Rob Blair : RE/MAX Colonial Pacific Realty : Archived blog posts for : February 2021

False Creek South

Posted on February 4, 2021 by Rob Blair

t's time to have your say and provide some extremely valuable input as the City of Vancouver looks at the future of False Creek South lands.

We're seeking public input about how 80 acres of City-owned lands in False Creek South could potentially be used to help address city-wide priorities such as the housing crisis, climate emergency and local economy.

False Creek South is the site of a 1970s visionary development and legacy, which became a model for progressive urban planning, nationally and around the world.

We want to know what Vancouver residents think about a potential update to that original vision, consistent with the community’s history as an inclusive, affordable, livable urban neighbourhood, while also potentially addressing public priorities such as housing options.

Our approach to exploring more housing options on City-owned lands in False Creek South would be based on:

Retaining public ownership of the lands
Providing clarity for those with homes on land currently leased from the City
Potentially phasing in a new vision for the area incrementally, over time

This work is connected to, but independent from, the City’s False Creek South community planning process which paused in 2018.

We will be seeking input until February 28, 2021, and the feedback will be used to help inform long-term decisions about the future of False Creek South. Public input from this engagement will also inform the City’s broader Vancouver Plan.

About False Creek South lands

These lands are located between the Cambie and Burrard Street bridges on the south shore of False Creek, and there are approximately 1,800 residential units—both market and non-market—on leased lands which are owned and managed by the City on behalf of all Vancouver residents. There are additional units on private lands in the community.

Share your thoughts

We want to hear from you about options for the future of City-owned lands in False Creek South, which will help shape our city for the benefit of current and future generations. Here’s how you can get involved:

Participate in the Talk Vancouver online survey
Attend an online information and Q&A session
Send us an email

https://rem.ax/2MykbaF

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January 2021 Metro Vancouver Stats are in!!

Posted on February 3, 2021 by Rob Blair

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Home buyer demand remains elevated across Metro Vancouver

VANCOUVER, BC – February 2, 2021 – In the first month of 2021, Metro Vancouver’s* housing market continued the pattern set at the end of last year with home sale activity outpacing the supply of homes listed for sale.

The Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver (REBGV) reports that residential home sales in the region totalled 2,389 in January 2021, a 52.1 per cent increase from the 1,571 sales recorded in January 2020, and a 22.8 per cent decrease from the 3,093 homes sold in December 2020.

Last month’s sales were 36.4 per cent above the 10-year January sales average.

“With home sale activity well above our January average, the supply of homes for sale isn’t able to keep pace,” Colette Gerber, REBGV Chair said. “This is causing increased competition amongst home buyers and upward pressure on prices.”

There were 4,480 detached, attached and apartment properties newly listed for sale on the Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) in Metro Vancouver in January 2021. This represents a 15.7 per cent increase compared to the 3,872 homes listed in January 2020 and an 86 per cent increase compared to December 2020 when 2,409 homes were listed.

The total number of homes currently listed for sale on the MLS® system in Metro Vancouver is 8,306, a 3.6 per cent decrease compared to January 2020 (8,617) and a 2.7 per cent decrease compared to December 2020 (8,538).

For all property types, the sales-to-active listings ratio for January 2021 is 28.8 per cent. By property type, the ratio is 26.3 per cent for detached homes, 37.6 per cent for townhomes, and 27.8 per cent for apartments.

Generally, analysts say 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.

“Shifting housing needs during the pandemic and historically low interest rates have been key drivers of demand in our market over the last six months,” Gerber said. “People who managed to enter the market a few years ago, and have seen their home values increase, are now looking to move up in the market to accommodate their changing needs.”

The MLS® Home Price Index composite benchmark price for all residential properties in Metro Vancouver is currently $1,056,600. This represents a 5.5 per cent increase compared to January 2020 and a 0.9 per cent increase compared to December 2020.

Sales of detached homes in January 2021 reached 740, a 68.6 per cent increase from the 439 detached sales recorded in January 2020. The benchmark price of a detached homes is $1,576,800. This represents a 10.8 per cent increase from January 2020 and a 1.4 per cent increase compared to December 2020.

