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 the pace of demand. This is leaving the market under supplied." said Keith Stewart, REBGV economist. 

There were 4,032 detached, attached and apartment properties newly listed for sale on the Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) in Metro Vancouver in August 2021. This represents a 30.6% year-over-year decrease when 5,813 homes were listed and a 7.9% decrease compared to July 2021 when 4,377 homes were listed.

The total number of homes currently listed for sale on the MLS® system in Metro Vancouver is 9,005, a 29.7% decrease compared to August 2020 (12,803) and an 8.6% decrease compared to July 2021 (9,850).

"Housing supply is the biggest factor impacting the market right now. To help relieve pressure on prices and improve peoples' home buying options, the market needs a more abundant supply of homes for sale." Stewart said. "Housing affordability has been a key issue in the federal election. We encourage the political parties to focus on policy solutions that will help streamline the creation of more diverse housing options for hopeful home buyers today and into the future." 

For all property types, the sales-to-active listings ratio for August 2021 is 35%. By property type, the ratio is 25.3% for detached homes, 51.8% for townhomes, and 39.2% for apartments. 

Generally, analysts say downward pressure on home prices occurs when the ratio dips below 12% for a sustained period, while home prices often experience upward pressure when it surpasses 20% over several months.

"When assessing the market, it's important to understand that while year-over-year price increases have reached double digits, most of the increases happened three or more months ago," Stewart said. "To better understand the latest home price trends in your preferred location and home type, talk with your local REALTOR®."

The MLS® Home Price Index composite benchmark price for all residential properties in Metro Vancouver is currently $1,176,600. This represents a 13.2% increase over August 2020 and a 0.1% increase compared to July 2021.

Sales of detached homes in August 2021 reached 945, a 13.7% decrease from the 1,095 detached sales recorded in August 2020. The benchmark price for a detached home is $1,807,100. This represents a 20.4% increase from August 2020 and a 0.3% increase compared to July 2021.

Sales of apartment homes reached 1,631 in August 2021, a 22.4% increase compared to the 1,332 sales in August 2020. The benchmark price of an apartment property is $735,100. This represents a 7.6% increase from August 2020 and a 0.2% decrease compared to July 2021. Attached home sales in August 2021 totalled 576, a 7.1% decrease compared to the 620 sales in August 2020. The benchmark price of an attached home is $952,600. This represents a 16.5% increase from August 2020 and a 0.3% increase compared to July 2021.

Download the August 2021 stats package.