For Buyers

Burnaby BC Condo Market Update – February 2017

Oleg First time buyers, For Buyers, For Sellers, Market update, Statistics, Tips

Here is a detailed breakdown of Burnaby BC condo market for February 2017. We will look at both 1 and 2 bedroom units. Townhouses and detached properties are not included in the statistics. Only resale properties are accounted for; no new construction.

Average Sales Price for 1 Bedroom Condos in Burnaby in February 2017 (see graph below)

February 2017: $373,057 | +17.3% (change since February 2017)

Average Sales Price for 2 Bedroom Condos in Burnaby in February 2017 (see graph below)

February 2017: $571,335 | +20.6% (change since February 2017)

Average Percent of Original Price for 1 Bedroom Condos in Burnaby in February 2017 (see graph below)

February 2017: 99.8% | +1.8% (change since February 2017)


Average Percent of Original Price for 2 Bedroom Condos in Burnaby in February 2017 (see graph below)

February 2017: 99.9% | +0.9% (change since February 2017)

 

 

Average Price Per Square Foot for 1 Bedroom Condos in Burnaby in February 2017 (see graph below)

February 2017: $582 | +13.9% (change since February 2017)

Average Price Per Square Foot for 2 Bedroom Condos in Burnaby in February 2017 (see graph below)

February 2017: $576 | +13.8% (change since February 2017)

 

 

Total Inventory of 1 Bedroom Condos in Burnaby in February 2017 (see graph below)

February 2017: 61 | -46.0% (change since February 2017)

Total Inventory of 2 Bedroom Condos in Burnaby in February 2017 (see graph below)

February 2017: 136 | -40.4% (change since February 2017)

 

 

New listings of 1 Bedroom Condos in Burnaby in February 2017 (see graph below)

February 2017: 55 | -20.3% (change since February 2017)

New listings of 2 Bedroom Condos in Burnaby in February 2017 (see graph below)

February 2017: $388,204 | +25.5% (change since February 2017)

 

 

Total Sales of 1 Bedroom Condos in Burnaby in February 2017 (see graph below)

February 2017: 40 | -42.0% (change since February 2017)

Total Sales of 2 Bedroom Condos in Burnaby in February 2017 (see graph below)

February 2017: 72 | -36.8% (change since February 2017)

 

 

Sales to Active Listings Ratio of 1 Bedroom Condos in Burnaby in February 2017 (see graph below)

February 2017: 0.656 | +7.4% (change since February 2017)

Sales to Active Listings Ratio of 2 Bedroom Condos in Burnaby in February 2017 (see graph below)

February 2017: 0.529 | +5.8% (change since February 2017)

 

In conclusion, Burnaby condo market is still a very strong sellers market. We see a very strong buyer demand for both 1 and 2 bedroom units. Low inventory demand and hight buyer demand are driving the market. Many condos are still selling with multiple offers and over the asking price.

What you need to know about Burnaby housing market – February 2017

Oleg First time buyers, For Buyers, For Sellers, Market update, Statistics

Here is a detailed breakdown of Burnaby BC housing market for February 2017. We will only look at resale detached houses; no new construction; no townhouses.

Average Sales Price of Houses in Burnaby in February 2017 and for the past 3 years (see graph below)

Burnaby: $1,634,617 | +0.2% (change since February 2016)

January 2017: $1,498,939

There is a slight improvement in the average sales price as compared to January 2017. However, it’s to early to tell.

Average Percent of Original Asking Price for houses in Burnaby in February 2017 and for the past 3 years (see graph below)

Burnaby: 95.9% | -11.6% (change since February 2016)

January 2017: 90.8%

On average houses were sold for about 4-5% under the original asking price.

Average Amount of Time it Took to Sell a House in Burnaby  in February 2017 and for the past 3 years (see graph below)

Burnaby: 39 | +143.8% (change since February 2016)

January 2017: 68

Average length of time for the sale of a detached house in Burnaby was just over a month. That number is consistent with what we’ve seen over the last 10 years.

Total Inventory of Houses for Sale in Burnaby in February 2017 and for the past 3 years (see graph below)

Burnaby: 373 | +47.4% (change since February 2016)

January 2017: 344

We are reaching the 10 year inventory average for this season. Last year there were unusually low levels of inventory.

