Market Update for Metro & Greater Vancouver

“Prices continue rising across Metro Vancouver as home buyer confidence returns,” says REBGV.

With listing activity remaining below historical norms, home sales in Metro Vancouver1 have mounted a surprising comeback, rising near levels seen last spring, before eight consecutive interest rate hikes eroded borrowing power and brought home sales activity down along with it. 

The Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver (REBGV) reports that residential home sales in the region totalled 2,7412 in April 2023, a 16.5 per cent decrease from the 3,281 sales recorded in April 2022, and 15.6 per cent below the 10-year seasonal average (3,249). 

“The fact we are seeing prices rising and sales rebounding this spring tells us home buyers are returning with confidence after a challenging year for our market, with mortgage rates roughly doubling,” Lis said. “The latest MLS HPI® data show home prices have increased about five per cent year-to-date, which already outpaces our forecast of one to two per cent by year-end. The year is far from over, however, and it remains to be seen if these price increases will be sustained into 2024.” 

There were 4,307 detached, attached and apartment properties newly listed for sale on the Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) in Metro Vancouver in April 2023. This represents a 29.7 per cent decrease compared to the 6,128 homes listed in April 2022, and was 22 per cent below the 10-year seasonal average (5,525). 

The total number of homes currently listed for sale on the MLS® system in Metro Vancouver is 8,790, a 4.2 per cent decrease compared to April 2022 (9,176), and 20.9 per cent below the 10- year seasonal average (11,117). 

Across all detached, attached and apartment property types, the sales-to-active listings ratio for April 2023 is 32.7 per cent. By property type, the ratio is 24.4 per cent for detached homes, 40.1 per cent for townhomes, and 37.4 per cent for apartments. 

Analysis of the historical data suggests 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. 

“When we released our market forecast in January, we were one of the only organizations taking the contrarian view that prices were likely to appreciate in 2023,” Lis said. “And what we’re seeing unfold so far this year is consistent with our prediction that near record-low inventory levels would create competitive conditions where almost any resurgence in demand would translate to price escalation, despite the elevated borrowing cost environment. At the crux of it, the issue remains a matter of far too little resale supply available relative to the pool of active buyers in our market.” 

The MLS® Home Price Index composite benchmark price for all residential properties in Metro Vancouver is currently $1,170,700. This represents a 7.4 per cent decrease over April 2022 and a 2.4 per cent increase compared to March 2023. 

Sales of detached homes in April 2023 reached 808, a 16.3 per cent decrease from the 965 detached sales recorded in April 2022. The benchmark price for detached properties is $1,915,800. This represents an 8.8 per cent decrease from April 2022 and a 2.9 per cent increase compared to March 2023. 

Sales of apartment homes reached 1,413 in April 2023, a 16.5 per cent decrease compared to the 1,693 sales in April 2022. The benchmark price of an apartment property is $752,300. This represents a 3.1 per cent decrease from April 2022 and a two per cent increase compared to March 2023. 

Attached home sales in April 2023 totalled 500, a 13.5 per cent decrease compared to the 578 sales in April 2022. The benchmark price of an attached unit is $1,078,400. This represents a 6.1 per cent decrease from April 2022 and a 2.1 per cent increase compared to March 2023. 

1. Areas covered by the Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver include: Bowen Island, Burnaby, Coquitlam, Maple Ridge, New Westminster, North Vancouver, Pitt Meadows, Port Coquitlam, Port Moody, Richmond, South Delta, Squamish, Sunshine Coast, Vancouver, West Vancouver, and Whistler. 

2. REBGV is now including multifamily and land sales and listings in this monthly report. Previously, we only included detached, attached, and apartment sales, and these additional categories, which typically account for roughly one to two per cent of total MLS® activity per month, are being included for completeness in our reporting.

Market Indicator for Metro Vancouver

 

To view the year-to-date and historic statistics for Metro Vancouver (which includes: Downtown, Westside, Eastside, North Vancouver, West Vancouver, Richmond, Tsawwassen, and Ladner) CLICK HERE.

Market Indicator for Greater Vancouver

To view the year-to-date and historic statistics for Greater Vancouver (which includes: Burnaby, New Westminster, Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam, Port Moody, Pitt Meadows, and Maple Ridge) CLICK HERE.

Market Update for Fraser Valley

“Spring sales hold steady in Fraser Valley real estate market,” says FVREB.

Despite persistent inventory shortfalls, housing sales in the Fraser Valley remained steady in April as buyers took advantage of the continued pause in interest rate hikes. 

In April, the Fraser Valley Real Estate Board (FVREB) processed 1,554 sales on its Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®), virtually unchanged compared to March and a slight decrease of 5.1 per cent compared to April 2022. 

“Buyers are continuing to find opportunities in the Fraser Valley, even in the face of lower inventories,” said Narinder Bains, Chair of the Fraser Valley Real Estate Board. “With prices remaining strong, we expect to see inventories increase over the coming months as sellers seek to capitalize on price growth after sitting out for so long.” 

The Board received 2,478 new listings in April, off by 3.2 per cent compared to March, and down by 31.6 per cent compared to last year. The month ended with a total active inventory of 4,632, a 2.2 per cent increase over March, and 14 per cent less than April 2022. 

“Our members are starting to see a rise in multiple offers on properties as the spring market kicks in,” said Board CEO, Baldev Gill. “With the heightened activity, many homeowners are asking: is now the right time to buy or sell? There is no simple – or single – answer to this question, but a wise first step would be to consult with a professional REALTOR® to determine the best path to meet your personal objectives.” 

Low inventories helped nudge prices upward with the composite Benchmark price up by 2.8 per cent to $992,000 and single-family detached homes up by nearly four per cent, month-over-month. 

Across Fraser Valley in April, the average number of days to sell a single-family detached home was 25 days and a townhome was 23 days. Apartments took, on average, 26 days to sell. 

MLS® HPI Benchmark Price Activity 

• Single Family Detached: At $1,442,900, the Benchmark price for an FVREB single-family detached home increased 3.8 per cent compared to March 2023 and decreased 17.8 per cent compared to April 2022. 

• Townhomes: At $808,000, the Benchmark price for an FVREB townhome increased 1.7 per cent compared to March 2023 and decreased 13.3 per cent compared to April 2022. 

• Apartments: At $530,200, the Benchmark price for an FVREB apartment/condo increased 1.6 per cent compared to March 2023 and decreased 9.8 per cent compared to April 2022.

Market Indicator for Fraser Valley

To view the year-to-date and historic statistics for Fraser Valley (which includes: Surrey, South Surrey, White Rock, North Delta, Cloverdale, Langley, Abbotsford, and Mission) CLICK HERE.

Curious how the market is doing in your city? Whether you're looking to buy, sell, or invest in Vancouver, Burnaby, New Westminster, Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam, Port Moody, Surrey, Langley, or Abbotsford, these Lower Mainland market update statistics will give you insight into the Vancouver and Fraser Valley real estate markets.

If you'd like more details about your specific market, please send us an email, we'd love to chat more. You can also fill out the Home Evaluation form here.