The Greater Vancouver housing market remained in balanced market conditions in January, although higher levels of buyer demand were seen in some of the region’s largest communities. The number of properties listed for sale and those sold on the Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) last month outpaced the 10-year average in both categories for January. “There was a healthy balance between the number of home buyers and sellers in our market in January, but there’s always variation i ... Full Article...

  The British Columbia Real Estate Association (BCREA) reports that Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) residential sales in the province climbed 21 per cent to 8,385 units in April compared to the same month last year. On a seasonally adjusted basis, MLS® residential unit sales in the province declined 4 per cent from March 2010. The average MLS® residential price climbed 15 per cent to $514,820 in April compared to the same month last year. “BC home sales have trended on an annual rate o ... Full Article...

There’s been a lot of attention in the media recently regarding the Canadian real estate industry. As consumers, you all want – and expect – quality service. That kind of service is at its best when it’s delivered within a sound and lasting business relationship. At Coldwell Banker Real Estate, we understand that business reality, and we have the outstanding people and resources to achieve it. Coldwell Banker Real Estate has a very powerful service platform to offer the ... Full Article...

The British Columbia Real Estate Association (BCREA) reports that Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) residential sales in the province climbed 63 per cent to 5,955 units in February compared to the same month last year. On a seasonally adjusted basis, MLS® residential unit sales in the province declined 13 per cent compared to January 2010.   “Home sales continued to moderate in February after the record pace of the fourth quarter.” said Cameron Muir, BCREA Chief Economist. “H ... Full Article...

Transitional rules for new housing have been released by the provincial government today. The Province is proposing to increase the previously announced threshold for the B.C. HST new housing rebate from $400,000 to $525,000. For pre-sales, any home sold (meaning contract entered into) before midnight on November 18, 2009 is grandparented and any home sold on or after November 19, 2009 are subject to HST transitional rules. HST would not apply to sales of newly constructed or substantially reno ... Full Article...

Strong demand has led to a steady rise in Greater Vancouver home prices compared to last year. Over the last 12 months, the MLSLink® Housing Price Index (HPI) benchmark price for all residential properties in Greater Vancouver increased 6.8 per cent to $553,702 from $518,668 in October 2008. "While home prices have been rising in 2009, they have not eclipsed the peaks reached in early 2008," Scott Russell, Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver (REBGV) president said. "We're coming off severa ... Full Article...

Greater Vancouver home sales remained strong last month, with the second highest number of residential sales ever recorded for the month of September. The Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver (REBGV) reports that residential property sales in Greater Vancouver totalled 3,559 in September 2009, an increase of 3.4 per cent from the 3,441 sales recorded in August 2009, and an increase of 124.5 per cent compared to September 2008 when 1,585 sales were recorded. “As homes sales in Greater Va ... Full Article...

 The British Columbia Real Estate Association (BCREA) reports that Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) residential sales in the province climbed 66 per cent to 8,565 units in August compared to the same month last year. The average MLS® residential sales price in the province climbed 12 per cent to $471,078 from $421,685 in August 2008. "Homes sales continued at a rapid pace in August,” said Cameron Muir, BCREA Chief Economist. “Attractive home prices and low mortgage rates were key d ... Full Article...

The number of home sales in Greater Vancouver increased significantly last month compared to August 2008 and moved closer in line with the active summer months experienced between 2003 and 2007. The Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver (REBGV) reports that residential property sales in Greater Vancouver increased 119.5 per cent in August 2009 to 3,441 from the 1,568 sales recorded in August 2008 and increased 1.7 per cent compared to August 2007. New listings for detached, attached and apar ... Full Article...

The British Columbia Real Estate Association (BCREA) released its Forecast Update for the third quarter of 2009 today. BC Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) residential sales are forecast to climb 15 per cent from 68,923 units in 2008 to 79,400 units this year, just below the ten-year average of 82,800 units. Residential sales in 2010 are forecast to rise an additional 6 per cent to 84,200 units. For comparison, a record 106,310 units were sold in 2005. “After 12 months of significant vol ... Full Article...

 A new survey of BC homeowners and renters on housing affordability and green housing issues suggests consumer confidence concerning real estate purchases may be improving. Sponsored by the British Columbia Real Estate Association (BCREA), the May 2009 Mustel Group survey tracked several key measures asked in a January 2009 BCREA survey, including top affordability barriers and how provincial taxes impact BC homebuyers. It also uncovered new primary data on buyer intentions and energy-efficien ... Full Article...