New Listings of Houses for Sale in Burnaby BC in February 2017 and for the past 3 years (see graph below)

Burnaby: 139 | -41.4% (change since February 2016)

January 2017: 160

Total Sales in February 2017 and for the past 3 years (see graph below)

Burnaby: 48 | -66.0% (change since February 2016)

January 2017: 39

The total sales are still lower than the 10 year average.

Sales to Active Listings Ratio in February 2017 and for the past 3 years (see graph below)

Burnaby: 0.129 | -76.8% (change since February 2016)

January 2017: 0.11

Based on the sales to active listings ratio Burnaby housing market is currently “balanced” market. However, it’s very close to being a “buyers market”.

In conclusion, Burnaby housing market is a balanced market with average inventory levels. The average sales price over the last few months has been about the same.

Vancouver Housing Real Estate Market Update – February 2017

Oleg For Buyers, For Sellers, Market update, News, Statistics

Here is a detailed real estate market update for detached houses in Vancouver BC. We will only focus on detached housing market; no townhouses or condo units are included. In this market update we will only discuss resale houses; new construction houses are excluded.

Average Sale Price of detached houses in Vancouver in February 2017 (see graph below)

Vancouver East: $1,488,371 | -2.8% (change since February 2016)

Vancouver West: $3,704,774 | -0.3% (change since February 2016)

The average sales price in both Vancouver East and Vancouver West are is lower than the same time last year. However, there is a slight improvement as compared to January 2017.

 

Average Percent of Original Price of detached houses in Vancouver in February 2017 (see graph below)

Vancouver East: 96.9% | -8.8% (change since February 2016)

Vancouver West: 95.9% | -7.8% (change since February 2016)

Houses are selling about 4-5% under the original asking price. A bit lower than usual.

 

Total Inventory of detached houses in Vancouver in February 2017 (see graph below)

Vancouver East: 634 | +80.6% (change since February 2016)

Vancouver West: 568 | -2.4% (change since February 2016)

We are experiencing a little higher than usual inventory levels for this season.

 

Number of New Listings of detached houses in Vancouver in February 2017 (see graph below)

Vancouver East: 170 | -29.8% (change since February 2016)

Vancouver West: 163 | -57.2% (change since February 2016)

The number of new listings in February 2017 was a bit low for the season. That’s good news for the sellers as inventory levels are still a little high. Limited number of new listings could tip the scale in the favour of sellers in the upcoming months.

 

Total Number of Sales of detached houses in Vancouver in February 2017 (see graph below)

Vancouver East: 82 | -46.8% (change since February 2016)

Vancouver West: 92 | -56.8% (change since February 2016)

Sales of detached houses in Vancouver in February 2017 were lower than usual for the season.

 

Sales to Active Listings Ratio for the detached houses in Vancouver in February 2017 (see graph below)

Vancouver East: 0.129 | -70.6% (change since February 2016)

Vancouver West: 0.162 | -55.7% (change since February 2016)

Based on sales to actives ratio data, Vancouver detached housing market is still a buyers market.

In conclusion, the prices of detached properties in Vancouver have increased since January 2017. However the prices as compared to the same time last year are down. We are still in the buyers market with properties selling 4-5% under the original asking price. Inventory levels are a little high, but they are levelling off because of the limited supply of new listings.

Downtown Vancouver Condo Market Real Estate Update – February 2017

Oleg First time buyers, For Buyers, For Sellers, Market update, News, Statistics

Here is a look at the Downtown Vancouver condo market in February 2017. We will be looking at resale condo units only. No townhouses; no new construction. This real estate update will focus on one bedroom and two bedroom condo units separately. All graphs are for the past 3 years.

