Market update

Everything you need to know about Vancouver real estate market in August 2023

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

 

In the dynamic real estate landscape of Metro Vancouver, the month of July 2023 witnessed yet another upswing in home prices across all types of properties, fuelled by a robust sales surge. This ongoing trend of price escalation is being driven by a formidable combination of vigorous sales figures and a persistently low housing inventory within the region.

According to the latest data from the Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver (REBGV), the total number of residential home sales in the area reached an impressive 2,455 in July 2023. This marked a substantial increase of 28.9 percent compared to the 1,904 sales recorded during the same period in 2022. It’s noteworthy that these figures remained about 15.6 percent below the ten-year seasonal average of 2,909 sales.

Andrew Lis, the director of economics and data analytics at REBGV, emphasized the significance of the year-over-year sales increase, even if it still lags behind the ten-year average. He explained that this substantial improvement is partly attributed to the market’s response to the previous year’s scenario when the Bank of Canada took many by surprise with a sizeable one percent increase in the policy rate. This move had momentarily chilled the market activity by catching both buyers and sellers off guard.

The supply side of the equation also saw notable developments. In July 2023, there were 4,649 detached, attached, and apartment properties newly listed for sale on the Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) in Metro Vancouver. This figure marked a significant 17 percent increase compared to the 3,975 homes listed in July 2022, although it still remained 5.2 percent below the 10-year seasonal average of 4,902 listings.

Presently, the total number of homes listed for sale on the MLS® system in Metro Vancouver stands at 10,301, reflecting a four percent decrease when contrasted with the figures from July 2022 (10,734). Moreover, this number was about 14.4 percent lower than the ten-year seasonal average of 12,039 listings.

An insightful metric for evaluating the balance between supply and demand is the sales-to-active listings ratio. For July 2023, this ratio stood at 24.9 percent when considering all property types combined. However, when analyzed by property type, the ratios were 16.5 percent for detached homes, 32 percent for townhomes, and 30.6 percent for apartments. Historical analysis suggests that home prices typically experience downward pressure when the ratio remains below 12 percent consistently. Conversely, when the ratio surpasses 20 percent over several months, it tends to exert upward pressure on home prices.

One intriguing aspect of the current market environment is the contrast between the Bank of Canada’s modest rate hike of a quarter of a percent in July and the highest mortgage rates witnessed in Canada in over a decade. Despite this, sales activity managed to outpace last year’s levels, indicating not only the robust demand in the market but also buyers’ ability to adapt and qualify for higher borrowing costs.

In terms of specific property types, the MLS® Home Price Index composite benchmark price for all residential properties in Metro Vancouver reached $1,210,700. This signifies a marginal 0.5 percent increase over July 2022 and a similarly modest 0.6 percent increase when compared to June 2023.

Delving deeper, the sales of detached homes in July 2023 numbered 681, an impressive 28.7 percent upswing from the 529 detached sales recorded in July 2022. The benchmark price for a detached home reached $2,012,900, reflecting a 0.6 percent increase from the previous year and a 1.1 percent rise compared to June 2023.

Similarly, apartment home sales witnessed a significant surge, totaling 1,281 in July 2023. This marked a substantial 20.7 percent increase when compared to the 1,061 sales of July 2022. The benchmark price for an apartment home climbed to $771,600, demonstrating a noteworthy 2.6 percent increase from the previous year and a 0.6 percent uptick from June 2023.

Attached homes, too, experienced a notable upswing in sales, with July 2023 witnessing 466 sales compared to 304 in July 2022. This surge of 53.3 percent is substantial and contributed to the benchmark price for an attached home reaching $1,104,600. This marks a 1.2 percent increase from July 2022 and a 0.5 percent rise compared to June 2023.

All in all, the real estate landscape in Metro Vancouver continues to be shaped by a dynamic interplay of strong sales activity, constrained inventory levels, and the ability of buyers to adapt to changing market conditions, including higher borrowing costs. While the ten-year average remains a reference point, the current market’s resilience underscores the enduring demand for housing in the region, driving incremental increases in property prices across various segments.

