Competition continues to drive Metro Vancouver’s housing market.

The Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver (REBGV) reports that residential property sales in Metro Vancouver reached 3,362 on the Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) in August 2015. This represents a 21.3 per cent increase compared to the 2,771 sales recorded in August 2014, and a decrease of 15.5 per cent compared to the 3,978 sales in July 2015.
Last month’s sales were 27.9 per cent above the 10-year sales average for the month. “There was no summer lull in our market this year. Home buyers have been working with their REALTORS® throughout the summer months,” Darcy McLeod, REBGV president said. “They’re motivated, but they’re competing for a smaller supply of homes for sale than is typical for this time of year — that’s the dynamic driving our market right now.”
New listings for detached, attached and apartment properties in Metro Vancouver totalled 4,281 in August. This represents an 8.7 per cent increase compared to the 3,940 new listings reported in August 2014.

The total number of properties currently listed for sale on the region’s MLS® is 10,897, a 26.2 per cent decline compared to August 2014 and a 5.3 per cent decline compared to July 2015.
“Those who have a sound buying strategy and an understanding of current price trends are having the most success in today’s market,” McLeod said.
The MLS® Home Price Index composite benchmark price for all residential properties in Metro Vancouver is currently $708,500. This represents a 12 per cent increase compared to August 2014.
The sales-to-active-listings ratio in August was 30.9 per cent. This is the sixth consecutive month that this ratio has been above 30 per cent in Metro Vancouver.
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