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Victoria real estate market current conditions benefit buyers and sellers


A total of 571 properties sold in the Victoria Real Estate Board region this September, 15.8 per cent more than the 493 properties sold in September 2023 and a 4.8 per cent increase from August 2024. Sales of condominiums were up 21.9 per cent from September 2023 with 189 units sold. Sales of single family homes increased by 19.3 per cent from September 2023 with 272 sold.


“The real estate market in Victoria right now is much more stable and more predictable than it has been in recent years,” said 2024 Victoria Real Estate Board Chair Laurie Lidstone. “We have seen a few solid months of near-balance in the market, which means it’s neither a seller’s nor a buyer’s market and positives exist for both sides of a transaction. With downward trending interest rates and stable pricing combined with more inventory on the market, our current conditions are the most comfortable for consumers to navigate that I’ve seen in a few years.”


There were 3,361 active listings for sale on the Victoria Real Estate Board Multiple Listing Service® at the end of September 2024, an increase of 5.3 per cent compared to the previous month of August and a 24.5 per cent increase from the 2,699 active listings for sale at the end of September 2023.


“In times of more balanced markets,” adds Chair Lidstone. “There is less pressure on pricing and more opportunity to take time to make big decisions on real estate. However, there are still situations where you can encounter competition. When the house, price and location are all highly desirable for buyers, we can see situations where there are competing offers. As always if you are thinking about making a move, connecting with a local REALTOR® to start building your strategy is advisable.”


The Multiple Listing Service® Home Price Index benchmark value for a single family home in the Victoria Core in September 2023 was $1,316,100. The benchmark value for the same home in September 2024 decreased by 2.8 per cent to $1,279,700, down from August’s value of $1,287,400. The MLS® HPI benchmark value for a condominium in the Victoria Core area in September 2023 was $583,400 while the benchmark value for the same condominium in September 2024 decreased by 5.1 per cent to $553,400, down from the August value of $559,200.

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The Bank of Canada has announced another policy rate cut of 25 basis points, bringing the rate down to 4.25%. This marks the third rate cut of the year and offers potential relief for Canadians with variable-rate loans, including mortgages.


What’s Next?
Following the Bank of Canada’s decision, lenders typically take a few days to adjust their prime rates. We expect the prime rate, which influences variable-rate mortgages and other loans, to soon decrease to around 6.45% at most major financial institutions. TD Bank, known for slightly higher prime mortgage rates, could lower it to approximately 6.60%.


How Does This Impact You?
Here’s what this change could mean for you, depending on your loan type:

Fixed-Payment Variable-Rate Mortgages: If you have this type of mortgage, the interest portion of your payment will decrease, while your total monthly payment should remain the same. Over time, more of your payment will go towards the principal.

Adjustable-Rate Mortgages: If your mortgage payments fluctuate with changes in the prime rate, you’ll notice a slight reduction in your next payment.

Fixed-Rate Mortgages: This rate cut won’t impact those with fixed-rate mortgages until it’s time to renew, but it may signal lower rates in the future.

Other Prime-Linked Loans: Personal loans or lines of credit tied to the prime rate will likely see reduced interest charges or smaller monthly payments.


The Bigger Picture
For homeowners and borrowers, this is positive news. As the prime rate decreases, it helps ease the financial burden on those with variable or adjustable-rate loans. In the coming days, we expect to see banks respond by adjusting their lending rates accordingly.

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Victoria’s summer real estate market meets seasonal expectations

 

A total of 545 properties sold in the Victoria Real Estate Board region this August, 0.2 per cent more than the 544 properties sold in August 2023 and a 16.5 per cent decrease from July 2024. Sales of condominiums were up 10.4 per cent from August 2023 with 181 units sold. Sales of single family homes decreased by 7.7 per cent from August 2023 with 252 sold.

 

“The final month of the summer is generally a rather relaxed one in terms of real estate sales and listings,” said 2024 Victoria Real Estate Board Chair Laurie Lidstone. “Many folks pause their home shopping activities or pause their sales listing to make the most of other summer activities and vacations. It’s no surprise that sales this year were so close to the sales from 2023 and that listings declined slightly from the number we saw in July.”

