Market Update

METRO VANCOUVER HOUSING MARKET UPDATE | JUNE 2024

2024-June-stats-graphic-market update

MARKET UPDATE: : Market Shifting in Buyers’ Favour, Though Hesitation Remains

Source: GVR

Source: GVR

Metro Vancouver1 home sales registered on the MLS® remained below seasonal and historical averages in June. With reduced competition among buyers, inventory has continued to accumulate to levels not seen since the spring of 2019.

The Greater Vancouver REALTORS® (GVR) reports that residential sales2 in the region totalled 2,418 in June 2024, a 19.1 per cent decrease from the 2,988 sales recorded in June 2023. This was 23.6 per cent below the 10-year seasonal average (3,166).

“The June data continued a trend we’ve been watching where buyers appear hesitant to transact in volumes we consider typical for this time of year, while sellers remain keen to bring their properties to market.”

Andrew Lis, REBGV director of economics and data analytics

“This dynamic is bringing inventory levels up to a healthy range not seen since before the pandemic. This trend is providing buyers more selection to choose from and driving all market segments toward balanced condition.”

There were 5,723 detached, attached and apartment properties newly listed for sale on the MLS® in Metro Vancouver in June 2024. This represents a 7 per cent increase compared to the 5,347 properties listed in June 2023. This total is 3 per cent above the 10-year seasonal average (5,554).

The total number of properties currently listed for sale on the MLS® system in Metro Vancouver is 14,182, a 42 per cent increase compared to June 2023 (9,990). This total is 20.3 per cent above the 10-year seasonal average (11,790).

Across all detached, attached and apartment property types, the sales-to-active listings ratio for June 2024 is 17.6 per cent. By property type, the ratio is 13.1 per cent for detached homes, 21.1 per cent for attached, and 20.3 per cent for apartments.

Analysis of the historical data suggests downward pressure on home prices occurs when the ratio dips below 12 per cent for a sustained period, while home prices often experience upward pressure when it surpasses 20 per cent over several months.

June 2024 market update. Source: GVR
Source: GVR

“With an interest rate announcement from the Bank of Canada in July, there is a possibility of another cut to the policy rate this summer. This is yet another factor tilting the market in favour of buyers, even if the boost to affordability is modest,”

Lis said.

“But June’s lower-than-normal transaction volumes suggest many buyers remain hesitant, which has allowed inventory to accumulate and has kept a lid on upward price pressure across market segments.

“With that said, the transaction-level data do show that well-priced properties are still selling quickly, suggesting astute buyers are able to spot value and act when opportunities arise.”

The MLS® Home Price Index composite benchmark price for all residential properties in Metro Vancouver is currently $1,207,100. This represents a 0.5 per cent increase over June 2023 and a 0.4 per cent decrease compared to May 2024.

Sales of detached homes in June 2024 reached 694, a 18.2 per cent decrease from the 848 detached sales recorded in June 2023. The benchmark price for a detached home is $2,061,000. This represents a 3.7 per cent increase from June 2023 and a 0.1 per cent decrease compared to May 2024.

Sales of apartment homes reached 1,245 in June 2024, a 20.9 per cent decrease compared to the 1,573 sales in June 2023. The benchmark price of an apartment home is $773,400. This represents a 1 per cent increase from June 2023 and a 0.4 per cent decrease compared to May 2024.

Attached home sales in June 2024 totalled 456, a 16.6 per cent decrease compared to the 547 sales in June 2023. The benchmark price of a townhouse3 is $1,138,100. This represents a 3 per cent increase from June 2023 and a 0.6 per cent decrease compared to May 2024.


1 Areas covered by Greater Vancouver REALTORS® include: Bowen Island, Burnaby, Coquitlam, Maple Ridge, New Westminster, North Vancouver, Pitt Meadows, Port Coquitlam, Port Moody, Richmond, South Delta, Squamish, Sunshine Coast, Vancouver, West Vancouver, and Whistler.

2 On February 12, 2024, The Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver changed its organizational name to the Greater Vancouver REALTORS®. 

