News: Vancouver Real Estate Market

   The number of properties listed for sale continued to increase in the Greater Vancouver housing market in May. The number of sales decreased year over year, but remained relatively constant compared to recent months.

The Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver (REBGV) reports that residential property sales in Greater Vancouver reached 2,853 on the Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) in May 2012. This represents a 15.5 per cent decline compared to the 3,377 sales recorded in...

Canadian CPI inflation registered 2.0 per cent (year-over-year) in April, a 0.1 point increase from March inflation of 1.9 per cent. The rise in consumer prices was led by transportation costs, including a 3.3 per cent rise in gasoline prices. In fact, Statistics Canada's gasoline Index reached a 4 year high in April. The Bank of Canada's core inflation measure, which excludes food and energy prices, rose 2.1 per cent in April, up from 1.9 per cent in March. Consumer prices in BC were 1.6 per cent...

   Canadian manufacturing sales increased 1.9 per cent in March, the largest advanced since September 2011. The gain was largely driven by higher sales of petroleum and coal products, though higher sales were reported in 13 of the 21 manufacturing sectors surveyed.

BC manufacturing sales rose 0.4 per cent on a month-over-month basis in March but were 0.4 per cent lower than in March 2011. BC manufacturing sales were lead higher by a rebound in BC’s non-durables goods sector...

   Canadian employment rose by 58,000 jobs in April following a blockbuster March in which employment increased by 82,000. Despite large job gains in the past two months, the national unemployment rate edged up 0.1 points to 7.3 per cent as more Canadian were looking for work.

Employment in British Columbia expanded by 19,700 in April, including 16,700 full-time positions. The BC unemployment rate fell by a surprising 0.8 points to 6.2 per cent. BC employment growth is up 2.1 per...

   Canadian building permits continue to show strength, rising 4.7 per cent month-over-month in March. The gain at the National level was mostly the result of higher institutional and commercial activity in Ontario, which were up 65 per cent and 15 per cent higher respectively.

Construction intentions in BC tumbled 29 per cent in March, though from a very active February that saw over $1 billion in permits. On a year-over-year basis, total building permits were down 13 per cent from...

   Home sale and listing activity has maintained a consistent pace on the Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) in Greater Vancouver in recent months, which has helped create balanced conditions for the region’s housing market.

The Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver (REBGV) reports that residential property sales in Greater Vancouver reached 2,799 on the Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) in April 2012. This represents a 13.2 per cent decline compared to the 3,225...

Buying your first home is a very exciting yet stressful time. It's one of the most important decisions you'll ever make and one of the main reasons to seek professional advice. The right advisor will help guide you through the buying process and help you lay the foundation for an enjoyable home ownership experience. The sooner you start working with an agent the better. As a buyer there are typically no costs to hire a REALTOR®. Most agents offer a complimentary new home buyer orientation which...

   The Bank of Canada left its overnight rate unchanged at 1 per cent for the 13th consecutive meeting. In the statement accompanying the decision the Bank noted that economic momentum in Canada is slightly firmer than the Bank had forecast in January and that economic headwinds from the US and Europe have abated somewhat. However, the Bank still judges the continued accumulation of debt by Canadian households to be the biggest domestic risk facing the economy. The Bank further noted that...

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

Vancouver, BC – April 13, 2012. The British Columbia Real Estate Association (BCREA) reports that the dollar volume of homes sold through Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) in BC declined 26.5 per cent to $3.8 billion in March compared to the same month last year. A total of 6,882 MLS® residential unit sales were recorded over the same period, a decline of 20 per cent. The average MLS®...

   Home sales in March trended below the 10-year average in Greater Vancouver while home listing activity outpaced what’s typical for the month.

The Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver (REBGV) reports that residential property sales in Greater Vancouver reached 2,874 on the Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) in March 2012. This represents a 12.9 per cent increase compared to the 2,545 sales recorded in February 2012, a decline of 29.6 per cent compared to the 4,080...

   The Canadian economy got off to a slow start to begin 2012, failing to build on momentum from December. January Gross Domestic Product grew just 0.1 per cent, after posting robust 0.5 per cent growth in the final month 2011. Economic growth in January was given a boost by manufacturing output which rose for the fifth consecutive month, but was dragged lower by declining oil and gas extraction. On a year-over-year basis, real GDP growth was 1.7 per cent in January.

The Canadian...

US housing starts declined slightly in February, though January new construction was revised higher. Total housing starts were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate(SAAR) of 698,000 last month, down 1 per cent from 706,000 (SAAR) in January. Building permits, an indicator of future home construction, were 717,000 (SAAR) in February, a 5 per cent increase from January and 3 per cent higher than February 2011.

