SURREY, BC – The Fraser Valley real estate market experienced its second slowest April in ten years and yet sales of certain property types and price ranges remain solid.

The Fraser Valley Real Estate Board processed 1,383 sales of all property types on its Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) in April, a 13.3 per cent increase compared to sales in March 2019, and a 19 per cent decrease compared to the 1,708 sales in April of last year. Of the 1,383 total sales of residential and commercial combined, 489 were residential detached homes, 379 were townhouses, and 374 were apartments.

Darin Germyn, President of the Board, said of the market: “Consumers may not have the purchasing power that they did prior to January 2018, but the desire for home ownership is still there and we’re seeing that reflected in our MLS® data. 

“Detached homes under one million dollars and attached homes – ranging from $400,000 to $700,000 – continue to attract buyers in the Fraser Valley. Townhome sales in Abbotsford increased by almost 60 per cent compared to March and were on par with last year’s April sales.”

There were 7,870 active listings available in the Fraser Valley at the end of April, an increase of 12.3 per cent compared to March 2019’s inventory and an increase of 38.9 per cent year-over-year.

The Board received 3,391 new listings during the month, an 18.1 per cent increase compared to March 2019’s intake of 2,872 new listings and a decrease of 1.1 per cent compared to April of last year.

"A slower, stable market has had a positive impact on affordability in our region. Prices of typical residential homes in the Fraser Valley have decreased between 5 and 6 per cent in the last year. In the last three months, benchmark prices have either plateaued or have experienced a small recovery,” added Germyn.

For the Fraser Valley region, the average number of days to sell an apartment in April was 37, and 31 for townhomes. Single family detached homes remained on the market for an average of 37 days before selling.

HPI® Benchmark Price Activity

• Single Family Detached: At $964,600, the Benchmark price for a single family detached home in the Fraser Valley increased 0.2 per cent compared to March 2019 and decreased 4.8 per cent compared to April 2018.
• Townhomes: At $521,800 the Benchmark price for a townhome in the Fraser Valley in the Fraser Valley increased 0.9 per cent compared to March 2019 and decreased 5.1 per cent compared to April 2018.
• Apartments: At $420,700, the Benchmark price for apartments/condos in the Fraser Valley increased 0.6 per cent compared to March 2019 and decreased 6 per cent compared to April 2018.

Full package:
http://www.fvreb.bc.ca/statistics/Package201904.pdf

SURREY, BC – Coming off a mild January, the Fraser Valley real estate market saw an increase in sales activity and overall inventory in February along with decreased prices in several of its communities.

The Fraser Valley Real Estate Board processed 982 sales of all property types on its Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) in February, a 25.3 per cent increase compared to sales in January 2019, and a 29.1 per cent decrease compared to the 1,385 sales in February of last year. Of the 982 total sales, 354 were residential detached homes, 236 were townhouses, and 288 were apartments.

Darin Germyn, President of the Board, said of the market: “With inventory continuing to build, and prices softening across many of our areas and property types, buyers will be well positioned to make a move this spring.”

There were 6,406 active listings available in the Fraser Valley at the end of February, an increase of 6.9 per cent compared to January 2019’s inventory and an increase of 47.6 per cent year-over-year.

The Board received 2,216 new listings during the month, a 15.1 per cent decrease compared to January 2019’s intake of 2,609 new listings and a 3.4 per cent decrease compared year-over-year.

“Demand within our region varies depending on the community, with both residential detached homes and attached properties garnering interest when priced effectively,” continued Germyn. “If you’re looking to list, contact a REALTOR® who can help you understand the local market and what price point will bring you the buyers you’re looking for.”

For the Fraser Valley region, the average number of days to sell an apartment in January was 40, and 39 for townhomes. Single family detached homes remained on the market for an average of 43 days before selling.

HPI® Benchmark Price Activity

• Single Family Detached: At $958,900, the Benchmark price for a single family detached home in the Fraser Valley increased 0.5 per cent compared to January 2019 and decreased 3.7 per cent compared to February 2018.
• Townhomes: At $516,000, the Benchmark price for a townhome in the Fraser Valley in the Fraser Valley decreased 1.2 per cent compared to January 2019 and increased 2.8 per cent compared to February 2018.
• Apartments: At $409,700, the Benchmark price for apartments/condos in the Fraser Valley increased 0.2 per cent compared to January 2019 and decreased 3 per cent compared to February 2018

SURREY, BC – Overall inventory levels continued to recover as market activity remained moderate through January. The Fraser Valley Real Estate Board processed 784 sales of all property types on its Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) in January, a 2 per cent decrease compared to sales in December 2018, and a 35.2 per cent decrease compared to the 1,210 sales in January of last year.

Of the 784 total sales, 250 were residential detached homes, 190 were townhouses, and 257 were apartments. This is the first time in the Board’s history that apartments have outsold residential detached homes during a month. “This remains a challenging environment for buyers and sellers alike,” said John Barbisan, President of the Board. “Factors such as reduced buying power, changing expectations for pricing, and a recovering inventory are all having an impact.”

There were 5,995 active listings available in the Fraser Valley at the end of January, an increase of 9.9 per cent compared to December 2018’s inventory and an increase of 51.3 per cent year-over-year.

Additionally, 2,609 new listings were received by the Board for the month, a significant increase compared to December 2018’s intake of 978 new listings and a 24.7 per cent increase compared year-over-year. “Historically, January months start slowly, and 2019 is following that trend,” explained Barbisan. “Pricing for each of our major residential property types remains either stable or decreased in most areas. This isn’t necessarily indicative of what’s to come in 2019, but it reinforces the need to be aware of what’s happening in your local market in order to be effective.”

For the Fraser Valley region, the average number of days to sell an apartment in January was 45, and 44 for townhomes. Single family detached homes remained on the market for an average of 55 days before selling.

HPI® Benchmark Price Activity

• Single Family Detached: At $954,100, the Benchmark price for a single family detached home in the Fraser Valley decreased 1.2 per cent compared to December 2018 and decreased 3.3 per cent compared to January 2018.

• Townhomes: At $522,100, the Benchmark price for a townhome in the Fraser Valley in the Fraser Valley decreased 1.8 per cent compared to December 2018 and increased 0.5 per cent compared to January 2018.

• Apartments: At $409,000, the Benchmark price for apartments/condos in the Fraser Valley decreased 2.2 per cent compared to December 2018 and increased 1.2 per cent compared to January 2018.