Housing supply and demand reach closer alignment in January
VANCOUVER, B.C. – February 2, 2010 – Diverse selection and favourable interest rates continue to drive demand in the Greater Vancouver housing market.
The Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver (REBGV) reports that residential property sales in Greater Vancouver totalled 1,923 in January 2010, an increase of 152.4 per cent compared to January 2009 when 762 sales were recorded and a 23.5 per cent decline compared to the 2,515 sales recorded in December 2009.
Over the last 12 months, the MLSLink® Housing Price Index (HPI) benchmark price for all residential properties in Greater Vancouver increased 17.2 per cent to $573,241 from $489,007 in January 2009. This price is 0.8 per cent above the previous high point in the market in May 2008 when the residential benchmark price sat at $568,411.
“Although home prices in the region have largely returned to their previous peaks, we still see a significant number of first-time and move-up buyers in the market, thanks to low interest rates and the diverse range of properties available today,” Jake Moldowan, REBGV president-elect said.
“There is also closer alignment between supply and demand in today’s housing market. At 18 per cent, the sales -to- active listings ratio in January is approximately 10 per cent lower than we’ve seen in our market over the last six months,” Moldowan said.
Information Supplied By The Real Estate Board of Greater vancouver
Slow start, strong finish for housing market in 2009
VANCOUVER, B.C. – January 5, 2010 – After beginning the year at near record low sales levels, buyers’ confidence in the Greater Vancouver housing market quickly returned, allowing for significant and sustained increases in the number of residential property sales for much of 2009.
“Low interest rates, an economy emerging from recession and continuing to improve, and consumer confidence led to the resurgence experienced in the Greater Vancouver housing market in 2009,” Scott Russell, REBGV president said. “Home sales neared or passed monthly records in Greater Vancouver throughout the latter half of 2009. In fact, last month’s home sales rank as the third highest selling December in the 90-year history of our organization.”
“The number of homes listed for sale on our MLS® has been in decline in Greater Vancouver for eight of the last nine months, which results in upward pressure on home prices and less selection for buyers to choose from,” Russell said.
Total active listings in Greater Vancouver currently sit at 8,939, a decrease of 41 per cent from December 2008, and a decrease of 19 per cent from November 2009
Information supplied by the Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver
High sales levels spur rise in home values
VANCOUVER, B.C. – November 2, 2009 – Strong demand has led to a steady rise in Greater Vancouver home prices compared to last year.
Over the last 12 months, the MLSLink® Housing Price Index (HPI) benchmark price for all residential properties in Greater Vancouver increased 6.8 per cent to $553,702 from $518,668 in October 2008. “While home prices have been rising in 2009, they have not eclipsed the peaks reached in early 2008,” Scott Russell, Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver (REBGV) president said. “We’re coming off several months of unseasonably high sales levels, which has allowed for a gradual increase in home values this year,”
“High confidence and low mortgage rates are continuing to drive the activity we’re seeing in the housing market today,” Russell said.
At 12,084, the total number of property listings on the MLS® decreased 4.1 per cent in October compared to last month and declined 37 per cent from this time last year.
Information Supplied by the Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver
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Buyer demand remains strong while home listings increase
VANCOUVER, B.C. – October 2, 2009 – Greater Vancouver home sales remained strong last month, with the second highest number of residential sales ever recorded for the month of September. The Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver (REBGV) reports that residential property sales in Greater Vancouver totalled 3,559 in September 2009, an increase of 3.4 per cent from the 3,441 sales recorded in August 2009, and an increase of 124.5 per cent compared to September 2008 when 1,585 sales were recorded.
“As homes sales in Greater Vancouver continued at an elevated pace in September it’s encouraging to see that more homes were listed on the MLS® in the month than any other so far this year,” Scott Russell, REBGV president said.
“During this period of renewed demand in our marketplace, home values have gradually recovered from the declines that occurred in 2008,” said Russell.
Market momentum carries into August
The Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver (REBGV) reports that residential property sales in Greater Vancouver increased 119.5 per cent in August 2009 to 3,441 from the 1,568 sales recorded in August 2008 and increased 1.7 per cent compared to August 2007.
New listings for detached, attached and apartment properties increased 4.9 per cent to 4,544 in August 2009 compared to August 2008 when 4,331 new units were listed. Total active listings in Greater Vancouver currently sit at 11,937, down 33 per cent from August 2008.
“The return of confidence to our market has brought a high volume of home sales over the last few months and has also made determining home prices a little more challenging,” said Scott Russell, REBGV president. “The number of residential home sales this summer has been comparable to activity seen in the five years preceding 2008. While that’s great news, from the variations in activity we’re seeing across areas I’d say the market is still trying to find its own balance.”
Information supplied by The Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver
Strong Spring Market Carries Into Summer Months
The Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver (REBGV) reports that the number of residential property sales in Greater Vancouver totalled 4,114 in July 2009, becoming the highest volume of sales ever recorded within the REBGV for that month, outpacing the 4,023 sales in July 2003, which is the only other year that July sales exceeded the 4,000 mark.
"Home sales this summer are seasonally higher than normal, which is due in large part to the price correction that has taken place in the last year and low interest rates." Scott Russell, REBGV president said. "Although well priced listings and lower-to mid-range priced properties remain in the highest demand across Greater Vancouver, recent activity from first-time buyers is beginning to boost demand in the move-up segment of the market."
Information supplied by The Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver
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The government has announced that effective July 1st, 2010, the GST and PST are going to be harmonized. The potential effect of this on Real Estate may be quite significant. Currently, the purchase of a new home is exempt for the PST, but will be subject to the HST, with the PST portion being recoverable.
As more information becomes available, we will have a better understanding of the impact of this on the industry.
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Market conditions drive strong June housing sales
"Price reductions and low interest rates have created an improvement in affordability, which is causing the number of sales to rise to levels comparable to 2003 to 2007," Scott Russell, REBGV president said.
"Many people who were reluctant to purchase a home last fall and earlier this year are returning to the market because they see conditions that appeal to their personal and financial needs," Russell said. "However, the current marketplace is such that buyers are more inclined to walk if they don't like the terms of an offer."
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