VANCOUVER, BC – May 2, 2024 – Actively listed homes for sale on the MLS® in Metro Vancouver continued climbing in April, up 42 per cent year-over-year, breaching the 12,000 mark, a number not seen in the region since the summer of 2020.

Greater Vancouver REALTORS® (GVR) reports that residential sales in the region totalled 2,831 in April 2024, a 3.3 per cent increase from the 2,741 sales recorded in April 2023. This was 12.2 per cent below the 10-year seasonal average (3,223).

“It’s a feat to see inventory finally climb above 12,000. Many were predicting higher inventory levels would materialize quickly when the Bank of Canada began its aggressive rate hikes, but we’re only seeing a steady climb in inventory in the more recent data,” Andrew Lis, GVR’s director of economics and data analytics said. “The surprise for many market watchers has been the continued strength of demand along with the fact few homeowners have been forced to sell in the face of the highest borrowing costs experienced in over a decade.”

There were 7,092 detached, attached and apartment properties newly listed for sale on the Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) in Metro Vancouver in April 2024. This represents a 64.7 per cent increase compared to the 4,307 properties listed in April 2023.

This was 25.8 per cent above the 10-year seasonal average (5,637).

The total number of properties currently listed for sale on the MLS® system in Metro Vancouver is 12,491, a 42.1 per cent increase compared to April 2023 (8,790).

This is 16.7 per cent above the 10-year seasonal average (10,704).

Across all detached, attached and apartment property types, the sales-to-active listings ratio for April 2024 is 23.5 per cent. By property type, the ratio is 17.6 per cent for detached homes, 31.0 per cent for attached, and 26.0 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.

“Another surprising story in the April data is the fact prices continue climbing across most segments with recent increases typically in the range of one to two per cent month-overmonth,” Lis said. “The one segment that didn’t see an uptick in prices in April were apartments, which saw a 0.1 per cent decline month-over-month. This moderation is likely due to a confluence of factors impacting this more affordability sensitive segment of the market, particularly the impact of higher mortgage rates and the recent boost to inventory levels, tempering competition somewhat.”

The MLS® Home Price Index composite benchmark price for all residential properties in Metro Vancouver is currently $1,205,800. This represents a 2.8 per cent increase over April 2023 and a 0.8 per cent increase compared to March 2024.

Sales of detached homes in April 2024 reached 814, a 0.7 per cent increase from the 808 detached sales recorded in April 2023. The benchmark price for a detached home is $2,040,000. This represents a 6.3 per cent increase from April 2023 and a 1.6 per cent increase compared to March 2024.

Sales of apartment homes reached 1,416 in April 2024, a 0.2 per cent increase compared to the 1,413 sales in April 2023. The benchmark price of an apartment home is $776,500. This represents a 3.2 per cent increase from April 2023 and a 0.1 per cent decrease compared to March 2024.

Attached home sales in April 2024 totalled 580, a 16 per cent increase compared to the 500 sales in April 2023. The benchmark price of a townhouse3 is $1,127,200. This represents a 4.3 per cent increase from April 2023 and a 1.3 per cent increase compared to March 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 the Greater Vancouver REALTORS®.

3. GVR 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.

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

SURREY, BC – Supply of available homes in the Fraser Valley market continued to build last month, however buyers remained relatively hesitant, leading to a cooler resale market in April.

The Fraser Valley Real Estate Board recorded 1,471 transactions on its Multiple Listings Service® (MLS®) in April, up 5 per cent from March, but off by 5 per cent compared to April 2023.

While sales were the third lowest recorded for an April in the last decade, inventory continues to build, reaching levels not seen since September 2020. Active listings were 7,313, up by 18 per cent over last month and 17 per cent above the 10-year average.

“We are seeing a relatively calm and balanced market right now,” said Jeff Chadha, Chair of the Fraser Valley Real Estate Board. “Which means buyers have time to shop around and purchase a home without the pressure of a few years ago, and while prices are holding fairly steady across all property types.”