July 2023 real estate market update for Greater Vancouver

Oleg For Buyers, For Sellers, Market update, Statistics

 

Metro Vancouver’s housing market is witnessing a continued surge in home prices as the summer season commences. The limited availability of homes for sale in the region is causing a clash with the high demand from prospective buyers, leading to further price hikes.

According to the Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver (REBGV), residential home sales in June 2023 reached 2,988, indicating a significant 21.1 percent increase compared to June 2022’s 2,467 sales. However, despite this growth, the figure fell short by 8.6 percent of the ten-year seasonal average of 3,269.

Andrew Lis, the director of economics and data analytics at REBGV, noted that the market has exceeded expectations in all segments, with apartments exhibiting the strongest performance in June. Lis stated that the benchmark price of apartment homes is nearly reaching the peak recorded in 2022, and apartment sales have surpassed the region’s ten-year seasonal average. In contrast, sales of attached and detached homes remained below the seasonal averages.

In June 2023, there were 5,348 newly listed detached, attached, and apartment properties for sale in Metro Vancouver, reflecting a slight 1.3 percent increase compared to June 2022’s 5,278 listings. However, this number fell 3.1 percent short of the ten-year seasonal average of 5,518.

Currently, there are 9,990 homes listed for sale on the Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) system in Metro Vancouver, indicating a 7.9 percent decrease compared to June 2022’s 10,842 listings. This figure is 17.4 percent lower than the ten-year seasonal average of 12,091.

The sales-to-active listings ratio for June 2023 stands at 31.4 percent for all property types, while the ratio is 20.9 percent for detached homes, 38.5 percent for townhomes, and 39.4 percent for apartments. Historical data suggests that when the ratio remains below 12 percent for a sustained period, home prices tend to experience downward pressure, while a ratio surpassing 20 percent for several months often leads to upward pressure on prices.

Andrew Lis highlighted that despite higher borrowing costs, the lack of resale inventory relative to the pool of buyers in Metro Vancouver continues to drive prices up across all segments. Lis called upon the provincial government to adjust the Property Transfer Tax’s threshold, which exempts first-time home buyers, to better align with the price of entry-level homes in the region. Such a policy adjustment could enable more first-time buyers to afford a home.

The MLS® Home Price Index composite benchmark price for all residential properties in Metro Vancouver currently stands at $1,203,000. This represents a 2.4 percent decrease from June 2022 but a 1.3 percent increase compared to May 2023.

Sales of detached homes in June 2023 amounted to 848, reflecting a substantial 28.3 percent increase compared to the 661 sales recorded in June 2022. The benchmark price for a detached home is $1,991,300, representing a 3.2 percent decrease from June 2022 but a 1.9 percent increase compared to May 2023.

Apartment home sales reached 1,573 in June 2023, marking an 18.6 percent increase compared to the 1,326 sales in June 2022. The benchmark price for an apartment home is $767,000, indicating a 0.5 percent increase from June 2022 and a 0.8 percent increase compared to May 2023.

Sales of attached homes in June 2023 totaled 547, signifying a 17.6 percent increase compared to the 465 sales in June 2022. The benchmark price of an attached home is $1,098,900, representing a one percent decrease from June 2022 but a 1.5 percent increase compared to May 2023.

Top 5 things you need to know about Greater Vancouver real estate market in May 2023

Oleg First time buyers, For Sellers, Market update, News, Videos

 

A link to real estate statistics: https://members.rebgv.org/news/REBGV-Stats-Pkg-Apr-2023.pdf

Hello and welcome back to our channel! In today’s video, we will be discussing the latest real estate trends in Metro Vancouver. According to a report by the Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver, home buyer confidence has returned, resulting in rising home prices despite a decrease in listings. Here are the five most important things you need to know from the report.

