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November 1, 2012

VICTORIA BC - While prices held steady through most of the Greater Victoria region's real estate market in October, government lending regulations have had the desired "cooling effect" on year-over-year sales numbers.

Total MLS® sales for October 2012 were 373 compared to 483 in October 2011. During the month, 211 single family homes sold throughout the Victoria Real Estate Board's region, compared to 260 in October 2011. The average price for single family homes was $576,720, down 2% from last October's average of $590,539. The median price for the same period is down $24,000 (4.5%). Month-over-month, both sales volume and the six-month average for single family homes are flat. Active listings are 4,876.

"Overall sales for Greater Victoria are down 19%," says Carol Crabb, President of the Victoria Real Estate Board. "Federal measures to slow real estate sales nationally are having a local affect. Our REALTORS® tell me that with the reduced amortization rates, many buyers are having trouble getting financing for the type of home that fits their needs, particularly first-time buyers."

Crabb also notes that there are fluctuations across the region. Sales and prices are flat in the Core Municipalities, while sales are down on the Saanich Peninsula, with declined sales and prices on the Westshore. "I strongly caution against reading too much into the numbers," she says. "Both activity and prices vary by sub-area. For some the sample size is always small, so a sale of one or two properties can result in a 50% change."

There were 92 condominium sales last month, 37% fewer than during October 2011. Six manufactured homes sold compared to 10 during the previous October. Townhome sales declined 37% and the average price dropped from $428,040 to $387,769, a 9% decrease.

Total Waterfront Single Family Dwellings sold: 15, up 3 from 2011
Total Non-waterfront Single Family Dwellings sold: 196, down 52 sales from September 2011
Single Family Dwellings sold over $1 million: 11 (1 over $2 million, 1 over $3 million)

Summary Report and Graphs

Monthly Sales Summary
Average Selling Price Graphs
Active Listings, New Listings and Sales Graphs

BCREA 2012 Fourth Quarter Housing Forecast

Vancouver, BC – October 26, 2012. The British Columbia Real Estate Association (BCREA) released its 2012 Fourth Quarter Housing Forecast today.

BC Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) residential sales are forecast to decline 9.8 per cent to 69,200 units this year, before increasing 8.3 per cent to 74,920 units in 2013. The fifteen-year average is 79,000 unit sales, while a record 106,300 MLS® residential sales were recorded in 2005.

"Despite stronger consumer demand in the interior, BC home sales will fall short of last year’s total,” said Cameron Muir, BCREA Chief Economist. “A moderating trend in Vancouver has recently been exacerbated by tighter high-ratio mortgage regulation. The resulting decline in purchasing power has squeezed some potential buyers out of the market. However, strong full-time employment growth, persistently low mortgage interest rates and an expanding population base point to more robust consumer demand in 2013."  

"While the average MLS® residential price is forecast to decline 7.6 per cent to $518,600 this year, the change is largely the result of luxury home sales returning to more normal levels after an unusually active 2011,” added Muir. In addition, the Lower Mainland’s share of provincial home sales is expected to decline to 57 per cent this year from 62 per cent in 2011.The average MLS® residential price in BC is forecast to edge up 0.7 per cent to $522,000 in 2013.

Vancouver, BC – October 15, 2012. The British Columbia Real Estate Association (BCREA) reports that the dollar volume of homes sold through the Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) in BC declined 28.5 per cent to $2.2 billion in September compared to the same month last year. A total of 4,539 MLS® residential unit sales were recorded over the same period, down 24.3 per cent from September 2011. The average MLS® residential price was $494,213, down 5.6 per cent from a year ago.

"Stricter high-ratio mortgage regulation further exacerbated a moderating trend in consumer demand,” said Cameron Muir, BCREA Chief Economist. “Reducing the maximum amortization from 30 to 25 years had the equivalent impact to affordability as a 100 basis point increase in mortgage interest rates."

“An expanding population, strong full-time employment growth and persistent low mortgage interest rates are expected to bolster housing demand in the months ahead,” added Muir.

Year-to-date, BC residential sales dollar volume declined 18.5 per cent to $28.4 billion, compared to the same period last year. Residential unit sales declined 10.6 per cent to 54,670 units, while the average MLS® residential price was 8.9 per cent lower at $519,289.

