This is a re-post from The Daily Hive, April 18, 2024.
After months of reviewing the Government of British Columbia’s various new legislation directing municipal governments to enact housing development reforms, the City of Vancouver has identified a path forward for meeting the wide range of new requirements.
Read more here
I have just recently sold this listing at 401 2045 FRANKLIN STREET, Vancouver.
Home sellers awaken this spring, bringing much-needed inventory to the housing market |
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While Metro Vancouver home sellers appeared somewhat hesitant in January, new listings rose 31 per cent year-over-year in February, bringing a significant number of newly listed properties to the market.
Greater Vancouver REALTORS® (GVR) reports that residential sales in the region totalled 2,070 in February 2024, a 13.5 per cent increase from the 1,824 sales recorded in February 2023. This was 23.3 per cent below the 10-year seasonal average (2,699).
“While the pace of home sales started the year off briskly, the pace of newly listed properties in January was slower by comparison. A continuation of this pattern in February would have been concerning, as it could quickly tilt the market towards overheated conditions,” Andrew Lis, GVR’s director of economics and data analytics said. “With new listings up about 31 per cent year-over-year in February, this will relieve some of the pressure that was building in January and offer buyers more choice as we enter the spring and summer markets.”
There were 4,560 detached, attached and apartment properties newly listed for sale on the Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) in Metro Vancouver in February 2024. This represents a 31.1 per cent increase compared to the 3,478 properties listed in February 2023. This was 0.2 per cent below the 10-year seasonal average (4,568).
The total number of properties currently listed for sale on the MLS® system in Metro Vancouver is 9,634, a 16.3 per cent increase compared to February 2023 (8,283). This is three per cent above the 10-year seasonal average (9,352).
Across all detached, attached and apartment property types, the sales-to-active listings ratio for February 2024 is 22.4 per cent. By property type, the ratio is 16 per cent for detached homes, 27.9 per cent for attached, and 25.9 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.
“Even with the increase in new listings however, standing inventory levels were not high enough relative to the pace of sales to mitigate price acceleration in February, with most segments of the market moving into sellers’ territory,” Lis said. “This competitive dynamic has led to modest price growth across all market segments this month, but it’s noteworthy that benchmark prices remain below the peak observed in the spring of 2022, before the market internalized the full effect of the Bank of Canada’s tightening cycle.”
The MLS® Home Price Index composite benchmark price for all residential properties in Metro Vancouver is currently $1,183,300. This represents a 4.5 per cent increase over February 2023 and a 1.9 per cent increase compared to January 2024.
Sales of detached homes in February 2024 reached 560, an 8.3 per cent increase from the 517 detached sales recorded in February 2023. The benchmark price for a detached home is $1,972,400. This represents a 7.2 per cent increase from February 2023 and a 1.5 per cent increase compared to January 2024.
Sales of apartment homes reached 1,092 in February 2024, a 17.7 per cent increase compared to the 928 sales in February 2023. The benchmark price of an apartment home is $770,700. This represents a 5.6 per cent increase from February 2023 and a 2.5 per cent increase compared to January 2024.
Attached home sales in February 2024 totalled 403, a 10.1 per cent increase compared to the 366 sales in February 2023. The benchmark price of a townhouse is $1,094,700. This represents a 4.2 per cent increase from February 2023 and a 2.6 per cent increase compared to January 2024. |
Click here for full stats package
The MST Partnership and Canada Lands Company (MST-CLC) are pleased that Vancouver City Council unanimously approved the Policy Statement for ʔəy҆alməxʷ/Iy҆álmexw/Jericho Lands, which was developed in partnership with the City of Vancouver.
Read more about the transformative nature of the ʔəy҆alməxʷ/Iy҆álmexw/Jericho Lands in the City of Vancouver’s news release, including quotes from Musqueam, Squamish, Tsleil-Waututh and Canada Lands Company leadership:
ʔəy̓alməxʷ/Iy̓álmexw /Jericho Lands to become
future complete community
The ʔəy̓alməxʷ/Iy̓álmexw/Jericho Lands will become a new high-density, mixed-use, car-light community shaped by the culture of the MST Nations, after Vancouver City Council approved the Jericho Lands Policy Statement today.