 

There were 3,191 active listings for sale on the Victoria Real Estate Board Multiple Listing Service® at the end of August 2024, a decrease of 4.7 per cent compared to the previous month of July and a 28.2 per cent increase from the 2,490 active listings for sale at the end of August 2023.

 

“It’s likely our market will trend a bit busier in the upcoming fall months,” adds Chair Lidstone. “In September people return their attention to work and school and to bigger projects like making a move. Week by week into the fall our market will evolve so if you are considering listing or buying a home in the Victoria area, connect with your favourite local REALTOR® to help develop your best real estate strategy.”

 

The Multiple Listing Service® Home Price Index benchmark value for a single family home in the Victoria Core in August 2023 was $1,327,800. The benchmark value for the same home in August 2024 decreased by 3 per cent to $1,287,400, down from July’s value of $1,296,100. The MLS® HPI benchmark value for a condominium in the Victoria Core area in August 2023 was $575,900 while the benchmark value for the same condominium in August 2024 decreased by 2.9 per cent to $559,200, down from the July value of $567,800.

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Victoria housing market remains steady for buyers and sellers over summer

 

A total of 650 properties sold in the Victoria Real Estate Board region this July, 9.2 per cent more than the 595 properties sold in July 2023 and a 1.7 per cent decrease from June 2024. Sales of condominiums were up 6.5 per cent from July 2023 with 213 units sold. Sales of single family homes increased by 8.9 percent from July 2023 with 319 sold.

 

“The month of July delivered another steady month of sales and listings, as we’d expect for an average summer season in our market,” said 2024 Victoria Real Estate Board Chair Laurie Lidstone. “The sales in July tracked very closely to June numbers, which may have surprised some who expected that summer vacations would take more buyers out of the market. We did see inventory shrink a little from the previous month. This is not unusual for this time of year, but it is a trend we’ll keep an eye on because inventory levels are crucial to keeping our market balanced.”

 

There were 3,348 active listings for sale on the Victoria Real Estate Board Multiple Listing Service® at the end of July 2024, a decrease of 3.2 per cent compared to the previous month of June and a 38.4 per cent increase from the 2,419 active listings for sale at the end of July 2023.

 

“There continues to be a lot of government intervention in our housing market,” adds Chair Lidstone. “Recently, the provincial government announced changes to the Residential Tenancy Act that have resulted in some uncertainty for those considering homes with rental options. The changes have made an already complex transaction much more complicated and have added more risk. If you are considering purchasing or selling a tenanted or rental property, it’s imperative to bring in the assistance of a REALTOR® to navigate new requirements and ensure your transaction is successful.”

 

The Multiple Listing Service® Home Price Index benchmark value for a single family home in the Victoria Core in July 2023 was $1,322,800. The benchmark value for the same home in July 2024 decreased by 2 per cent to $1,296,100, up from June’s value of $1,295,500. The MLS® HPI benchmark value for a condominium in the Victoria Core area in July 2023 was $571,500 while the benchmark value for the same condominium in July 2024 decreased by 0.6 per cent to $567,800, down from the June value of $567,900.

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CHANGES TO BC Residential Tenancy Act ! Victoria Landlords please be aware

WILDFIRES AND INSURANCE: from BCREA

During wildfire season, many insurance providers place restrictions on binding insurance policies on properties within a certain radius—commonly 50 km—of an active and uncontained wildfire. For further information, click here *requires login.

Notes on the amendments to the Residential Tenancy Act and Manufactured Home Park Tenancy Act from BCFSA

From the BC Financial Services Authority:

Licensee Considerations: With the enactment of Bill 14, the landscape of residential tenancies in B.C. is changing significantly. It is important for licensees to familiarize themselves with these amendments to ensure compliance and to effectively advise clients.

Changes already in effect include:

  • Prohibiting personal occupancy evictions in purpose-built rental buildings with five or more units;

  • Increasing the minimum landlord’s occupancy period from six months to 12 months where a tenancy ends for landlord use;

  • Prohibiting rent increases for additional occupants who are minors and making it an offence to do so; and 

  • Prohibiting a landlord from giving frivolous notices to end tenancy. 

Changes effective July 18, 2024 included:

  • Requiring landlords to use the new web portal to generate Notices to End Tenancy for personal occupancy;

  • Increasing the notice period that a landlord must give a tenant for eviction for personal use from two months to four months; and

  • Increasing the tenant dispute period from 15 days to 30 days.