While this morning's report is not overly positive, it does reinforce that the housing...

Vancouver, BC – March 15, 2012. The British Columbia Real Estate Association (BCREA) reports that the dollar volume of homes sold through Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) in BC declined 9.6 per cent to $3.4 billion in February compared to the same month last year. A total of 5,923 MLS® residential unit sales were recorded over the same period, a decline of 7.6 per cent. The average MLS® residential price was $574,975 in February, 2.1 per cent lower than in February 2011.

 ...

   The Bank of Canada left its overnight rate unchanged at 1 per cent for the twelfth consecutive meeting. In the statement accompanying the decision the Bank noted that while heightened uncertainty in the global economy has decreased in recent weeks, global economic growth is likely to remain below trend. The Bank also noted that it expects Canadian households to add to their debt burden in 2012, which in the Bank's judgement is the biggest domestic risk to the Canadian economy. Finally,...

   Below is a break down of the current Average Days on the Market (ADOM) and Average Price Per Square Foot for Apartments in and around Downtown Vancouver.

• Coal Harbour - AP/SQFT is $851/sqft with an ADOM of 40 days.
• Yaletown - AP/SQFT is $742/sqft with an ADOM of 44 days.
• Westend - AP/SQFT is $672/sqft with an ADOM of 40 days.
• Downtown - AP/SQFT is $660/sqft with an ADOM of 49 days.
• Falsecreek - AP/SQFT is $606/sqft with an ADOM of 47 days.

   Modest Improvements at the End of 2011 Lighten the Load on Household Budgets

TORONTO, March 7, 2012— Canada's housing market made further steps on a promising path in the closing months of 2011 as affordability improved for the second consecutive quarter, according to the latest Housing Trends and Affordability Report released today by RBC Economics Research. Canadian homebuyers benefited from softer home prices and income gains that helped lighten the load on their budgets...

   Closer alignment between home buyer and seller activity helped bring greater balance to the Greater Vancouver housing market in February.

The Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver (REBGV) reports that residential property sales in Greater Vancouver reached 2,545 on the MLS® system in February 2012. This represents a 61.4 per cent increase compared to the 1,577 sales recorded in January 2012, a decline of 17.8 per cent compared to the 3,097 sales in February 2011 and a 2.9...

   The Canadian economy grew 0.4 per cent in December and 1.8 per cent at a seasonally adjusted annual rate for the fourth quarter, close to BCREA’s forecast of 1.9 per cent and a marked decline from a 4.2 per cent rate of growth in the third quarter. Grwoth in Real GDP for 2011 was 2.5 per cent, a decline from 3.2 per cent growth in 2011. Significant uncertainty looms over the Canadian economy in 2012 from a yet unsettled Euro-debt crisis an improving but still sluggish US economy,...

   The province will transition back to the Provincial Sales Tax (PST), which will replace the Harmonized Sales Tax (HST), on April 1, 2013. Until then, the province has announced transitional rules for new homes which take effect April 1, 2012.

Note: This information is current to today, February 21, 2012 and has been verified with the Canada Revenue Agency, HST Branch. However, we have been advised that the information could change depending on HST rulings to come.

For more...

Vancouver, BC – February 15, 2012. The British Columbia Real Estate Association (BCREA) reports that the dollar volume of homes sold through Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) in BC dipped 7.6 per cent to $2.1 billion in January compared to the same month last year. A total of 3,976 homes traded hands on the MLS® over the same period, down 3.9 per cent. The average MLS® residential price was 3.8 per cent lower at $527,219 compared to January 2011.

"Increased market activity...

   Greater Vancouver home sellers were more active than buyers in January and overall home prices, according to the new MLS® Home Price Index (MLS® HPI), continued to experience more stability and less fluctuation compared to the beginning of 2011.

The Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver (REBGV) reports that residential property sales in Greater Vancouver reached 1,577 on the Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) in January 2012. This represents a 4.9 per cent decrease...

The 2011 Greater Vancouver housing market began with heightened demand in regional hot spots and concluded with greater balance between seller supply and buyer demand.

The Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver (REBGV) reports that total sales of detached, attached and apartment properties in 2011 reached 32,390, a 5.9 per cent increase from the 30,595 sales recorded in 2010, and a 9.2 per cent decrease from the 35,669 residential sales in 2009. Last year’s home sale total was 6.3 per cent below...

   I wrote the following post for BMO SmartSteps - click here to view:

Consistently ranked as one of the very best cities to live in the World, living in Vancouver will unfortunately come at a price - it’s the trade-off for an incredible lifestyle. Price however, as we all know, is relative. From a Canadian perspective, Vancouver real estate prices may seem high, but not when compared to the global real estate market.

