News: Vancouver Real Estate Market

Conditions are ripe for as strong a market as the post-recessionary rebound

TORONTO, January 9, 2014 – According to the Royal LePage House Price Survey and Market Survey Forecast released today, the average price of a home in Canada increased between 1.2 per cent and 3.8 per cent in the fourth quarter of 2013.

The survey showed year-over-year average price increases in the fourth quarter of 2013 of 3.6 per cent to $418,282 for standard two-storey homes and 3.8 per cent to $380,710 for...

The Greater Vancouver housing market maintained a consistent balance between demand and supply throughout 2013.

The Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver (REBGV) reports that total sales of detached, attached and apartment properties in 2013 reached 28,524, a 14 per cent increase from the 25,032 sales recorded in 2012, and an 11.9 per cent decrease from the 32,390 residential sales in 2011.

"Home sales quietly improved last year compared to 2012, although the volume of activity didn't...

Consistent home sale and listing activity has allowed balanced market conditions to prevail in the Greater Vancouver housing market for most of 2013.

The Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver (REBGV) reports that residential property sales in Greater Vancouver reached 2,321 on the Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) in November 2013. This represents a 37.7 per cent increase compared to the 1,686 sales recorded in November 2012, and a 12.8 per cent decline compared to the 2,661 sales in October...

   Home buyer and seller activity continues to mirror historical averages in the Greater Vancouver housing market. These trends have helped keep the region in a balanced state for the last nine months.

The Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver reports that residential property sales in Greater Vancouver reached 2,661 on the Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) in October 2013. This is a 37.8 per cent increase compared to the 1,931 sales recorded in October 2012, and a 7.2 per...

The British Columbia Real Estate Association (BCREA) released its 2013 Fourth Quarter Housing Forecast today.

BC Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) residential sales are forecast to increase 6 per cent to 71,700 units this year, before increasing a further 6.3 per cent to 76,200 units in 2014. The five-year average is 74,600 unit sales, while the ten-year average is 86,800 unit sales. A record 106,300 MLS® residential sales were recorded in 2005.

"Consumer demand has bounced back after waning...

Royal LePage records strong house price gains in the third quarter of 2013

TORONTO, October 10, 2013 – According to the Royal LePage House Price Survey released today, the average price of a home in Canada increased between 1.2 per cent and 4.1 per cent in the third quarter of 2013.

The survey showed a year-over-year average price increase of 3.7 per cent to $418,686 for standard two-storey homes, while detached bungalows rose 4.1 per cent to $381,811. During the same period, the...

Today Concord Pacific unveiled its newest neighbourhood "False Creek Central". Situated at the Cambie Gateway to Downtown Vancouver, it will connect Marinaside, Coopers’ Park and Yaletown neighbourhoods to Vancouver’s Sports and Entertainment District. The neighbourhood, along with Vancouver’sUrban Resort by Paragon/VOX 360, is an investment worth over a billion dollars. Concord’s new neighbourhood will be comprised of 8 buildings, 90,000 square feet of commercial,retail and...

Home buyer and seller activity in the Greater Vancouver housing market continues to far outpace 2012, yet is in line with the region’s 10-year averages.

The Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver (REBGV) reports that residential property sales in Greater Vancouver reached 2,483 on the Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) in September 2013. This represents a 63.8 per cent increase compared to the 1,516 sales recorded in September 2012, and a 1.2 per cent decline compared to the 2,514...

August activity in the Greater Vancouver housing market finished well above last year’s pace and slightly below the 10-year average for the month.

The Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver (REBGV) reports that residential property sales in Greater Vancouver reached 2,514 on the Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) in August 2013. This represents a 52.5 per cent increase compared to the 1,649 sales recorded in August 2012, and a 14.7 per cent decline compared to the 2,946 sales in July 2013....

The British Columbia Real Estate Association (BCREA) released its 2013 Third Quarter Housing Forecast Update today.