  1. Sales are rebounding: Despite the pandemic’s effects on the economy and the previous interest rate hikes, home sales in Metro Vancouver have rebounded, increasing near levels seen last spring. In April 2023, residential home sales in the region totalled 2,741, representing a 16.5% decrease from the same period in 2022, and 15.6% below the 10-year seasonal average.
  2. Low inventory levels are creating competitive conditions: There is a shortage of resale supply available relative to the pool of active buyers in the market, which is creating competitive conditions where almost any resurgence in demand would lead to price escalation, despite the elevated borrowing cost environment.
  3. Prices are increasing: The MLS HPI data shows that home prices have already increased about 5% year-to-date, outpacing the forecasted 1-2% increase by year-end. The MLS® Home Price Index composite benchmark price for all residential properties in Metro Vancouver is currently $1,170,700, representing a 2.4% increase compared to March 2023 and a 7.4% decrease from April 2022.
  4. Decrease in listings: The report shows a 29.7% decrease in the number of detached, attached, and apartment properties newly listed for sale on the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) in April 2023 compared to April 2022. The total number of homes currently listed for sale on the MLS® system in Metro Vancouver is 8,790, representing a 4.2% decrease compared to April 2022.
  5. Sales-to-active listings ratio: The sales-to-active listings ratio for April 2023 across all detached, attached, and apartment property types is 32.7%. The ratio is 24.4% for detached homes, 40.1% for townhomes, and 37.4% for apartments. When the ratio dips below 12% for a sustained period, it suggests downward pressure on home prices, while a ratio surpassing 20% over several months often leads to upward pressure on prices.

Conclusion: In summary, the Vancouver real estate market has experienced a surprising rebound in home sales, but the low inventory levels have created competitive conditions resulting in increasing home prices. The decrease in listings has contributed to a shortage of resale supply available relative to the pool of active buyers in the market. We will have to wait and see whether these price increases will be sustained into 2024. That’s all for today’s video, make sure to like and subscribe to stay up-to-date with the latest real estate news.

Greater Vancouver real estate market update for April 2023

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

 

The real estate market is currently experiencing a shortage of available inventory, which is causing a decline in seller interest in listing their properties. This is primarily due to the increase in borrowing costs, which has made it difficult for sellers to qualify for the same mortgage amount as in the past. Additionally, the stress test, which determines whether borrowers can afford mortgage payments at higher interest rates, has contributed to the decrease in inventory.

As a result of the lack of available inventory, there has been a slight increase in prices, and multiple offers are becoming more common. Many buyers who have been waiting on the sidelines are now ready to enter the market, but there are not enough properties to meet the demand. While statistics may not paint the full picture, current indicators suggest that prices are unlikely to decrease and may even continue to rise slightly, which is worth noting for potential buyers.

In addition to the limited inventory in the real estate market, the rental market is also strong, particularly in Vancouver, which remains the most expensive city in Canada to rent. The average cost of a one-bedroom unit in Vancouver is $2640, while a two-bedroom unit costs $3632. Burnaby also ranks as the third most expensive city in Canada for rent, with one-bedroom units costing $2282 and two-bedroom units costing $3175.

This strong rental market can be attributed to the shortage of available properties for rent, causing demand to exceed supply, resulting in a competitive rental market. Landlords have the upper hand, and tenants often must pay a higher price for a desirable rental property. While this may not be ideal for renters, it does present opportunities for investors looking to purchase and rent out properties in these cities.

Overall, the current state of the real estate market is due to a combination of factors, including the rise in borrowing costs, the stress test, and the lack of available properties for rent. While this has led to a slight increase in prices, it is unlikely to be a dramatic change. However, those looking to buy or rent in Vancouver or Burnaby should be aware of the current state of the market and the high associated costs.

Are multiple offers back? – Greater Vancouver Real Estate Market Update March 2023

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

The Vancouver real estate market is experiencing a surge in multiple offer situations due to a low inventory of available properties. This trend is especially clear in a condo and the townhouse markets in Greater Vancouver. However, the current trend is different from the past as these multiple offers are much closer to the listing price. In the past, during multiple offer situations, properties would sell for 10 or even 20 percent over the listing price.