Average Sales Price of one bedroom condo units in downtown Vancouver in February 2017 (see graph below)

Coal Harbour: $703,091 | +0.7% (change since February 2016)

Downtown VW: $546,065 | +6.6% (change since February 2016)

West End: $493,580 | +16.9% (change since February 2016)

Yaletown: $627,750 | +16.5% (change since February 2016)

Average Sales Price of Two bedroom condo units in downtown Vancouver in February 2017 (see graph below)

Coal Harbour: $1,394,667 | +2.7% (change since February 2016)

Downtown VW: $1,007,063 | +1.9% (change since February 2016)

West End: $1,318,824 | +45.4% (change since February 2016)

Yaletown: $1,216,676 | +18.9% (change since February 2016)

 

 

Average Percent to Original Price one bedroom condos in downtown Vancouver sold for in February 2017 (see graph below)

Coal Harbour: 99.1% | -2.4% (change since February 2016)

Downtown VW: 101.0% | -3.7% (change since February 2016)

West End: 100.2% | -2.3% (change since February 2016)

Yaletown: 99.7% | -5.2% (change since February 2016)

Average Percent to Original Price two bedroom condos in downtown Vancouver sold for in February 2017 (see graph below)

Coal Harbour: 97.9% | -1.8% (change since February 2016)

Downtown VW: 98.4% | -3.4% (change since February 2016)

West End: 98.7% | -3.4% (change since February 2016)

Yaletown: 97.4% | -5.9% (change since February 2016)

 

 

Average Price Per Square Foot for One bedroom condos in downtown Vancouver in February 2017 (see graph below)

Coal Harbour: $1,034 | +8.0% (change since February 2016)

Downtown VW: $931 | +12.8% (change since February 2016)

West End: $837 | +26.6% (change since February 2016)

Yaletown: $1,097 | +24.7% (change since February 2016)

Average Price Per Square Foot for Two bedroom condos in downtown Vancouver in February 2017 (see graph below)

Coal Harbour: $1,303 | +17.2% (change since February 2016)

Downtown VW: $1,011 | +8.5% (change since February 2016)

West End: $1,052 | +24.3% (change since February 2016)

Yaletown: $1,115 | +17.6% (change since February 2016)

 

 

Total Inventory of One bedroom condos in downtown Vancouver in February 2017 (see graph below)

Coal Harbour: 14 | +55.6% (change since February 2016)

Downtown VW: 63 | -1.6% (change since February 2016)

West End: 27 | -37.2% (change since February 2016)

Yaletown: 32 | +60.0% (change since February 2016)

Total Inventory of Two bedroom condos in downtown Vancouver in February 2017 (see graph below)

Coal Harbour: 24 | -27.3% (change since February 2016)

Downtown VW: 59 | +9.3% (change since February 2016)

West End: 32 | -30.4% (change since February 2016)

Yaletown: 49 | +22.5% (change since February 2016)

 

New Listings of One bedroom condos in downtown Vancouver in February 2017 (see graph below)

Coal Harbour: 12 | +33.3% (change since February 2016)

Downtown VW: 56 | -44.0% (change since February 2016)

West End: 31 | -26.2% (change since February 2016)

Yaletown: 33 | -8.3% (change since February 2016)

 

 

New Listings of Two bedroom condos in downtown Vancouver in February 2017 (see graph below)

Coal Harbour: 10 | -37.5% (change since February 2016)

Downtown VW: 31 | -53.7% (change since February 2016)

West End: 16 | -61.0% (change since February 2016)

Yaletown: 40 | 0.0% (change since February 2016)

 

 

Total Sales of One bedroom condos in downtown Vancouver in February 2017 (see graph below)

Coal Harbour: 11 | -21.4% (change since February 2016)

Downtown VW: 52 | -40.9% (change since February 2016)

West End: 30 | -3.2% (change since February 2016)

Yaletown: 28 | +7.7% (change since February 2016)

Total Sales of Two bedroom condos in downtown Vancouver in February 2017 (see graph below)

Coal Harbour: 12 | -33.3% (change since February 2016)

Downtown VW: 30 | -36.2% (change since February 2016)

West End: 17 | -37.0% (change since February 2016)

Yaletown: 25 | -30.6% (change since February 2016)

 

 

Sales to Active Listings Ratio for One bedroom condos in downtown Vancouver in February 2017 (see graph below)

Coal Harbour: 0.786 | -49.5% (change since February 2016)

Downtown VW: 0.825 | -40.0% (change since February 2016)

West End: 1.111 | +54.1% (change since February 2016)

Yaletown: 0.875 | -32.7% (change since February 2016)

Sales to Active Listings Ratio for Two bedroom condos in downtown Vancouver in February 2017 (see graph below)

Coal Harbour: 0.500 | -8.3% (change since February 2016)

Downtown VW: 0.508 | -41.6% (change since February 2016)

West End: 0.531 | -9.5% (change since February 2016)

Yaletown: 0.510 | -43.3% (change since February 2016)

 

In conclusion, prices for both one and two bedroom condos are up across all four downtown neighbourhoods. The inventory is still at very low levels. One bedroom condo market as well as two bedroom condo market in downtown are seller markets.