New listings helped bolster overall inventory, increasing 33 per cent in April, to 3,976. With a sales-to-active listings ratio of 20 per cent, overall market conditions are balanced. The market is considered balanced when the ratio is between 12 per cent and 20 per cent.

“There is a lot of caution in the market right now,” said FVREB CEO Baldev Gill. “Buyers are hesitant to purchase a home until the Bank of Canada lowers its rate — however we encourage anyone looking to get into the market to talk to their REALTOR® and their financial professional about what rates are available today.”

The average number of days homes are spending on the market continues to decline, with single-family detached homes spending 23 days on the market, down from 27 days in March, apartments spending 23 days on the market, down from 26 days in March and townhomes moving more quickly at 19 days, down from 20 days on the market in March.

Overall Benchmark prices edged up again in April, by 0.5 per cent from March and up 1.5 per cent over April 2023.

MLS® HPI Benchmark Price Activity

Single Family Detached: At $1,532,700, the Benchmark price for an FVREB single-family detached home increased 1.0 per cent compared to March 2024 and increased 5.3 per cent compared to April 2023.

Townhomes: At $854,700, the Benchmark price for an FVREB townhome increased 0.9 per cent compared to March 2024 and increased 4.9 per cent compared to April 2023.

Apartments: At $561,900, the Benchmark price for an FVREB apartment/condo increased 1.2 per cent compared to March 2024 and increased 5.7 per cent compared to April 2023.

SURREY, BC – For the eighth consecutive month, Fraser Valley real estate saw record‐breaking sales with April topping the previous monthly high set in 2016. The 2020/2021 pandemic seller’s market in the Fraser Valley has now surpassed the previous longest stretch of seven consecutive, record‐breaking months, last set in 2015/2016.  

In April, the Fraser Valley Real Estate Board (FVREB) processed 3,016 sales on its Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®), an increase of 338 per cent compared to April 2020 and a 9 per cent decrease compared to March. (Note that sales and new listings in April 2020 were significantly restricted due to the pandemic lockdown.) The previous record high for sales in April was 2,969 in 2016.      

Larry Anderson, President of the Board, said, “Although it remains very competitive and challenging for buyers, April could be the turning point in this historic market. In the last couple of weeks, we have seen evidence of a change in pace.   

“In general, we’re seeing fewer multiple offers, fewer subject‐free offers, and homes over‐priced are starting to sit longer. These are positive signs that the market is responding to near‐record levels of new inventory.”

The Board received the highest volume of new listings ever in March 2021 and that elevated pace continued in April. Last month, the Board received 5,018 new listings, an increase of 254 per cent compared to April 2020, and a decrease of 1 per cent compared to March 2021. The influx of new listings improved supply with total active inventory reaching 6,030 in April 2021, 20 per cent higher than in March and the highest it’s been in six months.

Baldev Gill, Chief Executive Officer of the Board, added, “Buyers and sellers will note that we’re already seeing increases in home prices start to slow in response to the new supply. 

 “If you have an active listing now or are thinking of selling, it’s critical to work with a professional REALTOR® to ensure your asking price is realistic and competitive based on today’s market, not yesterday’s.”

Across Fraser Valley, in April, the average number of days to sell a single‐family detached home was 13 and a townhome was 10 days. Apartments took, on average, 22 days to sell.  

MLS® HPI Benchmark Price Activity

 Single Family Detached: At $1,293,300, the Benchmark price for an FVREB single‐family detached home increased 4.5 per cent compared to March 2021 and increased 30.3 per cent compared to April 2020.

 Townhomes: At $652,400, the Benchmark price for an FVREB townhome increased 4.5 per cent compared to March 2021 and increased 18.0 per cent compared to April 2020.

 Apartments: At $478,700, the Benchmark price for an FVREB apartment/condo increased 2.9 per cent compared to March 2021 and increased 9.3 per cent compared to April 2020.