Strong Economy Keeps Housing Demand Above Long-Run Average

July 18, 2017

BC – The British Columbia Real Estate Association (BCREA) reports that a total of 11,671 residential unit sales were recorded by the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) in June, down 9.6 per cent from the same period last year.

Total sales dollar volume was $8.47 billion, down 5.6 per cent from June 2016. The average MLS residential price in the province was $725,778, a 4.4 per cent increase from the same period last year.

“Although home sales remain well off the record pace set last year, demand is still quite robust,” said Brendon Ogmundson, BCREA Economist. “That demand is supported by a strong provincial economy and vigorous job growth.”

“But, supply remains a challenge, which means most areas are seeing tight market conditions and significant upward pressure on prices,” said Ogmundson. Total active listings in the province were down 6.2 per cent to 29,651 units from June 2016.

Year-to-date, BC residential sales dollar volume was down 21.7 per cent to $39.1 billion, when compared with the same period in 2016. Residential unit sales declined 18.6 per cent to 54,830 units, while the average MLS residential price was down 3.8 per cent to $712,993.

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