Market Update Archives - Page 4 of 37 - Geoff Jarman Real Estate

METRO VANCOUVER HOUSING MARKET HIGHLIGHTS | DECEMBER 2023

Housing Market Resilient in 2023, Ends Year in Balanced Territory

Source: REBGV

Metro Vancouver’s¹ housing market closed out 2023 with balanced market conditions, but the year-end totals mask a story of surprising resilience in the face of the highest borrowing costs seen in over a decade.

December 2023 housing market. Source REBGV

The Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver (REBGV) reports that residential sales² in the region totalled 26,249 in 2023, a 10.3 per cent decrease from the 29,261 sales recorded in 2022, and a 41.5 per cent decrease from the 44,884 sales in 2021.

Last year’s sales total was 23.4 per cent below the 10-year annual sales average (34,272).

“You could miss it by just looking at the year-end totals, but 2023 was a strong year for the Metro Vancouver housing market considering that mortgage rates were the highest they’ve been in over a decade.”

Andrew Lis, REBGV director of economics and data analytics

“In our 2023 forecast, we called for modest price increases throughout the year while most other forecasters were predicting price declines. The fact that we ended the year with five-per-cent-plus gains in home prices across all market segments demonstrates that Metro Vancouver remains an attractive and desirable destination, and elevated borrowing costs alone aren’t enough to dissuade buyers determined to get into this market,” said Lis.

Properties listed on the Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) in Metro Vancouver totalled 50,893 in 2023. This represents a 7.5 per cent decrease compared to the 55,047 properties listed in 2022. This was 20.2 per cent below the 63,761 properties listed in 2021.

The total number of properties listed last year was 10.5 per cent below the region’s 10-year total annual average of (56,868).

Currently, the total number of homes listed for sale on the MLS® system in Metro Vancouver is 8,802, a 13 per cent increase compared to December 2022 (7,791). This is 0.3 per cent above the 10-year seasonal average (8,772).

The MLS® Home Price Index composite benchmark price for all residential properties in Metro Vancouver is currently $1,168,700. This represents a five per cent increase over December 2022 and a 1.4 per cent decrease compared to November 2023.

“Ultimately, the story of 2023 is one of too few homes available relative to the pool of willing and qualified buyers,” Lis said. “Sellers were reluctant to list their properties early in the year, which led to fewer sales than usual coming out of the gate. But this also led to near record-low inventory levels in the spring, which put upward pressure on prices as buyers competed for the scarce few homes available.”

“Looking back on the year, it’s hard not to wonder how we’d be closing out 2023 if mortgage rates had been a few per cent lower than they were. And it looks like we might get some insight into that question in 2024, as bond markets and professional forecasters are projecting lower borrowing costs are likely to come, with modest rate cuts expected in the first half of the New Year.”

December 2023 housing market summary. Source REBGV

Residential sales in the region totalled 1,345 in December 2023, a 3.2 per cent increase from the 1,303 sales recorded in December 2022. This was 36.4 per cent below the 10-year seasonal average (2,114).

There were 1,327 detached, attached and apartment properties newly listed for sale on the Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) in Metro Vancouver in December 2023. This represents a 9.9 per cent increase compared to the 1,208 properties listed in December 2022. This was 22.7 per cent below the 10-year seasonal average (1,716).

Across all detached, attached and apartment property types, the sales-to-active listings ratio for December 2023 is 16 per cent. By property type, the ratio is 11.1 per cent for detached homes, 18.7 per cent for attached, and 19.6 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.

December 2023 housing market sales ratio. Source REBGV

Sales of detached homes in December 2023 reached 376, a 1.3 per cent increase from the 371 detached sales recorded in December 2022. The benchmark price for a detached home is $1,964,400. This represents a 7.7 per cent increase from December 2022 and a 0.9 per cent decrease compared to November 2023.

Sales of apartment homes reached 719 in December 2023, a 2.4 per cent increase compared to the 702 sales in December 2022. The benchmark price of an apartment home is $751,300. This represents a 5.6 per cent increase from December 2022 and a 1.5 per cent decrease compared to November 2023.