The Policy Statement sets directions for the redevelopment of the ʔəy̓alməxʷ/Iy̓álmexw/Jericho Lands, a 90-acre (36 hectare) site owned by the joint venture partnership of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam Indian Band), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish Nation), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh Nation) (collectively the MST Nations) and Canada Lands Company (CLC).
The redevelopment of the site will embrace its natural setting and be welcoming and inclusive to all, with approximately 13,000 new homes for around 24,000 residents, space for around 3,000 jobs, and a variety of community amenities, including about 30 acres (12 hectares) of parks and open spaces, and walking and cycling paths.
Over the next 25-30 years, ʔəy̓alməxʷ/Iy̓álmexw/Jericho Lands will develop to include:
13,000 new homes for 24,000 residents, which includes ~2,600 units of social housing and ~1,300 secured market and below-market rentals
Space for a variety of commercial, light industrial and retail businesses accommodating around 3,000 jobs
259 childcare spaces for 0-4 years olds and 240 spaces for 5-12 year olds
20 acres (eight hectares) of park space
10 acres (four hectares) of public open spaces
Community centre
Arts, cultural and social spaces, including MST Nations’ self-determined spaces (e.g. artist studios, spaces for carving, food, dance, music, weaving or other activities, and spaces for ceremonies, healing, employment training, youth, elders, families)
Non-traditional library (House of Learning)
Renewal and expansion of Firehall #19
Street upgrades, new walking and cycling connections, plazas, and transit integration
Storm and potable water upgrades
*New Vancouver School Board elementary school
*Proposed UBCx Jericho Lands SkyTrain station
(* to be delivered in partnership with other agencies)
Background
The ʔəy̓alməxʷ/Iy̓álmexw/Jericho Lands are a 90-acre (36 hectare) site in Vancouver’s West Point Grey neighbourhood, bounded by West 4th Avenue to the north, Highbury Street to the east, West 8th Ave/West Broadway to the south and Discovery Street/Trimble Park to the west.
The Jericho Lands planning program was initiated by the City at the request of the landowners, the joint venture partnership between the MST Nations and Canada Lands Company (CLC). The comprehensive planning process began in 2019 and the Policy Statement was shaped through four phases of consultation with people across the city, xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations’ members, and other stakeholders.
The Policy Statement is a guiding document that establishes principles, objectives, and policies on topics including Reconciliation, land uses and density, building types and heights, community amenities, mobility, sustainability and infrastructure, ecology, parks and open spaces, and development phasing. Following Council’s approval of the Policy Statement, staff will prepare the Official Development Plan for the future redevelopment of the site which will take place in phases over the next 25-30 years. In parallel, staff will also begin working with the landowners on the rezoning of the first phase of development.
Learn more at: shapeyourcity.ca/jericho-lands
Quotes
Mayor Ken Sim:
“We’re excited that this major Indigenous-led project will reflect the MST Nations’ culture, history and deep connection to the land and bring new opportunities for the prosperity of future generations of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm, Sḵwx̱wú7mesh, and səlilwətaɬ Peoples. The ʔəy̓alməxʷ/Iy̓álmexw/Jericho Lands will also play an important role in our city by becoming a livable, sustainable neighbourhood, with a significant number of new homes for a range of incomes and amenities centred on rapid transit.”
yəχʷyaχʷələq-Chief Wayne Sparrow, xʷməθkʷəy̓əm:
“Our people have been on these lands for thousands of years. To own them again and to be redeveloping them for the benefit of our people is us returning home. Along with our Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh relatives, we look forward to this opportunity to reclaim our heritage, revitalize our lands, and shape a future that reflects our values and aspirations.”
