Home buyer demand continues to decline across the Metro Vancouver housing market.
The Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver (REBGV) reports that residential property sales in the region totalled 2,833 in May 2018, a 35.1% decrease from the 4,364 sales recorded in May 2017, and a 9.8% increase compared to April 2018 when 2,579 homes sold.
Last month’s sales were 19.3% below the 10-year May sales average.
“With fewer homes selling today compared to recent years, the number of homes available for sale is rising,” Phil Moore, REBGV president said. “The selection of homes for sale in Metro Vancouver has risen to the highest levels we’ve seen in the last two years, yet supply is still below our long-term historical averages.”
There were 6,375 detached, attached and apartment properties newly listed for sale on the MLS® in Metro Vancouver in May 2018. This represents a 5.5% increase compared to the 6,044 homes listed in May 2017 and a 9.5% increase compared to April 2018 when 5,820 homes were listed.
The total number of properties currently listed for sale on the MLS® system in Metro Vancouver is 11,292, a 38.2% increase compared to May 2017 (8,168) and a 15% increase compared to April 2018 (9,822).
The total number of listings available today is 17.2% below the 10-year May average.
For all property types, the sales-to-active listings ratio for May 2018 is 25.1%. By property type, the ratio is 14.7% for detached homes, 30.8% for townhomes, and 41.7% for condos.
“For home sellers to be successful in today’s market, it’s important to price your property competitively given the shifting dynamics we’re experiencing,” Moore said.
The MLS® Home Price Index composite benchmark price for all residential properties in Metro Vancouver is currently $1,094,000. This is an 11.5% increase over May 2017 and a 0.2% increase compared to April 2018.
Sales of detached properties in May 2018 reached 926, a 40.2% decrease from the 1,548 detached sales recorded in May 2017. The benchmark price for detached properties is $1,608,000. This is a 2.4% increase from May 2017 and a 0.1% increase compared to April 2018.
Sales of apartment properties reached 1,431 in May 2018, a 29.3% decrease from the 2,025 sales in May 2017. The benchmark price of an apartment property is $701,700. This is a 20.2% increase from May 2017 and a 0.1% increase compared to April 2018.
Attached property sales in May 2018 totalled 476, a 39.8% decrease from the 791 sales in May 2017. The benchmark price of an attached unit is $859,500. This represents a 16% increase from May 2017 and a 0.6% increase compared to April 2018.
Source: Craig Munn, Manager Communication, REBGV