Vancouver Detached Housing Market Update – January 2017

Oleg First time buyers, For Buyers, For Sellers, Market update, Statistics

vancouver west house

Here is a detailed real estate market breakdown for detached properties. We will look at both East Vancouver and Vancouver Westside. In this real estate update we will concentrate on detached resale properties only. New construction homes as well as townhouses are excluded.

Average Sale Price of detached houses in Vancouver in January 2017 (see graph below)

Vancouver East: $1,393,547 | -7.1% (change since January 2016)

Vancouver West: $3,442,782 | -9.3% (change since January 2016)

 The average sales price of detached properties has been declining since early fall of 2016. However, January 2017 was the first month that the average sales price is lower than a year prior. Both Vancouver East and Vancouver West have lower average sales price as compared to January 2016.

 

Average Percent of Original Asking Price for the detached houses in Vancouver in January 2017 (see graph below)

Vancouver East: 96.0% | -6.9% (change since January 2016)

Vancouver West: 95.4% | -6.8% (change since January 2016)

Vancouver home sellers in January were selling their houses for 4-6 per cent under the original asking price. It is not unusual for properties to be selling under the asking price.

 

Total Inventory of detached houses for sale in Vancouver in January 2017 (see graph below)

Vancouver East: 597 | +90.7% (change since January 2016)

Vancouver West: 564 | +13.9% (change since January 2016)

There was more available inventory on the market this January as compared to the past years. Vancouver East has had exceptionally high inventory levels this January.

 

New Listings of detached houses for sale in Vancouver in January 2017 (see graph below)

Vancouver East: 204 | +1.5% (change since January 2016)

Vancouver West: 287 | -5.9% (change since January 2016)

It is not unusual for January to have lower number of new listings on the market as compared to the rest of the year.

 

Total Sales of detached houses in Vancouver in January 2017 (see graph below)

Vancouver East: 51 | -46.9% (change since January 2016)

Vancouver West: 36 | -72.5% (change since January 2016)

There were very few sales in January 2017. Some of the lowest sales numbers we’ve seen in a long time.

 

Sales to Active Listings Ratio of detached houses in Vancouver in January 2017 (see graph below)

Vancouver East: 0.085 | -72.3% (change since January 2016)

Vancouver West: 0.064 | -75.8% (change since January 2016)

Based on sales to active listings ratio Vancouver housing market is a strong buyers market. There is more available inventory than there are active buyers.

In conclusion, the prices have dipped about 8% as compared to January 2016. Vancouver housing market remains a strong buyers market with high inventory levels, especially in East Vancouver.

Burnaby Housing Market Update – January 2017

Oleg For Buyers, For Sellers, Market update, Statistics

detached house in burnaby

Here is a first look at Burnaby housing market at the beginning of 2017. We will focus on detached housing market in January 2017. New construction homes are not accounted for. Townhouses and condos are also excluded from the statistics. You can see one bedroom condo market breakdown here.

Average Sales Price for detached houses in Burnaby in January 2017 (see graph below)

January 2017: $1,498,939 | -2.0% (change since January 2016)

December 2016: $1,591,140

The average sale price for detached properties in Burnaby has not changed much in the last few months. Since the end of summer of 2016 we’ve seen housing prices decline quite a bit. We see a slight decline in the prices in January 2017.

 

Average Percent of Original Asking Price for detached houses in Burnaby in January 2017 (see graph below)

January 2017: 90.8% | -14.3% (change since January 2016)

December 2016: 93.5%

Home sellers in Burnaby were selling their homes for about 10% under their original asking price. Quite a shift from spring and summer when homes were selling for close to 10% over the asking price.

