Provincial Housing Market Showing Signs of Recovery Heading into Spring…“While activity across provincial housing markets remains well below normal,” said BCREA Chief Economist Brendon Ogmundson. “There are encouraging signs that the market is balancing out. Home sales rose month-over-month in most markets, and prices appear to be firming up in the face of low supply.”
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BCREA – Economics Now – Canadian Monthly Economic Growth (Q4’2022)
Canadian real GDP declined 0.1 per cent in December, the first monthly decline since January of 2022. The decline in GDP was concentrated among goods-producing industries (-0.6 per cent) while services were flat. Canadian real GDP is now roughly 2.7 per cent above its pre-pandemic, February 2020 level. Preliminary estimates suggest that output in the Canadian economy rose 0.3 per cent in January.
Continue reading →BCREA Economics – Housing Market Forecast
“A slowing economy and still elevated mortgage rates are expected to keep housing activity lower than normal through much of 2023,” said BCREA Chief Economist Brendon Ogmundson. “However, we expect a strong recovery, boosted by an expected decline in mortgage rates and record high immigration that will carry significant momentum into 2024.”
Continue reading →Bank of Canada Rate Announcement Jan 25th, 2023
The Bank of Canada today increased its target for the overnight rate to 4½%, with the Bank Rate at 4¾% and the deposit rate at 4½%. The Bank is also continuing its policy of quantitative tightening.
Continue reading →BCREA VIDEO: Home Buyer Rescission Period, What Consumers Need to Know
With the Home Buyer Rescission Period (HBRP) coming into effect on January 3, 2023, BCREA has created a video for REALTORS® to share with their clients to help them understand buyer’s rights during the HBRP.
Continue reading →BCREA – Housing Market Activity Remains Slow in November
The British Columbia Real Estate Association (BCREA) reports that a total of 4,512 residential unit sales were recorded by the Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) in November 2022, a decrease of 50.8 per cent from November 2021 and about 30 per cent below a historical average November. The average MLS® residential price in BC was $906,785 an 8.6 per cent decrease from $992,245 recorded in November 2021. Total sales dollar volume was $4.1 billion, a 55 per cent decline from the same time last year.
Continue reading →BCREA – Helping Homeowners and Buyers Navigate New Federal Tax Changes
The federal government is introducing new tax changes that may impact homeowners and potential homebuyers beginning January 1, 2023. Here’s what you need to know.
Continue reading →BCREA Economics – Canadian Inflation (October 2022) – November 16, 2022
Canadian prices, as measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI), rose 6.9 per cent on a year-over-year basis in October, a rate of change equal to the prior month. After falling for the prior three months, a rise in gasoline prices in October kept the CPI steady year-over-year.
Continue reading →BCREA Economics – Bank of Canada Interest Rate Announcement – October 26, 2022
The Bank of Canada raised its overnight policy rate by 50 basis points, bringing it to 3.75 per cent, its highest level since 2008. In the statement accompanying the decision, the Bank noted that the Canadian economy continues to operate in excess demand and tight labour markets and as a result inflation remains elevated.
Continue reading →Election Housing Promises Destined to Fail Without Detailed Plans to Increase Supply
The British Columbia Real Estate Association (BCREA) is encouraged by the focus on housing affordability as a key priority in each of the major party’s platforms in the lead-up to September’s federal election. However, while parties pledge to build more homes and make purchasing easier, without detailed plans to quickly turn those promises into action that will increase supply, campaign promises will lead to municipal bottlenecks, failed policy and disappointed homebuyers.
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