RSS

Slow start, strong finish for housing market in 2009

VANCOUVER, B.C. – January 5, 2010 – After beginning the year at near record low sales levels, buyers’ confidence in the Greater Vancouver housing market quickly returned, allowing for significant and sustained increases in the number of residential property sales for much of 2009.

                

The Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver (REBGV) reports that total unit sales of detached, attached and apartment properties in 2009 reached 35,669, a 44.8 percent increase from the 24,626 unit sales recorded in 2008, but a 6.3 percent decline from the 38,050 residential sales in 2007.

 

The number of homes listed for sale on the Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) in Greater Vancouver declined 15.5 percent in 2009 to 52,869 compared to the 62,561 properties listed in 2008.

“Low interest rates, an economy emerging from recession and continuing to improve, and consumer confidence led to the resurgence experienced in the Greater Vancouver housing market in 2009,” Scott Russell, REBGV president said. “Home sales neared or passed monthly records in Greater Vancouver throughout the latter half of 2009. In fact, last month’s home sales rank as the third highest selling December in the 90-year history of our organization.”

 

Residential property sales in Greater Vancouver totalled 2,515 in December 2009, an increase of 172.2 percent from the 924 sales recorded in December 2008, and an 18.4 per cent decline compared to November 2009 when 3,083 home sales occurred.

 

The residential benchmark price, as calculated by the MLSLink Housing Price Index®, for Greater Vancouver increased 16.2 percent to $562,463 between Decembers 2008 and 2009.

 

New listings for detached, attached and apartment properties in Greater Vancouver totalled 2,153 in December 2009. This represents a 38.9 percent increase compared to the 1,550 new units listed in December 2008 and a 41.1 percent decline compared to November 2009 when 3,653 properties were listed.

 

“The number of homes listed for sale on our MLS® has been in decline in Greater Vancouver for eight of the last nine months, which results in upward pressure on home prices and less selection for buyers to choose from,” Russell said.

 

Total active listings in Greater Vancouver currently sit at 8,939, a decrease of 41 percent from December 2008, and a decrease of 19 percent from November 2009 (see graph on page two for more detail).

 

Sales of detached properties in December 2009 increased 159.2 percent to 902, compared to 348 sales in December 2008. The benchmark price for detached properties increased 18.3 percent to $766,816 compared to December 2008.

 

Sales of apartment properties in December 2009 increased 176.7 percent to 1,154, compared to 417 sales in December 2008. The benchmark price of an apartment property increased 14.8 percent since December 2008 to $382,573.

 

Attached property sales in December 2009 increased 188.7 per cent to 459, compared with the 159 sales in December 2008. The benchmark price of an attached unit increased 12.9 percent between Decembers 2008 and 2009 to $478,093.
 
 
Jan 2010 Graph
Reciprocity Logo The data relating to real estate on this website comes in part from the MLS® Reciprocity program of either the Greater Vancouver REALTORS® (GVR), the Fraser Valley Real Estate Board (FVREB) or the Chilliwack and District Real Estate Board (CADREB). Real estate listings held by participating real estate firms are marked with the MLS® logo and detailed information about the listing includes the name of the listing agent. This representation is based in whole or part on data generated by either the GVR, the FVREB or the CADREB which assumes no responsibility for its accuracy. The materials contained on this page may not be reproduced without the express written consent of either the GVR, the FVREB or the CADREB.