Attached home sales in December 2023 totalled 238, a 7.2 per cent increase compared to the 222 sales in December 2022. The benchmark price of a townhouse³ is $1,072,700. This represents a 6.4 per cent increase from December 2022 and a 1.8 per cent decrease compared to November 2023.

¹ Areas covered by the Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver include: Bowen Island, Burnaby, Coquitlam, Maple Ridge, New Westminster, North Vancouver, Pitt Meadows, Port Coquitlam, Port Moody, Richmond, South Delta, Squamish, Sunshine Coast, Vancouver, West Vancouver, and Whistler.

² REBGV is now including multifamily and land sales and listings in this monthly report. Previously, we only included detached, attached, and apartment sales, and these additional categories, which typically account for roughly one to two per cent of total MLS® activity per month, are being included for completeness in our reporting.

³ In calculating the MLS® HPI, Altus Group uses a narrower definition of “attached” properties than is used by REBGV in our “attached” statistics, preferring to use “townhouse” as their benchmark property.

CLICK HERE – Full REBGV December 2023 Housing Market Update

Vancouver BC – January 3, 2024

Have a look at the REBGV December 2023 Market Update Insights!

DOWNLOAD the REBGV December 2023 Housing Market Update CLICK HERE
See the Monthly Market Stats CLICK HERE
For more market information from the Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver CLICK HERE
To view Geoff Jarman’s Listings CLICK HERE

December 6, 2023: Bank of Canada Maintains Policy Rate, Continues Quantitative Tightening

Bank of Canada Maintains Policy Rate, Continues Quantitative Tightening

Source: Bank of Canada

In its latest announcement, the Bank of Canada has opted to keep the target for the overnight rate steady at 5%, alongside the Bank Rate at 5¼%, and the deposit rate at 5%. The Bank remains committed to its strategy of quantitative tightening.

Global Economic Outlook: A Deceleration

The global economy continues its deceleration, with easing inflationary pressures. Notably, the United States has seen stronger-than-expected growth, driven by robust consumer spending. However, future months may witness a weakening as the impact of previous policy rate increases unfolds. In the euro area, weakened growth, coupled with lower energy prices, has contributed to reduced inflationary pressures. A $10-per-barrel drop in oil prices from the October Monetary Policy Report assumptions further underscores the changing economic landscape.

Canadian Economic Landscape: Moderation and Challenges

In Canada, economic growth encountered a standstill in the middle of 2023. Real GDP contracted at a rate of 1.1% in the third quarter, following a 1.4% growth in the second quarter. Higher interest rates are visibly restraining spending, with consumption growth near zero and business investment essentially flat. Despite wages rising by 4-5%, the labor market is easing, indicated by slower job creation and a rising unemployment rate. The Bank observes signs that the economy is no longer in excess demand.

Inflationary Trends and Policy Decisions

The economic slowdown is mitigating inflationary pressures across a broader range of goods and services. Combined with lower gasoline prices, this contributed to a drop in CPI inflation to 3.1% in October. However, shelter price inflation has increased due to faster growth in rent and housing costs. The Bank, cognizant of the evolving economic conditions, has decided to hold the policy rate at 5% and to persist in normalizing its balance sheet.

Future Considerations: Maintaining a Balanced Approach

Despite signs of moderation in spending and easing price pressures, the Governing Council remains vigilant about potential risks to the inflation outlook. Prepared to raise the policy rate further if necessary, the Council emphasizes sustained easing in core inflation. The Bank continues to assess the delicate balance between demand and supply in the economy, inflation expectations, wage growth, and corporate pricing behavior. A steadfast commitment to restoring price stability for Canadians remains at the forefront of the Bank’s objectives.

Information Note:
The next scheduled announcement for the overnight rate target is January 24, 2023, coinciding with the publication of the Bank of Canada comprehensive outlook for the economy and inflation, inclusive of risk assessments, in the Monetary Policy Report (MPR).

To read more local news and market updates please check our BLOG PAGE

To view Geoff Jarman’s Listings CLICK HERE

Tags: Bank of Canada