The Vancouver real estate market has been one of the hottest and most competitive markets in North America for the past several years. The city’s picturesque location and robust economy have attracted many buyers, making it difficult for many first-time homebuyers to enter the market. This situation has been exacerbated by a low inventory of available properties.

The low inventory of available properties has created a competitive environment for buyers, and as a result, multiple offer situations have become more common. In a multiple offer situation, several buyers make an offer on the same property, which can drive up the price. However, in the past, during these multiple offer situations, the price would often exceed the listing price by a significant margin.

Today, the situation is different. Buyers are still making offers on the same properties, but the offers are much closer to the listing price. This trend is likely due to several factors. Firstly, buyers are becoming more educated and savvy about the market. They are aware of the risks of overbidding and are therefore more cautious. Secondly, historically high interest rates makes it much harder to qualify for mortgages.

The shift towards more reasonable offers is a positive development for both buyers and sellers. Buyers are more likely to get the property at a fair price, while sellers can sell their property without worrying about overpricing or underpricing.

However, the competitive environment created by the low inventory of condos and townhouses is still present, and multiple offer situations are still happening. Buyers need to be prepared and do their due diligence before making an offer. They should have a good understanding of the market and the value of the property. It’s also important to work with a reputable real estate agent who can guide them through the process.

In conclusion, the Vancouver real estate market is experiencing a surge in multiple offer situations due to a low inventory of available properties. However, the current trend is different from the past as these multiple offers are much closer to the listing price. This is a positive development for both buyers and sellers and is likely due to increased education and transparency in the market. Buyers should still be prepared for a competitive environment and do their due diligence before making an offer.

 

What you NEED to know about Vancouver’s real estate market in February 2023

Oleg For Buyers, For Sellers, Market update, Statistics

 

Over the past year, interest rates have surged significantly, and the average 5-year variable rate is now around 6.45%. In comparison, just a year ago, the rate was at 1.6%. The increase in interest rates has led to a considerable increase in monthly mortgage payments, where on a $400,000 mortgage, the payment has increased from $1,617 to around $2,667. As a result, the real estate market has been slowed down considerably.

In January 2023, the real estate market witnessed 55.3% fewer transactions compared to January 2022. The market was so slow that it was 42.9% slower than the ten-year average for January, which is typically a slow month for real estate transactions. The increase in interest rates has led to a considerable rise in monthly mortgage payments, making it challenging for buyers to afford new properties.

Despite the market slowdown, prices have not dropped as much as anticipated. Detached houses have seen a 9.1% decrease from January 2022, while apartments have only decreased by 1.1% since last year. More surprisingly, apartments have gone up by 1% in the last month, and there are differing opinions on what may have caused this phenomenon.

Rentals.ca reports that Vancouver remains the most expensive city in Canada for rent. The average cost of a one-bedroom unit is $2596 per month, and a two-bedroom unit rents for an average of $3562. Given these high rental prices, it is unsurprising that many people prefer to invest in the real estate market, despite the high interest rates.

Looking ahead, the Bank of Canada may be ready to pause further interest rate increases. If this happens, and the interest rate stabilizes, we might see a lot of activity in the real estate market in the spring. As a result, if you have been considering purchasing a property, this could be a good time to make a move.

In conclusion, the rise in interest rates has had a significant impact on the real estate market, slowing it down considerably. Nevertheless, it is not clear whether this trend will continue, and the market may pick up in the coming months. As a result, it is crucial to keep a close eye on the market and make informed decisions before making any significant purchases.

Real estate market update for October 2022

Oleg For Buyers, For Sellers, Market update, Statistics

Let’s talk about the new September market statistics and what we can learn from them. 

The market is much slower than usual at the moment. There are fewer sales across the board. About a 35% drop in over all transactions as compared to 10 year average. This is a fairly significant slow down. 

Think about how much more real estate has been built over the last 10 years. Right now there are fewer sales even though the total number of real estate units is constantly increasing. 

How significant this impact is depends on the type of real estate we look at and the price point. 

For example detached houses have a sales to active listings ratio of about 12%.  Meaning 12 out of every 100 houses available were sold in September. As far as apartments go the situation is a quite a bit different a sales to active listings ratio is about 21%. Which is almost double of that of the detached properties. 