 

Total Inventory of detached houses in Burnaby for sale in January 2017 (see graph below)

January 2017: 319 | +59.5% (change since January 2016)

December 2016: 278

Unlike Burnaby condo market, Burnaby housing market has a healthy amount of available inventory. We’ve seen a drop in the inventory levels in December 2016. Now a lot of the same listings are going back on sale.

 

Number of New Listings of detached houses in Burnaby for sale in January 2017 (see graph below)

January 2017: 161 | +3.9% (change since January 2016)

December 2016: 39

Number of the new listings in January is usually relatively low. However, there were quite a few new listings on the market this January.

 

Total Number of detached houses in Burnaby sold in January 2017 (see graph below)

January 2017: 39 | -57.1% (change since January 2016)

December 2016: 40

We had good levels of inventory but the sales of detached houses in Burnaby this January were low.  The buyer demand for detached houses has slowed significantly.

 

Sales to Active Listings Ratio for detached houses in Burnaby in January 2017 (see graph below)

January 2017: 0.122 | -73.2% (change since January 2016)

December 2016: 0.14

Based on sales to active listings ratio Burnaby detached housing market in January was a buyers market.

In conclusion, prices have levelled off. Inventory levels are increasing but the buyer demand is not. The next few months will be very important for the Burnaby housing market. If we don’t see more buyer demand prices might go down even farther.

Burnaby One Bedroom Condo Market Update – January 2017

Oleg First time buyers, For Buyers, For Sellers, Market update, Statistics

burnaby condos view

Here is a first look at the one bedroom condo market in Burnaby BC in January 2017. Let’s take a look at market statistics for one bedroom and studio units (no townhouses). Brand new construction is excluded from the statistics. We will only be looking at resale units.

Average Sales Price for 1 Bedroom Condos in Burnaby in January 2017 (see graph below)

January 2017: $388,204 | +25.5% (change since January 2016)

December 2016: $357,435

Prices continue going up for 1 bedroom condos in Burnaby. The one bedroom market is primarily driven by the first-time buyers. Vancouver prices have gone up beyond the comfort level for a lot of first-time buyers and a lot the buyers have concentrated their search in Burnaby.

 

Average Percent of the Original Asking Price for 1 Bedroom Condos in Burnaby in January 2017 (see graph below)

January 2017: 99.2% | +2.2% (change since January 2016)

December 2016: 97.8%

Sellers of one bedroom units in Burnaby are getting almost 100% of their original asking price. I’ve seen a lot of buyer demand this past month and a lot of units getting multiple offers. 

 

Average Price Per Square Foot for 1 Bedroom Condos in Burnaby in January 2017 (see graph below)

January 2017: $610 | +27.3% (change since January 2016)

December 2016: $537

Average price per square foot continues going up. We’ve seen a huge increase in the pricing as compared to January of last year. We also see a big increase as compared to 2 months ago (December 2016).

 

Total Inventory of One Bedroom Condos in Burnaby in January 2017 (see graph below)

January 2017: 51 | -58.5% (change since January 2016)

December 2016: 36

In January 2017 we’ve seen less than half of the available inventory of January 2016. One bedroom units in Burnaby this January were scarce, although an improvement over December 2016.

 

Total Number of New Listings of One Bedroom Condos in Burnaby in January 2017 (see graph below)

January 2017: 43 | -39.4% (change since January 2016)

December 2016: 18

We’ve have seen a little bit more new inventory on the market this January than we did in December 2016. However, the number of new listings on the market was very low. Nowhere near enough to satisfy current levels of buyer demand.

 

Total Sales for 1 Bedroom Condos in Burnaby in January 2017 (see graph below)

January 2017: 24 | -52.9% (change since January 2016)

December 2016: 21

Due to low the inventory levels we’ve seen very few sales of one bedroom condos in Burnaby last month.

 

Total Sales for 1 Bedroom Condos in Burnaby in January 2017 (see graph below)

January 2017: 0.471 | +13.5% (change since January 2016)

December 2016: 0.54

Not surprisingly one bedroom condo market in Burnaby remains a very strong sellers market. A lot of units have received multiple offers in January 2017.

