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House hunters looking for good buys; keeping prices resilient

Wed, 11 Apr 2012 19:32:45 GMT

(Surrey, BC) – The The Fraser Valley Real Estate Board (FVREB) processed 1,412 sales on its Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) in March, a decrease of 22 per cent compared to March of last year, however only 13 per cent less than the 10-year average of 1,626 sales for same month.

Scott Olson, president of FVREB, says, “It was quieter than usual for March, but still steady with an increase in demand for more affordable properties, in particular detached homes for less than $500,000 and townhomes.

“Compared to last March, every community in Fraser Valley experienced a decrease in the sales of single family detached homes especially those priced at the higher-end; however Abbotsford, Langley and North Surrey all saw increases in the sale of townhomes.”

Olson adds, “Last year, single family homes represented 63 per cent of our residential market. This March, it dropped to 56 per cent, so we’re seeing demand for more affordable options. This is in contrast to last year when we saw elevated sales of higher-end homes in areas such as North Delta, South Surrey and White Rock.”

In March 2012 in Fraser Valley, the sale of detached homes with a value greater than half a million dollars decreased by 33 per cent compared to last year, explaining why average prices, which can be skewed by the dollar volume of high or low end sales*, are showing decreases year-over-year, while benchmark prices – homes with typical characteristics for the neighbourhood – are showing increases compared to 2011.

The MLS® Home Price Index (MLS® HPI) benchmark price of a detached home in March was $572,700, an increase of 6.8 per cent compared to $536,200 last year. The benchmark price of Fraser Valley townhouses increased by 1.5 per cent in one year, going from $310,300 in March 2011 to $315,000 in March 2012, while the benchmark price of apartments also increased by 1.5 per cent going from $210,600 in March of last year to $204,700 in March 2012.

The number of Fraser Valley properties on the market in March finished at 9,643, an increase of 5 per cent compared to the same month last year although the number of new listings received – 3,066 – represents a 9 per cent decrease compared to March 2011.

The average number of days to sell a detached home was 46 in March 2012, one day faster than last year. It took 49 days on average to sell a townhouse and under two months or 58 days to sell an apartment.

Typical 'pre-spring’ surge in home sales & new listings keeps market steady

Sat, 03 Mar 2012 00:51:46 GMT

(Surrey, BC) – The Fraser Valley Real Estate Board’s Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) recorded 1,269 sales in February, an increase of 59 per cent compared to January and a 1 per cent decrease compared to the 1,279 sales during February of last year.

In terms of new listings, the Board received 2,846 in February, an increase of 3 per cent compared to January and a 6 per cent decrease compared to the 3,038 listings received last February, taking the total number of active listings to 9,037, an increase of 4 per cent compared to those available in February 2011.

As Board President Scott Olson explains, a seasonal increase in sales is typical for February; however this increase was not as robust as in years past. February’s sales finished at 4 per cent fewer than the 10-year average for that month.

“Although our market has picked up, it’s still favouring buyers. In terms of our clients, we’re seeing more caution and deliberation when house hunting.

“This could mean using a home inspection as part of negotiations, or asking for extras to be thrown in, or the client walking away if terms are not met. The other side is that selection at certain price points is limited depending on location, so if the buyer finds the right home, they act, which is keeping prices stable.”

The MLS® HPI benchmark price of a ‘typical’ detached home in Fraser Valley in February was, $569,200, an increase of 8.3 per cent compared to $525,400 last year. The benchmark price of Fraser Valley townhouses increased by 2.0 per cent in one year, going from $305,700 in February 2011 to $311,900 in February 2012, while the benchmark price of apartments increased by 0.6 per cent going from $200,200 in February of last year to $201,500 in February 2012.

Olson adds, “We anticipate the new HST transition rules will generate more buying activity of new homes over the coming months and will have a spill-over effect on the resale market. The majority of new homes in the Fraser Valley fall under the new $850,000 HST rebate threshold and first-time buyers will be taking advantage of the refundable tax credit bonus of up to $10,000 available until March 31, 2013.

“These changes will improve accessibility in the Fraser Valley, a region already recognized for its affordability.”

Real Estate News - February 2012

Mon, 13 Feb 2012 20:25:00 GMT

(Surrey, BC) – The Fraser Valley Real Estate Board’s Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) processed 799 sales in January, a decrease of 4 per cent compared to the 834 sales in January last year and 10 per cent fewer than were processed in December. In the last decade, January 2012 was second only to 2009 for lowest volume.

On the flip side, compared to other starts during the last 10 years, the Board received one of its highest influxes of new listings for January – 2,753 – 5 per cent more than January 2011 and 143 per cent more than December the month before. The increase in new inventory raised the volume of active properties in Fraser Valley to 8,320 by the end of January.

Sukh Sidhu is the Board’s president. “For spring house hunters this is great news. For buying power you can’t beat the combination of greater selection, the continuation of extremely low interest rates and stable prices.”

The Board’s new MLS® Home Price Index (MLS® HPI), launched today, reveals that residential home prices in Fraser Valley have decreased gradually over the last six months, while still showing increases year-over-year.

In January, the benchmark price of a detached home in the Fraser Valley was $567,700, an increase of 7.6 per cent compared to $527,500 in January 2011 and an increase of 0.1 per cent compared to December.

