Metro Vancouver Housing Market Report September 2023: Impact of Rising Borrowing Costs on Sales and Prices

As summer draws to a close, the Metro Vancouver housing market is experiencing some notable shifts. The impact of higher borrowing costs is becoming increasingly evident, leading to changes in property prices and sales trends. In this blog post, we will delve into the latest data from the Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver (REBGV) for August 2023. We'll explore how these changes are affecting the market and what potential homebuyers and sellers should expect.

1. Sales Figures: A Closer Look

In August 2023, Metro Vancouver saw a total of 2,296 residential home sales. While this represents a substantial 21.4% increase from the same month in 2022, it is essential to note that this figure is 13.8% below the 10-year seasonal average of 2,663.

The spring and summer housing market this year has been quite intriguing. Even though borrowing costs have been going up to the highest point in more than a decade, the Metro Vancouver housing market surprised many experts by not slowing down significantly. In fact, it saw pretty good sales numbers and price increases of over eight percent for all types of homes.

2. New Listings: An Increase in Supply

In August 2023, 3,943 detached, attached, and apartment properties were newly listed for sale in Metro Vancouver. This represents an 18.1% increase compared to August 2022 but is 5.3% below the 10-year seasonal average of 4,164. This increase in supply could potentially impact the market dynamics in the coming months.

3. Inventory Levels: A Slight Decrease

The total number of homes currently listed for sale on the MLS® system in Metro Vancouver as of August 2023 is 10,082, showing a slight 0.2% decrease compared to the same month in 2022. However, this figure is 13.4% below the 10-year seasonal average of 11,647.

4. Sales-to-Active Listings Ratio: A Crucial Indicator

The sales-to-active listings ratio for August 2023 across all property types is 23.9%. When broken down by property type, this ratio is 14.2% for detached homes, 30.3% for townhomes, and 31.9% for apartments. This ratio is a significant indicator of market health. Historically, when it dips below 12% for an extended period, it exerts downward pressure on home prices, while values tend to rise when it surpasses 20% over several months.

5. Market Outlook: Finding Stability

This year's housing market had its ups and downs. In the beginning, homes were selling slowly, but their prices were going up because there weren't many homes for sale. Now, as we approach the fall, home sales have picked up, but both the number of homes sold and their prices are starting to slow down. This slowing down is what usually happens during this time of year, and it's also affected by the higher borrowing costs right now.

6. Property Prices: A Mixed Bag

The MLS® Home Price Index composite benchmark price for all residential properties in Metro Vancouver currently stands at $1,208,400. This represents a 2.5% increase over August 2022 but a marginal 0.2% decrease compared to July 2023.

Detached Homes: Sales in August 2023 reached 591, marking a 13.2% increase from August 2022. The benchmark price for a detached home is $2,018,500, reflecting a 3.3% increase from August 2022.

Apartment Homes: Sales of apartment homes surged to 1,270 in August 2023, a substantial 27.4% increase compared to the same month in 2022. The benchmark price for an apartment home is $770,000, showcasing a 4.4% increase from August 2022.

Attached Homes: With 422 sales in August 2023, attached home transactions increased by 18.9% compared to August 2022. The benchmark price of an attached home is $1,103,900, representing a 3.9% increase from August 2022.

The Metro Vancouver housing market is showing signs of moderation as the summer season ends. Higher borrowing costs have had an impact on both prices and sales, bringing the market more in line with historical patterns. As the market evolves, potential buyers and sellers should keep a close eye on the sales-to-active listings ratio and property type-specific trends. These insights will be invaluable for making informed decisions in this evolving real estate landscape. Stay tuned for further updates as the market continues to adapt to changing conditions.

If you have any additional questions or would like more information about the Greater Vancouver real estate market, don't hesitate to get in touch with me, your local agent at Royal LePage Sussex. I am well-versed in the intricacies of the Vancouver market and can provide valuable insights to guide you on your real estate journey. Feel free to reach out to me via email at divamangal@royallepage.ca or directly at 778-233-8366.

For regular updates and valuable tips on navigating the Vancouver housing market, follow me on my social media channels. Together, we'll keep you up-to-date with the latest developments and opportunities in the Vancouver real estate scene.

Thank you for joining me on this journey through the Vancouver housing market. Remember, informed decisions lead to successful outcomes in real estate. Happy house hunting!