Changes set to come into effect through future regulations include:

  • Prohibiting conversion of rental units to specific non-residential uses, such as short-term rental accommodation or storage;

  • Prescribing increased amounts of compensation for evicting long-term tenants for landlord use;

  • Clarifying the criteria by which a landlord can legally end a tenancy for a problematic tenant; and

  • Increasing administrative penalties for contraventions of the Residential

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Bank of Canada delivers second consecutive rate cut

I wanted to share some important news following the latest decision from the Bank of Canada.

Today, the Bank of Canada announced a 25-basis point cut to the benchmark rate, bringing it down to 4.50%. This is the second rate cut and will further help to ease interest costs for those with variable-rate loans.

In its statement, the Bank said broad price pressures are “continuing to ease” and that inflation is expected to move closer to 2%.

If you're interested in the full details, you can read the Bank of Canada’s full statement here

What happens next?

Lenders usually take a few days to adjust their prime rates in response to the Bank of Canada’s announcement. 

We expect the prime rate, which affects variable-rate mortgages and other loans, to decrease to 6.70% at most major lenders soon. TD Bank, which typically has a slightly higher mortgage prime rate, should see a reduction to 6.85%.

What does this mean for you?

This is great news for those with fixed-payment variable-rate mortgages! You can expect to see a decrease in the portion of your payment that goes towards interest.

If you have an adjustable-rate mortgage, where your payment fluctuates based on prime rate, you will notice a small decrease in your next payment. 

For fixed-rate mortgage borrowers, this rate cut won't change your current term or monthly payments.

Other loans that are priced off prime, such as certain personal loans or lines of credit, will also see a reduction in their interest charged or monthly payments.

Looking ahead

The Bank of Canada’s next rate decision is scheduled for September 4. Whether we see another rate cut will depend on how the economy performs over the next month.

If you have any questions or want to discuss how this change might affect your mortgage strategy, please don't hesitate to reach out. I'm here to help!

Best regards,

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A total of 763 properties sold in the Victoria Real Estate Board region this May, 1.5 per cent fewer than the 775 properties sold in May 2023 and a 12.5 per cent increase from April 2024. Sales of condominiums were down 5.2 per cent from May 2023 with 235 units sold. Sales of single family homes exactly matched the number from May 2023 with 399 sold.

"Spring is generally prime time for real estate in Victoria," said 2024 Victoria Real Estate Board Chair Laurie Lidstone. "And May is typically when we are at or near to the peak of activity in our property market. This May was another stable month for both buyers and sellers. With more inventory on the market, consumers had more choice and could take time to make decisions and complete their due diligence. The additional listings also meant less pressure on pricing, so prices remained relatively flat."

There were 3,338 active listings for sale on the Victoria Real Estate Board Multiple Listing Service® at the end of May 2024, an increase of 10.6 per cent compared to the previous month of April and a 52.5 per cent increase from the 2,189 active listings for sale at the end of May 2023.

"After so many years of consumers navigating an unbalanced market, it is positive for buyers and sellers to see some months of consistent balance," adds Chair Lidstone. "A lot of folks who have been watching the market over recent years may find that now is a good time to sell and buy as market conditions have changed for the better. Of course, as always, I recommend connecting with your favourite REALTOR® to create a strategy specific to your needs."

The Multiple Listing Service® Home Price Index benchmark value for a single family home in the Victoria Core in May 2023 was $1,300,900. The benchmark value for the same home in May 2024 increased by 0.7 per cent to $1,309,700, up from April's value of $1,301,800. The MLS® HPI benchmark value for a condominium in the Victoria Core area in May 2023 was $562,900 while the benchmark value for the same condominium in May 2024 increased by 1.2 per cent to $569,500, up from the April value of $561,200.
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I have sold a property at 1013 622 Admirals Rd in Esquimalt

I have sold a property at 1013 622 Admirals Rd in Esquimalt on May 24, 2024. See details here

Immediate Possession. Resort-Style Luxurious 55+ living with Amazing Ocean & City Views. This like new unit offers tremendous value with GST paid. Spacious 2 Bed 2 Bath Balcony Suite, Featuring a full kitchen with Paneled Blomberg Fridge/Freezer/Dishwasher, Built-in Fulgor Wall Oven & Induction Cook Top, Quartz Countertops & Backsplash, custom cabinetry, in-suite laundry, Heated bathroom floors, secured FOB access-building/unit, dedicated underground parking space and pet friendly. Club fee includes Concierge services, daily continental breakfast & high tea, basic TV cable/internet, 24hr emergency response, transportation & community activities. Spectacular 16000 sqft Amenities Floor with a Roof Top Deck with Fireplace & community BBQs, stunning 360-degree views from the floor to ceiling windows, Full service Restaurant, Tea Room, Lounges, Fitness Centre, Art Studio & Library. On-site Hair Salon, Movie Theatre. Prime location walkable to shopping.