To give you a taste of what you can buy in downtown Vancouver...

   Below is an extract from the latest news release by Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) about their fall Rental Market Survey.

The average rental apartment vacancy rate in Canada's 35 major centres decreased slightly to 2.2 per cent in October 2011, from 2.6 per cent in October 2010, according to the fall Rental Market Survey released today by Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC).

“Modestly higher levels of employment among persons...

   Canadian economic growth rebounded strongly in the third quarter of 2011 following a slight contraction in Q2. Real GDP data released this morning showed that the economy grew a robust 3.5 per cent last quarter, propelled higher by surging exports. However, domestic demand moderated as consumers and businesses reigned in spending.

Our forecast is for economic growth to slow in the fourth quarter and through much of 2012, likely to an average rate of between 1.5 and 2.5 per cent....

Vancouver, BC – November 8, 2011. The British Columbia Real Estate Association (BCREA) released its 2011 Fourth Quarter Housing Forecast today.

BC Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) residential sales are forecast to rise 3.2 per cent from 74,640 units in 2010 to 77,000 units this year, increasing a further 3.9 per cent to 80,000 units in 2012.

“Low mortgage interest rates are expected to persist through 2012 keeping affordability on an even keel,” said Cameron...

With a sales-to-active property listings ratio of 15 per cent, the Greater Vancouver housing market continues to hover at the lower end of a balanced market and has been trending in that direction over the past five months.

The Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver (REBGV) reports that residential property sales of detached, attached and apartment properties on the region’s Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) system reached 2,317 in October, a 1 per cent decrease compared to the 2,337...

The following real estate statistics use the Sales-to-List ratio to determine which of the following areas are Buyers Markets. The stats also divide each area by product type. The areas include Burnaby, Port Moody, Coquitlam and Port Coquitlam.  Click here to download stats package.

   As was universally anticipated, the Bank of Canada opted to hold its target overnight rate at 1 per cent this morning.  Ongoing uncertainty in the Euro-zone continues to weigh heavily on the Bank's outlook. In its statement accompanying the interest rate decision, it was noted that the bank is now projecting a contained Euro-crisis, but also a brief recession in the Euro-area due to ongoing deleveraging and fiscal austerity. The Bank also expects continued weakness, but no recession,...

   Canadian housing starts in increased in September, climbing to 7 per cent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 205,900 units. New home construction in BC also increased, rising 18.5 per cent from last month to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 27,400 units.  Total third quarter housing starts in BC were 6,844 compared with 6,316 starts in the third quarter of last year. New home construction continues to be centered around multi-family units which accounted for...

   Softening seen in some regions but suggestions of impending US-style correction unfounded, according to Royal LePage

The Royal LePage House Price Survey released today showed the average price of a home in Canada increased between 5.7 and 7.8 per cent in the third quarter of 2011, compared to the previous year. The strength of home price appreciation in the third quarter defied expectations as very low interest rates buoyed consumer confidence in a comparatively stable Canadian...

Consistent increases in property listings and fewer home sales over the summer months has helped move the Greater Vancouver housing market into the upper end of a buyers’ market.

The Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver (REBGV) reports that residential property sales of detached, attached and apartment properties on the region’s Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) reached 2,246 in September, a 1.2 per cent increase compared to the 2,220 sales in September 2010. Those sales also...

Vancouver, BC – September 14, 2011. The British Columbia Real Estate Association (BCREA) reports that Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) residential unit sales in the province rose 16.4 per cent to 6,504 units in August compared to the same month last year. The average MLS® residential price climbed 10.7 per cent to $539,953 last month compared to August 2010.

"BC home sales edged up one per cent in August compared to July on a seasonally adjusted basis,” said Cameron...

The Bank of Canada opted to hold the Bank's target rate at 1 per cent this morning.  Market volatility over the summer and incoming data indicating very weak economic growth has prompted an abrupt change in the policy stance at the Bank of Canada. Whereas just a few short weeks ago it was widely expected that interest rates were set to rise this fall, those rate hikes have been pushed out, possibly to as far as next summer.  The major economies of the world are dangerously close...

August marked the third consecutive month that home sale activity in Greater Vancouver was below the 10-year average for the month. In contrast, home listing activity in the region has exceeded the 10-year norm every month since the beginning of the year.

The Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver (REBGV) reports that residential property sales of detached, attached and apartment properties on the region’s Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) reached 2,378 in August. This total represents...