Sxwíxwtn-Wilson Williams, Spokesperson and General Councillor, Sḵwx̱wú7mesh:
“We are proud of our culture and look forward to sharing our way of life and worldview with all who will live in and visit ʔəy̓alməxʷ/Iy̓álmexw/Jericho Lands. With this new sustainable neighbourhood, we are creating modern Indigenous communities, offering a vibrant and inclusive environment for residents and visitors to thrive.”
Chief Jen Thomas, səlilwətaɬ:
“In returning our culture to these lands, we honour our ancestors and Elders who taught us our traditions and stories. The efforts we make today, together with our relatives Squamish and Musqueam, are a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to generate wealth that can be invested into our community to improve the quality of life for not only the current generations, but also for the next seven generations to come.”
Stéphan Déry, President and CEO, Canada Lands Company:
“Canada Lands Company welcomes Vancouver City Council’s endorsement of the Policy Statement for the Jericho Lands. This project has been years in the making, working together with MST and the City, and through significant engagement and hearing from so many diverse voices, deeply connected to this land. This is a plan that will deliver so many benefits for the City of Vancouver, including much needed housing, and we are excited about what’s to come.”
While the Metro Vancouver market ended 2023 in balanced market territory, conditions in January began shifting back in favour of sellers as the pace of newly listed properties did not keep up with the jump in home sales.
The Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver (REBGV) reports that residential sales in the region totalled 1,427 in January 2024, a 38.5 per cent increase from the 1,030 sales recorded in January 2023. This was 20.2 per cent below the 10-year seasonal average (1,788).
“It’s hard to believe that January sales figures came in so strong after such a quiet December, which saw many buyers and sellers delaying major decisions,” Andrew Lis, REBGV’s director of economics and data analytics said. “If sellers don’t step off the sidelines soon, the competition among buyers could tilt the market back into sellers’ territory as the available inventory struggles to keep pace with demand.”
There were 3,788 detached, attached and apartment properties newly listed for sale on the Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) in Metro Vancouver in January 2024. This represents a 14.5 per cent increase compared to the 3,308 properties listed in January 2023. This was 9.1 per cent below the 10-year seasonal average (4,166).
The total number of properties currently listed for sale on the MLS® system in Metro Vancouver is 8,633, a 9.8 per cent increase compared to January 2023 (7,862). This is 0.3 per cent below the 10-year seasonal average (8,657).
Across all detached, attached and apartment property types, the sales-to-active listings ratio for January 2024 is 17.2 per cent. By property type, the ratio is 11.9 per cent for detached homes, 22.9 per cent for attached, and 19.9 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.
“Our 2024 forecast is calling for a two to three per cent increase in prices by the end of the year, which is largely the result of demand, once again, butting up against too little inventory,” Lis said. “If the January figures are indicative of what the spring market has in store, our forecast may already be off to an overly conservative start. Markets can shift quickly, however, and we’ll watch the February numbers to see if these early signs of strength continue, or whether they’re a blip in the data.”
The MLS® Home Price Index composite benchmark price for all residential properties in Metro Vancouver is currently $1,161,300. This represents a 4.2 per cent increase over January 2023 and a 0.6 per cent decrease compared to December 2023.
Sales of detached homes in January 2024 reached 379, a 28 per cent increase from the 296 detached sales recorded in January 2023. The benchmark price for a detached home is $1,942,400. This represents a 7.3 per cent increase from January 2023 and a 1.1 per cent decrease compared to December 2023.
Sales of apartment homes reached 746 in January 2024, a 30.6 per cent increase compared to the 571 sales in January 2023. The benchmark price of an apartment home is $751,900. This represents a 4.4 per cent increase from January 2023 and a 0.1 per cent increase compared to December 2023.
Attached home sales in January 2024 totalled 285, a 82.7 per cent increase compared to the 156 sales in January 2023. The benchmark price of a townhouse is $1,066,700. This represents a 4.3 per cent increase from January 2023 and a 0.6 per cent decrease compared to December 2023.