For townhouses, the benchmark price in January was $314,200, an increase of 2.4 per cent compared to the same month last year when it was $306,800 and down 1.1 per cent compared to December. The benchmark price of apartments in January was $199,600, a decrease of 0.1 per cent compared to January 2011 when it was $199,800 and an increase of 0.3 per cent compared to December.

The MLS® Home Price Index (HPI), replacing the Lower Mainland’s MLSLink® Housing Price Index, is a new measure of price for residential properties in five major markets across Canada. It includes Greater Vancouver, Fraser Valley, Calgary, Toronto, and Montreal, with more markets to be added. It was pioneered by six founding partners: the real estate boards of Calgary, Fraser Valley, Greater Montreal, Greater Vancouver, and Greater Toronto and the Canadian Real Estate Association.

Sukh Sidhu says the new MLS® HPI will be very helpful to REALTORS® in guiding homeowners. “It’s a bigger, better tool to measure the change in home prices in the Fraser Valley and now we can more accurately compare our market to other major cities in Canada.” Learn more at www.homepriceindex.ca.

The Fraser Valley Real Estate Board is an association of 2,894 real estate professionals who live and work in the BC communities of North Delta, Surrey, White Rock, Langley, Abbotsford, and Mission. The FVREB marked its 90-year anniversary in 2011.

2011 Real estate market showcases regional variation

Sat, 07 Jan 2012 16:38:30 GMT

(Surrey, BC) – Overall, Fraser Valley’s real estate market in 2011 was below the 10-year average in property sales and above average in the number of new listings received, however, according to the president of the Fraser Valley Real Estate Board, results varied widely depending on the community and property type.

Sukh Sidhu observes, “I can’t remember a year that illustrates better how local real estate is and the importance of talking to your REALTOR® before making a decision to buy or sell. For example, in my community of Abbotsford, sales of single family homes dropped by almost 7 per cent compared to 2010, pushing prices down slightly, while in South Surrey/White Rock sales increased year over year by 45 per cent resulting in double-digit price increases.”

The Board’s Multiple Listing Service® processed 15,529 sales in 2011 compared to 14,891 the previous year, an increase of 4 per cent, while the number of new listings remained about the same – 31,592 in 2011 compared to 31,437 in 2010. Over the year, the number of active listings for buyers to choose from dropped by 9 per cent going from 8,139 properties in December 2010 to 7,399 in December 2011.

Although 2011 ranks the third slowest year for sales in Fraser Valley since 2002, it was only 10 per cent less than the 10-year average of 17,210 sales. The volume of new listings received in 2011 was 6 per cent more than the 10-year average of 29,867 new listings, placing last year third in ranking since 2002.

Sidhu adds, “One trend from 2011 that is clear was the preference for single family homes. For the most part in our region, both sales and prices of townhomes and condos either stayed on par with 2010 or decreased.”

In December, the benchmark price of a detached home in the Fraser Valley was $522,998, an increase of 3.3 per cent compared to $506,145 in December 2010 and a decrease of 1.7 per cent compared to November.

For townhouses, the benchmark price in December was $315,330, a decrease of 2.1 per cent compared to the same month last year when it was $322,054 and down 3.8 per cent compared to November. The benchmark price of apartments in December was $237,285, a decrease of 1.2 per cent compared to December 2010 and a decrease of 0.5 per cent compared to November.

Average prices year over year show detached homes up 9.1 per cent – $610,269 in 2011 compared to $559,456 in 2010. The average price of townhomes increased by 2.6 per cent, going from $336,484 in 2010 to $345,138 in 2011 and the average price of apartments increased by 0.9 per cent going from $223,910 in 2010 to $225,976 in 2011.

Steady demand for homes heading into the holidays

Mon, 05 Dec 2011 19:30:07 GMT

(Surrey, BC) – The November property sales in the Fraser Valley are up slightly compared to last year and didn’t experience the usual month-over-month seasonal decline.

The Fraser Valley Real Estate Board processed 1,120 sales in November on its Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®), an increase of 3 per cent compared to the 1,084 sales during the same month last year and a decrease of 2 per cent compared to 1,139 sales in October. In the last decade, sales decreased on average 9 per cent from October to November.

Board president, Sukh Sidhu says, “Given the time of year, Fraser Valley is experiencing steady buying activity with notable month-over-month increases in the sale of homes with an attractive price point.

“For example, townhome sales in central Surrey increased by 20 per cent in one month and in Langley by 43 per cent.” Sidhu adds, “Fraser Valley offers buyers the key value of affordability. Currently, over half of our townhomes and condos are listed for $289,000 or less.”

While sales remained stable, MLS® inventory decreased from October to November, typical for the time of year. The board posted 1,926 new properties in November, an increase of 9 per cent compared to November of last year and a decrease of 23 per cent compared to October. November finished with 9,471 active listings in the Fraser Valley, 5 per cent more than the same month last year and 5 per cent less than October’s 10,005 listings.

Sidhu says, “Even with fewer listings coming on stream, buyers can still take advantage of almost nine months of inventory, which is putting downward pressure on prices in certain areas and property types.” Prices for a typical Fraser Valley apartment are down year-over-year and month-over-month, while both single family detached and townhomes are still showing positive price gains compared to November last year and remain stable compared to October.

In November, the benchmark price of a detached home in the Fraser Valley was $532,086, an increase of 5.4 per cent compared to $504,848 in November 2010 and an increase of 0.3 per cent compared to October.