Sales of apartment homes reached 1,195 in January 2021, a 46.8 per cent increase compared to the 814 sales in January 2020. The benchmark price of an apartment home is $680,800. This represents a 2.2 per cent increase from January 2020 and a 0.6 per cent increase compared to December 2020.

Attached home sales in January 2021 totalled 454, a 42.8 per cent increase compared to the 318 sales in January 2020. The benchmark price of an attached home is $815,800. This represents a 4.3 per cent increase from January 2020 and a 0.2 per cent increase compared to December 2020.

*Editor’s Note: Areas covered by the Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver include: 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.

The real estate industry is a key economic driver in British Columbia. In 2020, 30,944 homes changed ownership in the Board’s area, generating $2.1 billion in economic spin-off activity and an estimated 14,728 jobs. The total dollar value of residential sales transacted through the MLS® system in Greater Vancouver totalled $33.7 billion in 2020.

The Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver is an association representing nearly 14,000 REALTORS® and their companies. The Board provides a variety of member services, including the Multiple Listing Service®. For more information on real estate, statistics, and buying or selling a home, contact a local REALTOR® or visit

www.rebgv.org.

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January 2021 Stats are in!!

Posted on February 1, 2021 by Rob Blair

Fraser Valley real estate market full steam ahead in January; another record-setter for property sales

SURREY, BC – In a month that is usually one of the quietest in real estate, Fraser Valley’s market continued at a breakneck pace, producing the strongest January sales on record as well as a modest uptick in new listings.

The Fraser Valley Real Estate Board processed a total of 1,718 sales of all property types on its Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) in January 2021, an increase of 76 per cent compared to January 2020 and 18 per cent fewer then were processed in December 2020. Sales in January set a new, record high for the month; 72 per cent above the 10-year average, and 28 per cent higher than the previous record of 1,338 sales set in January 2016.

“Buyers are very motivated right now,” said Chris Shields, President of the Board, “Lending rates are the lowest they’ve ever been, your housing dollar goes further in the Fraser Valley and we’ve seen a societal shift in the last year in how people value their homes. People are asking us to find them more space.

“I am working with a young couple who want and are able to move up – from a condo to a townhome – due to interest rates and the equity they’ve gained over the last couple of years. The challenge is supply. It improved slightly in January, but we’ve got a long way to go to replenish our housing stock. It remains a seller’s market.”

The Board received 2,784 new listings in January 2021, an increase of 26 per cent compared to January of last year. Total active inventory for the month was 4,210, down 18 per cent from last year’s 5,143 active listings, and still 30 per cent below the 10-year average.

Baldev Gill, Chief Executive Officer of the Board, added, “Homeowners may be reluctant to sell because of concerns about buying and selling safety protocols; or the challenge of finding a new home to buy. The industry has worked hard to make it as easy as possible for you to thoroughly evaluate homes online first and then, for serious, final consideration, strict regulations are in place for in-person viewing.”

“And note, we’re already seeing an improvement in supply levels compared to December, a trend we anticipate that will continue as spring approaches bringing what is typically one of the busiest markets of the year.”

In January 2021, the average number of days to sell a single-family detached home in the Fraser Valley was 35, compared to 60 days in January 2020; 28 days on average to sell a townhome and 37 days for apartments, compared to 47 and 49 days respectively, in January of last year.

MLS® HPI Benchmark Price Activity

Single Family Detached: At $1,106,500, the Benchmark price for an FVREB single-family detached home increased 2.5 per cent compared to December 2020 and increased 15.2 per cent compared to January 2020.

Townhomes: At $580,800, the Benchmark price for an FVREB townhome increased 0.8 per cent compared to December 2020 and increased 7.2 per cent compared to January 2020.

Apartments: At $439,800, the Benchmark price for an FVREB apartment/condo increased 0.3 per cent compared to December 2020 and increased 4.4 per cent compared to January 2020.

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Rob Blair

False Creek South

About False Creek South lands

Share your thoughts

January 2021 Metro Vancouver Stats are in!!

January 2021 Stats are in!!

Rob Blair

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