Fraser Valley closes out 2023 with lowest annual sales recorded in 10 years
Home sales in the Fraser Valley dropped for the sixth straight month in December. Year over year this December was much stronger than last though with more sales and more new inventory than 2022. This is one of many signs that is pointing to a rebound and potentially early spring market. In November many economists were predicting a number of interest rate drops in 2024, then in December following a Federal Reserve announcement in the USA, Canadian five year bond yields plummeted further solidifying this sentiment. With all of this news, there is already a general sense that the first week of January has been busier in the real estate world. It looks like some of the best buying opportunities may take place in the next sixty days before the market takes off again. As always, give us a shout to discuss what this means for your particular situation.
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What Does The Fraser Valley Real Estate Board Have To Say?
SURREY, BC – High interest rates kept a lid on sales and listings in the Fraser Valley in 2023, while holding year-over-year price growth to low single digits.
The Fraser Valley region ended the year with 14,713 sales recorded on its Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®), a decline of four per cent over 2022 and 23 per cent below the 10-year average. New listings in the Fraser Valley were also at a 10-year low, at 29,610, eight per cent below the 10-year average.
The composite Benchmark home price in the Fraser Valley closed the year at $988,900, down six per cent from its 2023 peak in July, but up on the year by five per cent.
“Back-to-back mid-year interest rate hikes slowed the market despite strong sales and new listings in the spring,” said Narinder Bains, Chair of the Fraser Valley Real Estate Board. “This left the market in overall balance for the latter half of the year, albeit at low levels of activity. We anticipate 2024 will bring increased optimism on behalf of buyers and sellers as the Bank of Canada is expected to lower interest rates before mid-year.”
December 2023
For the month of December, the Board recorded 837 sales on its MLS®, a drop of six per cent from November, but 17 per cent higher than December 2022.
At 942, new listings dropped by 54 per cent in December, but increased 17 per cent compared to December of 2022. Total active listings for December stood at 4,670, a decrease of 25 per cent month-over-month, but 19 per cent higher year-over-year.
With a sales-to-active listings ratio of 18 per cent for December, the overall market closed out the year in balance. Detached houses closed out 2023 with a ratio of 16 per cent, while both townhomes and apartments remained in seller’s market territory at 29 and 26 per cent respectively. The market is considered balanced when the ratio is between 12 per cent and 20 per cent.
“2023 saw buyers and sellers adjust to new rate realities, and the impact of those high rates were reflected in the low number of sales in the Fraser Valley,” said FVREB CEO Baldev Gill. “However, as rates start to ease, we expect market activity will pick up. This will create opportunities for buyers and sellers who are advised to consult with a professional REALTOR® before jumping into the market.”
On average, properties spent approximately 41 days on the market, with single family detached homes spending 40 days on the market. Townhomes and apartments moved more quickly at 32 and 33 days respectively.
Overall Benchmark prices continued to slide for the fifth month in a row, losing 1.5 per cent compared to November.
MLS® HPI Benchmark Price Activity
Single Family Detached: At $1,471,500, the Benchmark price for an FVREB single-family detached home decreased 1.2 per cent compared to November 2023 and increased 7.1 per cent compared to December 2022.
Townhomes: At $826,400, the Benchmark price for an FVREB townhome decreased 1.3 per cent compared to November 2023 and increased 5.3 per cent compared to December 2022.
Apartments: At $537,600, the Benchmark price for an FVREB apartment/condo decreased 1.4 per cent compared to November 2023 and increased 6.9 per cent compared to December 2022.
Find the December 2023 Statistics Package HERE.
