Vancouver, BC – June 15, 2018. The British Columbia Real Estate Association (BCREA) reports that a total of 8,837 residential unit sales were recorded by the Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) across the province in May, a 28.7 per cent decrease from the same month last year. The average MLS® residential price in BC was $739,783, down 1.7 per cent from May 2017. Total sales dollar volume was $6.54 billion, a 30 per cent decline from May 2017. “BC home sales continued to slow in May because of more stringent qualifications for conventional borrowers,” said Cameron Muir, BCREA Chief Economist. “The changes in mortgage policy are taking their toll on housing demand, not only in British Columbia, but across the country by reducing household purchasing power and housing affordability.” While the decline in consumer demand has lifted the inventory of homes for sale, total active residential listings in the province are still relatively low by historical comparison. Year-to-date, BC residential sales dollar volume was down 13.8 per cent to $26.4 billion, compared with the same period in 2017. Residential unit sales decreased 16.6 per cent to 35,976 units, while the average MLS® residential price was up 3.4 per cent to $733,616. For more information, please contact:
Cameron Muir, Chief Economist Direct: 604.742.2780, Mobile: 778.229.1884 Email: cmuir@bcrea.bc.ca The British Columbia Real Estate Association (BCREA) is the professional association for about 23,000 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. For detailed statistical information, contact your local real estate board. MLS® is a cooperative marketing system used only by Canada's real estate boards to ensure maximum exposure of properties listed for sale. To subscribe to receive BCREA publications such as this one, or to update your email address or current subscriptions, click here. Vancouver, BC – June 14, 2018. On June 15, 2018, changes to Rules under the Real Estate Services Act that dictate how REALTORS® work with consumers will come into effect. The Rules, mandated by the Office of the Superintendent of Real Estate (OSRE) and finalized on April 27, 2018, have been amended to ensure consumers have a thorough understanding of their relationship with their REALTOR®, particularly when it comes to conflicts of interest and remuneration. “Since the new Rules were finalized six weeks ago, BCREA has been hard at work to update our Applied Practice Courses for new licensees, continuing education courses and nearly two dozen standard legal forms that have been impacted by the changes,” said British Columbia Real Estate Association (BCREA) CEO Darlene Hyde. “The new rules governing real estate practices mark a significant shift in how REALTORS® in BC work with their clients. It’s important that consumers know what to expect when the changes come into effect.” REALTORS®, consumers and conflicts of interest One of the changes is a ban on limited dual agency. Limited dual agency occurs when a REALTOR® represents more than one party in a real estate transaction. That can be a buyer and a seller, two or more buyers, or a landlord and a tenant. The ban was recommended by the Real Estate Council of British Columbia’s (RECBC) Independent Advisory Group in 2016. Exemptions will be possible in limited circumstances. As part of the Rule amendments, a REALTOR® will inform a consumer at the beginning of their working relationship that the REALTOR® may be required to stop representing the consumer mid-transaction if a potential conflict of interest arises. A conflict of interest can occur, for example, when a buyer who the REALTOR® has previously represented makes an offer on a property belonging to a seller the REALTOR® is currently representing. In such instances, the REALTOR® may be required to refer the seller to another REALTOR®. REALTORS®, consumers and compensation From June 15, consumers can expect that REALTORS® will make more disclosures on the commissions they receive on transactions. Consumers are most likely to notice the impact of this Rule change when it comes to multiple offer scenarios. Once the amendment comes into effect, every time an offer or counter-offer is made to a seller, the seller’s REALTOR® will be required to present the seller with a completed disclosure form that explains exactly how much remuneration the REALTOR®’s brokerage will receive. This form will also explain how the commission will be shared with other brokerages involved in the transaction (the buyer’s brokerage) and any other payments the REALTOR® expects to receive as a result of the transaction. BCREA and the 11 member boards have been working with RECBC and OSRE to make these changes as seamless and as transparent as possible. We are actively working to educate REALTORS® on the implications of these changes so they can continue to serve consumers with integrity and professionalism when the Rule changes come into effect. “These changes will profoundly alter for the foreseeable future the way consumers initially interact with their REALTOR®,” said Hyde. “BCREA has done its utmost to facilitate the transition to the new Rules and we stand behind a strong regulatory regime, informed and knowledgeable customers and professional REALTORS®.” For more information on the Rule changes, visit Council’s Knowledge Base. - 30 - BCREA is the professional association for about 23,000 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. For more information, please contact:
