Fraser Valley real estate market full steam ahead in January; another record-setter for property sales

SURREY, BC – In a month that is usually one of the quietest in real estate, Fraser Valley’s market continued at a breakneck pace, producing the strongest January sales on record as well as a modest uptick in new listings.

The Fraser Valley Real Estate Board processed a total of 1,718 sales of all property types on its Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) in January 2021, an increase of 76 per cent compared to January 2020 and 18 per cent fewer then were processed in December 2020. Sales in January set a new, record high for the month; 72 per cent above the 10-year average, and 28 per cent higher than the previous record of 1,338 sales set in January 2016.

“Buyers are very motivated right now,” said Chris Shields, President of the Board, “Lending rates are the lowest they’ve ever been, your housing dollar goes further in the Fraser Valley and we’ve seen a societal shift in the last year in how people value their homes. People are asking us to find them more space.

“I am working with a young couple who want and are able to move up – from a condo to a townhome – due to interest rates and the equity they’ve gained over the last couple of years. The challenge is supply. It improved slightly in January, but we’ve got a long way to go to replenish our housing stock. It remains a seller’s market.”

The Board received 2,784 new listings in January 2021, an increase of 26 per cent compared to January of last year. Total active inventory for the month was 4,210, down 18 per cent from last year’s 5,143 active listings, and still 30 per cent below the 10-year average.

Baldev Gill, Chief Executive Officer of the Board, added, “Homeowners may be reluctant to sell because of concerns about buying and selling safety protocols; or the challenge of finding a new home to buy. The industry has worked hard to make it as easy as possible for you to thoroughly evaluate homes online first and then, for serious, final consideration, strict regulations are in place for in-person viewing.

“And note, we’re already seeing an improvement in supply levels compared to December, a trend we anticipate that will continue as spring approaches bringing what is typically one of the busiest markets of the year.”

In January 2021, the average number of days to sell a single-family detached home in the Fraser Valley was 35, compared to 60 days in January 2020; 28 days on average to sell a townhome and 37 days for apartments, compared to 47 and 49 days respectively, in January of last year.

MLS® HPI Benchmark Price Activity

Single Family Detached: At $1,106,500, the Benchmark price for an FVREB single-family detached home increased 2.5 per cent compared to December 2020 and increased 15.2 per cent compared to January 2020.

Townhomes: At $580,800, the Benchmark price for an FVREB townhome increased 0.8 per cent compared to December 2020 and increased 7.2 per cent compared to January 2020.

Apartments: At $439,800, the Benchmark price for an FVREB apartment/condo increased 0.3 per cent compared to December 2020 and increased 4.4 per cent compared to January 2020.

Find the January 2021 Statistics Package here.

Home buyer demand remains elevated across Metro Vancouver

In the first month of 2021, Metro Vancouver’s* housing market continued the pattern set at the end of last year with home sale activity outpacing the supply of homes listed for sale.

The Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver (REBGV) reports that residential home sales in the region totalled 2,389 in January 2021, a 52.1 per cent increase from the 1,571 sales recorded in January 2020, and a 22.8 per cent decrease from the 3,093 homes sold in December 2020.

Last month’s sales were 36.4 per cent above the 10-year January sales average.

“With home sale activity well above our January average, the supply of homes for sale isn’t able to keep pace,” Colette Gerber, REBGV Chair said. “This is causing increased competition amongst home buyers and upward pressure on prices.”

There were 4,480 detached, attached and apartment properties newly listed for sale on the Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) in Metro Vancouver in January 2021. This represents a 15.7 per cent increase compared to the 3,872 homes listed in January 2020 and an 86 per cent increase compared to December 2020 when 2,409 homes were listed.

The total number of homes currently listed for sale on the MLS® system in Metro Vancouver is 8,306, a 3.6 per cent decrease compared to January 2020 (8,617) and a 2.7 per cent decrease compared to December 2020 (8,538).