For townhouses, the benchmark price in November was $327,764, an increase of 2.5 per cent compared to the same month last year when it was $319,623 and up 0.7 per cent compared to October. The benchmark price of apartments in November was $238,461, a decrease of 1.6 per cent compared to November 2010 and a decrease of 2.2 per cent compared to October.

The Fraser Valley Real Estate Board is an association of 2,897 real estate professionals who live and work in the BC communities of North Delta, Surrey, White Rock, Langley, Abbotsford, and Mission. The FVREB marks its 90-year anniversary this year.

Advantage for Homebuyers

Fri, 04 Nov 2011 17:18:00 GMT

(Surrey, BC) – Below average home sales combined with a regular influx of new listings continue to give buyers the upper hand in communities south of the Fraser River, including Mission. However, according to the president of the Fraser Valley Real Estate Board, Sukh Sidhu, “There is action when the property is competitively priced.

“It is not a quiet market. Priced-right properties are selling thanks to the continuation of low interest rates.” Sidhu adds, “What’s happening is that there is a large amount of inventory available in the Fraser Valley, in particular with condos and townhomes, and that’s what’s holding prices in check.”

The Fraser Valley Real Estate Board processed 1,139 sales in October on its Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®), an increase of 12 per cent compared to the 1,014 sales during the same month last year and a decrease of 2 per cent compared to 1,165 sales in September.

In terms of listings, the board posted 2,511 new properties in October, an increase of 18 per cent compared to October of last year and a decrease of 5 per cent compared to September. The number of active listings in the Fraser Valley dipped in October, going from 10,096 in September to 10,005.

Sidhu says, “The good news for sellers is that although inventory is high, it’s not near record highs and sales remain steady. This is why the overall benchmark price for residential properties has remained unchanged for six months.”

The benchmark price (the price of homes with characteristics typical to that area) of a single family detached home in the Fraser Valley in October was $530,335, an increase of 4.9 per cent compared to $505,759 in October 2010 and on par with the price in September.

For townhouses, the benchmark price in October was $325,482, an increase of 2 per cent compared to the same month last year when it was $319,058 and down 0.6 per cent compared to September. The benchmark price of apartments in October was $243,725, an increase of 1.3 per cent compared to October 2010 and on par with the price in September.

The average number of days to sell a Fraser Valley home varies depending on the property type. Sidhu says the average of 45 days to sell a single family detached home has been constant for three months. In October, townhomes took on average 55 days to sell and apartments 75 days.

More listings, fewer sales keeping lid on home prices

Mon, 24 Oct 2011 19:31:39 GMT

(Surrey, BC) – Property sales on the Fraser Valley Real Estate Board’s Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) in September were the third lowest for that month in the last decade, while new listings for September ranked the second highest.

Sukh Sidhu is FVREB’s president. “This is the third month in a row based on the 10-year average where we’ve seen lower sales combined with a higher influx of new listings.”

The Fraser Valley Real Estate Board processed 1,165 sales in September, an increase of 12 per cent compared to the 1,044 sales during the same month last year and a decrease of 13 per cent compared to 1,341 sales in August.

The board posted 2,651 new properties on its MLS® in September, an increase of 10 per cent compared to September of last year and on par with the listings it received in August. The number of active listings in the Fraser Valley remained at 10,096 in September, at an annual high for the last three months.

Sidhu adds, “This trend is stabilizing home prices in the Fraser Valley resulting in the price of a typical detached home in September being only slightly higher than it was in May.

“Although average prices year-over-year are still showing strong increases or decreases for some communities, make sure to ask your local REALTOR® for the benchmark price as well. It’s the predicted sale price of a typical home in your neighbourhood and unlike the average price, isn’t sensitive to sales of high-end or low-end homes. It’s one of our most reliable pricing tools.”

The benchmark price of a single family detached home in the Fraser Valley in September was $530,321, an increase of 4.5 per cent compared to $507,429 in September 2010 and 0.3 per cent higher than the price in August.

For townhouses, the benchmark price in September was $327,546, an increase of 1.8 per cent compared to the same month last year and unchanged with the price in August. The benchmark price of apartments in September was $243,420, an increase of 1.6 per cent compared to September 2010 and down 0.9 per cent compared to August.

Home sales in Fraser Valley remain steady in August

Tue, 06 Sep 2011 14:39:00 GMT

(Surrey, BC) – The Fraser Valley Real Estate Board processed 1,341 sales on the Multiple Listing

Service ® (MLS®) in August, an increase of 35 per cent compared to the 997 sales during the same month last year and slightly higher than the 1,322 sales in July.

Sukh Sidhu, president of the Fraser Valley Real Estate Board, says, “We typically see a summer dip

in sales in August compared to July and that didn’t happen this year. We attribute the current steady

market to interest rates remaining favourable, as well as buyers taking advantage of home prices

softening slightly in certain markets and an influx of new inventory across all property types.”

The board posted 2,644 new properties on its MLS® in August, an increase of 26 per cent

compared to August of last year and 10 per cent fewer than it received in July. The number of active

listings in the Fraser Valley remained at 10,074 in August, on par with July’s volume.

“The number of homes on the market remains at a yearly high, which combined with a decrease in

sales, can put downward pressure on pricing. We’re only seeing this in some communities for

certain property types underlining the importance for both sellers and buyers to obtain local real

estate expertise.