For the complete news release, including detailed statistics, click here.

Total MLS® residential sales for September 2012 were 400 compared to 435 in September 2011. During the month, 216 single family homes sold throughout the Victoria Real Estate Board's region, just 28 fewer than the 244 sold in September 2011. The average price for single family homes sold in Greater Victoria last month was $589,361, down from September 2011's average of $622,393. The median price is down by $16,500 to $517,500 over September 2011. There are 5,025 active listings.

"We are at a bit of a standoff in the Greater Victoria real estate market," says Carol Crabb, President of the Victoria Real Estate Board. "Buyers are waiting for prices to go down, but there are no economic indicators to show that will happen. Sellers are pricing their properties reasonably for the current market, which is reflected by the fact that single family homes are selling for an average 96% of list price.

"The median price of a single family home is only 1.5% lower than last year and that number has held steady for the last five months," Crabb says.

Condominium and manufactured home sales are virtually unchanged over September 2011 (approximately 1% each), while townhomes sales have declined 10%.

Total Waterfront Single Family Dwellings sold: 18, up 7 sales from 2011
Total Non-waterfront Single Family Dwellings sold: 198, down 35 sales from September 2011
Single Family Dwellings sold over $1 million: 14 (0 over $2 million)

  Total Single Family All Areas includes Shawnigan Lake/Malahat, Gulf Islands and Up Island

Summary Report and Graphs

Monthly Sales Summary
Average Selling Price Graphs
Active Listings, New Listings and Sales Graphs

Total MLS® residential sales for August 2012 was 462 compared to 542 for the same period in 2011. During the month, 240 single family homes sold throughout the Victoria Real Estate Board’s region, 67 fewer than the 307 sold in August 2011. The average price for single family homes sold in Greater Victoria last month was $590,843, down from August 2011’s average of $652,841. The median price is down by $17,000 to $530,000. There are 5,034 active listings.

"Sales are down 11.5% over August 2011" says Carol Crabb, President of the Victoria Real Estate Board. "When seasonally adjusted, there is little change from July 2012. It’s a flat market which we suspect will continue for the next few months and not trending in either direction."

The overall provincial outlook is strong, with employers replacing part-time positions with full-time, and ongoing low interest rates. The British Columbia Real Estate Association predicts the resulting consumer confidence will move the provincial economy from flat to strong in 2013.

Other categories are also holding steady. Condominium and manufactured home sales are virtually unchanged over August 2011, while townhomes sales continue to be softer.

Total Waterfront Single Family Dwellings sold: 25, down 3 sales from 2011
Total Non-waterfront Single Family Dwellings sold: 215, down 64 sales from August 2011
Single Family Dwellings sold over $1 million: 10 (1 over $2 million)

Summary Report and Graphs

Monthly Sales Summary
Average Selling Price Graphs
Active Listings, New Listings and Sales Graphs

August 1, 2012

VICTORIA BC- Real estate activity continues to be steady in Greater Victoria, reflecting favourable conditions attributed to stable pricing, low interest rates and good selection.

Total MLS® sales for July 2012 were 523 compared to 523 for the same period in 2011. During the month, 293 single family homes sold throughout the Victoria Real Estate Board’s region, on par with the 283 sold in July 2011. The average price for single family homes sold in Greater Victoria last month was $580,563, up slightly over July 2011’s average was $574,717. Of note, the median price varies by only $100 year over year. There are 5,178 active listings.

"The market is holding steady, reflecting that good properties that are priced well are selling," says Carol Crabb, President of the Victoria Real Estate Board. "Combined with lots of selection and low interest rates, buyers have good opportunities to buy real estate in the Greater Victoria market. The downward adjustment in volume follows our historical cycle as we transition from a spring to summer market."

Other categories are also holding steady. One variation is that condominium average and median prices are slightly higher, likely resulting from new product on the market.