For all property types, the sales-to-active listings ratio for January 2021 is 28.8 per cent. By property type, the ratio is 26.3 per cent for detached homes, 37.6 per cent for townhomes, and 27.8 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.

“Shifting housing needs during the pandemic and historically low interest rates have been key drivers of demand in our market over the last six months,” Gerber said. “People who managed to enter the market a few years ago, and have seen their home values increase, are now looking to move up in the market to accommodate their changing needs.”

The MLS® Home Price Index composite benchmark price for all residential properties in Metro Vancouver is currently $1,056,600. This represents a 5.5 per cent increase compared to January 2020 and a 0.9 per cent increase compared to December 2020.

Sales of detached homes in January 2021 reached 740, a 68.6 per cent increase from the 439 detached sales recorded in January 2020. The benchmark price of a detached homes is $1,576,800. This represents a 10.8 per cent increase from January 2020 and a 1.4 per cent increase compared to December 2020.

Sales of apartment homes reached 1,195 in January 2021, a 46.8 per cent increase compared to the 814 sales in January 2020. The benchmark price of an apartment home is $680,800. This represents a 2.2 per cent increase from January 2020 and a 0.6 per cent increase compared to December 2020.

Attached home sales in January 2021 totalled 454, a 42.8 per cent increase compared to the 318 sales in January 2020. The benchmark price of an attached home is $815,800. This represents a 4.3 per cent increase from January 2020 and a 0.2 per cent increase compared to December 2020.

Download the January 2021 stats package

SURREY, BC – In a year when the real estate market was at a standstill for months due to COVID-19, total annual sales in the Fraser Valley still finished 12.4 per cent above the 10-year average due to unrelenting, pent-up consumer demand during the second half of 2020.

In December, the Board’s Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) processed a staggering 2,086 sales, the strongest December on record and 81.2 per cent above normal for the month. New listings in December, were the second highest on record at 1,502. By month’s end, active inventory finished below typical levels, at 3,949 units.

The total sales volume for the year in Fraser Valley was 19,926; an increase of 28.7 per cent compared to 2019’s 15,487 sales and placing it fourth highest for annual sales since 2011.

In 2020, sales of the three main residential property types were as follows: 8,176 single-family detached; 5,102 townhouses; and 4,357 apartments. Year-over-year, sales of detached soared by 41.7 per cent compared to 2019; townhome sales increased by 31.2 per cent and sales of apartments increased by 5.9 per cent.

Chris Shields, President of the Board, observes, “The pandemic upended everything in 2020 and how the real estate market responded to it was nothing short of remarkable. No one could have anticipated a six-month stretch like we’ve just experienced. Typical seasonal cycles did not apply, how we conduct business had to change to keep the public safe; and most unexpected, has been the unwavering demand for family-sized homes in our region and so far, there is no sign of it slowing down.”

A total of 31,693 new listings were received by the Board’s MLS® in 2020, an increase of 3.7 per cent compared to 2019. As with annual sales, 2020 saw the fourth highest volume of new inventory for the Board in the last decade.

Baldev Gill, Chief Executive Officer of the Board, adds, “Although listing volumes appear healthy, our region’s current overall inventory is 28 per cent below normal. For those who have been thinking of selling but have held off due to the pandemic, the industry has mastered how to keep consumers safe using technology and strictly following provincial health guidelines. Ask your REALTOR® if now is a prudent time to list because the market currently is favouring sellers.”

MLS® HPI Benchmark Price Activity:

Single Family Detached: At $1,079,500, the Benchmark price for an FVREB single-family detached home increased 1.7 per cent compared to November 2020 and increased 13.3 per cent compared to December 2019.
Townhomes: At $576,200, the Benchmark price for an FVREB townhome increased 1.1 per cent compared to November 2020 and increased 6.9 per cent compared to December 2019.
Apartments: At $438,300, the Benchmark price for an FVREB apartment/condo increased 0.6 per cent compared to November 2020 and increased 4.7 per cent compared to December 2019.