“Year over year, home prices in the Fraser Valley are either on par or showing increases; month

over month, benchmark prices for the three main residential property types combined declined by

1.3 per cent.”

The benchmark price of a single family detached house in the Fraser Valley in August was

$528,959, an increase of 3.7 per cent compared to $510,107 in August 2010.

For townhouses, the benchmark price in August was $327,317, an increase of 0.9 per cent

compared to $324,485 during the same month last year. The benchmark price of apartments in

Fraser Valley in August was $245,751, an increase of 2.5 per cent compared to $239,659 in August

2010.

Home sales take summer dip; prices remain stable in the Fraser Valley

Thu, 04 Aug 2011 17:23:04 GMT

(Surrey, BC) – The Fraser Valley Real Estate Board processed 1,322 sales on the Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) in July, an increase of 20 per cent compared to the 1,101 sales during the same month last year, however 17 per cent fewer than the 1,588 sales in June.

While sales decreased month-over-month, listings went up. The board posted 2,931 new properties on its MLS® in July – 6 per cent more than received in June and 24.5 per cent more than in July 2010 – pushing overall inventory to 10,073 active listings, the highest level in the Fraser Valley since last summer.

Sukh Sidhu, president of the Fraser Valley Real Estate Board, says, “Last month, we were busier listing rather than selling properties, which is good news for prospective buyers. A buyers’ market means REALTORS® will have more homes to show their clients and increased negotiating power on their behalf.

“For sellers in this market, expert guidance to determine your home’s list price is essential. Overall, we’re seeing home prices remain strong compared to a year ago, but not for every property type or every community. We’re still seeing tremendous regional variation in prices – some areas showing increases; others decreases – as well as local differences in the average number of days on the market.”

For example, in July, it took on average 18 days to sell a townhome in North Delta; 45 days on average to sell a single family home in White Rock/South Surrey; and, 65 days on average to sell an apartment in Abbotsford.

The benchmark price of a single family detached house in the Fraser Valley in July was $534,042, an increase of 4.6 per cent compared to $510,470 in July 2010.

For townhouses, the benchmark price in July was $328,318, an increase of 0.8 per cent compared to $325,856 during the same month last year. The benchmark price of apartments in Fraser Valley in July was $248,043, an increase of 1.5 per cent compared to $244,368 in July 2010.

Housing market shows local variation

Fri, 03 Jun 2011 11:05:00 GMT

Fraser Valley housing market shows local variation

(Surrey, BC) – The Fraser Valley Real Estate Board processed 1,608 property sales on its Multiple Listing Service (MLS®) in May, an increase of 9 per cent compared to 1,477 sold during May of last year, and an increase of 6 per cent compared to April's 1,516 sales.

Sukh Sidhu, president of the Board, reports, “Overall, the Fraser Valley market is in a balanced position, however there are significant differences amongst individual communities and property types stressing the importance of getting local expertise if you’re thinking of buying or selling.

“For example, sales of single family detached homes in South Surrey/White Rock, Cloverdale and North Delta remain brisk with those markets favouring sellers, however in Abbotsford and Mission high inventory and downward pressure on prices is good news for buyers. In Langley, Surrey Central and North Surrey, conditions are balanced for sales of detached homes.”

Variation is also evident in home prices. In May, the benchmark price for Fraser Valley detached homes was $529,810, an increase of 2.8 per cent year-over-year. The benchmark price is the predicted sale price of a typical property in the Fraser Valley. Contrast that to May’s average price of $630,870 for detached homes, an 11.6 per cent increase compared to May 2010 – influenced by the sale of higher-end
homes or homes with larger lots.

Sukh Sidhu explains, “The average price and its percentage change often do not provide an accurate picture of the real market, which is why we talk about prices of “typical” homes that most people are buying or selling.”

In May, the benchmark price of Fraser Valley townhomes was $324,730, a decrease of 1.1 per cent compared to $328,295 in May 2010. The benchmark price of apartments was $250,988 in May, a decrease of 0.5 per cent compared to the $252,221 price in May of last year.

May finished with 2.9 per cent more active listings on the MLS® than it had in April – 9,978 compared to 9,697 – however, 12.6 per cent fewer than the 11,411 listings that were active during May of 2010. The Board received 3,070 new listings in May, an increase of 5.2 per cent compared to April and a decrease of 11.2 per cent compared to the 3,457 new listings received in May 2010.

April Home Sales 2011

Wed, 04 May 2011 18:00:56 GMT

APRIL HOME SALES RETURN TO BALANCE IN FRASER VALLEY

(Surrey, BC) – The Fraser Valley Real Estate Board processed 1,516 property sales on its Multiple Listing Service (MLS®) in April, a decrease of 15 per cent compared to 1,793 sold during April of last year, and a decrease of 17 per cent compared to March’s 1,818 sales.

Sukh Sidhu, president of the Board, explains, “April’s sales are pretty typical for that month over the last two decades with the 20-year average being 1,580, but softer than what we saw earlier this year.

“The Fraser Valley market was busier than normal in February and March due in part to the tighter credit conditions that kicked in on March 18, plus you add into the mix a focus on the federal election and you get an April that trends back to normal conditions.”

However, Sidhu says certain individual markets within Fraser Valley have remained active. “For the third month in a row, sales of single detached homes in White Rock/South Surrey have accounted for almost a quarter of all detached sales in the region compared to the 15 per cent share that area typically garners.”