Download the January 2024 stats package.
Metro Vancouver housing market shows resilience in 2023, ending the year in balanced territory
Metro Vancouver’s housing market closed out 2023 with balanced market conditions, but the year-end totals mask a story of surprising resilience in the face of the highest borrowing costs seen in over a decade.
The Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver (REBGV) reports that residential sales in the region totalled 26,249 in 2023, a 10.3 per cent decrease from the 29,261 sales recorded in 2022, and a 41.5 per cent decrease from the 44,884 sales in 2021.
Last year’s sales total was 23.4 per cent below the 10-year annual sales average (34,272).
“You could miss it by just looking at the year-end totals, but 2023 was a strong year for the Metro Vancouver housing market considering that mortgage rates were the highest they’ve been in over a decade,” Andrew Lis, REBGV’s director of economics and data analytics said. “In our 2023 forecast, we called for modest price increases throughout the year while most other forecasters were predicting price declines. The fact that we ended the year with five-per-cent-plus gains in home prices across all market segments demonstrates that Metro Vancouver remains an attractive and desirable destination, and elevated borrowing costs alone aren’t enough to dissuade buyers determined to get into this market.”
Properties listed on the Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) in Metro Vancouver totalled 50,893 in 2023. This represents a 7.5 per cent decrease compared to the 55,047 properties listed in 2022. This was 20.2 per cent below the 63,761 properties listed in 2021.
The total number of properties listed last year was 10.5 per cent below the region’s 10-year total annual average of (56,868).
Currently, the total number of homes listed for sale on the MLS® system in Metro Vancouver is 8,802, a 13 per cent increase compared to December 2022 (7,791). This is 0.3 per cent above the 10-year seasonal average (8,772).
The MLS® Home Price Index composite benchmark price for all residential properties in Metro Vancouver is currently $1,168,700. This represents a five per cent increase over December 2022 and a 1.4 per cent decrease compared to November 2023.
“Ultimately, the story of 2023 is one of too few homes available relative to the pool of willing and qualified buyers,” Lis said. “Sellers were reluctant to list their properties early in the year, which led to fewer sales than usual coming out of the gate. But this also led to near record-low inventory levels in the spring, which put upward pressure on prices as buyers competed for the scarce few homes available.”
“Looking back on the year, it’s hard not to wonder how we’d be closing out 2023 if mortgage rates had been a few per cent lower than they were. And it looks like we might get some insight into that question in 2024, as bond markets and professional forecasters are projecting lower borrowing costs are likely to come, with modest rate cuts expected in the first half of the New Year.”
December 2023 summary
Residential sales in the region totalled 1,345 in December 2023, a 3.2 per cent increase from the 1,303 sales recorded in December 2022. This was 36.4 per cent below the 10-year seasonal average (2,114).
There were 1,327 detached, attached and apartment properties newly listed for sale on the Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) in Metro Vancouver in December 2023. This represents a 9.9 per cent increase compared to the 1,208 properties listed in December 2022. This was 22.7 per cent below the 10-year seasonal average (1,716).
Across all detached, attached and apartment property types, the sales-to-active listings ratio for December 2023 is 16 per cent. By property type, the ratio is 11.1 per cent for detached homes, 18.7 per cent for attached, and 19.6 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.
Sales of detached homes in December 2023 reached 376, a 1.3 per cent increase from the 371 detached sales recorded in December 2022. The benchmark price for a detached home is $1,964,400. This represents a 7.7 per cent increase from December 2022 and a 0.9 per cent decrease compared to November 2023.
Sales of apartment homes reached 719 in December 2023, a 2.4 per cent increase compared to the 702 sales in December 2022. The benchmark price of an apartment home is $751,300. This represents a 5.6 per cent increase from December 2022 and a 1.5 per cent decrease compared to November 2023.