In conclusion, prices of one bedroom condos in Burnaby continue going up in price. We still see “bidding wars” on some units. One bedroom condo real estate market continues being a strong sellers market. More inventory would definitely bring a little bit of balance to the real estate market and satisfy current buyer demand. Overall a great start for 2017.

Downtown Vancouver 1 Bedroom Condo Market Update – January 2017

Oleg First time buyers, For Buyers, For Sellers, Market update, Statistics

Here is a first look and a detailed breakdown of the downtown Vancouver condo market. In this article we’ll be looking at one bedroom (and studio) resale units. Townhouses are excluded from these statistics. Brand new construction is also excluded.

Average Sales Price of one bedroom condo units in downtown Vancouver in January 2017 (see graph below)

Coal Harbour: $726,686 | +36.2% (change since January 2016)

Downtown VW: $571,742 | +21.6% (change since January 2016)

West End: $458,000 | -0.8% (change since January 2016)

Yaletown: $565,006 | +8.3% (change since January 2016)

For the most part, downtown Vancouver one bedroom condo prices continue to go up. We see great numbers from neighbourhoods like Coal Harbour and Downtown VW. Last month, Coal Harbour had a little “dip” in the prices; it is clear now that it was a market anomaly and not a trend.

 

Average Percent to Original Price one bedroom condos in downtown Vancouver sold for in January 2017 (see graph below)

Coal Harbour: 95.8% | -3.9% (change since January 2016)

Downtown VW: 99.3% | -4.6% (change since January 2016)

West End: 99.3% | -3.5% (change since January 2016)

Yaletown: 100.1% | -3.9% (change since January 2016)

Across all downtown Vancouver neighbourhoods condos are selling for very close to their original asking prices. From my experience, most units are still receiving multiple offers.

 

Average Price Per Square Foot for one bedroom condos in downtown Vancouver in January 2017 (see graph below)

Coal Harbour: $1,093 | +27.2% (change since January 2016)

Downtown VW: $919 | +13.6% (change since January 2016)

West End: $757 | +12.5% (change since January 2016)

Yaletown: $1,043 | +25.4% (change since January 2016)

Yaletown and Coal Harbour neighbourhoods have seen the largest increase in the price per square foot as compared to January 2016. Yaletown reached $1,000 per square foot in December 2016 and continues increasing.

 

Total Inventory of one bedroom condos for sale in downtown Vancouver in January 2017 (see graph below)

Coal Harbour: 14 | -6.7% (change since January 2016)

Downtown VW: 69 | +11.3% (change since January 2016)

West End: 28 | -15.2% (change since January 2016)

Yaletown: 31 | +181.8% (change since January 2016)

We continue seeing record low inventory levels. Low inventory on the marketed paired with a strong buyers’ demand and low interest rates are the primary forces driving downtown condo prices.

 

New Listings of one bedroom condos for sale in downtown Vancouver in January 2017 (see graph below)

Coal Harbour: 9 | -25.0% (change since January 2016)

Downtown VW: 67 | -5.6% (change since January 2016)

West End: 19 | -32.1% (change since January 2016)

Yaletown: 34 | +100.0% (change since January 2016)

January is usually a slower month for new listings in downtown Vancouver. January 2017 has seen some of the lowest new listing numbers ever.

Total number of one bedroom condos sold in downtown Vancouver in January 2017 (see graph below)

Coal Harbour: 7 | +16.7% (change since January 2016)

Downtown VW: 26 | -29.7% (change since January 2016)

West End: 12 | -14.3% (change since January 2016)

Yaletown: 18 | +5.9% (change since January 2016)

Due to the low inventory levels and a very few new listings on the market, we see low number of the total sales.

Sales to Active Listings Ration of one bedroom condos in downtown Vancouver in January 2017 (see graph below)

Coal Harbour: 0.500 | +25.0% (change since January 2016)

Downtown VW: 0.377 | -36.9% (change since January 2016)

West End: 0.429 | +1.2% (change since January 2016)

Yaletown: 0.581 | -62.4% (change since January 2016)

Based on sales to active listings ratio the one bedroom condo market in downtown Vancouver continues to be a strong sellers market in January 2017.