“Benchmark prices of detached homes in that area have increased by 11 per cent in the last three months compared to 3.9 per cent across the Fraser Valley as a whole, emphasizing the need for local expertise no matter where you’re thinking of buying or selling.”

April finished with 5 per cent more active listings on the MLS® than it had in March – 9,697 compared to 9,228 – however, 9 per cent fewer than the 10,635 listings that were active during April of 2010. The Board received 2,918 new listings in April, a decrease of 14 per cent compared to March and a decrease of 22 per cent compared to the 3,760 new listings received in April 2010.

Regarding prices, in April, the benchmark price for Fraser Valley detached homes was $525,510, an increase of 1 per cent from the April 2010 price of $520,423. The benchmark price of townhomes was $332,992 in April, an increase of 2 per cent compared to $326,367 in April 2010. The benchmark price of apartments was $252,689 in April, a 1.3 per cent increase compared to $249,453 in April 2010.

March home sale activity reaches 5-year high

Mon, 04 Apr 2011 16:26:00 GMT

(Surrey, BC) – Last month, Fraser Valley REALTORS® experienced their busiest March in terms of sales on the Multiple Listing Service®, since 2006.

The Fraser Valley Real Estate Board processed 1,818 property sales in March, an increase of 16 per cent compared to 1,565 sold during March of last year, and an increase of 42 per cent compared to February’s 1,279 sales. In March of 2006, there were 2,072 sales.

Sukh Sidhu, Board president, explains, “We are seeing strong demand in Fraser Valley but not necessarily for every product type in every community, underlining the importance for consumers to ask their REALTOR® for a detailed, local market analysis.

“For example, sales of single family detached homes in White Rock/South Surrey increased by over 150 per cent in March compared to last year, however in Abbotsford they were down by almost 7 per cent. The property type that saw the largest increase in sales in Abbotsford during the month of March was condominiums.”

Sidhu adds that in addition to sales volumes, the number of new properties being listed for sale also increased by 11 per cent, going from 3,038 new listings in February to 3,376 in March. “Giving buyers more choice during one of the most popular times of the year to house hunt.”

March finished with 6 per cent more active listings on the MLS® than it had in February, 9,228 compared to 8,680, however still 6 per cent fewer compared to the 9,828 listings that were active during March of 2010.

Regarding prices, in March, the benchmark price for Fraser Valley detached homes was $519,628, an increase of 0.9 per cent from the March 2010 price of $514,787.

The benchmark price of Fraser Valley townhouses in March remained on par year-over-year going from $326,307 in 2010 to $327,328 in 2011. The benchmark price of apartments was $249,463 in March, a 1.1 per cent increase compared to $246,673 in March 2010.

Early spring surge in sales & new listings in Fraser Valley

Wed, 02 Mar 2011 17:42:00 GMT

(Surrey, BC) ? The Fraser Valley Real Estate Board processed 1,279 sales on the Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) in February, an increase of six per cent compared with 1,204 sold during February 2010, and 53 per cent more than the 834 listings that sold last month.

Sukh Sidhu, Board president, confirms the market is more active earlier than expected. ?Fraser Valley REALTORS® are busy. We sold 659 detached homes last month compared to 398 in January. We also saw the greatest amount of new inventory come on stream since last summer. ?We think one of the drivers is the change in mortgage rules that is coming up on March 18. Some clients have asked that their sale complete before that date. Plus, our REALTORS® are telling us that almost fifty per cent of their buyers paid less than 25 per cent as a down payment for their home purchases during the first half of February. A 35-year amortization could be more attractive to those buyers.?

In February, the benchmark price for Fraser Valley detached homes was $514,161, an increase of 1.2 per cent from the February 2010 price of $508,136.

The benchmark price of Fraser Valley townhouses in February was $316,578, a 2.5 per cent decrease compared to $324,708 in February 2010. The benchmark price of apartments remained on par year-over-year going from $245,879 in February 2010 to $245,519 in February 2011.

The MLS® received 3,038 new listings in February, an increase of 15.4 per cent compared to the volume received in January and 6.2 per cent more than the 2,879 new listings received during February last year. Last month finished with 8,680 active listings, an increase of 2.3 per cent compared to the 8,485 active listings available during February 2010, and 12.4 per cent more than were available in January.

Increase in listings adventageous for Fraser Valley Buyers

Wed, 02 Feb 2011 18:07:00 GMT

(Surrey, BC) – The Fraser Valley Real Estate Board reports an increase in listing activity and steady sales for the first month of 2011.

Deanna Horn, president of the Board says, “In addition to an influx of new inventory in January, our REALTORS® had more inquiries and increased traffic at open houses boding well for a solid spring market in the Fraser Valley.”

There were 834 sales processed on the Board’s Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) in January, a decrease of 15 per cent compared to the 981 sales processed in January 2010 and a 7 per cent decrease compared to the 895 sales in December.

Although the Board received 11 per cent fewer new listings in January than it did during the same month last year, it saw the typical post-holiday surge in new properties coming on stream. The Board received 2,632 new listings last month, an increase of 138 per cent compared to the 1,104 listings received in December taking the number of active listings to 7,724 at the end of January, 4 per cent more than were available during January 2010.

Horn adds, “The market typically picks up at this time of year as also evidenced by the decrease in the average number of days to sell for single family homes and townhomes in January.

