SURREY, BC – The Fraser Valley residential resale market slowed again in August, as homebuyers continue to face affordability challenges.

The Fraser Valley Real Estate Board recorded 1,067 sales in August, down by 13 per cent over last month and by 30 per cent over the 10-year seasonal average. August sales were the second slowest seasonally adjusted sales in a decade.

Inventory levels in the Fraser Valley dipped slightly in August with active listings at 8,626, down one per cent from July, but 37 per cent higher than August 2023.

“Despite two policy rate cuts by the Bank of Canada, buyers are still feeling the squeeze of overall affordability challenges in BC,” said Jeff Chadha, Chair of the Fraser Valley Real Estate Board. “With prices for single-family homes, townhouses and condos holding relatively flat year-over-year, many continue to face challenges buying their first home or moving up in the market, as reflected in seasonally slow August sales.

” New listings dropped nearly 20 per cent in August, to 2,778. With a sales-to-active listings ratio of 12 per cent, overall market conditions are just shy of a buyer’s market. The market is considered balanced when the ratio is between 12 per cent and 20 per cent. The last time the Fraser Valley dipped into buyer’s market territory was spring 2020.

“Buyers continue to wait on the sidelines in anticipation of more cuts to the Bank of Canada’s policy rate,” said FVREB CEO Baldev Gill. “However, we encourage anyone looking to get into the market to speak with their REALTOR® and lending professional to fully understand where interest rates may be heading in the coming months to determine the optimal long-term strategy.”

Across the Fraser Valley in August, the average number of days to sell a single-family detached home was 33, while for a condo it was 32. Townhomes took, on average, 28 days to sell.

Benchmark prices in the Fraser Valley dipped again in August, with the composite Benchmark price at $992,800.

MLS® HPI Benchmark Price Activity

• • Single Family Detached: At $1,523,500, the Benchmark price for an FVREB single-family detached home decreased 0.4 per cent compared to July 2024 and decreased 0.4 per cent compared to August 2023.

• Townhomes: At $846,300, the Benchmark price for an FVREB townhome decreased 0.3 per cent compared to July 2024 and increased 0.1 per cent compared to August 2023.

• Apartments: At $546,200, the Benchmark price for an FVREB apartment/condo decreased 0.9 per cent compared to July 2024 and decreased 0.8 per cent compared to August 2023.

VANCOUVER, BC – September 4, 2024 – Home sales registered on the MLS® in Metro Vancouver remained below their ten-year seasonal averages in August as summer holidays come to a close.

Greater Vancouver REALTORS® (GVR) reports that residential sales in the region totalled 1,904 in August 2024, a 17.1 per cent decrease from the 2,296 sales recorded in August 2023. This total was also 26 per cent below the 10-year seasonal average (2,572).

“From a seasonal perspective, August is typically a slower month for sales than June or July. In this respect, this August has been no different,” Andrew Lis, GVR’s director of economics and data analytics said. “With that said, sales remain in a holding pattern, trending roughly 20 per cent below their 10-year seasonal average, which suggests buyers are still feeling the pinch of higher borrowing costs, despite two recent quarter percentage point reductions to the policy rate this summer.”

There were 4,109 detached, attached and apartment properties newly listed for sale on the Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) in Metro Vancouver in August 2024. This represents a 4.2 per cent increase compared to the 3,943 properties listed in August 2023. This total was 1.7 per cent below the 10-year seasonal average (4,179).

The total number of properties currently listed for sale on the MLS® system in Metro Vancouver is 13,812, a 37 per cent increase compared to August 2023 (10,082). This total is also 20.8 per cent above the 10-year seasonal average (11,432).

Across all detached, attached and apartment property types, the sales-to-active listings ratio for August 2024 is 14.3 per cent. By property type, the ratio is 9.6 per cent for detached homes, 18 per cent for attached, and 17.2 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.

“Buyers’ hesitancy to enter the market, paired with new listing activity on the part of sellers that is in line with historical averages, has allowed inventory to accumulate for a number of months and has moved the market firmly into balanced conditions,” Lis said.

“With the Bank of Canada’s decision to reduce the policy rate today by another quarter percentage point, and with September being a month that typically sees an increase in sales from a seasonal perspective, the fall market is set up to bring more buyers off the sidelines. We will watch the upcoming September data to see whether they decide to show up.”

The MLS® Home Price Index composite benchmark price for all residential properties in Metro Vancouver is currently $1,195,900. This represents a 0.9 per cent decrease over August 2023 and a 0.1 3 per cent decrease compared to July 2024.

Sales of apartment homes reached 1,012 in August 2024, a 20.3 per cent decrease compared to the 1,270 sales in August 2023. The benchmark price of an apartment home is $768,200. This represents a 0.1 per cent decrease from August 2023 and is unchanged compared to July 2024.

Attached home sales in August 2024 totalled 370, a 12.3 per cent decrease compared to the 422 sales in August 2023. The benchmark price of a townhouse is $1,119,300. This represents a 0.8 per cent increase from August 2023 and a 0.5 per cent decrease compared to July 2024.

Editor’s Note:

1. Areas covered by Greater Vancouver REALTORS® 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. On February 12, 2024, the Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver changed its organizational name to Greater Vancouver REALTORS®.

3. In an earlier version of this release, the month to month per cent change for both the composite and detached home HPI were incorrectly stated. We've updated this version with the correct change.

Greater Vancouver REALTORS® is an association representing more than 15,000 REALTORS® and their companies. The association 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.gvrealtors.ca.

For more information, please contact:
Mark Moldowan Manager,
Communication and Editorial Greater Vancouver REALTORS®
604.730.3153
mmoldowan@gvrealtors.ca