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Spring property market brings positives for buyers and sellers in Victoria


A total of 678 properties sold in the Victoria Real Estate Board region this April, 6.4 per cent more than the 637 properties sold in April 2023 and a 15.3 per cent increase from March 2024. Sales of condominiums were up 1.5 per cent from April 2023 with 208 units sold. Sales of single family homes increased 3.7 per cent from April 2023 with 337 sold.

 

“The spring market in Victoria kicked off with a gentle increase in sales when compared to last year and continued stable pricing,” said 2024 Victoria Real Estate Board Chair Laurie Lidstone. “These factors, combined with growth in the available inventory, has created a welcoming and more balanced market for buyers and sellers.”

 

There were 3,017 active listings for sale on the Victoria Real Estate Board Multiple Listing Service® at the end of April 2024, an increase of 14 per cent compared to the previous month of March and a 47.7 per cent increase from the 2,043 active listings for sale at the end of April 2023.

 

“When we look back to previous spring markets, we will recall challenging conditions that are not present in the market this year,” adds Chair Lidstone. “Last year, interest rates were continuing upwards, which created unpredictability for buyers. The spring of 2022 saw record lows of inventory, which created a pressurized environment for buyers and sellers. The spring of 2021 was also marked with low inventory and impacted by the effects of the pandemic. This year, we have a much healthier supply of inventory with numbers we have not seen since the summer of 2019. Combined with more stable pricing, this market is much easier to navigate for both buyers and sellers. People who are listing their homes can have confidence that they will be able to find a new home, and sellers benefit from the stability of pricing and interest rates. If you are considering making a move, now is the ideal time to connect with your favourite local REALTOR® to create your plan.”

 

The Multiple Listing Service® Home Price Index benchmark value for a single family home in the Victoria Core in April 2023 was $1,295,800. The benchmark value for the same home in April 2024 decreased by 0.9 per cent to $1,284,600, up from March’s value of $1,279,300. The MLS® HPI benchmark value for a condominium in the Victoria Core area in April 2023 was $564,000 while the benchmark value for the same condominium in April 2024 increased by 0.7 per cent to $567,800, up from the March value of $567,300.

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I have sold a property at 627 Treanor Ave in Langford

I have sold a property at 627 Treanor Ave in Langford on May 3, 2024. See details here

Stellar location! Well maintained Single-Family Home with no strata fee offers easy access to all Langford amenities. Main floor with 9 ft ceilings, powder room, under-stair storage & garage access. Spacious living room & kitchen/dinning featuring laminate floors, electric fireplace, maple kitchen cabinets with great counter space, pot/pan drawers, garburator & stainless fridge/stove. Garden door leads to fully fenced backyard with 170+sqft patio. Large primary bedroom with ensuite, 3 closets-1 walk-in, 2 good sized bedrooms-1 with a walk in closet & access to attic storage. Upper Floor Laundry, main bath with great counter space & huge linen closet. Covered front porch, interlock double driveway-parking for 3 cars & sprinkler system. Amazing convenience to shopping-Costco, Home Depot, Restaurants, Coffee, Thetis Lake, Bear Mountain & Highway access. Walkable to Millstream Village, Elementary school with cross walk/school zone. Great Home & Value Immediate Possession.

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Supply still key to Victoria’s housing market

A total of 588 properties sold in the Victoria Real Estate Board region this March, 0.3 per cent fewer than the 590 properties sold in March 2023 but a 25.1 per cent increase from February 2024. Sales of condominiums were down 10.2 per cent from March 2023 with 177 units sold. Sales of single family homes increased 1.8 per cent from March 2023 with 286 sold.