“In terms of prices, overall they’re holding steady, however we are seeing variability depending on the community and property type.”

The benchmark price for Fraser Valley detached homes in January was $505,618, down 0.1 per cent compared to December and 0.9 per cent higher compared to $500,931 in January 2010.

The benchmark price of Fraser Valley townhouses in January was $317,414, a 1.4 per cent decrease compared to December and a 0.1 per cent decrease compared to January 2010 when it was $317,719. Year-over-year, the benchmark price of apartments decreased 2.6 per cent going from $243,470 in January 2010 to $237,171 last month and decreased 1.2 per cent compared to December 2010.

The average number of days to sell for detached homes in January was 62.2, down from 67.9 in December. Townhouses on average sold in 57.7 days last month, down almost nine days compared to December, however apartments took on average 14.6 days longer to sell, going from 65.6 in December to 80.2 days in January.

New Mortgage Rules 2011

Tue, 18 Jan 2011 13:08:27 GMT

OTTAWA — Tougher mortgage lending rules, as unveiled by Finance Minister Jim Flaherty on Monday, could add an estimated $100 a month in carrying costs for future homeowners — pricing some people out of the real estate market — and affect roughly 20,000 home sales in 2011, analysts say.

Those rough estimates emerged after the government announced changes that would see Ottawa no longer guarantee insured mortgages with terms exceeding 30 years (the previous maximum was 35 years).

Also, Mr. Flaherty lowered the maximum amount Canadians can borrow against the value of their homes, to 85% from 90%, on a refinancing; and removed federal government backing for home equity lines of credit, or so-called HELOCs, whose popularity soared in the past decade with growth double that of mortgage debt.

Combined, the measures “will reinforce what we were expecting to be a slower pace of real estate activity,” said Adrienne Warren, senior economist at Bank of Nova Scotia.

She said the impact to the change to amortization would be relatively modest, at about $100 more per month in carrying costs for an average home. Nevertheless, “it could price some people out of the market at the margin, but it suggests [Canadians] will have to take on smaller debt than they otherwise would.”

Meanwhile, Pascal Gauthier, senior economist at Toronto-Dominion Bank, said the amortization change could affect 20,000 home sales on an annualized basis, with the average home price likely to weaken by 2% this year or slightly more than TD had forecast.

The changes, as reported by the National Post on Sunday, emerged as worries escalate among Bay Street leaders and the Bank of Canada about the record levels of household indebtedness, and how conditions could deteriorate unless pre-emptive action was taken.

“We want to make sure we don’t have the kind of medium-term problem that has been experienced elsewhere because of this tendency by some to assume large indebtedness at low interest rates,” Mr. Flaherty said. “People need to demonstrate that good Canadian trade of prudence and reasonableness in terms of their debt assumptions.”

He said the growing appetite for HELOCs was of particular concern and was an “important” factor in the rise in overall household debt. Mr. Flaherty said some banks were insuring, through Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp., their exposure to HELOC liabilities, and wants to put an end to that practice.

“That’s particularly risky,” Mr. Flaherty said. “Some of those loans are not used to create housing in Canada. They are used to buy boats and cars and big-screen TVs. That’s not the business mortgage insurance was designed for.”

Executives at Bank of Montreal were quick to applaud the government's move.

“The actions announced are prudent, measured, responsible and timely,” said Frank Techar, president of personal and commercial banking at Bank of Montreal.

The changes will be implemented in stages, with adjustments on amortization and refinancing limits coming into force on March 18. Government backing on HELOCs will be removed as of April 18.

The government said exceptions would be allowed after the new measures come into force when needed to satisfy a home purchase or sale and financing agreement struck before the March and April in-force dates.

The minimum down payment, at 5%, will remain as is. Mr. Flaherty said the government could have gone further by boosting the minimum down payment but opted not to in an effort to strike a balance. “We do not want to create any shock in the market or any sort of dramatic pressure. We want to be moderate.”

The changes to the country’s mortgage rules -- the second in as many years -- emerge amid rising concern about the record levels of household debt, which measured as a ratio of money owed to disposable income nears a startling 150% as of the third quarter of last year.

The Bank of Canada recently warned debt levels are growing faster than income, and the risk posed by consumer indebtedness to the domestic economy would continue to escalate without a “significant change” in how consumers borrow and banks lend.

Bank of Canada governor Mark Carney said policymakers have a “responsibility” to look at the benefits of pre-emptive action. Joining the chorus have been chief executives at the big banks, most notably Ed Clark at Toronto-Dominion Bank, in publicly advocating for tougher mortgage standards.

Last Friday, Prime Minister Stephen Harper acknowledged his government was considering changes to the rules governing mortgages.

In February of 2010, Mr. Flaherty moved to toughen up the mortgage rules amid worries that Canada was in the midst of a housing market bubble. The reforms, since introduced, compelled borrowers to meet standards for a five-year fixed-rate mortgage, even if the buyer wanted a shorter-term, variable rate loan; reduced the amount Canadian can borrow against their home, to 90% of the property value from 95%; and require purchasers of rental properties to issue a 20% down payment as opposed to 5%. The moves played a role, observers say, in slowing down real estate activity.

Analysts at Scotia Capital suggested government regulation was the way to go in terms of curbing household appetite for credit as opposed to the Bank of Canada raising interest rates, which they said would be “imprudent” at this time.