Total Waterfront Single Family Dwellings sold: 14, down 5 sales over July 2011
Total Non-waterfront Single Family Dwellings sold: 279, up 15 sales over July 2011
Single Family Dwellings sold over $1 million: 14 (1 over $2 million)

  Total Single Family All Areas includes Shawnigan Lake/Malahat, Gulf Islands and Up Island

Summary Report and Graphs

Monthly Sales Summary
Average Selling Price Graphs
Active Listings, New Listings and Sales Graphs

It’s been a typical spring market in Greater Victoria real estate with good volume but average prices lower than a year ago.

Last month 370 single family homes sold throughout the Victoria Real Estate Board’s region, whereas 348 sold in June 2011. The average price for single family homes sold in Greater Victoria last month was $580,557, a decrease from June 2011’s average of $618,429.

Total MLS® sales for June 2012 was 637, with 602 of those residential, compared to 618 and 596 respectively for the same period in 2011, and 659 and 636 last month. There are 5,189 active listings.

"For our market, an average month is 500 sales," says Carol Crabb, President of the Victoria Real Estate Board. "Volume during the last three months has been well ahead of that number."

Residential sales increased in the Second Quarter of 2012 over the same period in 2011. House sales in Greater Victoria totalled 993 over 924 for Q2 in 2011; 496 condos over 453 in 2011; 189 townhouses over 174; and 44 manufactured homes over 37.

Crabb notes, "For the quarter, average price are lower than last year: $608,072 versus the second quarter of 2011 at $624,773.

Total waterfront Single Family Dwellings sold: 16, down 8 sales over June 2011
Total non-waterfront Single Family Dwellings sold: 354, up 30 sales over June 2011
Single Family Dwellings sold over $1 million: 21 (3 over $2 million)

Summary Report and Graphs

Monthly Sales Summary
Average Selling Price Graphs
Active Listings, New Listings and Sales Graphs

Effective July 9, 2012, the Federal Ministers announcement of Canada’s mortgage insurance lending rules.

Key changes:

• Reducing the maximum amortization period for high ratio insured mortgages to 25 years from 30 years
  
• Lowering the maximum amount Canadians can borrow when refinancing using insured mortgages to 80 per cent from 85 per cent of the value of their homes
  
• Reducing total debt service (TDS) ratio for high ratio insured mortgages to 44 per cent (previously 45%)
  
• Limiting the availability of government-backed insured mortgages to homes with a purchase price of less than $1 million

All new high ratio approvals with 30 year amortization approved between June 24 and July 9 2012 with the exception of Capped Projects  must fund by December 31, 2012.

An application must have been approved by CMHC or Genworth prior to July 9, 2012 so the application must be a live deal with an offer in place.

Pre approvals done prior to July 9, 2012 and do not have an offer in place must be looked at again by the lender using the 25 year AM.

These key changes apply to high ratio financing only. If you have 20% down payment or greater, then you can still qualify for a 30 year amortization.

Click here for the Department of Finance Canada Press Release

VICTORIA, BC-Consumers are showing confidence in the Greater Victoria real estate market, evidenced by a spike of 71 residential sales in May 2012 over the previous month. "During the last two or three months, we’ve seen many potential buyers out looking," says Carol Crabb, President of the Victoria Real Estate Board. "During May, they made their decisions. This shows there is good selection on the market, as well as good value."

The average price for single family homes sold in Greater Victoria last month was $622,387, a jump over April’s average of $609,376. Excluding previous months’ sales of over $4 million, the median has returned to $534,250.

"Last month we told you that homebuyers were researching their purchases by working with home inspectors, mortgage professionals and REALTORS®," Crabb says. "Now they are moving forward, which is often reflected in a spring market, even though it’s not feeling very spring-like."

Total MLS® sales for May 2012 were 659, with 636 of those residential, compared to 572 and 544 respectively for the same period in 2011, and 586 and 565 last month. We ended May 2012 with 5,015 active listings.

Total waterfront Single Family Dwellings sold: 15, down 3 sales over May 2011
Total non-waterfront Single Family Dwellings sold: 373, up 38 sales over May 2011
Single Family Dwellings sold over $1 million: 24 (3 over $2 million)

Summary Report and Graphs

Monthly Sales Summary
Average Selling Price Graphs
Active Listings, New Listings and Sales Graphs