Residential property sales in Metro Vancouver

While still elevated, home sale and listing activity in Metro Vancouver has eased back from the record-setting pace seen in March and April of this year.

The Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver (REBGV) reports that residential home sales in the region totalled 3,762 in June 2021, a 54% increase from the 2,443 sales recorded in June 2020, and an 11.9 % decrease from the 4,268 homes sold in May 2021.

Last month’s sales were 18.4% above the 10-year June sales average.

“Metro Vancouver’s housing market continues to experience strong seller’s market conditions, although the intensity of demand has eased from what we saw throughout most of the spring. The past two months have shown a market that’s shifting toward more historically typical conditions.” – Keith Stewart, REBGV economist

There were 5,849 detached, attached and apartment properties newly listed for sale on the Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) in Metro Vancouver in June 2021. This represents a 1.1% increase compared to the 5,787 homes listed in June 2020 and a 17.9% decrease compared to May 2021 when 7,125 homes were listed.

The total number of homes currently listed for sale on the MLS® system in Metro Vancouver is 10,839, a 5.1% decrease compared to June 2020 (11,424) and a 1.2% decrease compared to May 2021 (10,970).

“With low-interest rates, a growing economy, and an improving job market, the Metro Vancouver housing market continues to enjoy solid economic fundamentals,” Stewart said. “We’re now seeing a market that’s beginning to normalize from the torrid pace in the spring. This is making multiple offers less common, allowing subjects to be seen on offers more frequently again, and is making new price records less likely.”

For all property types, the sales-to-active listings ratio for June 2021 is 34.7%. By property type, the ratio is 27.5% for detached homes, 49.2% for townhomes, and 37.1% for apartments.

Sales-to-active listings ratio

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

The MLS® Home Price Index composite benchmark price for all residential properties in Metro Vancouver is currently $1,175,100. This represents a 14.5% increase over June 2020 and a 0.2% increase compared to May 2021.

Sales of detached homes in June 2021 reached 1,262, a 45.7% increase from the 866 detached sales recorded in June 2020. The benchmark price for detached properties is $1,801,100. This represents a 22% increase from June 2020 and is virtually unchanged from May 2021.

Sales of apartment homes reached 1,774 in June 2021, a 60.5% increase compared to the 1,105 sales in June 2020. The benchmark price of an apartment is $737,600. This represents an 8.9% increase from June 2020 and a 0.1% increase compared to May 2021.

Attached home sales in June 2021 totalled 726, a 53.8% increase compared to the 472 sales in June 2020. The benchmark price of an attached home is $946,900. This represents a 17.4% increase from June 2020 and a 1.1% increase compared to May 2021.