Find the December Statistics Package here.

REBGV reports that residential home sales in the region totalled 3,093 in December 2020, a 53.4 per cent increase from the 2,016 sales recorded in December 2019, and a 0.9 per cent increase from the 3,064 homes sold in November 2020.

Last month’s sales were 57.7 per cent above the 10-year December sales average and is the highest total for the month on record.

“Robust December sales outpaced long-term averages in what’s traditionally the quietest month of the year in real estate. This was part of an unusual seasonal pattern the market followed last year, which can be attributed in large part to the pandemic,” Gerber says.

There were 2,409 detached, attached and apartment properties newly listed for sale on the MLS® in Metro Vancouver in December 2020. This represents a 51.7 per cent increase compared to the 1,588 homes listed in December 2019 and a 40.8 per cent decrease compared to November 2020 when 4,068 homes were listed.

The total number of homes currently listed for sale on the MLS® system in Metro Vancouver is 8,538, a 0.8 per cent decrease compared to December 2019 (8,603) and a 23.2 per cent decrease compared to November 2020 (11,118).

For all property types, the sales-to-active listings ratio for December 2020 is 36.2 per cent. By property type, the ratio is 35.2 per cent for detached homes, 50.4 per cent for townhomes, and 33.1 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.

Sales of detached homes in December 2020 reached 1,026, a 71.3 per cent increase from the 599 detached sales recorded in December 2019. The benchmark price for detached homes is $1,554,600. This represents a 10.2 per cent increase from December 2019 and a one per cent increase compared to November 2020.

Sales of apartment homes reached 1,474 in December 2020, a 40 per cent increase compared to the 1,053 sales in December 2019. The benchmark price of an apartment property is $676,500. This represents a 2.6 per cent increase from December 2019 and is unchanged from November 2020.

Attached home sales in December 2020 totalled 593, a 62.9 per cent increase compared to the 364 sales in December 2019. The benchmark price of an attached home is $813,900. This represents a 4.9 per cent increase from December 2019 and a 0.1 per cent decrease compared to November 2020.

Download the December 2020 stats package

Metro Vancouver housing market shows resilience in 2020

Strong December activity brought Metro Vancouver’s* 2020 home sales total in line with the region’s long-term annual average.

The Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver (REBGV) reports that residential home sales in the region totalled 30,944 in 2020, a 22.1 per cent increase from the 25,351 sales recorded in 2019, and a 25.7 per cent increase from the 24,619 homes sold in 2018.

Last year’s sales total was 2.8 per cent below the 10-year sales average.

“When the pandemic began in March, the housing market came to a near standstill. We knew, however, that shelter needs don’t go away in times of crisis, they intensify," Colette Gerber, REBGV Chair said. “The real estate community worked closely with our regulatory bodies and public health officials in the spring to ensure appropriate precautions and protocols were implemented so BC REALTORS® could help residents safely meet their housing needs."

Home listings on the Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) in Metro Vancouver reached 54,305 in 2020. This is a 4.6 per cent increase compared to the 51,918 homes listed in 2019 and a 1.3 per cent increase compared to the 53,614 homes listed in 2018.

Last year’s listings total was 2.7 per cent below the region’s 10-year average.

“After adapting to the COVID-19 environment, local home buyer demand and seller supply returned at a steady pace throughout the summer, fall and winter seasons," Gerber said. "Shifting housing needs and low interest rates were key drivers of this activity in 2020. Looking ahead, the supply of homes for sale will be a critical factor in determining home price trends in 2021.”

The MLS® HPI composite benchmark price for all residential properties in Metro Vancouver ends the year at $1,047,400. This is a 5.4 per cent increase compared to December 2019.

The benchmark price for apartments increased 2.6 per cent in the region last year. Townhomes increased 4.9 per cent and detached homes increased 10.2 per cent.