Karel Palla & Darryl Sjerven

Metro Vancouver home buyers set a record pace in February

Last month was the highest selling February on record for the Metro Vancouver housing market.

Residential property sales in the region totalled 4,172 in February 2016, an increase of 36.3 per cent from the 3,061 sales recorded in February 2015 and an increase of 65.6 per cent compared to January 2016 when 2,519 home sales occurred.

Last month’s sales were 56.3 per cent above the 10-year sales average for the month and ranks as the highest February sales total on record.

"We're in a competitive, fast-moving market cycle that favours home sellers," Darcy McLeod, REBGV president said. “Sustained home buyer competition is keeping upward pressure on home prices across the region.”

New listings for detached, attached and apartment properties in Metro Vancouver totalled 5,812 in February 2016. This represents an increase of 7.1 per cent compared to the 5,425 units listed in February 2015 and a 30.8 per cent increase compared...

Here are the lastest stats. Please click on the links below to open up the Vancouver West and Vancouver East Stats. A summary of price increases from January 2015 to January 2016 is as follows:

Click here for Vancouver West Full Report

Vancouver West Detached(Houses): 24.6%
Vancouver West Condos: 20.5%
Vancouver West Townhouses: 17.7%

Click here for Vancouver East Full Report Link

Vancouver East Detached(Houses): 26%
Vancouver East Condos: 18%
Vancouver East Townhouses: 21.3%

Home buyer competition keeps home sellers in the driver’s seat

Home buyer activity remains at near record levels across the Metro Vancouver housing market.

Residential property sales in Greater Vancouver totalled 2,519 in January 2016, an increase of 31.7 per cent from the 1,913 sales recorded in January 2015 and a 10.9 per cent decline compared to December 2015 when 2,827 home sales occurred.

Last month’s sales were 46 per cent above the 10-year sales average for the month and rank as the second highest January on record.

“Fundamental economics are driving today’s market. Home buyer demand is at near record heights and home seller supply is as low as we’ve seen in many years,” Darcy McLeod, REBGV president said.

New listings for detached, attached and apartment properties in Greater Vancouver totalled 4,442 in January 2016. This represents a 6.2 per cent decline compared to the 4,737 units listed in January 2015 and a 119.8 per cent increase compared...

Strong Housing Demand Forecast Through 2017

BCREA 2016 First Quarter Housing Forecast Update

Vancouver, BC – January 28, 2016. The British Columbia Real Estate Association (BCREA) released 2016 First Quarter Housing Forecast Update today.

Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) rresidential sales in the province are forecast to edge back 6.2 per cent to 96,100 units this year, after reaching 102,517 units in 2015. Strong consumer demand is expected to push MLS® residential sales up by 2 per cent to 98,000 units in 2017. /p>

Housing demand in the province is being supported by a relatively robust economy, leading to strong employment growth and rising wages. In addition, net interprovincial migration is on an upswing as many Albertans look to BC for job opportunities. BC home sales are forecast to remain well above the ten-year average of 83,200 units over the next two years.

“The inventory of homes for sale is now at its lowest level in almost a decade,” said...

December Smashes Home Sales Record and 2015 Enters Record Book

Vancouver, BC – January 15, 2016. The British Columbia Real Estate Association (BCREA) reports that a record number of home sales were recorded in the province for the month of December. A total of 6,590 residential unit sales were recorded by the Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) last month, up 29.8 per cent from the same month the previous year. Total sales dollar volume hit a record $4.62 billion for the month of December, up 55.4 per cent compared to the previous year.

The average MLS® residential price in the province climbed above the $700,000 threshold for the first time in BC last month, rising 19.7 from December 2014 to $700,943.

“The 2015 housing market finished in dramatic fashion, with record demand for month of December,” said Cameron Muir, BCREA Chief Economist. “BC home sales breached the 100,000 unit threshold in 2015, and it was only the third time on record that this high...

Stats Centre Reports - December 2015 – Vancouver East, Vancouver West

Metro Vancouver home sales set an all-time record in 2015

Government of Canada Takes Action to Maintain a Healthy, Competitive and Stable Housing Market

December 11, 2015 – Ottawa, Ontario – Department of Finance

Finance Minister Bill Morneau today announced changes to the rules for government-backed mortgage insurance to contain risks in the housing market, reduce taxpayer exposure and support long-term stability. Effective February 15, 2016, the minimum down payment for new insured mortgages will increase from 5 per cent to 10 per cent for the portion of the house price above $500,000. The 5 per cent minimum down payment for properties up to $500,000 remains unchanged.

Today’s announcement represents a graduated approach to increasing the down payment requirement proportionally to the cost of a home. Canadians who already hold mortgages will not be affected by this announcement.

The Government continuously monitors the housing market and is committed to implementing policy measures that maintain a healthy, competitive and...

Most regions in Canada's housing market have posted year-over-year gains in average residential sale price.

Find out which regions are expected to see an increase next year in the 2016 RE/MAX Housing Market Outlook Report: http://rem.ax/1NbrACN