As anticipated, real estate activity saw a steep decline last month in response to the pandemic lockdown, resulting in one of the slowest Aprils in Fraser Valley history.

The Fraser Valley Real Estate Board (FVREB) processed a total of 688 sales on its Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) in April, a decrease of 52 per cent compared to sales in March and a decrease of 50 per cent compared to April of last year.  

According to FVREB historical data, last month’s sales were on par with April sales in 1983 through to 1985; and new listings are in line with numbers last seen in April 1981.  

Chris Shields, President of the Board, observes, “Even though March’s initial numbers promised a banner spring, we expected the market to respond this way in April. Both sales and listings contracted in tandem as we all moved swiftly to embrace the measures necessary to respond to this global pandemic.  Given that the volume of new listings coming on stream fell even faster than sales in April, the market remains stable.”   

“What has been most impressive is how the industry – both REALTORS® and our clients – have pivoted and adapted to innovations such as live streaming open houses and e‐transactions that we anticipate will become mainstream even when physical distancing is no longer a requirement. These tools not only ensure public safety; clients appreciate their speed and efficiency.”

The Fraser Valley Board received 1,416 new listings in April, a 47 per cent decrease compared to March’s intake of 2,666 new listings and a 58 per cent decrease compared to April of last year. April finished with 5,997 active listings, a decrease of 1 per cent compared to March’s inventory and a decrease of 24 per cent year‐over‐year. Shields adds, “Although we’re seeing fewer transactions, it’s important to emphasize that Realtors are still advising and protecting their clients every day. We were deemed a non‐health essential service because there are always people who need to buy or sell a home, potentially due to the economic downturn.  So, for those who need real estate guidance now, or who want to start preparing for the pending market rebound, feel free to call your Realtor to get the advice you need.”  

In April, the average number of days to sell an apartment was 31; 30 for townhomes and 33 for single family detached.

MLS® HPI Benchmark Price Activity

 Single Family Detached: At $993,400, the Benchmark price for a single‐family detached home in the Fraser Valley increased 0.5 per cent compared to March and, also increased 3.0 per cent compared to April 2019.

 Townhomes: At $553,200, the Benchmark price for a townhome in the Fraser Valley increased 0.7 per cent compared to March and increased 1.4 per cent compared to April 2019.

 Apartments: At $424,100, the Benchmark price for apartments/condos in the Fraser Valley increased 0.2 per cent compared to March and increased 0.8 per cent compared to April 2019.

While Metro Vancouver home sale and listing activity remains limited by the COVID-19 situation, REALTORS® across the region are fast adopting new tools and practices to help advise and serve their clients in a responsible way.

The Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver (REBGV) reports that residential home sales in the region totalled 1,109 in April 2020, a 39.4 per cent decrease from the 1,829 sales recorded in April 2019, and a 56.1 per cent decrease from the 2,524 homes sold in March 2020.

Last month’s sales were 62.7 per cent below the 10-year April sales average and was the lowest total for the month since 1982.

“Predictably, the number of home sales and listings declined in April given the physical distancing measures in place,” Colette Gerber, REBGV’s president-elect said. “People are, however, adapting. They’re working with their Realtors to get information, advice and to explore their options so that they’re best positioned in the market during and after this pandemic.”

Realtors have been named an essential service by the provincial government to help the home buying and selling community meet their housing needs during the pandemic.

“We’re seeing more innovation in today’s market, with Realtors using different technology to showcase homes virtually, assess neighbourhood amenities with their clients and handle paperwork electronically,” Gerber said.

There were 2,313 detached, attached and apartment properties newly listed for sale on the Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) in Metro Vancouver in April. This represents a 59.7 per cent decrease compared to the 5,742 homes listed in April 2019 and a 47.9 per cent decrease compared to March 2020 when 4,436 homes were listed.

The total number of homes currently listed for sale on the MLS® system in Metro Vancouver is 9,389, a 34.6 per cent decrease compared to April 2019 (14,357) and a 2.3 per cent decrease compared to March 2020 (9,606).

For all property types, the sales-to-active listings ratio for April 2020 is 11.8 per cent. By property type, the ratio is 10 per cent for detached homes, 14.7 per cent for townhomes, and 12.4 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.

The MLS® Home Price Index composite benchmark price for all residential properties in Metro Vancouver is currently $1,036,000. This represents a 2.5 per cent increase over April 2019 and a 0.2 per cent increase compared to March 2020.

“Home prices have held relatively steady in our region since the COVID-19 situation worsened in March,” Gerber said. 

Sales of detached homes in April 2020 reached 388, a 33.8 per cent decrease from the 586 detached sales recorded in April 2019. The benchmark price for detached properties is $1,462,100. This represents a 2.3 per cent increase from April 2019 and a 0.8 per cent increase compared to March 2020.

Sales of apartment homes reached 503 in April 2020, a 43.2 per cent decrease compared to the 885 sales in April 2019. The benchmark price of an apartment property is $685,500. This represents a 2.7 per cent increase from April 2019 and a 0.2 per cent decrease compared to March 2020.

