggregate home prices are predicted to grow 1% by the end of 2020 in a best-case scenario. If the restrictions remain in place through late summer, a national home price decrease of 3% is expected by the end of 2020. In the first quarter of 2020, the aggregate home price in Canada climbed 4.4% year-over-year.

Where does Greater Vancouver stand in all of this?

During the first quarter of 2020, the aggregate price of a home in Greater Vancouver decreased by 2.1% year-over-year to $1,083,166...

In the past 40 years, the Canadian economy has had three recessions, each of them different in cause, depth, and duration. The 2020 COVID-19 recession is said to be deep, but will not last long when compared to past recessions. The one glaring similarity throughout these recessions is how the BC housing market has both endured and recovered successfully.

According to the current forecast, the Canadian economy is said to contract approximately by 4% in the first quarter of 2020, followed by a startling...

The BC Temporary Rental Supplement (BC-TRS) Program aims at offering up to $500 a month to assist renters and landlords during the COVID-19 pandemic. This is part of the province's $5 billion action plan and payments are made directly to the landlords of eligible households. Tenants should inform their landlords that they are applying for the BC-TRS.

What do you need to know about the program?

• The program will be a temporary rental supplement for April, May and June 2020.
• Applicants will only have...

The Bank of Canada economic update reveals one million job losses in the month of March, which exceeded anything we've experienced. Furthermore, the losses in April are said to be far higher compared to last month. All provinces are said to slip into severe recession this year. Here are some of the important statistics you need to know:

• 20% to 25% of provincial GDP are highly impacted industries like retail trade, transportation services (including airlines), education, arts and recreation, and food...

In March 2020, the British Columbia Real Estate Association (BCREA), reported a total of 6,717 residential unit sales recorded by the Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®). This is a 17.2% increase from March 2019. The average MLS® residential price in BC was $789,548, a 15.1% increase from $685,592 recorded the previous year. The total sales dollar volume showed an increase of 35%, to $5.3 billion over 2019.

"Provincial housing markets started the month very strong before the COVID-19 pandemic...

According to the Royal LePage House Price Survey and Market Survey Forecast released today, if the strict stay-at-home restrictions are eased during the second quarter Canada's aggregate home price could grow a modest 1% by the end of 2020, to $653,800. If the restrictions on personal movement continues through summer, the home prices to go down by 3%, to $627,900 year-over-year.

"The impact of COVID-19 on the Canadian economy has been swift and violent, with layoffs driving high levels of unemployment...

The beginning of March saw a steady buyer demand in Metro Vancouver's housing market and a levelling off of activity as the month went on and concerns about the COVID-19 outbreak intensified.

According to the Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver (REBGV), residential home sales in the region totalled 2,524 in March 2020, a 46.1% increase from the 1,727 sales recorded in March 2019, and a 17.4% increase from the 2,150 homes sold in February 2020.

Sales from last month were 19.9% below the 10-year...

The Bank of Canada has lowered its overnight policy rate for the second time this month, taking the rate down a further 50 basis points to 0.25%. This is what the Bank considers as its effective lower bound and any further reduction in rates is not possible without potentially disrupting key short-term funding markets.

In addition, two new programs have been announced to ensure the continued smooth running of credit markets and to promote credit availability. First, the Commercial Paper Purchase Program...

UPDATED NOVEMBER 7, 2020:

Given the growth in COVID-19 transmission rates, it's important to be aware of the inherent risk in showings. These risks can differ depending on whether a home is vacant, owner-occupied, tenant occupied or a strata unit in a multi-tenanted building. Only after assessing risk can you determine whether showings are appropriate.

A maximum number of 6 people are allowed in a residence at any time. For smaller properties, this limit may be smaller to ensure safe physical...

The COVID-19 outbreak has caused a steep decline in interest rates, however, it is uncertain as to how severe the impact will be on economic activity. Considering the importance of tourism and our trade links with China, the magnitude of the impact is expected to be higher in BC. In addition, the Canadian economy also saw the collapse of oil prices and this makes the probability of a recession in Canada that much higher.

An unfortunate byproduct of recession is the loss of jobs and incomes, which...

The residential home sales in the region reached 2,150 in February 2020, a 44.9% increase when compared to the 1,484 sales that were recorded in February 2019, and a 36.9% increase from the 1,571 homes sold in January 2020 as reported by The Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver (REBGV).

Last month's 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,"...

The aggregate price of a home in Canada increased 2.2% year-over-year to $648,544 in the fourth quarter of 2019 as reported by the Royal LePage House Price Survey. As we have seen in the third quarter, potential buyers are continuosly coming back to the real estate market.

Buyers stayed in the sidelines during the first half of 2019, trying to guage the potential impact of the federal mortgage stress test."The federal government has signaled that changes could come to the mortgage stress test mechanism...

The median prices of luxury homes in Greater Vancouver decreased by 6.7% year-over-year to $5,394,594 during the twelve-month period ending January 31, 2020. There was also a deacrese of 4.4% in Luxury apartment-style condominiums to $2,411,773.

Greater Vancouver luxury homes were showing year-over-year declines in median prices for both houses and condominiums over the twelve-month period. Since October 2019, a significant boost in luxury unit sales were observed and this is moving the market towards...