BC Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) residential sales are forecast to increase 3.9 per cent to 70,300 units this year, before increasing a further 6.1 per cent to 74,600 units in 2014. The five-year average is 74,600 unit sales, while the ten-year average is 86,800 unit sales. A record 106,300 MLS® residential sales were recorded in 2005.

"After a marked pull back of consumer...

Sunny weather did not slow the pace of home sale activity in July. Last month was the highest selling month of the year in Greater Vancouver and the highest selling July since 2009.

The Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver (REBGV) reports that residential property sales in Greater Vancouver reached 2,946 on the Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) in July 2013. This represents a 40.4 per cent increase compared to the 2,098 sales recorded in July 2012, and an 11.5 per cent increase compared...

   Royal LePage forecasts modest house price gains for remainder of 2013, as Canadian housing emerges from current market cycle

TORONTO, July 9, 2013 – The average price of a home in Canada increased between 1.2 per cent and 2.7 per cent in the second quarter of 2013, according to the Royal LePage House Price Survey and Market Survey Forecast, released today.

According to the survey, markets across the country continue to post gains. In the second quarter, standard two-storey...

The Greater Vancouver housing market continues to maintain a relative balance between the number of homes for sale and the number of people looking to purchase a home in the region today.

The Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver (REBGV) reports that residential property sales in Greater Vancouver reached 2,642 on the Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) in June 2013. This represents an 11.9 per cent increase compared to the 2,362 sales recorded in June 2012, and an 8.3 per cent decline...

   While the number of home sales in Greater Vancouver continued to trend below the 10-year average in May, the balance of sales and listings meant continued market stability this spring.

The Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver (REBGV) reports that residential property sales in Greater Vancouver reached 2,882 on the Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) in May 2013. This represents a one per cent increase compared to the 2,853 sales recorded in May 2012, and a 9.7 per...

A closer relationship between home buyer demand and the supply of homes for sale has been having a stabilizing impact on home prices in the Greater Vancouver housing market over the last three months.

The Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver (REBGV) reports that residential property sales in Greater Vancouver reached 2,627 on the Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) in April 2013. This represents a 6.1 per cent decrease compared to the 2,799 sales recorded in April 2012, and an 11.9 per...

This market study is focused on Coquitlam condos and townhomes in the Town Centre of Coquitlam and was prepared by David Reimers.

Overall Impression of the Area: High-rise apartments form the majority of the housing stock in the area. There are a number of new high-rise developments currently under construction. Excellent amenities for residents with a wide selection of shopping, commercial, recreational, school and transit options. A great area for first time buyers, investors or those re-sizing....

Unprecedented combination of low interest rates, flattening house prices and strengthening economy provide support to Canada’s housing market

TORONTO, April 4, 2013 –The Royal LePage House Price Survey released today showed that house prices remained relatively flat in the first quarter of 2013 compared to the first quarter of 2012, recording that the average price of a home in Canada increased between 1.2 per cent and 2.4 per cent. An unprecedented combination of flat or in some regions...

   Lower levels of both supply and demand in recent months are holding home prices in check in the Greater Vancouver housing market.

The Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver (REBGV) reports that residential property sales in Greater Vancouver reached 2,347 on the Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) in March 2013. This represents an 18.3 per cent decrease compared to the 2,874 sales recorded in March 2012, and a 30.6 per cent increase compared to the 1,797...

Overall Impression of the Area: Ranch Park is undergoing a transformation. A prime area for infill development. Ranch Park is an established area well known for it's larger lot sizes and spectacular views. Property values tend to be lower than average for the Coquitlam area. As older long-time residents start down sizing into smaller homes, their properties are being acquired by young families. Builders are also seeing the potential and building monster million dollar mansions.

Report Prepared...

   Canadian manufacturing sales began the year on a down note, declining 0.2 per cent in January, the fourth decline in the last five months. However, weakness was not broad based with just 7 of 21 manufacturing sectors posting declining sales. Adjusting for inflation, Canadian manufacturing sales were 0.4 per cent lower.

