Rob Johnson

Thank you to Oceanfront Wealth Management for the opportunity to speak on some current issues in today’s real estate market. Here’s the link to our online conversation – https://oceanfrontwealth.wistia.com/medias/6irmji6wus?mc_cid=41f466f52d&mc_eid=[UNIQID]

Another recent article that echo’s some of my comments & concerns in the above interview was just published Mark Ting for CBC News – https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/ting-column-sept-18-1.5730878

Recent provincial changes to strata insurance + link to in-depth report – https://www.rebgv.org/news-archive/provincial-government-changes-strata-insurance-regulations.html

Another interesting article from The Western Investor – https://www.westerninvestor.com/news/british-columbia/the-pandemic-housing-recession-that-never-was-1.24201470

Home buyers and sellers remained active across Metro Vancouver in August, with home sale and new listing activity outpacing the region’s historical averages.

The Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver (REBGV) reports that residential home sales in the region totalled 3,047 in August 2020, a 36.6 per cent increase from the 2,231 sales recorded in August 2019, and a 2.6 per cent decrease from the 3,128 homes sold in July 2020.

Last month’s sales were 19.9 per cent above the 10-year August sales average.

“People who put their home buying and selling plans on hold in the spring have been returning to the market throughout the summer,” Colette Gerber, REBGV Chair said. “Like everything else in our lives these days, the uncertainty COVID-19 presents makes it challenging to predict what will happen this fall.”

There were 5,813 detached, attached and apartment properties newly listed for sale on the Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) in Metro Vancouver in August 2020. This represents a 55.1 per cent increase compared to the 3,747 homes listed in August 2019 and a 2.3 per cent decrease compared to July 2020 when 5,948 homes were listed.

This was 34.8 per cent above the 10-year August new listings average.

The total number of homes currently listed for sale on the MLS® system in Metro Vancouver is 12,803, a 4.4 per cent decrease compared to August 2019 (13,396) and a six per cent increase compared to July 2020 (12,083).

For all property types, the sales-to-active listings ratio for August 2020 is 23.8 per cent. By property type, the ratio is 23.7 per cent for detached homes, 30.5 per cent for townhomes, and 21.6 per cent for apartments.

Generally, analysts say downward pressure on home prices occurs when the ratio dips below 12 per cent for a sustained period, while home prices often experience upward pressure when it surpasses 20 per cent over several months.

“Low interest rates and limited overall supply of homes for sale are creating competition in today’s housing market,” Gerber said. “Your local REALTOR® can help you navigate today’s market and ensure that the latest public health requirements are followed at every step of the process. Above all, safety has to remain our top priority during this pandemic.”

The MLS® Home Price Index composite benchmark price for all residential properties in Metro Vancouver is currently $1,038,700. This represents a 5.3 per cent increase over August 2019 and a 0.7 per cent increase compared to July 2020.

Sales of detached homes in August 2020 reached 1,095, a 55.1 per cent increase from the 706 detached sales recorded in August 2019. The benchmark price of a detached home is $1,491,300. This represents a 6.6 per cent increase from August 2019 and a one per cent increase compared to July 2020.

Sales of apartment homes reached 1,332 in August 2020, a 19.4 per cent increase compared to the 1,116 sales in August 2019. The benchmark price of an apartment property is $685,800. This represents a 4.5 per cent increase from August 2019 and a 0.5 per cent increase compared to July 2020.

Attached home sales in August 2020 totalled 620, a 51.6 per cent increase compared to the 409 sales in August 2019. The benchmark price of an attached home is $806,400. This represents a 4.4 per cent increase from August 2019 and a 1.1 per cent increase compared to July 2020.

Download the August 2020 stats package

Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver

August 5, 2020

Metro Vancouver housing market sees steady summer activity Home buyer and seller activity in Metro Vancouver* exceeded historical levels in July. 

The Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver (REBGV) reports that residential home sales in the region totalled 3,128 in July 2020, a 22.3 per cent increase from the 2,557 sales recorded in July 2019, and a 28 per cent increase from the 2,443 homes sold in June 2020. 

Last month’s sales were 9.4 per cent above the 10-year July sales average. “We’re seeing the results today of pent up activity, from both home buyers and sellers, that had been accumulating in our market throughout the year,” Colette Gerber, REBGV Chair said. “Low interest rates and limited overall supply are also increasing competition across our market.” 

There were 5,948 detached, attached and apartment properties newly listed for sale on the Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) in Metro Vancouver in July 2020. This represents a 28.9 per cent increase compared to the 4,613 homes listed in July 2019 and a 2.8 per cent increase compared to June 2020 when 5,787 homes were listed. 

The total number of homes currently listed for sale on the MLS® system in Metro Vancouver is 12,083, a 15.1 per cent decrease compared to July 2019 (14,240) and a 5.8 per cent increase compared to June 2020 (11,424). “Safety remains the top priority for our REALTOR® community,” Gerber said. “We continue to limit in-person interactions with clients and employ different technology solutions to ensure home buyers and sellers can get as much information as possible in a virtual setting.” 

For all property types, the sales-to-active listings ratio for July 2020 is 25.9 per cent. By property type, the ratio is 25.1 per cent for detached homes, 31.1 per cent for townhomes, and 24.7 per cent for apartments. Generally, analysts say that downward pressure on home prices occurs when the ratio dips below 12 per cent for a sustained period, while home prices often experience upward pressure when it surpasses 20 per cent over several months. 

The MLS® Home Price Index composite benchmark price for all residential properties in Metro Vancouver is currently $1,031,400. This represents a 4.5 per cent increase over July 2019 and a 0.6 per cent increase compared to June 2020. 

Sales of detached homes in July 2020 reached 1,121, a 33.3 per cent increase from the 841 detached sales recorded in July 2019. The benchmark price for a detached home is $1,477,800. This represents a five per cent increase from July 2019 and a 0.9 per cent increase compared to June 2020. Sales of apartment homes reached 1,400 in July 2020, a 12.6 per cent increase compared to the 1,243 sales in July 2019. The benchmark price of an apartment property is $682,500. This represents a 4.2 per cent increase from July 2019 and a 0.3 per cent increase compared to June 2020. Attached home sales in July 2020 totalled 607, a 28.3 per cent increase compared to the 473 sales in July 2019. The benchmark price of an attached home is $797,700. This represents a 3.7 per cent increase from July 2019 and a 0.9 per cent increase compared to June 2020.

Download the July 2020 stats package