VANCOUVER, B.C. – May 2, 2012 – Home sale and listing activity has maintained a consistent pace on the Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) in Greater Vancouver in recent months, which has helped create balanced conditions for the region’s housing market.

The Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver (REBGV) reports that residential property sales in Greater Vancouver reached 2,799 on the Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) in April 2012. This represents a 13.2 percent decline compared to the 3,225 sales recorded in April 2011 and a decline of 2.6 percent compared to the 2,874 sales in March 2012.

April sales were the lowest total for the month in the region since 2001 and 16.9 percent below the 10-year April sales average of 3,369.

“Although April sales were below what’s typical for the month, we continue to see, with a sales-to-active listing ratio of nearly 17 percent, a balanced relationship between buyer demand and seller supply in our marketplace,” Eugen Klein, REBGV president said.

New listings for detached, attached and apartment properties in Greater Vancouver totalled 6,056 in April 2012. This represents a 3.6 percent increase compared to both March 2012 when 5,843 homes were listed and April 2011 when5,847 homes were listed for sale on the region’s MLS®.

Last month’s new listing total was 6.7 percent above the 10-year average for listings in Greater Vancouver for April. At 16,538, the total number of homes listed for sale on the region’s MLS  to last month and increased 16 percent from this time last year.

“Recent activity has had a stabilizing effect on home prices at the regional level, although pricing can vary depending on area and property type,” Klein said “To best understand conditions within your area of interest, it’s important to do your homework and consult a local REALTOR®.”

The MLS® HPI benchmark price for all residential properties in Greater Vancouver currently sits at $683,800, up 3.7 percent compared to April 2011 and an increase of 2.8 percent over the last three months. The benchmark price for all residential properties in the Lower Mainland is $612,000, which is a 3.4 percent increase compared to April 2011 and a 2.6 percent increase compared to three months ago.

Sales of detached properties on the MLS® in April 2012 reached 1,126, a decline of 19.7 percent from the 1,402 detached sales recorded in April 2011, and a 17.8 percent decrease from the 1,370 units sold in April 2010. The benchmark price for detached properties increased 6.3 percent from April 2011 to $1,064,800.

Sales of apartment properties reached 1,190 in April 2012, a decline of 0.9 percent compared to the 1,201 sales in April 2011, and a decrease of 22 percent compared to the 1,526 sales in April 2010.The benchmark price of an apartment property increased 1.1 percent from April 2011 to $375,900.

Townhome property sales in April 2012 totalled 483, a decline of 22.3 percent compared to the 622 sales in April 2011, and a 21.6 percent decrease from the 616 townhome properties sold in April 2010. The benchmark price of a townhome unit increased 1.7 percent between April 2011 and 2012 to $487,300.

VANCOUVER, B.C. – April 3, 2012 – Home sales in March trended below the 10-year average in Greater Vancouver while home listing activity outpaced what’s typical for the month.

The Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver (REBGV) reports that residential property sales in Greater Vancouver reached 2,874 on the Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) in March 2012. This represents a 12.9 percent increase compared to the 2,545 sales recorded in February 2012, a decline of 29.6 percent compared to the 4,080 sales in March 2011 and an 8.4 percent decline compared to the 3,137 home sales in March 2010.

March sales in Greater Vancouver were the second lowest total for the month in the region since 2002 and were 16.8 percent below the 10-year sales average for the month.

“Home sellers have been more active than buyers the first few months of the year, but we continue to see a relative balance in the total supply of homes for sale and current demand in the marketplace,” Eugen Klein, REBGV president said.

New listings for detached, attached and apartment properties in Greater Vancouver totalled 5,843 in March 2012. This represents a 5.2 percent increase compared to February when 5,552 homes were listed and a 14 percent decline compared to March 2011 when 6,797 homes were listed for sale on the region’s MLS®.

Last month’s new listing total was 4.5 percent above the 10-year average for listings in Greater Vancouver for March. At 15,236, the total number of residential property listings on the MLS® increased 8.4 percent in March compared to last month and increased 16 percent from this time last year.

“The total number of properties for sale in Greater Vancouver has increased each month since December, which means there’s more selection to choose from as we enter what’s traditionally the busiest season of the year in our market,” Klein said.

The MLS® HPI benchmark price for all residential properties in Greater Vancouver currently sits at $679,000, up 5.3 percent compared to March 2011 and an increase of 1.1 per cent compared to February 2012. The benchmark price for all residential properties in the Lower Mainland is $607,700, an increase of 4.8 percent compared to March 2011.

Sales of detached properties on the MLS® in March 2012 reached 1,183, a decline of 34.1 percent from the 1,795 detached sales recorded in March 2011, and an 11.5 percent decrease from the 1,336 units sold in March 2010. The benchmark price for detached properties increased 9.2 percent from March 2011 to $1,056,400.

Sales of apartment properties reached 1,191 in March 2012, a decline of 26.6 percent compared to the 1,622 sales in March 2011, and a decrease of 4.9 percent compared to the 1,252 sales in March 2010.The benchmark price of an apartment property increased 2.2 percent from March 2011 to $375,100.

Townhome property sales in March 2012 totalled 500, a decline of 24.6 percent compared to the 663 sales in March 2011, and an 8.9 percent decrease from the 549 townhome properties sold in March 2010. The benchmark price of a townhome unit increased 0.9 percent between March 2011 and 2012 to $480,900.