April van Ert, Communications Manager Direct: 604.742.2797 Email: avanert@bcrea.bc.ca To subscribe to receive other BCREA publications such as this one, to unsubscribe, or to update your email address or current subscription list, click here. BCREA ECONOMICS NOW Bank of Canada Interest Rate Announcement - May 30, 2018 The Bank of Canada decided to leave the target for the overnight policy rate unchanged at 1.25 per cent this morning. In the statement accompanying the decision, the Bank noted that inflation has been close to its two per cent target and will likely be higher in the near term than was previously forecast due to higher gasoline prices. Economic growth in the first quarter was stronger than expected due to rising exports and business investment, which helped to offset a B20 induced softening in housing activity. Overall, the Bank's view is that higher interest rates will be warranted to keep inflation near its target. Although the Bank held steady today, with inflation rising to the Bank's two per cent target and the Canadian economy operating at or near capacity, interest rates are very likely headed higher, perhaps at the Bank's next meeting in July. That will translate to higher mortgage rates which, combined with the erosion of purchasing power from the mortgage stress test, will continue to temper housing demand in 2018. For inquiries regarding statistical and economics-related news releases, please contact:
Cameron Muir; Chief Economist, 604.742.2780, cmuir@bcrea.bc.ca Brendon Ogmundson; Economist, 604.742.2796, bogmundson@bcrea.bc.ca The Housing Market Update video webcast is produced monthly by the British Columbia Real Estate Association. Real estate boards, real estate associations and REALTORS® may reprint this content, provided that credit is given to BCREA by including the following statement: "Copyright British Columbia Real Estate Association. Reprinted with permission." BCREA makes no guarantees as to the accuracy or completeness of this information. Copyright© British Columbia Real Estate Association 1420 – 701 Georgia Street West PO Box 10123, Pacific Centre - Vancouver, BC V7Y 1C6 Phone 604.683.7702, Fax 604.683.8601 www.bcrea.bc.ca bcrea@bcrea.bc.ca
Click on image to watch BCREA Chief Economist Cameron Muir discuss the April 2018 statistics:
For inquiries regarding statistical and economics-related news releases, please contact:
Cameron Muir; Chief Economist, 604.742.2780, cmuir@bcrea.bc.ca Brendon Ogmundson; Economist, 604.742.2796, bogmundson@bcrea.bc.ca The Housing Market Update video webcast is produced monthly by the British Columbia Real Estate Association. Real estate boards, real estate associations and REALTORS® may reprint this content, provided that credit is given to BCREA by including the following statement: "Copyright British Columbia Real Estate Association. Reprinted with permission." BCREA makes no guarantees as to the accuracy or completeness of this information. Copyright© British Columbia Real Estate Association 1420 – 701 Georgia Street West PO Box 10123, Pacific Centre - Vancouver, BC V7Y 1C6 Phone 604.683.7702, Fax 604.683.8601 www.bcrea.bc.ca bcrea@bcrea.bc.ca BCREA ECONOMICS NOW Canadian Housing Starts - May 8, 2018 Canadian housing starts fell 5 per cent on a monthly basis in April to 214,379 units at a seasonally adjusted annual rate (SAAR). The six-month trend in Canadian housing starts was steady at about 226,000 units SAAR. In BC, total housing starts declined 17 per cent on a monthly basis to 38,750 units SAAR and were down 11 per cent year-over-year. Multiple unit starts were down 10 per cent year-over year and 21 per cent month-over-month while single detached starts were down 11 per cent year-over-year and were flat compared to March. Looking at census metropolitan areas (CMA) in BC:
For inquiries regarding statistical and economics-related news releases, please contact:
