RSS

A market of extremes: near record sales in August combined with lowest supply in four decades

A market of extremes: near record sales in August combined with lowest supply in four decades

Demand for Fraser Valley real estate remained elevated in August reaching the second-highest sales ever for the month against a backdrop of decreasing supply.

The Board processed a total of 2,087 property sales on its Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) in August, an increase of 4.0 percent compared to July and a 2.4 percent increase compared to the same month last year. Sales remained unusually high for the month; second only to August of 2005.

Larry Anderson, President of the Board, said, “Homebuyers are facing one of the worst supply shortages in Fraser Valley history. Our sales are over 30 percent above normal, while our housing stock is at levels last seen in the early 80s.

“To put our supply and demand situation in perspective, for every 100 townhomes on the market in August, Fraser Valley REALTORS® sold 94. The single-family detached and condo markets also remained in strong seller’s market territory. Persistent demand and lack of supply continues to put upward pressure on home prices.”

In August, the Board received 2,107 new listings, a decrease of 36.3 percent compared to last year, and a decrease of 13.3 percent compared to July 2021. The month ended with total active inventory sitting at 4,077, a 16.8 percent decrease compared to July, and 44.9 percent fewer than August 2020.

Baldev Gill, Chief Executive Officer of the Board, added, “To improve affordability, the BC government introduced the foreign buyers’ tax in 2016 and the federal government introduced the mortgage stress test two years later. And yet, in the last five years, the price of a typical detached home in the Fraser Valley has increased by 50 percent.

“Those measures did not address the core issue, which is insufficient supply to meet the rise in our population growth. All levels of government must work together to correct the structural housing shortage.”

Across Fraser Valley, in August, the average number of days to sell a single-family detached home was 29 and a townhome was 19 days. Apartments took, on average, 29 days to sell.

MLS® HPI Benchmark Price Activity

Single Family Detached: At $1,336,800, the Benchmark price for an FVREB single-family detached home increased 1.3 percent compared to July 2021 and increased 31.1 percent compared to August 2020.

Townhomes: At $697,500, the Benchmark price for an FVREB townhome increased 1.3 percent compared to July 2021 and increased 23.7 percent compared to August 2020.

Apartments: At $498,800, the Benchmark price for an FVREB apartment/condo increased 1.0 percent compared to July 2021 and increased 14.1 percent compared to August 2020.

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.