News: Vancouver Real Estate Market

The predicted decline of interest rates along with new lending rules will bring buyers back to the market next year.

Highlights:

• Royal LePage forecasts that the aggregate price of Canadian homes will increase by 6.0 percent year-over-year in the fourth quarter of 2025.

• Nationally, single-family detached and condominiums are expected to increase 7.0 percent and 3.5 percent, respectively, year over year in Q4 of 2025.

• The Greater Montreal Area aggregate home price appreciation (6.5 percent) is expected...

Home sales registered in the MLS® in Metro Vancouver increased 28% year-over-year in November, building on the momentum of the 30 % year-over-year rise seen in October. 

The Greater Vancouver REALTORS® (GVR) reports that residential sales in the region totaled 2,181 in November 2024, a 28.1% increase from the 1,702 sales recorded in the same month last year. This was 12.8% below the 10-year seasonal average (2,500). 

“When we saw demand pick up in October, there was still a question over...

After months of tracking approximately 20% below the ten-year seasonal average, Metro Vancouver home sales surged more than 30% year-over-year in October.

The Greater Vancouver REALTORS® (GVR) reports that residential sales registered on the Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) in the region totalled 2,632 in October 2024, a 31.9% increase from the 1,996 sales recorded in October 2023. This was 5.5% below the 10-year seasonal average (2,784).

“Typically, reductions to mortgage rates boost demand,...

Home sales registered on the MLS® in Metro Vancouver declined 3.8% year over year in September, suggesting recent reductions in borrowing costs are having a limited effect in spurring demand so far.

Greater Vancouver REALTORS® (GVR) reports that residential sales in the region totalled 1,852 in September 2024, a 3.8% decrease from the 1,926 sales recorded in September 2023. This was 26% below the 10-year seasonal average (2,502).

“Real estate watchers have been monitoring the data for signs of renewed...

Home sales registered on the MLS® in Metro Vancouver remained below their 10 year seasonal averages in August as summer holidays come to a close. 

The Greater Vancouver REALTORS® (GVR) reports that residential sales in the region totalled 1,904 in August 2024, a 17.1% decrease from the 2,296 sales recorded in August 2023. This total was also 26% below the 10-year seasonal average (2,572).

“From a seasonal perspective, August is typically a slower month for sales than June or July. In...

A recent survey reveals that 83% of adults in British Columbia, specifically those from Generation Z and younger Millennials aged 18 to 38 (born between 1986 and 2006), view homeownership as a valuable investment. Among those who don't currently own a home, 77% plan to purchase a primary residence during their lifetime.

"Young Canadians have a strong positive outlook on owning real estate. Despite the challenges of entering urban markets like Vancouver, this demographic sees homeownership as a significant...

Newly listed properties registered on the Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) rose nearly 20% year over year in July, helping to maintain a healthy level of inventory in the Metro Vancouver housing market. 

On the demand side, the Greater Vancouver REALTORS®2 (GVR) reports that residential sales in the region totalled 2,333 in July 2024, a 5% decrease from the 2,455 sales recorded in July 2023. This was 17.6% below the 10-year seasonal average (2,831).

“The trend of buyers remaining hesitant, that...

Metro Vancouver home sales registered on the MLS® remained below seasonal and historical averages in June. With reduced competition among buyers, inventory has continued to accumulate to levels not seen since the spring of 2019.

The Greater Vancouver REALTORS® (GVR) reports that residential sales in the region totaled 2,418 in June 2024, a decrease of 19.1% from the 2,988 sales recorded in June 2023. This was 23.6% below the 10-year seasonal average (3,166).

“The June data continued a trend we’ve been...

As a real estate agent serving the Greater Vancouver area, I often hear from clients about the challenges and dreams of owning a home. A recent report from Royal LePage sheds light on an encouraging trend: despite affordability challenges, a quarter of Canadian renters plan to purchase a home within the next two years. This report provides valuable insights into the current mindset of renters and what it means for the real estate market.

Rising Ambitions Amidst Rising Costs

The report highlights that...

The number of transactions on the Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) saw a decline in May compared to the usual for this period in Metro Vancouver, contributing to the ongoing accumulation of homes available for sale, with over 13,000 homes now actively listed on the MLS® in the region.

