Near record-breaking new listings in the Fraser Valley not enough to match insatiable buyer demand

SURREY, BC – Fraser Valley’s extraordinary pandemic real estate market continued to break sales records – for the ninth consecutive month – while at the same time, reaching near-historic levels of new listings in May.

In May, the Fraser Valley Real Estate Board (FVREB) processed 2,951 sales on its Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®), an increase of 267 per cent compared to May 2020 and a 2 per cent decrease compared to April. (Note that last year, the market was significantly restricted due to the lockdown.) The previous record high for sales in May for the Fraser Valley region was 2,911 in 2016.

Larry Anderson, President of the Board, said, “Demand hasn’t changed. What’s changed is supply. In the last three months, buyers have 40 per cent more inventory to look at in the Fraser Valley and it’s allowed them to take back a little control.

“We’re seeing resistance to multiple offers and buyers adjusting their offers, or even waiting, because they have more selection. We’re a long way from a balanced market, but supply is helping us to head in the right direction.”

In May, the Board received the second-highest volume of new listings ever; approaching May 2018 levels. The Board received 3,926 new listings in May, an increase of 78 per cent compared to last year, and a decrease of 22 per cent compared to April 2021. The month ended with total active inventory sitting at 5,868, a 3 per cent decrease compared to April, and 9 per cent less than May of last year.

Baldev Gill, Chief Executive Officer of the Board, added, “In the context of BC’s Restart Plan, it’s important to remind consumers that for now, when it comes to working with a real estate professional or booking a private showing, it’s status quo. Currently, there is no easing of pandemic restrictions in the real estate sector and our Board does not anticipate new guidelines for several weeks. Your REALTOR® will continue to guide you safely through the buying and selling process, following all public safety protocols, for as long as necessary.”

Across Fraser Valley, in May, the average number of days to sell a single-family detached home was 14 and a townhome was 12 days. Apartments took, on average, 20 days to sell.

MLS® HPI Benchmark Price Activity

Single Family Detached: At $1,323,300, the Benchmark price for an FVREB single-family detached home increased 2.3 per cent compared to April 2021 and increased 33.6 per cent compared to May 2020.

Townhomes: At $670,000, the Benchmark price for an FVREB townhome increased 2.7 per cent compared to April 2021 and increased 20.7 per cent compared to May 2020.

Apartments: At $488,500, the Benchmark price for an FVREB apartment/condo increased 2.0 per cent compared to April 2021 and increased 12.6 per cent compared to May 2020.

Find the May 2021 Statistics Package here.

Home sale and listing activity in Metro Vancouver moves off of its record-breaking pace

The Metro Vancouver housing market saw steady home sale and listing activity in May, a shift back from the record-breaking activity seen in the earlier spring months.

The Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver (REBGV) reports that residential home sales in the region totalled 4,268 in May 2021, a 187.4 per cent increase from the 1,485 sales recorded in May 2020, and a 13 per cent decrease from the 4,908 homes sold in April 2021.

Last month’s sales were 27.7 per cent above the 10-year May sales average.

“While home sale and listing activity remained above our long-term averages in May, conditions moved back from the record-setting pace experienced throughout Metro Vancouver in March and April of this year,” Keith Stewart, REBGV economist said. “With a little less intensity in the market today than we saw earlier in the spring, home sellers need to ensure they’re working with their REALTOR® to price their homes based on current market conditions.”

There were 7,125 detached, attached and apartment properties newly listed for sale on the Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) in Metro Vancouver in May 2021. This represents a 93.4 per cent increase compared to the 3,684 homes listed in May 2020 and a 10.2 per cent decrease compared to April 2021 when 7,938 homes were listed.

The total number of homes currently listed for sale on the MLS® system in Metro Vancouver is 10,970, a 10.5 per cent increase compared to May 2020 (9,927) and a 7.1 per cent increase compared to April 2021 (10,245).

"With sales easing down from record peaks, a revised mortgage stress test that reduces the maximum borrowing amounts by approximately 4.5 per cent, and the average five-year fixed mortgage rates climbing back over two per cent since the beginning of 2021, we’ll pay close attention to these factors leading into the summer to understand what affect they’ll have on the current market cycle,” Stewart said.

For all property types, the sales-to-active listings ratio for May 2021 is 38.9 per cent. By property type, the ratio is 29.8 per cent for detached homes, 53.8 per cent for townhomes, and 43.5 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.

“The seller’s market conditions experienced throughout much of the pandemic highlight the need for increasing the volume and variety of housing supply across our region,” Stewart said. “Doing this requires a more disciplined focus on planning, reducing building costs, understanding demographic changes, and expediting the building approval process.”