Sales in the BC manufacturing sector rose 2.1 per cent in January, and were 1.4 per cent higher year-over-year. BC manufacturing growth continues to be lead by a...

   Home sale activity has trended below historical averages for a full year in the Greater Vancouver housing market.

The Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver (REBGV) reports that residential property sales in Greater Vancouver reached 1,797 on the Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) in February 2013. This represents a 29.4 per cent decrease compared to the 2,545 sales recorded in February 2012, and a 33 per cent increase compared to the 1,351 sales in January 2012.

Last month's...

   Home buyer demand remains below historical averages in the Greater Vancouver housing market. This has led some home sellers to remove their homes from the market in recent months.

The Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver (REBGV) reports that residential property sales in Greater Vancouver reached 1,351 on the Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) in January 2013. This represents a 14.3 per cent decrease compared to the 1,577 sales recorded in January 2012, and an 18.3 per...

The British Columbia Real Estate Association (BCREA) released its 2013 First Quarter Housing Forecast Update today. BC Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) residential sales are forecast to increase 5.6 per cent to 71,450 units this year, before increasing a further 6.1 per cent to 75,830 units in 2014. The five-year average is 74,600 unit sales, while the ten-year average is 86,800 unit sales. A record 106,300 MLS® residential sales were recorded in 2005.

"2013 is shaping up to be...

The US economy unexpectedly contracted by 0.1 per cent in the fourth quarter of 2012 as growth was pulled down by the largest decline in defense spending in four decades. The US economy expanded 2.2 per cent for all of 2012.

While the modest decline in GDP is likely to spur use of the "R" word (recession) in the media, it is worth noting that today's release is the advanced estimate for real GDP and is subject to revisions which can be substantial. Moreover the contraction in output was almost...

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Our 2013 residential market study was prepared to help you make informed real estate decisions. It’s designed to help you identify trends in your market place and to show how residential real estate in your area has performed over the last ten years. Order your free copy here > Real Estate Market Study

Canadian House Prices Edge Up in Third Quarter While the Number of Home Sales Fall

First-time buyer activity drops as market adjusts to new mortgage regulations

TORONTO, January 8, 2013 The Royal LePage House Price Survey and Market Survey Forecast released today showed the average price of a home in Canada increased year-over-year between 2.0 and 4.0 per cent in the fourth quarter of 2012. Compared to 2012, fewer homes are expected to trade hands in the first half of 2013, which should slow the pace...

   On the heels of a surge in employment in November, Canadian employment posted a strong increase again in December, growing by 40,000 jobs. December's increase in jobs was entirely due to gains in full-time employment. The Canadian economy added just shy of 100,000 new jobs in the final two months of 2012, which pushed the national unemployment rate to 7.1 per cent, its lowest level in 4 years.

Job growth in the BC economy was essentially flat as an increase of 4,300 in full-time...

   The Greater Vancouver housing market experienced below average home sale totals, typical home listing activity and modest declines in home prices in 2012.

The Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver (REBGV) reports that total sales of detached, attached and apartment properties in 2012 reached 25,032, a 22.7 per cent decline from the 32,387 sales recorded in 2011, and an 18.2 per cent decrease from the 30,595 residential sales in 2010. Last year’s home sale total was 25.7...

Vancouver, BC – December 13, 2012. The British Columbia Real Estate Association (BCREA) reports that the dollar volume of homes sold through the Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) in BC declined 24.6 per cent to $2.3 billion in November compared to the same month last year. A total of 4,680 MLS® residential unit sales were recorded over the same period, down 17 per cent from November 2011. The average MLS® residential price was $480,861, down 9.1 per cent from a year ago.

 ...

Canada’s national housing market is shifting toward a more sustainable path, though significant differences in regional conditions continue.