The Greater Vancouver REALTORS® (GVR) reported that residential sales in the region totaled 2,733 in May 2024, marking a 19.9% decrease from the 3,411 sales recorded in May 2023. Last month’s sales were also down 19.6%...

Active home listings on the MLS® in Metro Vancouver continued to rise in April, showing a 42% year-over-year increase, surpassing the 12,000 mark—a level last observed in the region during the summer of 2020.

Greater Vancouver REALTORS® (GVR) report that residential sales in the area totaled 2,831 in April 2024, marking a 3.3% increase from the 2,741 sales recorded in April 2023. However, this figure was 12.2% below the 10-year seasonal average of 3,223.

“It’s a feat to see inventory finally climb above...

Typically, spring marks the peak activity season for Canada's real estate sector, as warmer weather prompts a surge in buying and selling nationwide. However, in 2024, this bustling spring market began earlier than usual and is experiencing added pressure. Aspiring homebuyers, who had been waiting on the sidelines, are now reentering the market ahead of anticipated interest rate cuts. This rush is expected to intensify competition and drive home prices even higher.

Royal LePage® projects that the overall...

The amount of Metro Vancouver homes listed for sale on the MLS® rose nearly 23% year-over-year, providing more opportunity for buyers looking for a home this spring.

The Greater Vancouver REALTORS® (GVR) reports that residential sales in the area totalled 2,415 in March 2024, a 4.7% decrease from the 2,535 sales recorded in March 2023. This was 31.2% below the 10-year seasonal average (3,512).

“If you’re finding the weather a little chillier than last spring, you may find some comfort in knowing that...

Purchasing your first home is a significant milestone, but it often comes with a multitude of financial considerations. In British Columbia, one consideration is the Property Transfer Tax (PTT), which can add a significant cost to your home purchase. However, there's good news for first-time homebuyers in BC: the First-Time Home Buyer Property Transfer Tax Exemption. As a future home owner, it is important to know the exemption details and how it can benefit you as a first-time homebuyer.

Understanding...

In the ever-shifting landscape of real estate regulations, British Columbia is implementing a transformative measure: the BC Home Flipping Tax. Set to take effect on January 1, 2025, this tax targets income derived from the sale of properties owned for less than two years. As we go through how this tax works, it is important to note this tax is on top of our already established (January 1, 2023) Federal Flipping Tax. This rule ensures that profits from flipped properties are treated as business income,...

In January, Metro Vancouver home sellers appeared mostly hesitant, however new listings rose 31% year-over-year in February, bringing a significant number of newly listed properties to the market.

Greater Vancouver REALTORS® (GVR) reports that the residential sales in the region totalled 2,070 in February 2024, a 13.5% increase from the 1,824 sales recorded in February 2023. This was 23.3 per cent below the 10-year seasonal average (2,699).

“While the pace of home sales started the year off briskly,...

When comparing the real estate markets from coast to coast across Canada, a home with a price tag of $1 million can differ greatly. As the nation’s short supply persists and buyers struggle with affording housing, there remains a vast variation of the definition of a $1-million home across major markets.  

In examining what a budget of around $1 million – give or take $50,000 – can buy in Canada’s major housing markets, Royal LePage® determined in a new report that the average home in Canada...

Bill 44 Housing Statutes (Residential Development) Amendment Act, 2023 has the potential to make housing for affordable by increasing the amount of small-scale multi-unit housing in neighbourhoods that are mostly comprised of single-family homes. This includes townhomes, triplexes and laneway homes, and a plan to fix outdated zoning rules to help the process of building homes quicker. These new zoning requirements would permit higher density in areas previously zoned for single family or...

The Canadian government has recently announced a two-year extension to the ban on foreign ownership of Canadian housing. This move reflects the government's commitment to ensuring that Canadians have access to affordable housing, promoting stability in the real estate market, and addressing concerns about the impact of foreign investment on housing prices.

The decision to extend the ban comes in the wake of growing concerns about the role of foreign investors in the Canadian real estate market. In...

While the Metro Vancouver market ended 2023 in balanced market territory, in January conditions began shifting back in favor of sellers as the pace of newly listed properties did not keep up with the jump in home sales.

The Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver (REBGV) reports that in the region residential sales totaled 1,427 in January 2024, a 38.5% increase from the 1,030 sales recorded in January 2023. This was 20.2% below the 10-year seasonal average (1,788).

