FVREB reports the highest ever recorded sales for September!

Housing market activity reaches historic levels in September

So, what do the latest stats tell us about the Fraser Valley Real Estate market? Basically, following a COVID-related pause, it’s back with a bang!

Click HERE for all the stats and analysis from the FVREB.

Contact me to find out your property’s current market value, or for expert help in finding your next dream home!

The Fraser Valley Real Estate Board’s Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) saw the second-highest number of both property sales and new listings ever recorded in July.

The FVREB processed a total of 2,100 sales in July, an increase of 22.2 per cent compared to sales in June and an increase of 44 per cent compared to the 1,458 sales during July of last year. Last month’s sales were 25.5 per cent above the ten-year average for July and second only to July 2015.

Chris Shields, President of the Board, observes:

“We attribute it to continued pent-up demand from what would have been a strong spring market for us; and clearly, near record-setting low interest rates. Buyers should take note that in some of our communities, the lack of supply and increase in demand is putting upward pressure on home prices. The average price of a detached home in our region set a record high in July, last set two years ago during the same month.”

The Fraser Valley Board received 3,549 new listings in July, a 2.7 per cent increase compared to June’s intake of 3,456 new listings and a 26.9 per cent increase compared to July of last year. July’s new listings were 18.3 per cent above the ten-year average for the month and second only to July 2008.  Last month finished with 7,341 active listings, an increase of 3.9 per cent compared to June’s inventory and a decrease of 12 per cent year-over-year.

Baldev Gill, Chief Executive Officer of the Board, adds, “The real estate profession has worked hard to make the buying and selling process safe during this pandemic and consumers have responded. Homeownership is a prudent, long-term investment strategy that isn’t as vulnerable to short-term fluctuations, and in this period of economic uncertainty, it’s encouraging to see the strong demand currently for Fraser Valley real estate.”

In July, the average number of days to sell an apartment was 34; 28 for townhomes and 34 for single family detached.

MLS® HPI Benchmark Price Activity

Single Family Detached: At $1,008,000, the Benchmark price for a single-family detached home in the Fraser Valley increased 1.4 per cent compared to June and, increased 5.3 per cent compared to July 2019.

Townhomes: At $563,200, the Benchmark price for a townhome in the Fraser Valley increased 0.6 per cent compared to June and increased 3.3 per cent compared to July 2019.

Apartments: At $437,300, the Benchmark price for apartments/condos in the Fraser Valley increased 0.5 per cent compared to June and increased 3.8 per cent compared to July 2019.

Property sales in the Fraser Valley more than double in one month as buyers return to the market

A lack of inventory is keeping prices stable, as the market shows signs of recovery.

Here’s the latest info from the Fraser Valley Real Estate Board (FVREB):

SURREY, BC – In May, Fraser Valley listings and property sales started to bounce back as REALTORS® helped their clients adjust to the new, necessary safety measures required to buy and sell a home during the provincial state of emergency due to COVID-19.

The Fraser Valley Real Estate Board (FVREB) processed a total of 805 sales on its Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) in May, an increase of 17 per cent compared to sales in April and a decrease of 47 per cent compared to the 1,517 sales during May of last year.

Chris Shields, President of the Board, observes, “This is an encouraging sign. Real estate is an essential service and it’s one of the most important economic drivers in BC’s economy.

“Realtors and consumers deserve to be congratulated. It’s not easy to adapt quickly to physical distancing, virtual tools and strict personal safety protocols and yet we’re seeing more and more transactions happening daily as we all get more comfortable and confident with the new normal.”

The Fraser Valley Board received 2,207 new listings in May, a 56 per cent increase compared to April’s intake of 1,416 new listings and a 38 per cent decrease compared to May of last year. May finished with 6,454 active listings, an increase of 8 per cent compared to April’s inventory and a decrease of 24 per cent year-over-year.

Shields adds, “Although our overall numbers remain significantly lower than seasonal norms, it’s to be expected. The market is resilient and as all of us continue to work together responsibly for the betterment of public safety, it will continue to improve.

“It’s important for buyers to note that prices overall remain stable. We’re not seeing a lot of downward pressure on prices because for many areas there is a shortage of inventory. We’re even seeing multiple offer situations currently where buyers are paying asking price. When supply and demand stay in balance, prices remain relatively firm.”

In May, the average number of days to sell an apartment was 38; 36 for townhomes and 31 for single family detached.

MLS® HPI Benchmark Price Activity

• Single Family Detached: At $990,400, the Benchmark price for a single-family detached home in the Fraser Valley decreased 0.2 per cent compared to April and, increased 2.7 per cent compared to May 2019.
• Townhomes: At $555,000, the Benchmark price for a townhome in the Fraser Valley increased 0.4 per cent compared to April and increased 1.8 per cent compared to May 2019.
• Apartments: At $433,700, the Benchmark price for apartments/condos in the Fraser Valley decreased 1.0 per cent compared to April and increased 1.0 per cent compared to May 2019.

Click HERE for the full FVREB stats package.