Attached home sales in December 2023 totalled 238, a 7.2 per cent increase compared to the 222 sales in December 2022. The benchmark price of a townhouse is $1,072,700. This represents a 6.4 per cent increase from December 2022 and a 1.8 per cent decrease compared to November 2023.
Download the December 2023 stats package.
News Release from The Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Balanced conditions come to the Metro Vancouver housing market for the holiday season
VANCOUVER, BC – December 4, 2023– With one month left in 2023, a steady increase in housing inventory is offering home buyers across Metro Vancouver1 among the largest selection to choose from since 2021.
The Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver (REBGV) reports that residential sales2 in the region totalled 1,702 in November 2023, a 4.7 per cent increase from the 1,625 sales recorded in November 2022. This was 33 per cent below the 10-year seasonal average (2,538).
“We’ve been watching the number of active listings in our market increase over the past few months, which is giving buyers more to choose from than they’ve been used to seeing over the past few years,” Andrew Lis, REBGV’s director of economics and data analytics said. “When paired with the seasonal slowdown in sales we typically see this time of year, this increase in supply is creating balanced conditions across Metro Vancouver’s housing market.”
There were 3,369 detached, attached and apartment properties newly listed for sale on the Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) in Metro Vancouver in November 2023. This represents a 9.8 per cent increase compared to the 3,069 properties listed in November 2022. This was 2.8 per cent below the 10-year seasonal average (3,464).
The total number of properties currently listed for sale on the MLS® system in Metro Vancouver is 10,931, a 13.5 per cent increase compared to November 2022 (9,633). This is 3.7 per cent above the 10-year seasonal average (10,543).
Across all detached, attached and apartment property types, the sales-to-active listings ratio for November 2023 is 16.3 per cent. By property type, the ratio is 12.7 per cent for detached homes, 19.8 per cent for attached, and 18.2 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.
“Balanced market conditions typically come with flatter price trends, and that’s what we’ve seen in the market since the summer months. These trends follow a period where prices rose over seven per cent earlier in the year,” Lis said. “You probably won’t find Cyber Monday discounts, but prices have edged lower by a few per cent since the summer. And with most economists expecting mortgage rates to fall modestly in 2024, market conditions for buyers are arguably the most favorable we’ve seen in some time in our market.”
The MLS® Home Price Index composite benchmark price for all residential properties in Metro Vancouver is currently $1,185,100. This represents a 4.9 per cent increase over November 2022 and a one per cent decrease compared to October 2023.
Sales of detached homes in November 2023 reached 523, a seven per cent increase from the 489 detached sales recorded in November 2022. The benchmark price for a detached home is $1,982,600. This represents a 6.8 per cent increase from November 2022 and a 0.9 per cent decrease compared to October 2023.
Sales of apartment homes reached 850 in November 2023, a 0.4 per cent increase compared to the 847 sales in November 2022. The benchmark price of an apartment home is $762,700. This represents a 6.2 per cent increase from November 2022 and a one per cent decrease compared to October 2023.
Attached home sales in November 2023 totalled 316, a 12.5 per cent increase compared to the 281 sales in November 2022. The benchmark price of a townhouse3 is $1,092,600. This represents a 6.9 per cent increase from November 2022 and a 0.7 per cent decrease compared to October 2023.
Read more HERE
VANCOUVER WEST STATS
VANCOUVER EAST STATS
1. Editor’s Note: 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.
3. In calculating the MLS® HPI, Altus Group uses a narrower definition of “attached” properties than is used by REBGV in our “attached” statistics, preferring to use “townhouse” as their benchmark property.
The Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver is an association representing more than 15,000 REALTORS® and their companies. The Board provides a variety of member services, including the Multiple Listing Service®. For more information on real estate, statistics, and buying or selling a home, contact a local REALTOR® or visit www.rebgv.org.
For more information please contact:
Manager, Communication and Editorial
I have just recently sold this listing at 429 289 ALEXANDER STREET, Vancouver. 