The MLS® Home Price Index1 composite benchmark price for all residential properties in Metro Vancouver is currently $1,172,800. This represents a 14 per cent increase over May 2020 and a 1.5 per cent increase compared to April 2021.

Sales of detached homes in May 2021 reached 1,430, a 166 per cent increase from the 537 detached sales recorded in May 2020. The benchmark price for a detached home is $1,800,600. This represents a 22.8 per cent increase from May 2020 and a 1.7 per cent increase compared to April 2021.

Sales of apartment homes reached 2,049 in May 2021, a 213 per cent increase compared to the 653 sales in May 2020. The benchmark price of an apartment home is $737,100. This represents a 7.9 per cent increase from May 2020 and a 1.2 per cent increase compared to April 2021.

Attached home sales in May 2021 totalled 800, a 168 per cent increase compared to the 298 sales in May 2020. The benchmark price of an attached home is $936,300. This represents a 16.3 per cent increase from May 2020 and a 1.8 per cent increase compared to April 2021.

Click here to download the May 2021 stats package.

SURREY, BC – For the eighth consecutive month, Fraser Valley real estate saw record-breaking sales with April topping the previous monthly high set in 2016. The 2020/2021 pandemic seller’s market in the Fraser Valley has now surpassed the previous longest stretch of seven consecutive, record-breaking months, last set in 2015/2016.

In April, the Fraser Valley Real Estate Board (FVREB) processed 3,016 sales on its Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®), an increase of 338 per cent compared to April 2020 and a 9 per cent decrease compared to March. (Note that sales and new listings in April 2020 were significantly restricted due to the pandemic lockdown.) The previous record high for sales in April was 2,969 in 2016.

Larry Anderson, President of the Board, said, “Although it remains very competitive and challenging for buyers, April could be the turning point in this historic market. In the last couple of weeks, we have seen evidence of a change in pace.

“In general, we’re seeing fewer multiple offers, fewer subject-free offers, and homes over-priced are starting to sit longer. These are positive signs that the market is responding to near-record levels of new inventory.”

The Board received the highest volume of new listings ever in March 2021 and that elevated pace continued in April. Last month, the Board received 5,018 new listings, an increase of 254 per cent compared to April 2020, and a decrease of 1 per cent compared to March 2021. The influx of new listings improved supply with total active inventory reaching 6,030 in April 2021, 20 per cent higher than in March and the highest it’s been in six months.

Baldev Gill, Chief Executive Officer of the Board, added, “Buyers and sellers will note that we’re already seeing increases in home prices start to slow in response to the new supply.

“If you have an active listing now or are thinking of selling, it’s critical to work with a professional REALTOR® to ensure your asking price is realistic and competitive based on today’s market, not yesterday’s.”

Across Fraser Valley, in March, the average number of days to sell a single-family detached home was 13 and a townhome was 10 days. Apartments took, on average, 22 days to sell.

MLS® HPI Benchmark Price Activity

Single Family Detached: At $1,293,300, the Benchmark price for an FVREB single-family detached home increased 4.5 per cent compared to March 2021 and increased 30.3 per cent compared to April 2020.

Townhomes: At $652,400, the Benchmark price for an FVREB townhome increased 4.5 per cent compared to March 2021 and increased 18.0 per cent compared to April 2020.

Apartments: At $478,700, the Benchmark price for an FVREB apartment/condo increased 2.9 per cent compared to March 2021 and increased 9.3 per cent compared to April 2020.

Find the April 2021 Statistics Package here.

Home buyer and seller activity reached unprecedented levels across Metro Vancouver in March.

The Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver (REBGV) reports that residential home sales in the region totalled 5,708 in March 2021, a 126.1 per cent increase from the 2,524 sales recorded in March 2020, and a 53.2 per cent increase from the 3,727 homes sold in February 2021.

Last month’s sales were 72.2 per cent above the 10-year March sales average and is the highest monthly sales total ever recorded in the region.

“In March, residents bought and listed homes across our region at levels not seen before,” Taylor Biggar, REBGV Chair said. “This surge in activity is increasing upward pressure on prices. We’re beginning to see double-digit price gains for single-family homes and townhomes over the last 12 months.”

Demand was most pronounced in rural and suburban areas. Delta – South saw a 195.8 per cent increase in sales over 2020 – the largest increase in Metro Vancouver. This was followed by Whistler, which experienced a 194.7 per cent increase, and Squamish, which saw a 188.6 per cent increase in sales.