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COVID-19 couldn’t have come at a worse time for many B.C. real estate agents.

The housing market was just emerging from a lengthy slowdown when the World Heath Organization declared a pandemic on March 11.

In a four-page report released this morning, the B.C. Real Estate Association has forecast an “initial sharp decline” in home sales as households and people in the industry adhere to social distancing.

“As measures implemented to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 are gradually lifted, we expect that low interest rates and pent-up demand will translate to a significant recovery in home sales and prices,” the report states.

The BCREA notes that three major recessions since 1980 lasted between eight and 25 months, accompanied by an average economic contraction of about four percent and a rise in unemployment of 4.5 percent.

The worst slowdown occurred in 1981 and 1982, when the B.C. economy contracted by 6.4 percent and the jobless rate jumped by nearly 10 percent.

The BCREA estimates that in 2008-09, the B.C. economy shrank by 3.7 percent over 12 months as the unemployment rate increased by more than four percentage points.

The recession of 1990 to 1992 was the longest, lasting 25 months, but its effects were milder in B.C., with unemployment only rising by 3.1 percent.

“The COVID-19 recession is unique in that it is not man-made,” the BCREA states. “It did not evolve due to collective poor business decisions, bad loans, or misadventures in financial engineering. Rather, the economy has been purposely halted for the greater good.”

As a result, the BCREA expects demand for housing to return to pre-COVID-19 levels, “with home sales and prices recovering into 2021”.

Source:

https://www.straight.com/news/bc-real-estate-association-forecasts-deep-recession-followed-by-significant-recovery-in-home

Hi all. I know many of you have questions during this trying time.

First, I just want to extend my heartfelt sympathy to anyone affected by the COVID-19 virus. I would also like to thank our healthcare workers and those working at grocery stores and pharmacies, as well as delivery drivers and others risking their own health to make sure our community is looked after as we try and weather this pandemic.

As far as real estate goes, realtors have been deemed a “non-healthcare essential service”, and as such, we are still on the job, working for our clients, albeit taking extreme caution and limiting in-person contact wherever possible.

The BCREA has posted the following Information for Real Estate Consumers on COVID-19:
https://www.recbc.ca/about-us/media/news/information-real-estate-consumers-covid-19

The Bank of Canada has also responded to the crisis by lowering interest rates:
https://www.crea.ca/news/bank-of-canada-cuts-interest-rates-in-response-to-rising-global-economic-risks/

For my clients, please know I am doing my best to stay on top of industry developments while still working to assist you. I thank you for continuing to have confidence in my skill and expertise during this challenging period. We will get through this!

Trevor

PS.  Find the latest COVID-19 news here:

https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/coronavirus-disease-covid-19.html?utm_campaign=not-applicable&utm_medium=vanity-url&utm_source=canada-ca_coronavirus

February home sales outpace new listings in Fraser Valley

SURREY, BC – January’s property sales in the Fraser Valley came in 6 per cent above the 10-year average for the month, while new listings finished 11 per cent below historical norms.

The Fraser Valley Real Estate Board processed 974 sales of all property types on its Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) in January, a 21.9 per cent decrease compared to sales in December 2019, and a 24.2 per cent increase compared to the 784 sales in January of last year.

Of the 974 total MLS® sales of residential and commercial combined in the Fraser Valley, 363 were single family detached homes, 241 were townhouses, and 248 were apartments.

There were 5,143 active listings available in the Fraser Valley at the end of January, an increase of 9.8 per cent compared to December 2019’s inventory and a decrease of 14.2 per cent year-over-year. Additionally, 2,216 new listings were received by the Board for the month, a significant increase compared to December 2019’s intake of 948 new listings and a 15.1 per cent decrease compared year-over-year.

“Considering our record-shattering snow and cold, the pace of home sales remained surprisingly balanced in January,” said Darin Germyn, President of the Board. “Sales in our region have steadily improved since July of last year and January’s numbers remained consistent with that trend.”

“Where the weather may have had an impact in January, is on our housing supply,” observed Germyn. “For certain property types, listings in the Fraser Valley are not keeping pace with sales. In areas of Surrey and Langley for example, for every two townhomes listed, one is selling. So, if you’re thinking of buying, talk to your REALTOR® about local market conditions to understand the variances.”

For the Fraser Valley region, the average number of days to sell an apartment in January was 49, and 47 for townhomes. Single family detached homes remained on the market for an average of 60 days before selling.

MLS® HPI Benchmark Price Activity

• Single Family Detached: At $960,800, the Benchmark price for a single-family detached home in the Fraser Valley increased 0.7 per cent compared to December 2019 and, also increased 0.7 per cent compared to January 2019.
• Townhomes: At $518,000, the Benchmark price for a townhome in the Fraser Valley in the Fraser Valley increased 0.6 per cent compared to December 2019 and decreased 0.8 per cent compared to January 2019.
• Apartments: At $408,400, the Benchmark price for apartments/condos in the Fraser Valley increased 0.7 per cent compared to December 2019 and decreased 0.1 per cent compared to January 2019.

For Full details and statistics, click here.