VANCOUVER, BC – March 2, 2018 – Metro Vancouver* home sales dipped below the longterm historical average in February.

The Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver (REBGV) reports that residential property sales in the region totalled 2,207 in February 2018, a nine percent decrease from the 2,424 sales recorded in February 2017, and a 21.4 percent increase compared to January 2018 when 1,818 homes sold.

Last month’s sales were 14.4 percent below the 10-year February sales average. By property type, detached sales were down 39.4 percent over the same period, attached sales were down 6.8 percent, and apartment sales were 5.5 percent above the 10-year February average.

“Rising interest rates and stricter mortgage requirements have reduced home buyers’ purchasing power, particularly for those at the entry level of our market,” Jill Oudil, REBGV president said. “Even still, the supply of apartment and townhome properties for sale today is unable to meet demand. On the other hand, our detached home market is beginning to enter buyers’ market territory.”

There were 4,223 detached, attached and apartment properties newly listed for sale on the Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) in Metro Vancouver in February 2018. This represents a 15.2 percent increase compared to the 3,666 homes listed in February 2017 and an 11.2 percent increase compared to January 2018 when 3,796 homes were listed.

The total number of homes currently listed for sale on the MLS® system in Metro Vancouver is 7,822, a three percent increase compared to February 2017 (7,594) and a 12.6 percent increase compared to January 2018 (6,947).

“The spring is traditionally the busiest time for home buyers and sellers in our market. We’ll wait to see how they react to the taxes and other policy measures that our provincial and federal governments have introduced so far this year,” Oudil said. “To help you navigate these changes in today’s housing market, it’s important to work with your local REALTOR®.”

For all property types, the sales-to-active listings ratio for February 2018 is 28.2 percent. By property type, the ratio is 13 percent for detached homes, 37.6 percent for townhomes, and 59.7 percent for condominiums.

Generally, analysts say that downward pressure on home prices occurs when the ratio dips below the 12 percent mark for a sustained period, while home prices often experience upward pressure when it surpasses 20 percent over several months.

The MLS® Home Price Index composite benchmark price for all residential properties in Metro Vancouver is currently $1,071,800. This represents a 16.9 percent increase over February 2017 and a 1.4 percent increase compared to January 2018.

Sales of detached properties in February 2018 reached 621, a 16.6 percent decrease from the 745 detached sales recorded in February 2017. The benchmark price for detached properties is $1,602,000. This represents an 8.2 percent increase from February 2017 and is virtually unchanged from January 2018.

Sales of apartment properties reached 1,185 in February 2018, a 7.1 percent decrease compared to the 1,275 sales in February 2017. The benchmark price of an apartment property is $682,800. This represents a 27.2 percent increase from February 2017 and a 2.6 percent increase compared to January 2018.

Attached property sales in February 2018 totalled 401, a 0.7 percent decrease compared to the 404 sales in February 2017. The benchmark price of an attached unit is $819,200. This represents an 18.1 percent increase from February 2017 and a 1.9 percent increase compared to January 2018.

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