There were 8,287 detached, attached and apartment homes newly listed for sale on the Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) in Metro Vancouver in March 2021. This represents an 86.8 per cent increase compared to the 4,436 homes listed in March 2020 and a 64.2 per cent increase compared to February 2021 when 5,048 homes were listed.

The total number of homes currently listed for sale on the MLS® system in Metro Vancouver is 9,145, a 4.8 per cent decrease compared to March 2020 (9,606) and a 9.4 per cent increase compared to February 2021 (8,358).

This is 18.6 per cent below the 10-year March total listings average.

“While we did see a record number of listings enter the market last month, the demand in today’s market isn’t allowing that new supply to accumulate. As a result, the overall inventory of homes for sale decreased compared to last year,” said Biggar.

For all property types, the sales-to-active listings ratio for March 2021 is 62.4 per cent. By property type, the ratio is 52.9 per cent for detached homes, 79.9 per cent for townhomes, and 65.4 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.

“Today’s activity can be attributed, in part, to an economy that’s showing signs of recovery, historically low interest rates, high demand for space, and increased household savings,” Biggar said.

The MLS® Home Price Index composite benchmark price for all residential properties in Metro Vancouver is $1,123,300. This represents a 9.4 per cent increase over March 2020 and a 3.6 per cent increase compared to February 2021.

Sales of detached homes in March 2021 reached 1,965, a 130.6 per cent increase from the 852 detached sales recorded in March 2020. The benchmark price for a detached home is $1,700,200. This represents a 17.9 per cent increase from March 2020 and a 4.9 per cent increase compared to February 2021.

Sales of apartment homes reached 2,697 in March 2021, a 128.8 per cent increase compared to the 1,179 sales in March 2020. The benchmark price of an apartment is $715,800. This represents a 3.7 per cent increase from March 2020 and a 2.6 per cent increase compared to February 2021.

Attached home sales in March 2021 totalled 1,046, a 112.2 per cent increase compared to the 493 sales in March 2020. The benchmark price of an attached home is $872,200. This represents a 10.4 per cent increase from March 2020 and a 3.9 per cent increase compared to February 2021.

Download the March 2021 stats package.

SURREY, BC – Fraser Valley real estate hit two historical highs in March, setting records for both sales and new listings processed in one month since the Fraser Valley Real Estate Board’s (FVREB) inception in 1921.

In March, the FVREB processed 3,329 residential and commercial sales on its Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®), an increase of 131 per cent compared to March 2020 and 18 per cent more than were processed in February. The previous record of 3,006 sales was set in March of 2016.

Larry Anderson, President of the Board, said of this month’s statistics, “This market is uncharted territory for Fraser Valley real estate. The surprising strength of the economy, the influence of the pandemic and a lack of inventory of all property types has created unprecedented demand for housing in our region.

“It is very stressful for buyers. REALTORS® are working hard to guide them through what has become a protracted, powerful seller’s market. As we continue to help our clients grapple with escalating prices and multiple offers, March did bring some good news. It set a record for volume of new listings received improving selection,” said Anderson.

The Board received 5,087 new listings in March, an increase of 91 per cent compared to March of last year, and 56 per cent more than were processed in February. The previous high for new listings was 4,458 in April 2008. Total active inventory for March was 5,012, a decrease of 18 per cent compared to last year’s 6,083 active listings, however 22 per cent higher than February 2021.

Baldev Gill, Chief Executive Officer of the Board, added, “The impact of the pandemic on the market cannot be overstated and as we know from the province’s latest announcement, we are in a precarious situation currently. Since the end of the first lockdown in 2020, the real estate profession has led the way on protecting its members and the public.

“Realtors take this extra duty to protect their clients during private, in-person showings very seriously and will continue to remain vigilant until vaccines are rolled out to the greater population,” added Gill.

Across Fraser Valley, in March, the average number of days to sell a single-family detached home was 15 and a townhome was 14 days. Apartments took, on average, 31 days to sell.

MLS® HPI Benchmark Price Activity

Single Family Detached: At $1,237,900, the Benchmark price for an FVREB single-family detached home increased 6.4 per cent compared to February 2021 and increased 25.3 per cent compared to March 2020.

Townhomes: At $624,500, the Benchmark price for an FVREB townhome increased 4.0 per cent compared to February 2021 and increased 13.7 per cent compared to March 2020.

Apartments: At $465,400, the Benchmark price for an FVREB apartment/condo increased 3.2 per cent compared to February 2021 and increased 6.5 per cent compared to March 2020.

Find the March 2021 Statistics Package here.