“It’s hard to believe that...

Royal LePage expects sidelined buyers to re-engage this quarter ahead of expected rate cuts by the Bank of Canada.

National Summary

National aggregate home price increased 4.3% year over year in Q4 2023; decreased 1.7% quarter over quarter. Aggregate home price in greater regions of Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver posted gains of 5.1%, 4.1% and 2.7% year over year, respectively, in final quarter of 2023.

Among report’s major regions, Calgary recorded highest year over year price appreciation (10.7%);...

 In 2023, Metro Vancouver’s housing market closed out with balanced market conditions, but the year-end totals there is a story of surprising resilience in the face of the highest borrowing costs seen in over a 10 years. 

The Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver (REBGV) reports that there was a total of 26,249 residential sales in the region in 2023, a 10.3 per cent decrease from the 29,261 sales recorded in 2022, and a 41.5 per cent decrease from the 44,884 sales in 2021. ...

Canada’s housing market could return to more normal levels of activity and price trends next year, following several years of unprecedented ups and downs. The Bank of Canada is expected to lower its overnight lending rate in the second half of 2024, which will lead to an rise in demand from sidelined buyers as they adjust to today’s lending realities. New household formation and newcomers to Canada will put additional upward pressure on prices. 

“Looking ahead, we see 2024 as an important tipping...

Canadians may see the real estate market return closer to normal in 2024, after years of unprecedented irregularity. According to the Royal LePage Market Survey Forecast, the aggregate price of a home in Canada is set to increase 5.5 per cent year over year to $843,684 in the fourth quarter of 2024, with the median price of a single-family detached property and condominium projected to increase 6.0 per cent and 5.0 to $879,164 and $616,140.

“Looking ahead, we see 2024 as an important tipping point...

The Bank of Canada is widely expected to hold its benchmark interest rate when it meets next week, but a lot has changed since October. Cooling inflation, here and south of the border, and a weakening economy have turned markets’ attention from rate hikes to rate cuts. Investors are now fully pricing in a 25 bps rate cut by April, a 75 per cent chance by March and even a 20 per cent chance by next week.

Stephen Brown, deputy chief North American economist for Capital Economics, thinks odds of a cut...

With 2023 coming to an end, a steady increase in housing inventory is offering home buyers across Metro Vancouver among the largest selection to choose from since 2021.

 The Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver (REBGV) reports that residential sales in the region was 1,702 in November 2023, which was a 4.7% increase from the 1,625 sales recorded in last year in November. This was 33% below the 10-year seasonal average (2,538).

Andrew Lis, REBGV’s director of economics and data analytics said,...

Royal LePage predicts continued stability in Canada’s winter recreational real estate market as interest rates expected to hold or moderate

• National single-family home price in Canada’s winter recreational market decreased 0.7% year over year in the first 10 months of 2023

• 24% of Royal LePage recreational property market experts reported a decline in buyer demand this year as a result of climate factors or environmental disasters, following unprecedented wildfire season

• 41% of experts reported an increase...

The Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver (REBGV) reports that residential sales in the region totalled 1,996 in October 2023, a 3.7% increase from the 1,924 sales recorded in October 2022. This total is 29.5% below the 10-year seasonal average (2,832) for October.

"With properties coming to market at a rate roughly five% above the ten-year seasonal average,...

Choosing the right REALTOR® is a crucial step to ensure your journey to buying or selling real estate in Coquitlam is a success. A skilled and experienced REALTOR® can make the process smoother and more successful, while an inexperienced or ineffective agent can lead to frustration and missed opportunities. To ensure you make the best choice, this blog post will guide you through the essential factors to consider when selecting the best Coquitlam REALTOR® for your needs.

Experience and Local Knowledge...

The Bank of Canada announced on October 25th it would be holding its key lending rate at 5.0%, the second consecutive hold since two quarter-point increases were made over the summer. Since March of last year, the central bank has imposed an unprecedented number of rate hikes in an effort to reduce pandemic-fueled inflation, taking interest rates from historic lows to a more than two-decade high. While approximately three quarters (74%) of Canadian mortgage holders currently have a fixed-rate agreement...

The month-over-month price gains seen earlier this year abated in the Metro Vancouver housing market in September due to a seasonal decline in sales and a modest increase in inventory levels across the region. 

The Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver (REBGV) reports that residential home sales in the region totalled 1,926 in September 2023, a 13.2 per cent increase from the 1,701 sales recorded in September 2022. This was 26.3 per cent below the 10-year seasonal average (2,614). ...

As we near the end of summer, higher borrowing costs have begun to permeate the Greater Vancouver housing market in predictable ways, with price gains cooling and sales slowing along the typical seasonal pattern. 

The Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver (REBGV) reports that residential home sales in the region totalled 2,296 in August 2023, a 21.4 per cent increase from the 1,892 sales recorded in August 2022. This was 13.8 per cent below the 10-year seasonal average (2,663). ...

Home prices across all home types in Metro Vancouver rose again in July, as strong sales figures continue to push up against low levels of housing inventory in the region. 

 The Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver (REBGV) reports that residential home sales in the region totalled 2,455 in July 2023, a 28.9 per cent increase from the 1,904 sales recorded in July 2022. This was 15.6 per cent below the 10-year seasonal average (2,909). 

 “While sales remain about 15 per...

Canadians continue to grapple with the increased cost of living, and the Bank of Canada’s latest hike to interest rates this week will add more pressure to variable rate mortgage holders, as well as those looking to qualify for lending. While buyers who have secured a rate hold are anxious to make a purchase before it expires, some sellers have hit the pause button on listing their homes until economic conditions stabilize, further contributing to a lack of available inventory. Additional demand pressures...

REBGV Market Activity – June 2023

The Greater Vancouver real estate housing market is showing some conflicting indicators, suggesting a potential shift on the horizon. While the REBGV aggregate HPI benchmark price rose to $1,203,000, the overall average sales price experienced a decline, marking the first decrease since January. In June, the aggregate average property value decreased by $41,275, resulting in a final price of $1,270,619. However, when compared to the previous year, average sale prices...

Continuing the trend that has emerged in the housing market this year, the benchmark price for all home types in Metro Vancouver1 increased in June as home buyer demand butted up against a limited inventory of homes for sale in the region.

The Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver (REBGV) reports that residential home sales2 in the region totalled 2,988 in June 2023, a 21.1 per cent increase from the 2,467 sales recorded in June 2022. This was 8.6 per cent below the 10-year seasonal average (3,269)....

As home prices and interest rates continue to rise, whilst inventory remains extremely tight, Canada’s first-time buyers are feeling increasingly worried about missing out on their desired home because they don’t have enough of a down payment.

According to a recent survey released by Sagen™, conducted by Environics Research with a series of questions for Royal LePage, 67% of first-time buyers (those that purchased a home within the last two years) said that before buying, they worried they might miss...

While the year started slower than usual, Metro Vancouver’s1 housing market is showing signs of heating up as summer arrives, with prices increasing for the sixth consecutive month.

The Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver (REBGV) reports that residential home sales in the region totalled 3,4112 in May 2023, which is a 15.7 per cent increase from the 2,947 sales recorded in May 2022, and a 1.4 per cent decline from the 10-year seasonal average (3,458).

"Back in January, few people would have predicted...

51 % of current investors and 23% of non-investors are considering buying an investment property before 2028

Despite higher lending rates and lower levels of inventory, the desire to own a home in Canada remains strong, especially among those who see ownership as a way to support their financial future. Canadians continue to look to the housing market as a means of building generational wealth and an additional source of income, and many are planning to try their hand in real estate investing within...

With listing activity remaining below historical norms, home sales in Metro Vancouver have mounted a surprising comeback, rising near levels seen last spring, before eight consecutive interest rate hikes eroded borrowing power and brought home sales activity down along with it.

The Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver (REBGV) reports that residential home sales in the region totalled 2,741 in April 2023, a 16.5 per cent decrease from the 3,281 sales recorded in April 2022, and 15.6 per cent below...

Home prices in Metro Vancouver's housing market saw modest increases in March, despite new listings remaining below long-term historical averages. However, data from March suggests that home sales are performing better than expected for the spring season, even with elevated borrowing costs.

The Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver reports that residential home sales in the region totaled 2,535 in March 2023, a 42.5% decrease from the 4,405 sales recorded in March 2022 and 28.4% below the 10-year...

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...