3 The national MLS® Home Price Index (MLS® HPI) operations group underwent an annual review of the model in May in-line with statistical best practices. The attributes and neighbourhoods within the model were updated based on sales data to more accurately reflect current market conditions. To ensure the MLS® HPI coverage is consistent and comparable, historical aggregate and composite data has been recalculated. 

CLICK HERE – Full GVR June 2024 Housing Market Update

Vancouver BC – July 3, 2024

Have a look at the GVR June 2024 Market Update Insights!
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  • See the Monthly Market Stats CLICK HERE
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Tags: Metro Vancouver, housing market, housing market update, Metro Vancouver housing market update

Vancouver’s Next Moves: New 10-Year Housing Targets and a 3-Year Plan to Make It Happen

Vancouver housing

Vancouver’s Ambitious Housing Targets: A Step Towards a Sustainable Future

Source: Storeys

Overview

The City of Vancouver is updating its housing supply targets and introducing a 3-Year Housing Action Plan in response to provincial directives. The revised targets aim to address population growth, housing needs, and new provincial requirements.

Updated Housing Targets

The new 10-year target, spanning from 2024 to 2033, proposes 83,000 new homes, a 15% increase over the previous 2017 target of 72,000 homes. This comprehensive plan includes specific sub-targets:

  • 30,000 Purpose-Built Market Rental Units
  • 26,500 Strata Condominium Units
  • 8,500 Non-Profit Social Housing/Co-op Units
  • 7,000 Townhouses, Duplexes, and Multiplexes
  • 5,500 Purpose-Built Below-Market Units
  • 4,000 Laneway Homes
  • 1,500 Supportive Housing Units
A breakdown of the targetted 83,000 new housing units.(City of Vancouver)

Focus on Rental Units

The City aims for 61,600 rental units (75% of the total target), including secondary rental units. Of these, 15,500 units are targeted to be below-market units, encompassing supportive, non-profit, and co-op housing.

Family-Size and Low-Density Units

  • 33,400 Family-Size Units (40%)
  • 11,000 Low-Density Units (13%)

Comparison with Provincial Targets

The Province has set a five-year Housing Target Order (HTO) of 28,900 units, based on completions. The City’s targets, based on approvals, must exceed provincial numbers to account for potential non-completions.

Challenges and Strategic Responses

City staff highlight the difficulty of meeting the full need for moderate- and low-income housing due to rising costs and higher interest rates. The City plans to deliver 10,000 social and supportive housing units and 5,500 below-market rental units over the next decade.

Three-Bedroom Units

The City acknowledges it cannot meet the provincial recommendation of 22% for three-bedroom units, aiming instead for 14% due to economic constraints and development trends.

3-Year Housing Action Plan

The plan, comprised of 50 actions, leverages the City’s regulatory, investment, and partnership roles. It focuses on three principles: reconciliation, equity, and resilience, and addresses seven key policy areas:

  1. Housing Need
  • Seniors housing strategy
  • Housing targets on City-owned land
  • Enabling more student housing
  1. Geographic Equity
  • Simplifying apartment district schedules
  • Introducing a city-wide development guide
  • Implementing 25 village areas from the Vancouver Plan
  1. Addressing Homelessness
  • SRO Intergovernmental Investment Strategy
  • Expanding shelter capacity
  • Delivering more supportive housing with senior governments
  1. Community Housing
  • Proactive zoning for social and co-operative housing
  • Supporting non-profit building acquisitions
  • Advancing projects on City-owned land
  1. Indigenous Housing
  • Progressing Jericho Lands project
  • Implementing UNDRIP Strategy actions
  • Initiating new projects on City-owned sites
  1. Rental Housing
  • Streamlining delivery with pre-approved plans
  • Retrofitting existing buildings
  • Expanding tenant protections
  1. Speculation
  • Regulating short-term rentals
  • Monitoring Empty Homes Tax effectiveness
  • Limiting land speculation through Development Contribution Expectations Policy

Council Consideration

The Council will review the updated Housing Vancouver Strategy 10-year targets, the 3-Year Action Plan, and a proposed Rental Housing on City-land – Public Benefits Pilot Rezoning Policy, which aims to reduce reliance on community amenity contributions (CACs) by exempting five rezoning applications if they provide non-tax revenue to the City.

For more information, visit the official City of Vancouver website or contact the housing department.


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