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.

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: 

Mark Moldowan Manager, Communication and Editorial Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver 604.730.3153 mmoldowan@rebgv.org

SURREY, BC – The Fraser Valley real estate market continues to cool heading into the holiday season as buyers and sellers maintain the holding pattern seen over the latter half of this year.

The Fraser Valley Real Estate Board recorded 891 transactions on its Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) in November, a drop of 8 per cent from the previous month, representing the 9th slowest November in a decade.

At 2,030 new listings also fell again, decreasing by 20 per cent from October and by 43 per cent since peaking in May at 3,533.

“As we head into the holiday season, buyers and sellers are busy with other priorities and will most likely continue to wait on the sidelines,” said Narinder Bains, Chair of the Fraser Valley Real Estate Board. “We anticipate this holding pattern, defined by slow sales and declining new listings, will continue through the winter months until we see some downward movement in interest rates.”

Active listings in November were 6,254, down by 5 per cent over last month and up by 17 per cent over November 2022. The sales-to-active listings ratio was 14 per cent, creating balanced conditions in the overall market. Detached houses are in balanced market territory at 12 per cent, while both townhomes and apartments remain in seller’s market territory. The market is considered balanced when the ratio is between 12 per cent and 20 per cent.

“With seasonality and high interest rates continuing to dampen sales activity, we expect to see sales slow further into early 2024,” said FVREB CEO Baldev Gill. “However, even a slow market can present opportunities, and buyers would be well-advised to work with a knowledgeable, professional REALTOR® who can provide expert advice and guidance.”

On average, properties spent approximately one month on the market, with single family detached homes spending 36 days on the market, and townhomes and apartments moving more quickly at 29 days.

Overall Benchmark prices continued to slide for the fourth month in a row, losing 1.1 per cent compared to October. 

MLS® HPI Benchmark Price Activity

• Single Family Detached: At $1,489,100, the Benchmark price for an FVREB single-family detached home decreased 0.94 per cent compared to October 2023 and increased 6.22 per cent compared to November 2022.

• Townhomes: At $837,200, the Benchmark price for an FVREB townhome decreased 0.95 per cent compared to October 2023 and increased 5.08 per cent compared to November 2022.

• Apartments: At $545,300, the Benchmark price for an FVREB apartment/condo decreased 0.02 per cent compared to October 2023 and increased 5.60 per cent compared to November 2022.

SURREY, BC – Robust demand for Fraser Valley real estate continued in November, with the Fraser Valley Real Estate Board (FVREB) recording the region’s second-highest volume of sales of all property types for the month – second only to November 2020.

In November, the FVREB processed 1,972 sales of all property types on its Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®), a decrease of 9.2 per cent compared to the 2,173 sales in November of last year, and a 1.8 per cent increase month-over-month compared to the 1,938 sales in October.

The Board received 2,096 new listings in November, a 4.2 per cent decrease compared to October’s intake and a decrease of 5.5 per cent compared to the 2,217 new listings received during the same month last year. The 10-year average for November new listings is 1,948, so last month finished slightly above normal levels.

Larry Anderson, President of the Board, said, “Lack of supply continues to be the biggest factor impacting the market. To see sales increase from October to November, even slightly, is unusual. Typically, as the weather changes and the holiday season approaches, we see sales start to decline, but not this year.

“This is not an easy market. Buyers and sellers alike are relying on the experience and skill of their REALTOR® to help them navigate a lack of supply, multiple offer situations, and very fast turnaround times.”

November finished with 3,048 active listings, a decrease of 11.6 per cent compared to October and a decrease of 47.9 per cent year-over-year, and an 11.6 per cent decrease compared to last month. In a typical November market, inventory levels in the Fraser Valley would be more than double.

Baldev Gill, Chief Executive Officer of the Board said, "We’re seeing a number of factors at play, including historically low interest rates fueling purchases, with buyers aware that rates are likely to increase next year.

“Our province has seen a strong economic recovery in most sectors through this pandemic, and this strength bolsters home purchasing decisions.” For the Fraser Valley region, the average number of days to sell an apartment in November was 24 days, and 16 days for townhomes. Single family detached homes remained on market for an average of 24 days before selling.

MLS® HPI Benchmark Price Activity

• Single Family Detached: At $1,448,000 the Benchmark price for a single family detached home in the Fraser Valley increased 3.7 per cent compared to October and, increased 36.4 per cent compared to November 2020.

• Townhomes: At $740,100, the Benchmark price for a townhome in the Fraser Valley increased 2.7 per cent compared to October and increased 29.8 per cent compared to November 2020.

• Apartments: At $530,400, the Benchmark price for apartments/condos in the Fraser Valley increased by 3.2 per cent compared to October and increased 21.7 per cent compared to November 2020.

SURREY, BC – For the fifth consecutive month, demand for real estate in the Fraser Valley showed no signs of waning. Overall property sales for the month of November again set a new Board record.  Sales records were also broken in September and October; and since July, all activity including new listings, has continued to be inordinately high.

 The Fraser Valley Real Estate Board processed 2,173 sales of all property types on its Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) in November, an increase of 54.7 per cent compared to the 1,405 sales in November of last year, and an 8.3 per cent decrease month‐over‐month compared to the 2,370 sales in October.  

The Board received 2,217 new listings in November, a 28.0 per cent decrease compared to October’s intake and an 18.1 per cent increase compared to the 1,877 new listings received during the same month last year. For November, it was the second highest volume of new inventory in the last decade.

Chris Shields, President of the Board, observes, “We’re running out of superlatives. We expected November activity to moderate due to the season, but the desire for family‐sized homes and their benefits continues to dominate. Since the summer, we’ve seen the strongest demand in our Board’s 99‐year history specifically for single‐family detached and townhomes.  

“For example, in Cloverdale, demand for detached homes exceeded supply; and in four of our communities the sales‐to‐ actives ratio for townhomes was 50 per cent or more. Meaning, for every 100 active listings, 50 were selling.”  

November finished with 5,847 active listings, a decrease of 14.9 per cent compared to October and a decrease of 13.2 per cent year‐over‐year. November’s total inventory was the fourth lowest for the month in the last decade.  

Baldev Gill, Chief Executive Officer of the Board, adds, "It’s impressive how consumers – in very high numbers, the highest ever – have adapted to the shifting realities and appreciate our industry’s adherence to strict safety measures. REALTORS® are working very hard currently serving their buyers and sellers using technology and innovation and the numbers clearly show that it’s working.”

For the Fraser Valley region, the average number of days to sell an apartment in October was 34 days, and 25 days for townhomes. Single family detached homes remained on market for an average of 32 days before selling.

MLS® HPI Benchmark Price Activity

 Single Family Detached: At $1,061,500 the Benchmark price for a single‐family detached home in the Fraser Valley increased 1.4 per cent compared to October and, increased 11.5 per cent compared to November 2019.

 Townhomes: At $570,100, the Benchmark price for a townhome in the Fraser Valley increased 0.2 per cent compared to October and increased 5.8 per cent compared to November 2019.

 Apartments: At $435,900, the Benchmark price for apartments/condos in the Fraser Valley increased by 0.3 per cent compared to October and increased 4.6 per cent compared to November 2019.