In April, the number of homes listed for sale on the MLS® in Metro Vancouver1 saw a significant year-over-year increase, climbing by 42 percent to surpass the 12,000 mark. This level of inventory has not been observed in the region since the summer of 2020. The substantial rise in listings indicates a steady influx of available properties, showing increased seller activity and possibly a shift in market dynamics. This increase in listings may suggest a move towards a more balanced market between buyers and sellers.
Residential Home Sales
Greater Vancouver REALTORS® (GVR)2 reports that residential sales3 in the region totalled 2,831 in April 2024, a 3.3 per cent increase from the 2,741 sales recorded in April 2023. This was 12.2 per cent below the 10-year seasonal average (3,223).
“It’s a feat to see inventory finally climb above 12,000. Many were predicting higher inventory levels would materialize quickly when the Bank of Canada began its aggressive rate hikes, but we’re only seeing a steady climb in inventory in the more recent data. The surprise for many market watchers has been the continued strength of demand along with the fact few homeowners have been forced to sell in the face of the highest borrowing costs experienced in over a decade.” – Andrew Lis, REBGV director of economics and data analytics
Inventory
There were 7,092 detached, attached and apartment properties newly listed for sale on the Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) in Metro Vancouver in April 2024. This represents a 64.7 per cent increase compared to the 4,307 properties listed in April 2023.
This was 25.8 per cent above the 10-year seasonal average (5,637).
Home Price Data Analysis
The total number of properties currently listed for sale on the MLS® system in Metro Vancouver is 12,491, a 42.1 per cent increase compared to April 2023 (8,790).
This is 16.7 per cent above the 10-year seasonal average (10,704).
Metro Vancouver Home Sales by Property Type
Across all detached, attached and apartment property types, the sales-to-active listings ratio for April 2024 is 23.5 per cent. By property type, the ratio is 17.6 per cent for detached homes, 31.0 per cent for attached, and 26.0 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.
Detached
Sales of detached homes in April 2024 reached 814, a 0.7 per cent increase from the 808 detached sales recorded in April 2023. The benchmark price for a detached home is $2,040,000. This represents a 6.3 per cent increase from April 2023 and a 1.6 per cent increase compared to March 2024.
Apartments
Sales of apartment homes reached 1,416 in April 2024, a 0.2 per cent increase compared to the 1,413 sales in April 2023. The benchmark price of an apartment home is $776,500. This represents a 3.2 per cent increase from April 2023 and a 0.1 per cent decrease compared to March 2024.
Attached Homes
Attached home sales in April 2024 totalled 580, a 16 per cent increase compared to the 500 sales in April 2023. The benchmark price of a townhouse3 is $1,127,200. This represents a 4.3 per cent increase from April 2023 and a 1.3 per cent increase compared to March 2024.
The Stilhavn Report
Whether you are looking to buy or sell a home or investment property in the coming months, or just curious about what’s happing in your neighbourhood, The Stilhavn Report has you covered. Providing in-depth market information and monthly summaries of what’s happening in the areas we service, this monthly report is the perfect starting point for first time buyers and market savvy investors alike.
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