I think the evidence of this in my everyday work. 1 bedroom and studio units are still selling well. The demand and the prices did come down a bit but there is still a health amount of buyer activity for those starter homes. From personal experience I find the there aren’t as many speculative investors in the market right now. However buyers looking for a place to live are still active in this 1 bedroom and studio units category.   

If you are looking to sell your 1 bedroom or a studio unit are likely to receive a healthy amount of interest. 

The same can not be said for detached properties. Especially luxury market. From my experience the demand is not there and those properties take much longer to sell.

As far the prices are concern there is a drop. The board is reporting about a 2% price drop from August. I think that’s about in-line with my experience. 

The primary cause of this market slow down and the price decrease are of course higher interest rates. Bank of Canada did once again raise their benchmark interest rate in September which definitely slows down the market. 

Buyers aren’t able to borrow as much money as the stress test rate at the moment is ridiculously high. All of this creates quite a bit uncertainty for the future.

If you’re a seller my advice to be patient. And be realistic with your prices. 

If you’re a buyer be ready. Have all of your down payment and pre-approval ready. Good opportunities to pop-up on the market. But they also disappear just as quickly. You want to put yourself in a position to take advantage of such opportunities. 

I hope you will find this video helpful. Feel free to share this video with anyone who you think will find it useful. 

If you’re in the market you might be interested in my monthly real estate newsletter. Here is a link: Real Estate Insider Newsletter

Thanks for reading.

Link to Real Estate Board of Great Vancouver statistics.

Burnaby BC detached housing market update for August 2018

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

MLS Home Price Index

MLS Home Price Index for the detached houses in Burnaby in August 2018 (see graph below)

Burnaby East: $1,269,200 | -3.9% (change since August 2017)

Burnaby North: $1,501,200 | -5.8% (change since August 2017)

Burnaby South: $1,621,000 | -5.6% (change since August 2017)

Average Sales Price

Average Sales Price of the detached houses in Burnaby in August 2018 (see graph below)

Burnaby East: $1,384,823 | -0.4% (change since August 2017)

Burnaby North: $1,749,432 | +1.2% (change since August 2017)

Burnaby South: $1,765,238 | -2.2% (change since August 2017)

Average Percent of Original Price

Average Percent of Original Asking Price of the detached houses in Burnaby in August 2018 (see graph below)

Burnaby East: 96.1% | +0.1% (change since August 2017)

Burnaby North: 94.4% | -1.2% (change since August 2017)

Burnaby South: 90.3% | -2.9% (change since August 2017)

Total Inventory

Total Inventory of the detached houses in Burnaby in August 2018 (see graph below)

Burnaby East: 67 | -5.6% (change since August 2017)

Burnaby North: 218 | -7.2% (change since August 2017)

Burnaby South: 254 | -6.3% (change since August 2017)

New Listings

All New Listings of the detached houses in Burnaby in August 2018 (see graph below)

Burnaby East: 11 | -47.6% (change since August 2017)

Burnaby North: 53 | -30.3% (change since August 2017)

Burnaby South: 47 | -35.6% (change since August 2017)

Total Sales

Sales of the detached houses in Burnaby in August 2018 (see graph below)

Burnaby East: 7 | +75.0% (change since August 2017)

Burnaby North: 22 | -31.3% (change since August 2017)

Burnaby South: 12 | -58.6% (change since August 2017)

Sales to Actives Ratio

Sales to Active Listings Ratio of the detached houses in Burnaby in August 2018 (see graph below)

Burnaby East: 0.104 | +85.7% (change since August 2017)

Burnaby North: 0.101 | -25.7% (change since August 2017)

Burnaby South: 0.047 | -56.1% (change since August 2017)

Burnaby 1 bedroom and studio condos market update for August 2018

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

Home Price Index

Home Price Index for condo units in Burnaby in August 2018 (see graph below)

Burnaby East: $782,800 | +6.8% (change since August 2017)

Burnaby North: $650,900 | +15.0% (change since August 2017)