The British Columbia Real Estate Association (BCREA) reports that Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) residential sales in the province rose 40 per cent to 9,970 units in June 2009 compared to the same month last year. Activity in the month of June marked the fifth consecutive month of rising sales and the highest level of activity since January 2008, on a seasonally adjusted basis. "Housing markets around BC continued to post higher sales in June, fuelled by attractive mortgage rates and lower ... Full Article...

 The combination of low interest rates and more affordable pricing helped propel Greater Vancouver home sale numbers to the second all-time highest total for the month of June. The Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver (REBGV) reports that sales of detached, attached and apartment properties increased 75.6 per cent in June 2009 to 4,259, from the 2,425 sales recorded in June 2008. The figure is just short of the record-breaking 4,333 sales which occurred in June 2005. New listings for detach ... Full Article...

  It seems the market has really picked up and according to the Canadian Mortgage Housing Corporation, First Time Home Buyers are making the real difference!  Mortgage brokers' share of the first-time homebuyers' market has increased to 44 per cent, up from 35 per cent in 2007, according to CMHC's 2009 Mortgage Consumer Survey. The survey - which polled 2,507 recent mortgage consumers - showed brokers tend to fare better among purchasers in the 25 to 34 age range (42 per cent share) and femal ... Full Article...

BC Home Sales Continue to Climb The British Columbia Real Estate Association (BCREA) reported that Multiple Listing Service (MLS®) residential sales in the province rose 3 per cent to 8,270 units in May 2009 compared to the same month last year. It was the first year-over-year increase since December 2007. The month of May also posted the highest number of residential sales since April 2008, on a seasonally adjusted basis, and was the fourth consecutive month of rising home sales. Home sales ... Full Article...

A continued increase in buyer activity over the last four months has resulted in increased home sales and lessened the downward pressure on housing prices in Greater Vancouver. The Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver (REBGV) reports that the number of residential property sales in Greater Vancouver totalled 3,524 in May 2009, an increase of 17.4 per cent from the 3,002 sales recorded in May 2008, and an increase of 18.9 per cent compared to last month. Since the beginning of the year, the ... Full Article...

Affordability Drives Home Sales Higher  British Columbia Real Estate Association (BCREA) reports residential sales dollar volume on the Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) in BC declined 35 per cent to $2.3 billion in March, compared to the same month last year. Residential unit sales declined 25 per cent to 5,464 units during the same period. The average MLS® residential price in the province was $424,122 in March, down 12 per cent from March 2008.  “While fewer MLS® residential sales wer ... Full Article...

New Survey on Affordability and Green Housing Reveals BC Trends Vancouver, BC – April 7, 2009. A survey of homeowners and renters across British Columbia suggests that, when it comes to housing, affordability concerns and making smart green choices are top of mind for most BC residents. Sponsored by the British Columbia Real Estate Association (BCREA), the January 2009 Mustel Group survey examines the top affordability barriers in the province and how provincial taxes and homeowner assist ... Full Article...

The Metro Vancouver housing market experienced a movement away from volatility and toward stability to start the spring season. Home sales in March 2009 returned to levels witnessed at the beginning of the decade, with 2,265 sales recorded across Metro Vancouver for the month, a 53 per cent increase over February but a 24.4 per cent decrease over March 2008, when 2,997 sales were recorded. Since 1999, March sales have increased 31 per cent, on average, over the month of February. March 2009 m ... Full Article...

Tuesday, March 24, 2009 - Spring is in the Air! The snow and cold weather are beginnng to leave us. We’ve endured a long, cold winter and we have experienced 6 months of doom & gloom and negativity. It now not only looks like Spring is on it’s way, but it feels like the Spring Market has begun. There is definitely activity everywhere. Buyers who’ve been waiting for months to buy have returned to Open Houses and are making offers. The snow and very cold weather has delayed alo ... Full Article...

The Federal budget offers good news for homebuyers and homeowners!  “The housing measures tabled in yesterday’s budget will go a long way to addressing local economic uncertainties, consumer confidence and the quality of life in our neighbourhoods,” said REBGV president Dave Watt. “Home sales are so important to our economy. Each time a home changes hands, the transaction generates significant spin-offs and jobs because homebuyers also purchase furniture, appliances, ca ... Full Article...