The central bank issues its latest rate statement on Tuesday and it is expected to hold its benchmark rate at its present 1% level as signs indicate the economy may be benefiting from renewed business and consumer confidence in the United States.

Stewart Hall, economist at HSBC Securities Canada, said the extraordinarily low-rate environment “provides all the incentive to consumers to borrow and spend and none of the incentive to save. You can try to [regulate] that away but that is apt to be fraught with significant frustration.”

Stability in latter half of 2010

Wed, 05 Jan 2011 19:26:44 GMT

(Surrey, BC) – Stable property sales and a steady erosion of inventory for the last seven months of 2010 have brought equilibrium to Fraser Valley’s real estate market.

“Our market was a bit of a rollercoaster in 2010 with buyers appearing earlier than expected in the year, tapering in the summer and returning in the fall,” says Deanna Horn, Board president.

“As consumers regained their confidence in the overall economy, we saw a normalization of the market with sales at or slightly below average, inventory dropping and modest changes in home prices.”

A total of 895 sales were processed on the Board’s Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) in December, a decrease of 17 per cent compared to November and a decrease of 29 per cent compared to 1,260 sales in December of last year. The Board’s 10-year average for December sales in the last decade is 1,020.

In terms of listings, the Board finished 2010 with 8,139 active listings, 10 per cent fewer than in November and an increase of 25 per cent compared to the 6,534 properties available in December 2009. December’s inventory represents a 28 per cent drop from 2010’s peak of 11,411 active listings reached in May.

Horn adds, “If there’s one lesson buyers and sellers can take from our market in 2010, it’s to recognize there are real differences in home values based on their type and location making it prudent to have your REALTOR® show you comparisons specific to your property type and neighbourhood.

“For example, benchmark prices of condominiums in North Surrey have decreased by 3.8 per cent in the last year while benchmark prices of detached homes in west Abbotsford have increased by 4 per cent.”

Overall, the benchmark price for Fraser Valley detached homes in December was $506,145, an increase of 0.3 per cent compared to November and 1.7 per cent higher compared to $497,732 in December 2009.

The benchmark price of Fraser Valley townhouses in December was $322,054, an increase of 0.8 per cent compared to November and a 1.2 per cent increase compared to December 2009 when it was $318,174. Year-over-year, the benchmark price of apartments increased 1.2 per cent going from $237,157 in December 2009 to $240,101 in December 2010 and 0.9 per cent lower compared to November 2010.

Information and photos of all Fraser Valley Real Estate Board listings can be found on the national, public web site www.REALTOR.ca. Further market statistics can be found on the Board’s web page at www.fvreb.bc.ca. The Fraser Valley Real Estate Board is an association of 2,895 real estate professionals who live and work in the communities of North Delta, Surrey, White Rock, Langley, Abbotsford, and Mission.

Consistent home sales

Thu, 02 Dec 2010 17:46:00 GMT

CONSISTENT HOME SALES IN THE FRASER VALLEY SPEAK TO CONSUMER CONFIDENCE

(Surrey, BC) ? For the fifth consecutive month, sales processed on the Fraser Valley Real Estate Board?s Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) have remained stable with November?s figures showing a modest increase over October.

?Consumers are responding to how prices have moderated in the last six months, in addition to the double dip in mortgage rates,? says Deanna Horn, Board president.

?Buyers are optimistic because of the improved economic conditions, which is why we?re seeing consistency in homes sales in the Fraser Valley.?

A total of 1,084 sales were processed on the Board?s MLS® in November, an increase of 7 per cent compared to 1,014 sales in October and a decrease of 29 per cent compared to 1,522 sales in November of last year.

The Board received the fewest number of new listings this year to date with 1,773 new properties coming on stream in November, a 17 per cent decrease from October and a 15 per cent decrease compared to November 2009. The Board finished November with 9,049 active listings, 5 per cent fewer than in October and an increase of 9 per cent compared to the 8,334 properties available in November 2009.

Horn says, ?It?s not unusual to see a dip in new listings at this time of year, however the level of home-buying interest, in particular for homes priced competitively, is stronger than we expected given we?re approaching the holiday season. That combination continues to have a stabilizing effect on home prices in the Fraser Valley.?

The benchmark price for Fraser Valley detached homes in November was $504,848, down 0.2 per cent compared to October and 1.4 per cent higher compared to $497,697 in November 2009.

The benchmark price of Fraser Valley townhouses in November was $319,623, a 0.2 per cent increase compared to October and a 1.2 per cent increase compared to November 2009 when it was $315,890.

Year-over-year, the benchmark price of apartments increased 2.7 per cent going from $235,842 in November 2009 to $242,276 last month and 0.7 per cent higher compared to October 2010.

Information and photos of all Fraser Valley Real Estate Board listings can be found on the national, public web site www.REALTOR.ca. Further market statistics can be found on the Board?s web page at www.fvreb.bc.ca. The Fraser Valley Real Estate Board is an association of 2,918 real estate professionals who live and work in the communities of North Delta, Surrey, White Rock, Langley, Abbotsford, and Mission.

Fraser Valley housing market getting back to normal?

Thu, 04 Nov 2010 17:47:00 GMT

(Surrey, BC) Fraser Valley's real estate market moved towards balance in October as inventory continued to decrease and sales and prices remained stable.