Cameron Muir; Chief Economist, 604.742.2780, cmuir@bcrea.bc.ca Brendon Ogmundson; Economist, 604.742.2796, bogmundson@bcrea.bc.ca The Housing Market Update video webcast is produced monthly by the British Columbia Real Estate Association. Real estate boards, real estate associations and REALTORS® may reprint this content, provided that credit is given to BCREA by including the following statement: "Copyright British Columbia Real Estate Association. Reprinted with permission." BCREA makes no guarantees as to the accuracy or completeness of this information. Copyright© British Columbia Real Estate Association 1420 – 701 Georgia Street West PO Box 10123, Pacific Centre - Vancouver, BC V7Y 1C6 Phone 604.683.7702, Fax 604.683.8601 www.bcrea.bc.ca bcrea@bcrea.bc.ca BCREA ECONOMICS NOW Canadian Monthly GDP (February) - April 30, 2018 The Canadian economy bounced back in February after a down month in January. Real GDP grew 0.4 per cent on a monthly basis in February, led by higher output in the manufacturing and construction sector as well as a rebound in mining and oil and gas extraction. The output of offices of real estate agents and brokers across Canada fell for a second consecutive month due to the ongoing impact of the B20 stress test. Given today's release, growth in the Canadian economy is tracking at just under 2 per cent for the first quarter of 2018. Continued above trend growth and rising inflation signal further interest rates increases by the Bank of Canada, possibly as soon as the end of May. For inquiries regarding statistical and economics-related news releases, please contact:
Cameron Muir; Chief Economist, 604.742.2780, cmuir@bcrea.bc.ca Brendon Ogmundson; Economist, 604.742.2796, bogmundson@bcrea.bc.ca The Housing Market Update video webcast is produced monthly by the British Columbia Real Estate Association. Real estate boards, real estate associations and REALTORS® may reprint this content, provided that credit is given to BCREA by including the following statement: "Copyright British Columbia Real Estate Association. Reprinted with permission." BCREA makes no guarantees as to the accuracy or completeness of this information. Copyright© British Columbia Real Estate Association 1420 – 701 Georgia Street West PO Box 10123, Pacific Centre - Vancouver, BC V7Y 1C6 Phone 604.683.7702, Fax 604.683.8601 www.bcrea.bc.ca bcrea@bcrea.bc.ca BCREA ECONOMICS NOW Bank of Canada Interest Rate Announcement - April 18, 2018 The Bank of Canada decided to leave the target for the overnight policy rate unchanged at 1.25 per cent this morning. In the statement accompanying the decision, the Bank noted that inflation is forecast to be slightly higher in 2018 than originally expected but will return to the Bank's 2 per cent target once the impact of higher gas prices and minimum wage increases dissipate. While the mortgage stress test has been a contributor to weaker growth in the first quarter of 2018, the Bank expects the economy to be operating at above potential over the next three years, growing at an average rate of about 2 per cent. Although the Bank held steady today, with inflation rising to the Bank's two per cent target and many Canadian firms operating at or near capacity, interest rates are very likely headed higher this year. Headwinds from the trade sector have moderated, energy prices are higher and growth for the first quarter appears to be firming after a slow start. Given those trends, the Bank is likely to adjust its policy rate higher in coming months. That will translate to higher mortgage rates which, combined with the erosion of purchasing power from the mortgage stress test, will temper housing demand in 2018. For inquiries regarding statistical and economics-related news releases, please contact:
Cameron Muir; Chief Economist, 604.742.2780, cmuir@bcrea.bc.ca Brendon Ogmundson; Economist, 604.742.2796, bogmundson@bcrea.bc.ca The Housing Market Update video webcast is produced monthly by the British Columbia Real Estate Association. Real estate boards, real estate associations and REALTORS® may reprint this content, provided that credit is given to BCREA by including the following statement: "Copyright British Columbia Real Estate Association. Reprinted with permission." BCREA makes no guarantees as to the accuracy or completeness of this information. Copyright© British Columbia Real Estate Association 1420 – 701 Georgia Street West PO Box 10123, Pacific Centre - Vancouver, BC V7Y 1C6 Phone 604.683.7702, Fax 604.683.8601 www.bcrea.bc.ca bcrea@bcrea.bc.ca
Click on image to watch BCREA Chief Economist Cameron Muir discuss the March 2018 statistics:
For inquiries regarding statistical and economics-related news releases, please contact:
Cameron Muir; Chief Economist, 604.742.2780, cmuir@bcrea.bc.ca Brendon Ogmundson; Economist, 604.742.2796, bogmundson@bcrea.bc.ca The Housing Market Update video webcast is produced monthly by the British Columbia Real Estate Association. Real estate boards, real estate associations and REALTORS® may reprint this content, provided that credit is given to BCREA by including the following statement: "Copyright British Columbia Real Estate Association. Reprinted with permission." BCREA makes no guarantees as to the accuracy or completeness of this information. Copyright© British Columbia Real Estate Association 1420 – 701 Georgia Street West PO Box 10123, Pacific Centre - Vancouver, BC V7Y 1C6 Phone 604.683.7702, Fax 604.683.8601 www.bcrea.bc.ca bcrea@bcrea.bc.ca |
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