OTTAWA, August 24, 2011 — Housing starts are forecast to remain steady in 2011 and 2012, according to Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation’s (CMHC) third quarter Housing Market Outlook, Canada Edition.¹

“Housing starts have been strong in the last few months, but are forecast to moderate closer in line with demographic fundamentals,” said Mathieu Laberge, Deputy Chief Economist for CMHC. “Despite recent financial uncertainty, factors such as employment, immigration...

he Residential Construction Performance Guide sets out the minimum required performance of new homes covered by home warranty insurance in British Columbia. Homeowners can search this free online Guide to help determine whether a possible defect in design, labour or materials in their new home may be covered by home warranty insurance. The Guide is designed primarily for conventional low-rise, wood-frame homes which is the predominant method of residential construction in B.C. The guide was created...

The British Columbia Real Estate Association (BCREA) reports that Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) residential unit sales in the province rose 12.9 per cent to 6,533 units in July compared to the same month last year. The average MLS® residential price climbed 10 per cent to $540,877 last month compared to July 2010.

"BC home sales edged down 4 per cent from June to July, on a seasonally adjusted basis,” said Cameron Muir, BCREA Chief Economist. “Less frenetic buying...

While the balance between home buyer and seller activity remains in an equilibrium range in the Greater Vancouver housing market, last month’s home sale total was below the 10-year average for July.

The Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver (REBGV) reports that residential property sales of detached, attached and apartment properties on the region’s Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) reached 2,571 in July, a 14 per cent increase compared to the 2,255 sales in July 2010 and a 21.2...

 The Bank of Canada today announced that it is maintaining its target for the overnight rate at 1 per cent. The Bank Rate is correspondingly 1 1/4 per cent and the deposit rate is 3/4 per cent.

The global economic expansion is proceeding broadly as projected in the Bank’s April Monetary Policy Report (MPR), with modest growth in major advanced economies and robust expansions in emerging economies.  The U.S. economy has grown at a slower pace than expected and continues to be...

Home sellers outpaced buyers on Greater Vancouver’s Multiple Listings Service® (MLS®) in June, drawing the market back toward balance this summer.

The Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver (REBGV) reports that residential property sales of detached, attached and apartment properties reached 3,262 in June, a 9.8 per cent increase compared to the 2,972 sales in June 2010 and a 3.4 per cent decline compared to the 3,377 sales in May 2011.

New listings for detached, attached and apartment...

Vancouver, BC – June 30, 2011. The British Columbia Real Estate Association (BCREA) released its 2011 Second Quarter Housing Forecast today.

BC Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) residential sales are forecast to increase 5 per cent from 74,640 units in 2010 to 78,200 units this year, before increasing a further 3.1 per cent to 80,700 units in 2012.

"Home sales will post some modest gains over the next two years," said Cameron Muir, BCREA Chief Economist. "However, positive...

OTTAWA, June 29, 2011 — An estimated 1.9 million households, surveyed in 10 major centres, indicated they completed renovations last year, a slight decrease from the 2.1 million households that completed a renovation in 2009. This represents 42 per cent of homeowner households (down from 50 per cent in 2009), according to the Renovation and Home Purchase Survey released today by Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC). The average cost of renovations was $12,972.

 ...

Bob Rennie's address to the Urban Development Institute (UDI). As always, information-packed statistics came thick and fast, often generating a collective gasp of amazement. This year, Rennie focused on a question that's long been part of ongoing debate around dinner tables and office water coolers : is Vancouver the best place to live as The Economist and other publications suggest? Or are we the least affordable place to live as reported by the Frontier Centre for Public Policy in Winnipeg who ranked...

Vancouver, BC – June 15, 2011. The British Columbia Real Estate Association (BCREA) reports that Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) residential unit sales in the province edged down one per cent to 7,857 units in May compared to the same month last year. The average MLS® residential price climbed 20 per cent to $596,872 last month compared to May 2010.

"Tighter mortgage rules, tepid employment growth and advance buying during the first quarter kept BC home sales on a lower note...

Home sales remained at typical springtime levels on the Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) in Greater Vancouver in May.
 
The Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver (REBGV) reports that residential property sales of detached, attached and apartment properties in Greater Vancouver reached 3,377 in May 2011, a 7 per cent increase compared to the 3,156 sales in May 2010 and a 4.7 per cent increase compared to the 3,225 sales in April 2011.

Looking back further, last month’s residential...

 Greater Vancouver saw a typical, solid month of residential home sales on the Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) in April, in contrast to the near record pace witnessed in the two preceding months.

The Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver (REBGV) reports that residential property sales of detached, attached and apartment properties in Greater Vancouver reached 3,225 in April 2011, an 8.2 per cent decrease compared to the 3,512 sales in April 2010 and a 21 per cent decline compared...