A total of 1,014 sales were processed on the Fraser Valley Real Estate Board?s Multiple Listing Service® in October, a decrease of 3 per cent compared to 1,044 sales in September and a decrease of 40 per cent compared to 1,704 sales in October of last year.

Deanna Horn, FVREB President, says, ?With help from near record low mortgage rates and a steady decrease in the supply of homes, we?re getting back to what I call a ?normal?, balanced market.

However, sellers should be aware that demand for homes is strong, yet selective. Buyers in the Fraser Valley recognize that selection, although dropping is still generous and they?re looking for properties priced competitively. Even with carrying costs remaining stable, the affordability threshold is a factor.?

The Board received 2,125 new listings last month, a 12 per cent decrease from September and a 25 per cent decrease compared to October 2009. The Board finished October with 9,561 active listings, 4 per cent fewer than in September and an increase of 9 per cent compared to the 8,807 properties available in October 2009.

Horn adds, ?When supply and demand move into balance, prices can become a real ?sticking point? underlining the importance of hiring a professional REALTOR® who knows your local market and can provide detailed comparisons to ensure your home is priced competitively.?

The benchmark price for Fraser Valley detached homes in October was $505,759, down 0.3 per cent compared to September and 3 per cent higher compared to $491,128 in October 2009.

The benchmark price of Fraser Valley townhouses in October was $319,058, a 0.9 per cent decrease compared to September and a 2.2 per cent increase compared to October 2009 when it was $312,339.

Year-over-year, the benchmark price of apartments increased 0.2 per cent going from $240,048 in October 2009 to $240,542 last month and 0.4 per cent higher compared to September 2010.

Fall Real Estate News

Tue, 12 Oct 2010 13:12:00 GMT

SEPTEMBER PREVIEWS FALL REAL ESTATE MARKET IN THE FRASER VALLEY

(Surrey, BC) – After a slowdown in July and August, the Fraser Valley Real Estate Board (FVREB) saw a modest month-over-month increase in sales on its Multiple Listing Service (MLS®) in September and a decrease in overall inventory for the fourth month in a row.

Deanna Horn, FVREB President, says, “This is the beginning of the fall market. Our sales, while lower than a typical September, are up compared to the summer and the average days to sale for single detached homes decreased slightly compared to August.”

A total of 1,044 sales were processed on FVREB’s MLS® in September, an increase of 5 per cent compared to 997 sales in August, however a decrease of 34 per cent compared to 1,590 sales in September of last year.

The Board received 2,411 new listings last month, a 15 per cent increase from August, yet a 9 per cent decrease compared to September 2009. The Board finished September with 9,959 active listings, 3 per cent fewer than in August and an increase of 13 per cent compared to the 8,799 properties available in September 2009.

Horn explains, “Although consumers have 13 per cent fewer properties to look at in Fraser Valley than they did in May, it remains a buyers’ market with a healthy selection, near-record low interest rates and stable prices.

“It’s important that both buyers and sellers recognize that as long as inventory levels continue to decline, there is less downward pressure on pricing.”

The benchmark price for Fraser Valley detached homes in September was $507,429, down 0.5 per cent compared to August and 3.3 per cent higher compared to $491,404 in September 2009.

The benchmark price of Fraser Valley townhouses in September was $321,843, a 0.8 per cent decrease compared to August and a 3.1 per cent increase compared to September 2009 when it was $312,143.

Year-over-year, the benchmark price of apartments decreased 0.3 per cent going from $240,378 in September 2009 to $239,625 last month. It remained unchanged from the benchmark price in August.

2nd Quietest August in decade presents opportunities for Fraser Valley Buyers

Tue, 07 Sep 2010 16:25:00 GMT

Fraser Valley buyers and sellers continued to take a holiday from the real estate market in August with the region’s Multiple Listing Service (MLS®) showing a decrease in sales, new listings and overall inventory compared to July.

The Fraser Valley Real Estate Board (FVREB) processed 997 sales on its MLS® in August, a decrease of 44 per cent compared to the 1,786 sales during the same month last year and 9 per cent fewer than in July, however 10 per cent more than the 910 sales in August 2008.

Deanna Horn, FVREB President, explains, “In August, sellers in the Fraser Valley took as much of a break as buyers."

“Even with our slowdown in sales, we’re seeing inventory edge lower. Since May, we’ve seen our volume of active listings decrease by 10 per cent.”

The Fraser Valley Board posted 11 per cent fewer new listings in August compared to the previous month, the fourth month in a row of declining new inventory. At the end of August, the total active inventory was 10,287, 5 per cent less than in July, however still 14.5 per cent more than the selection available in August 2009.

Horn adds, “Our selection of homes is healthy, interest rates remain historically low and prices are moderating, which represent excellent conditions for buyers. We’re currently seeing residential prices edge down month-over-month, but remain 4.7 per cent higher than they were a year ago.”

The benchmark price for Fraser Valley detached homes in August was $510,107, down 0.1 per cent compared to July and 5.4 per cent higher compared to $483,839 in August 2009.

The benchmark price of Fraser Valley townhouses in August was $324,485, a 0.4 per cent decrease compared to July and a 4.5 per cent increase compared to August 2009 when it was $310,389. The benchmark price of apartments decreased by 1.9 per cent from July and increased 1.5 per cent year-over-year going from $236,146 in August 2009 to $239,659 in August 2010.