Vancouver, BC – May 15, 2017. The British Columbia Real Estate Association (BCREA) reports that a total of 9,865 residential unit sales were recorded by the Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) in April, down 23.9 per cent from the same period last year. Total sales dollar volume was $7.19 billion, down 25.4 per cent from April 2016. The average MLS® residential price in the province was $728,955, a 2 per cent decrease from the same period last year.

“BC home sales are on an upward trend this spring, led by a sharp increase in consumer demand in the Lower Mainland,” said Cameron Muir, BCREA Chief Economist.

The seasonally adjusted annual rate (SAAR) of home sales was over 106,000 units in April, significantly above the five-year SAAR for April of 89,000 units.

The supply of homes for sale declined 17 per cent from April 2016. On a seasonally adjusted basis, active residential listings have declined 50 per cent since 2012 and are now at their lowest level in over 20 years. The imbalance between supply and demand is continuing to drive home prices higher in most regions, further eroding affordability.

Year-to-date, BC residential sales dollar volume was down 31.8 per cent to $21.3 billion, when compared with the same period in 2016. Residential unit sales declined 25.0 per cent to 30,757 units, while the average MLS® residential price was down 9.2 per cent to $692,220.

Five-pillar approach will build stronger communities

Vancouver, BC – April 19, 2017. The British Columbia Real Estate Association (BCREA) today announced a five-pillar approach to address housing affordability for renters, homebuyers and homeowners across British Columbia.

BCREA's five pillars include timely recommendations to:

• assist consumers with housing costs,
• encourage the creation of more rental housing,
• densify urban areas,
• adjust the Property Transfer Tax, and
• promote best practices among local governments.

"REALTORS® understand the importance of housing affordability in creating strong communities," says Robert Laing, BCREA CEO. "Through these five pillars, BCREA's recommendations provide a clear pathway toward making homes more accessible and affordable for British Columbians."

BCREA's recommendations are supported by the Canadian Home Builders' Association of BC. "Many of the BCREA proposals on market housing affordability are shared priorities and goals of CHBA BC," says Neil Moody, CEO. "These actions on supply and building costs help industry deliver a more affordable product for homebuyers, provide more choice for buying or renting, and decrease extra costs for buyers like the Property Transfer Tax."

More information on BCREA's five pillars can be found on the Association's new website: www.bchousingaffordability.ca

BCREA is the professional association for about 22,000 REALTORS® in BC, focusing on provincial issues that impact real estate. Working with the province's 11 real estate boards, BCREA provides continuing professional education, advocacy, economic research and standard forms to help REALTORS® provide value for their clients.

To demonstrate the profession's commitment to improving Quality of Life in BC communities, BCREA supports policies that help ensure economic vitality, provide housing opportunities, preserve the environment, protect property owners and build better communities with good schools and safe neighbourhoods.