Home sales in the Fraser Valley posted a second consecutive bump last month, as new listings continue to rise and trend slightly above the 10-year seasonal average.

The Fraser Valley Real Estate Board recorded 1,235 transactions on its Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) in February, a 32 per cent increase over January but still 21 per cent below the 10-year average for sales in the region. New listings increased to 2,797 in February, up 18 per cent from January and 4 per cent above the 10-year average.
“There is somewhat of a buzz in the market right now,” said Narinder Bains, Chair of the Fraser Valley Real Estate Board. “We are seeing new listings come onto the market and REALTORS® continue to see more traffic at open houses, however buyers are still exercising caution. We aren’t out of the woods just yet, but the signs are pointing to a further increase in activity as we head into spring.”

Active listings in February were 5,561, up by 14 per cent over last month and up by 26 per cent over February 2023. With a sales-to-active listings ratio of 22 per cent, overall market conditions are edging into a seller’s market. The market is considered balanced when the ratio is between 12 per cent and 20 per cent.
“All indications suggest we will see the Bank of Canada’s overnight rate begin to decrease mid-year, which is encouraging for buyers and sellers,” said FVREB CEO Baldev Gill. “With that confidence and the spring market on the horizon, we recommend anyone looking to buy or sell to seek the knowledge and guidance of a professional REALTOR® who can provide detailed analysis and intimate knowledge of the local market.”

The average number of days homes are spending on the market is dropping, with single-family detached homes spending 35 days on the market, down from 44 days in January, apartments spending 29 days on the market, down from 41 days in January and townhomes moving more quickly at 28 days, down from 33 days on the market in January.

After six months of decreases, overall Benchmark prices posted a slight bump in February, edging up 0.9 per cent from January and up 4.8 per cent over February 2023.

The new FVREB sales-to-active listings ratio is reported as 19%, which means a “balanced market”, while overall Benchmark prices continue to edge downward — half a per cent from December, and down six per cent from the 12-month peak in July. This is the time to get off the sidelines, before an interest rate cut sees the market (already suffering with low inventory) flooded with buyers! Feb 2,2024 FVREB Press release below:

Signs of stability in Fraser Valley housing market

SURREY, BC — The Fraser Valley real estate market showed signs of recovery in January as home sales rose after six consecutive months of decline, and new listings more than doubled.

The Fraser Valley Real Estate Board recorded 938 transactions on its Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) in January, a 12 per cent increase over December and below the 10-year average for sales in the region. At 2,368, new listings increased 151 per cent in January, rebounding strongly from the seasonal lull seen in December. This is the largest month-over-month percentage increase in new listings in five years.

Active listings in January were 4,877, up by 4 per cent over last month and up by 18 per cent over January 2023. The sales-to-active listings ratio was 19 per cent, representing balanced conditions in the overall market. Detached houses are in balanced market territory at 19 per cent, while both townhomes and apartments remain in seller’s market territory at 34 and 27 per cent respectively. The market is considered balanced when the ratio is between 12 per cent and 20 per cent.

The average number of days homes are spending on the market has been increasing since October, with single family detached homes spending 44 days on the market, apartments spending 41 days on the market and townhomes moving more quickly at 33 days.

Overall Benchmark prices continued to edge downward for the sixth month in a row, losing less than half a per cent from December, and down six per cent from the 12-month peak in July.

The Fraser Valley Real Estate Board says sales are down 8% and listings 20% from the previous month, while buyers continue to wait on the sidelines hoping for a drop in interest rates. If/When that happens, we’ll likely see a rush of buyers competing for what little inventory is on the market, so if you’re planning to buy now could be the opportune time!

SURREY, BC – The Fraser Valley real estate market saw strong sales activity in June with levels on par with the 10-year average for the month, amid on-going challenges with supply.

In June, the Fraser Valley Real Estate Board (FVREB) processed 1,935 sales on its Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®), an increase of 51.1 per cent compared to June 2022 and a 13.1 per cent increase compared to May.

The Board received 3,424 new listings in June, an increase of 2.8 per cent compared to last year, and a decrease of 3.1 per cent compared to May 2023. The month ended with a total active inventory of 5,944, a 6.9 per cent increase compared to May, and 8.2 per cent less than June of last year.

Across Fraser Valley in June, the average number of days to sell a single-family detached home was 21 and a townhome was 16 days. Apartments took, on average, 22 days to sell.

MLS® HPI Benchmark Price Activity

• Single Family Detached: At $1,526,200, the Benchmark price for an FVREB single-family detached home increased 2.3 per cent compared to May 2023 and decreased 7.4 per cent compared to June 2022.
• Townhomes: At $845,400, the Benchmark price for an FVREB townhome increased 2.3 per cent compared to May 2023 and decreased 5.2 per cent compared to June 2022.
• Apartments: At $552,200, the Benchmark price for an FVREB apartment/condo increased 1.8 per cent compared to May 2023 and decreased 2.5 per cent compared to June 2022.
  
  
  
  

Signs of stability in Fraser Valley create opportunities for home buyers and sellers.

Housing prices in the Fraser Valley posted a slight but positive bump in February after nearly a year of month-over-month decreases. Similarly, sales, though still trending lower than normal, also recorded their first monthly gain since October.

Read the full press release and stats HERE 

I agree that with more homes now on the market we’re seeing fewer multiple offers, fewer subject-free offers, and anything over-priced is starting to sit longer.

Full details HERE

Another month, another record for property sales in the Fraser Valley

October marks four consecutive months of record-breaking activity for the Fraser Valley real estate market!

Click HERE to read the latest market update from the FVREB.

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