Burnaby South: $717,800 | +10.9% (change since August 2017)

Average Sales Price

Average Sales Price for one bedroom and studio condo units in Burnaby in August 2018 (see graph below)

Burnaby East: $531,500 | +12.5% (change since August 2017)

Burnaby North: $470,105 | -0.2% (change since August 2017)

Burnaby South: $491,673 | +6.3% (change since August 2017)

Average Percent of Original Price

Average Percent of Original Asking Price for one bedroom and studio condo units in Burnaby in August 2018 (see graph below)

Burnaby East: 93.8% | -5.2% (change since August 2017)

Burnaby North: 98.1% | -6.7% (change since August 2017)

Burnaby South: 98.0% | -5.9% (change since August 2017)

Average Price Per Square Foot

Average Price per Square Foot for one bedroom and studio condo units in Burnaby in August 2018 (see graph below)

Burnaby East: $824 | +11.8% (change since August 2017)

Burnaby North: $723 | +2.3% (change since August 2017)

Burnaby South: $821 | +12.3% (change since August 2017)

Total Inventory

Total Inventory for one bedroom and studio condo units in Burnaby in August 2018 (see graph below)

Burnaby East: 6 | -62.5% (change since August 2017)

Burnaby North: 35 | +52.2% (change since August 2017)

Burnaby South: 77 | +75.0% (change since August 2017)

New Listings

New Listings for one bedroom and studio condo units in Burnaby in August 2018 (see graph below)

Burnaby East: 2 | -77.8% (change since August 2017)

Burnaby North: 24 | -11.1% (change since August 2017)

Burnaby South: 39 | -17.0% (change since August 2017)

Sales

Total Sales for one bedroom and studio condo units in Burnaby in August 2018 (see graph below)

Burnaby East: 2 | -50.0% (change since August 2017)

Burnaby North: 20 | -33.3% (change since August 2017)

Burnaby South: 26 | -36.6% (change since August 2017)

Sales to Actives Ratio

Sales to Active Listings Ratio for one bedroom and studio condo units in Burnaby in August 2018 (see graph below)

Burnaby East: 0.333 | +33.2% (change since August 2017)

Burnaby North: 0.571 | -56.2% (change since August 2017)

Burnaby South: 0.338 | -63.7% (change since August 2017)

Vancouver BC housings market update for August 2018

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

MLS Home Price Index

MLS Home Price Index of detached houses in Vancouver BC in August 2018 (see graph below)

Vancouver East: $1,529,200 | -2.3% (change since August 2017)

Vancouver West: $3,278,500 | -10.3% (change since August 2017)

Average Sales Price

Average Sales Price of detached houses in Vancouver BC in August 2018 (see graph below)

Vancouver East: $1,595,193 | -0.4% (change since August 2017)

Vancouver West: $3,377,478 | -22.0% (change since August 2017)

 

Average Percent of Original Price

Average Percent of Original Asking Price of detached houses in Vancouver BC in August 2018 (see graph below)

Vancouver East: 94.9% | -2.6% (change since August 2017)

Vancouver West: 89.0% | -6.9% (change since August 2017)

Total Inventory

Total Inventory of detached houses in Vancouver BC in August 2018 (see graph below)

Vancouver East: 849 | +4.0% (change since August 2017)

Vancouver West: 821 | -2.0% (change since August 2017)

New Listings

New Listings of detached houses in Vancouver BC in August 2018 (see graph below)

Vancouver East: 172 | -17.7% (change since August 2017)

Vancouver West: 165 | -15.8% (change since August 2017)

Total Sales

Sales of detached houses in Vancouver BC in August 2018 (see graph below)

Vancouver East: 58 | -49.6% (change since August 2017)

Vancouver West: 59 | +13.5% (change since August 2017)

Sales to Actives Ratio

Sales to Active Listings Ratio of detached houses in Vancouver BC in August 2018 (see graph below)

Vancouver East: 0.068 | -51.8% (change since August 2017)

Vancouver West: 0.072 | +16.1% (change since August 2017)