In conclusion, 2017 started strong for the one bedroom condo market in downtown Vancouver. Prices continue increasing across all downtown neighbourhoods. There was plenty of buyer demand and low levels of inventory in January 2017.

CMHC Mortgage Insurance Rates Are Going UP This Spring

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interest rate increase

On January 17th 2017, CMHC mortgage insurance agency announced that their mortgage insurance premiums will be increasing starting March 17, 2017.

Over the past 2 years we have seen a number of changes to the mortgage borrowing regulations.  This CMHC insurance premiums increase is another change to mortgage borrowing process and rules.

According to the CMHC agency an average increase in premiums for the homeowners will be insignificant. Roughly $5 per months increase on average.

However, this increase will vary significantly depending on the mortgage amount. Home-buyers who have a $250,000 mortgage will see a $4.70 per month increase.  Average Canadian insured mortgage is about $245,000. The monthly increase in premiums on mortgages of $150,000 will be $2.82.

In Greater Vancouver, home-buyers are very likely to see higher average payment increases, as the average mortgage in the region is above that of the Canadian average. The CMHC said that the increase on loans of $450,000 would be $8.47 per month, and nearly $16 for those with insured mortgages of $850,000.

cmhc premiums increase chart 2017

Roughly two-thirds of home-buyers with a CMHC-insured mortgage have down-payments of less than ten per cent. For most new home-buyers the monthly payment increase will be “negligible,” said Steven Mennill, CMHC’s senior vice-president of insurance.

Steven Mennill said, “We do not expect the higher premiums to have a significant impact on the ability of Canadians to buy a home. Overall, the changes will preserve competition in the mortgage loan insurance industry and contribute to financial stability.”

The CMHC’s statement said, “Capital requirements are an important factor in determining mortgage insurance premiums. The changes reflect OSFI’s new capital requirements that came into effect on January 1 of this year that require mortgage insurers to hold additional capital. Capital holdings create a buffer against potential losses, helping to ensure the long term stability of the financial system.”

From my experience this increase in the CMHC insurance premiums should not have any significant impact on the Metro Vancouver real estate market. I think that first-time home-buyers are the ones who most likely be effected by these CMCH premiums increase.

3 things you NEED to know about your 2017 B.C. property assessment

Oleg For Buyers, For Sellers, News, Tips

 

A few days ago homeowners all over Lower Mainland have received their 2017 Property Assessments. Single-family homeowners have seen an increase of 30 to 50 per cent in one year. Most condo owners in Metro Vancouver have also seen major increases of 15 to 30 per cent.

Every year B.C. Property Assessment come out I get a ton of questions from my clients. I thought I’d be easier to write a blog post about it.

Here are things you need to know about your 2017 property assessments.

  1. Even though Property Tax Assessment are sent out in January of the new year the assessed value is as of July 1 of the previous year. Your 2017 tax assessment roughly estimates how much you could have sold your property for on July 1, 2016. Whatever market changes happen after July 1, 2016 will be factored into your 2018 tax assessment. Unfortunately, most of the Metro Vancouver home prices have decreased since July (See my Vancouver Housing Breakdown for Dec 2016 here).
  2. Assessments and tax increases are not a linear relationship. Your property increasing in value by 40% based on the tax assessment doesn’t mean that your property taxes will be 40% higher. There is something called mil rate.  The mill rate is a factor which goes up and down to even out the price fluctuations.  The mill rate (factor) is multiplied by the value of the home to achieve the taxes that the city deems it needs.    The City uses this factor to achieve the rate increases to pay for their budget.  Usually 3-5% per year.  Your taxes will be very close to the amount that the city has earmarked.
  3.  Typically your tax assessments are 10-15% lower than the actual value of the property. That’s done for a reason. City Halls all over Lower Mainland don’t want to have angry homeowners at their footsteps demanding their property assessments to be lowered. However, due to the decrease in home prices in recent months your 2017 tax assessment might be very accurate.

In conclusion, huge increases in B.C. property assessments don’t necessarily mean huge property tax increases for the homeowners. No need to panic. Based on the changes in the real estate market most property assessments are outdated.