Attached home sales in April 2020 totalled 218, a 39.1 per cent decrease compared to the 358 sales in April 2019. The benchmark price of an attached home is $796,800. This represents a 2.8 per cent increase from April 2019 and a 0.6 per cent increase compared to March 2020.

SURREY, BC – In February, property sales in the Fraser Valley finished slightly above the 10-year average for the month, while new listings came in 3 per cent below, keeping overall inventory at historically below-average levels.

The Fraser Valley Real Estate Board processed 1,352 sales of all property types on its Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) in February, a 39 per cent increase compared to sales in January 2020, and a 38 per cent increase compared to the 982 sales in February of last year.

Of the 1,352 total MLS® sales of residential and commercial combined in the Fraser Valley, 534 were single family detached homes, 341 were townhouses, and 315 were apartments.

“Supply is a challenge currently in some areas and for certain property types. In February, in Langley for example, for every 10 active townhomes, six sold. In Cloverdale, there were 26 active condo listings last month; and 20 sold,” said Darin Germyn, President of the Board.

There were 5,741 active listings available in the Fraser Valley at the end of February, an increase of 12 per cent compared to January’s inventory and a decrease of 10 per cent year-over-year.

Additionally, 2,557 new listings were received by the Board for the month, a 15 per cent increase compared to January’s intake of 2,216 new listings and a 15 per cent decrease compared to February of last year.

“We are seeing more traffic at open houses, more multiple offers and a slight increase in year-over-year prices, so if you’ve been thinking about selling, talk to your local REALTOR® to find out if it’s the right time for you,” observed Germyn. “Another indicator we look at is how long it takes to sell a home and in February, the three main residential property types sold on average six days faster than last year.”

For the Fraser Valley region, the average number of days to sell an apartment in February was 35, and 33 for townhomes. Single family detached homes remained on the market for an average of 37 days before selling.

MLS® HPI Benchmark Price Activity

Single Family Detached: At $971,300, the Benchmark price for a single-family detached home in the Fraser Valley increased 1.1 per cent compared to January and, also increased 1.3 per cent compared to February 2019.

Townhomes: At $523,200*, the Benchmark price for a townhome in the Fraser Valley increased 1.0 per cent compared to January and increased 1.4 per cent compared to February 2019.

*Preliminary number pending further review.
Apartments: At $414,500, the Benchmark price for apartments/condos in the Fraser Valley increased 1.5 per cent compared to January and increased 1.2 per cent compared to February 2019.

February saw steady home buyer demand and reduced home seller supply across Metro Vancouver.

The Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver (REBGV) reports that residential home sales in the region totalled 2,150 in February 2020, a 44.9 per cent increase from the 1,484 sales recorded in February 2019, and a 36.9 per cent increase from the 1,571 homes sold in January 2020.

Last month’s sales were 15.6 per cent below the 10-year February sales average.

“Home buyer demand again saw strong year-over-year increases in February while the total inventory of homes for sale struggled to keep pace,” Ashley Smith, REBGV president said. “This was most pronounced in the condominium market.”

There were 4,002 detached, attached and apartment homes newly listed for sale on the Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) in Metro Vancouver in February 2020. This represents a 2.8 per cent increase compared to the 3,892 homes listed in February 2019 and a 3.4 per cent increase compared to January 2020 when 3,872 homes were listed.

The total number of homes currently listed for sale on the MLS® system in Metro Vancouver is 9,195, a 20.7 per cent decrease compared to February 2019 (11,590) and a 6.7 per cent increase compared to January 2020 (8,617).

"Our Realtors are reporting increased traffic at open houses and multiple offer scenarios in certain pockets of the market. If you’re considering listing your home for sale, now is a good time to act with increased demand, reduced competition from other sellers, and some upward pressure on prices," says Smith.

For all property types, the sales-to-active listings ratio for February 2020 is 23.4 per cent. By property type, the ratio is 17.3 per cent for detached homes, 26.9 per cent for townhomes, and 28.4 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.

The MLS® Home Price Index composite benchmark price for all residential properties in Metro Vancouver is currently $1,020,600. This represents a 0.3 per cent increase over February 2019 and a 2.7 per cent increase over the past six months.

Sales of detached homes in February 2020 reached 685, a 52.9 per cent increase from the 448 detached sales recorded in February 2019. The benchmark price for a detached home is $1,433,900. This represents a 0.7 per cent decrease from February 2019 and a 1.9 per cent increase over the past six months.

Sales of apartment homes reached 1,061 in February 2020, a 39.8 per cent increase compared to the 759 sales in February 2019. The benchmark price of an apartment property is $677,200. This represents a 0.9 per cent increase from February 2019 and a 3.6 per cent increase over the past six months.

Attached home sales in February 2020 totalled 404, a 45.8 per cent increase compared to the 277 sales in February 2019. The benchmark price of an attached home is $785,000. This represents a 0.6 per cent increase from February 2019 and a 1.7 per cent increase over the past six months.