Canada’s housing market so far appears to have achieved a soft landing, with cooler but fairly steady sales and pricing through the fall. Nationally, sales in October were down about 10% from strong spring levels, but are only marginally below the average pace of the past decade. Early reports for November point to more of the same.

 ...

I am now convinced that we will never hear the end of housing bubble speak. The premise is now as firmly entrenched in popular consciousness as carbon emissions and TMZ. It has taken the form of idolatry in the blogosphere, where any countervailing narrative is demonized. It has catapulted university dropouts into media darlings because of a hackneyed webpage and an opinion. It has been tarted up by so-called experts who predict impending doom year after year, despite being completely wrong every...

   Over the past six months, the Greater Vancouver housing market has seen a reduction in the number of homes listed for sale, a gradual moderation in home prices and a decrease in property sales compared to historical averages.

The Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver (REBGV) reports that residential property sales of detached, attached and apartment properties reached 1,686 on the region’s Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) in November, a 28.6 per cent decline compared...

   Following the surprise announcement that Mark Carney will be departing to helm the Bank of England, it was back to business as usual at the Bank of Canada as interest rates were once again held constant at 1 per cent. The statement released this morning in support of the interest rate decision noted that while the global economy appears to have stabilized, it still remains vulnerable to major shocks from the US or Europe. The Canadian economy is growing at a slightly softer pace than...

   Among its many provisions, it makes significant changes to legislation including the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, the National Energy Board Act, and the Species at Risk Act.

These changes affect the operation of the National Energy Board (NEB), which has potentially serious implications for property owners along pipelines.

This includes the 2,200 property owners along the Trans Mountain Pipeline, owned by Kinder Morgan, which runs from the Alberta tar sands and...

   The Greater Vancouver housing market saw a slight increase in the number of home sales, a slight reduction in the number of listings, and a slight decrease in home prices in October compared to the summer months. With those changes, the sales-to-active-listings ratio increased to 11 per cent in October from 8 per cent in September.

The Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver (REBGV) reported 1,931 residential property sales of detached, attached and apartment properties on the region’s...

   BCREA 2012 Fourth Quarter Housing Forecast

Vancouver, BC – October 26, 2012. The British Columbia Real Estate Association (BCREA) released its 2012 Fourth Quarter Housing Forecast today.

BC Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) residential sales are forecast to decline 9.8 per cent to 69,200 units this year, before increasing 8.3 per cent to 74,920 units in 2013. The fifteen-year average is 79,000 unit sales, while a record 106,300 MLS® residential sales were...

A laneway house (also known as a coach house or carriage house) is a detached dwelling located typically in the area where the garage would be on a single-family lot. It faces the lane, while maintaining the backyard open space. Alternatively on a corner lot it would face the side street. At least one parking space is needed for each laneway home. Most laneway houses include a garage.

Laneway houses present an excellent opportunity for homeowners to increase the value of their existing homes by adding...

What is a depreciation report?

A depreciation report is a legislated planning requirement for strata corporations in British Columbia. Depreciation reports are used to establish long term planning for common property and common assets to determine:

1) What assets you own ( an inventory )

2) The asset condition ( evaluation )

3) When things need to be replaced ( the anticipated maintenance, repair and replacement )

4) How much money you currently have ( contingency reserve report )

5) What...

   Vancouver, BC - October 15, 2012. The British Columbia Real Estate Association (BCREA) reports that the dollar volume of homes sold through the Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) in BC declined 28.5 per cent to $2.2 billion in September compared to the same month last year. A total of 4,539 MLS® residential unit sales were recorded over the same period, down 24.3 per cent from September 2011. The average MLS® residential price was $494,213, down 5.6 per cent from a year...

Canadian House Prices Edge Up in Third Quarter While the Number of Home Sales Fall

First-time buyer activity drops as market adjusts to new mortgage regulations

TORONTO, October 3, 2012 – The Royal LePage House Price Survey released today showed the average price of a home in Canada increased year-over-year between 1.8 and 4.8 per cent in the third quarter of 2012.

