Housing market sees slight changes in October
Vancouver, B.C. – November 2, 2012 – The Greater Vancouver housing market saw a slight increase in the number of home sales, a slight reduction in the number of listings, and a slight decrease in home prices in October compared to the summer months. With those changes, the sales-to-active-listings ratio increased to 11 percent in October from 8 percent in September.
The Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver (REBGV) reported 1,931 residential property sales of detached, attached and apartment properties on the region’s Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) in October, a 16.7 percent decline compared to the 2,317 sales in October 2011 and a 27.4 percent increase compared to the 1,516 home sales in September 2012.
October sales were 28.5 percent below the 10-year October sales average of 2,700.
“Buyer demand increased slightly in October compared to the previous few months,” Sandra Wyant, REBGV president-elect said. “Overall conditions in today’s market remain in favour of buyers, with low interest rates, more choice, and less time pressure in terms of decision-making. This translates into a calmer atmosphere for those looking to buy a home and it places more onus on sellers to ensure their homes are priced to compete in today’s marketplace.”
New listings for detached, attached and apartment properties in Greater Vancouver totalled 4,323 in October. This represents a 1.2 percent decline compared to October 2011 when 4,374 properties were listed for sale on the MLS® and an 18.8 percent decline compared to the 5,321 new listings in September 2012.
At 17,370, the total number of residential property listings on the MLS® increased 12 percent from this time last year and declined 5.3 percent compared to September 2012.
Since reaching a peak of $625,100 in May, the MLS Home Price Index® (MLS HPI®) composite benchmark price for all residential properties in Greater Vancouver declined 3.4 percent to $603,800 in October. This represents a 0.8 percent decline compared to last year.
“There’ve been modest price changes since they peaked in the spring. The largest reductions have occurred in the areas and property types that experienced the biggest price increases over the last few years,” Wyant said.
Since hitting a record high in April, the benchmark price of a detached home on the Westside of Vancouver has declined 8.6 percent while detached homes in Richmond and West Vancouver have seen declines of 6 percent over the same time period.
Sales of detached properties in Greater Vancouver reached 790 in October, a decrease of 18.9 percent from the 974 detached sales recorded in October 2011, and a 19.1 percent decrease from the 976 units sold in October 2010. Since reaching a peak in May, the benchmark price for a detached property in Greater Vancouver has declined 4.1 percent to $927,500.
Sales of apartment properties reached 803 in October 2012, a 16.2 percent decrease compared to the 958 sales in October 2011, and a decrease of 18.4 percent compared to the 984 sales in October 2010. Since reaching a peak in May, the benchmark price for an apartment property in Greater Vancouver has declined 2.9 percent to $368,800.
Attached property sales in October 2012 totalled 338, an 11.5 percent decrease compared to the 382 sales in October 2011, and a 10.3 per cent decrease from the 377 attached properties sold in October 2010. Since reaching a peak in April, the benchmark price for an attached property in Greater Vancouver has declined 2.9 percent to $457,700.
The Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver (REBGV) reported 1,931 residential property sales of detached, attached and apartment properties on the region’s Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) in October, a 16.7 percent decline compared to the 2,317 sales in October 2011 and a 27.4 percent increase compared to the 1,516 home sales in September 2012.
October sales were 28.5 percent below the 10-year October sales average of 2,700.
“Buyer demand increased slightly in October compared to the previous few months,” Sandra Wyant, REBGV president-elect said. “Overall conditions in today’s market remain in favour of buyers, with low interest rates, more choice, and less time pressure in terms of decision-making. This translates into a calmer atmosphere for those looking to buy a home and it places more onus on sellers to ensure their homes are priced to compete in today’s marketplace.”
New listings for detached, attached and apartment properties in Greater Vancouver totalled 4,323 in October. This represents a 1.2 percent decline compared to October 2011 when 4,374 properties were listed for sale on the MLS® and an 18.8 percent decline compared to the 5,321 new listings in September 2012.
At 17,370, the total number of residential property listings on the MLS® increased 12 percent from this time last year and declined 5.3 percent compared to September 2012.
Since reaching a peak of $625,100 in May, the MLS Home Price Index® (MLS HPI®) composite benchmark price for all residential properties in Greater Vancouver declined 3.4 percent to $603,800 in October. This represents a 0.8 percent decline compared to last year.
“There’ve been modest price changes since they peaked in the spring. The largest reductions have occurred in the areas and property types that experienced the biggest price increases over the last few years,” Wyant said.
Since hitting a record high in April, the benchmark price of a detached home on the Westside of Vancouver has declined 8.6 percent while detached homes in Richmond and West Vancouver have seen declines of 6 percent over the same time period.
Sales of detached properties in Greater Vancouver reached 790 in October, a decrease of 18.9 percent from the 974 detached sales recorded in October 2011, and a 19.1 percent decrease from the 976 units sold in October 2010. Since reaching a peak in May, the benchmark price for a detached property in Greater Vancouver has declined 4.1 percent to $927,500.
Sales of apartment properties reached 803 in October 2012, a 16.2 percent decrease compared to the 958 sales in October 2011, and a decrease of 18.4 percent compared to the 984 sales in October 2010. Since reaching a peak in May, the benchmark price for an apartment property in Greater Vancouver has declined 2.9 percent to $368,800.
Attached property sales in October 2012 totalled 338, an 11.5 percent decrease compared to the 382 sales in October 2011, and a 10.3 per cent decrease from the 377 attached properties sold in October 2010. Since reaching a peak in April, the benchmark price for an attached property in Greater Vancouver has declined 2.9 percent to $457,700.