Blog by Major S. Olak

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Home sales and listings just below 10-year average

VANCOUVER, BC – December 2, 2016 – Home buyer and seller activity remains near historical averages in the Metro Vancouver* housing market.

Residential home sales in the region totalled 2,214 in November 2016, a decrease of 0.9 percent from the 2,233 sales recorded in October 2016 and a decrease of 37.2 percent compared to November 2015 when 3,524 homes sold.

Last month’s sales were 7.6 percent below the 10-year sales average for the month.

“While 2016 has been anything but a normal year for the Metro Vancouver housing market, supply and demand totals have returned to more historically normal levels over the last few months,” said Dan Morrison, Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver (REBGV) president.

New listings for detached, attached and apartment properties in Metro Vancouver totalled 3,147 in November 2016. This represents a decrease of 20.9 percent compared to the 3,981 units listed in October 2016 and a 7.2 percent decrease compared to November 2015 when 3,392 properties were listed.

Last month’s new listing count was 1.2 percent below the region’s 10-year new listing average for the month.

The total number of properties currently listed for sale on the MLS® system in Metro Vancouver is 8,385, an 8.3 percent decrease compared to October 2016 (9,143) and a 3.6 percent increase compared to November 2015 (8,096).

The sales-to-active listings ratio for November 2016 is 26.4 percent. This is up two percent from last month (24.4 percent).

Downward pressure on home prices can occur when the ratio dips below the 12 percent mark for a sustained period, while home prices can experience upward pressure when it surpasses 20 percent over several months.

“Demand, relative to supply, for detached homes is lower right now than demand for townhomes and apartments,” Morrison said. “This is causing prices to remain stable, or flat, for townhomes and apartments, while detached homes are seeing modest month-over-moth declines.”

The MLS® Home Price Index composite benchmark price for all residential properties in Metro Vancouver is currently $908,300. This represents a 1.2 percent decrease compared to last month and a 20.5 percent increase compared to November 2015.

Sales of detached properties in November 2016 reached 638, a decrease of 2.1 percent from the 652 detached sales recorded in October 2016 and a 52.2 percent decline over November 2015.The benchmark price for detached properties is $1,511,100. This represents a 2.2 percent decline compared to last month and a 23 percent increase compared to November 2015.

Sales of apartment properties reached 1,200 in November 2016, an increase of 1.9 percent compared to the 1,178 sales in October 2016 and a 22.7 percent decrease compared to November 2015.The benchmark price of an apartment property is $512,100. This is unchanged from last month and is an 18 percent increase compared to November 2015.

Attached property sales in November 2016 totalled 376, a decrease of 6.7 percent compared to the 403 sales in October 2016 and a 40.9 percent decline compared to November 2015. The benchmark price of an attached unit is $667,100. This represents a 0.3 percent decrease compared to last month and a 23 per cent increase compared to November 2015.
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