Survey findings indicated that the average standard two-storey home in Canada increased 4 per cent year-over-year rising...

The summer of 2012 drew to a close in September with home sale activity well below historical averages in the Greater Vancouver housing market.

The Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver (REBGV) reports that residential property sales of detached, attached and apartment properties reached 1,516 in September, a 32.5 per cent decline compared to the 2,246 sales in September 2011 and an 8.1 per cent decline compared to the 1,649 sales in August 2012.

September sales were 41.6 per cent below the 10-year...

   Canadian job growth bounced back in August as employment expanded by 34,300. Just as last month's over 30,000 job losses were entirely due to part-time employment, this month's gains were the result of those jobs being added back.  Part-time employment grew by 46,700 while, full-time employment fell 12,500. The Canadian unemployment rate held steady at 7.3 per cent

BC employment followed the national trend, adding 14,900 new jobs in August. However, job growth was entirely based...

Home sale activity remained below long-term averages in the Greater Vancouver housing market in August.

The Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver (REBGV) reports that residential property sales of detached, attached and apartment properties reached 1,649 in August, a 30.7 per cent decline compared to the 2,378 sales in August 2011 and a 21.4 per cent decline compared to the 2,098 sales in July 2012.

August sales were the second lowest total for the month in the region since 1998 and 39.2 per cent...

   For the complete news release, including detailed statistics, click: here.

Vancouver, BC – August 28, 2012. The BCREA Commercial Leading Indicator (CLI) continued to trend higher in the second quarter of 2012, rising 0.8 points to 112.6 from a revised level of 111.8 in the first quarter.  On a year-over-year basis, the CLI is now 3.7 per cent above its level in the second quarter of 2011.

"The trend in the CLI continues to signal strong growth in the BC commercial...

   Residential property sales in Greater Vancouver remained at a 10-year low in July, while the number of properties being listed for sale continued to edge down and prices remained relatively stable.

The Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver (REBGV) reports that there were 2,098 residential property sales of detached, attached and apartment properties in July. That’s an 18.4 per cent decline compared to the 2,571 sales in July 2011 and an 11.2 per cent decline compared to...

   Property in the Lower Mainland continues to attract investors world-wide. It is therefore important for you (the non-resident) to understand Canada’s tax laws to help avoid mistakes and pitfalls. Here is a brief summary of information, relevant to you the foreign investor:

Resident or non-resident?

Under Canada’s income tax system, whether an individual is a resident or a non-resident can play a role in how much tax you will pay.

• As a resident you must pay Canadian...

   The number of residential property sales hit a 10-year low in Greater Vancouver for June, while prices remained relatively stable.

The Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver (REBGV) reports that residential property sales of detached, attached and apartment properties reached 2,362 in June, a 27.6 per cent decline compared to the 3,262 sales in June 2011 and a 17.2 per cent decline compared to the 2,853 sales in May 2012.

June sales were the lowest total for the month in...

   For the fourth time in the past four years, the Federal Government has announced further action to restrict mortgage credit. The new measures include:

• The maximum amortization on a prime mortgage will be reduced from 30 to 25 years.
• Mortgage insurance will not be provided for properties valued over $1 million.
• Refinancing has been lowered from a maximum of 85% loan-to-value to a maximum of 80% loan-to-value.
• The maximum gross debt service (GDS) and total debt service (TDS) will be limited...

Vancouver, BC – June 6, 2012. The British Columbia Real Estate Association (BCREA) released its 2012 Second Quarter Housing Forecast today.

BC Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) residential sales are forecast to edge down 2.2 per cent to 74,800 units this year, before increasing 4.9 per cent to 78,500 units in 2013. Since 2009, annual home sales in the province have hovered in the 74,000 to 78,000 unit range. A record 106,300 MLS® residential sales were recorded in 2005.

 ...