 

“We’ve concluded a rather quiet first quarter and are transitioning into the spring market,” said 2024 Victoria Real Estate Board Chair Laurie Lidstone. “Many of our local REALTOR® members are noting that more shoppers are coming into the market – but this has not necessarily translated into sales numbers. This may change as we move into what is historically the busiest market of the year.”

 

There were 2,647 active listings for sale on the Victoria Real Estate Board Multiple Listing Service® at the end of March 2024, an increase of 12 per cent compared to the previous month of February and a 34.4 per cent increase from the 1,970 active listings for sale at the end of March 2023.

 

“The increases in inventory we’ve seen in recent months really help to improve the health of our market,” adds Chair Lidstone. “We have more inventory for consumers to consider when compared with recent years. This additional inventory improves both buyer and seller confidence as it means people have more options and more reassurance that they are going to be able to find their new home. As people buy and move, more properties are added to the available inventory, which supports a much healthier market. Supply really is key, and looking to the future we need to ensure that focus continues on the creation of new homes of all types and price points. If you’re considering a move over the course of the spring market, connect with your favourite local Realtor for to-the-minute insight into our market to create your strategy.”

 

The Multiple Listing Service® Home Price Index benchmark value for a single family home in the Victoria Core in March 2023 was $1,258,300. The benchmark value for the same home in March 2024 increased by 1.7 per cent to $1,279,300, up from February’s value of $1,247,400. The MLS® HPI benchmark value for a condominium in the Victoria Core area in March 2023 was $549,000 while the benchmark value for the same condominium in March 2024 increased by 3.3 per cent to $567,300, up from the February value of $557,000.

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More inventory means greater opportunity in Victoria real estate market


A total of 470 properties sold in the Victoria Real Estate Board region this February, 2.2 per cent more than the 460 properties sold in February 2023 and a 37.8 per cent increase from January 2024. Sales of condominiums were down 5.6 per cent from February 2023 with 152 units sold. Sales of single family homes increased 1.8 per cent from February 2023 with 224 sold.


“We saw glimmers of a start to the spring market over the course of February,” said 2024 Victoria Real Estate Board Chair Laurie Lidstone. “In addition to the increase in sales, more than five hundred new listings came to market when compared to last year’s inventory numbers. This much needed inventory gives buyers more selection and more time to make their purchasing decisions. We’ve also seen prices continue to remain stable, which is excellent for buyers and sellers because it makes the transaction much more predictable.”

 

There were 2,364 active listings for sale on the Victoria Real Estate Board Multiple Listing Service® at the end of February 2024, an increase of 10.5 per cent compared to the previous month of January and a 30.7 per cent increase from the 1,809 active listings for sale at the end of February 2023.

 

“We noted an increase in townhome sales this past month,” adds Chair Lidstone. “Townhomes are an important segment of missing middle housing, one that is undersupplied in the Greater Victoria area. Hopefully the fifty per cent increase in townhome sales compared to last year will encourage more development of this type of housing to meet our missing middle housing needs. If you are considering a move this coming spring, it’s a great time to connect with your REALTOR® to make a plan.”

 

The Multiple Listing Service® Home Price Index benchmark value for a single family home in the Victoria Core in February 2023 was $1,251,000. The benchmark value for the same home in February 2024 decreased by 0.3 per cent to $1,247,400, up from January’s value of $1,244,000. The MLS® HPI benchmark value for a condominium in the Victoria Core area in February 2023 was $549,300 while the benchmark value for the same condominium in February 2024 increased by 1.4 per cent to $557,000, down from the January value of $559,000.

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A balanced market means opportunity for buyers and sellers in Victoria


A total of 341 properties sold in the Victoria Real Estate Board region this January, 22.7 per cent more than the 278 properties sold in January 2023 and a 3.6 per cent increase from December 2023. Sales of condominiums were up 10.9 per cent from January 2023 with 112 units sold. Sales of single family homes increased 35 per cent from January 2023 with 162 sold.


“Our housing market eased into the new year with a renewed sense of balance,” said 2024 Victoria Real Estate Board Chair Laurie Lidstone. “Sales were up slightly based off last year’s very low numbers, and overall, we saw the stabilization that we observed in late 2023 continue into 2024. Mortgage rates have levelled out, inventory is slowly creeping back up, and we are no longer in that highly pressurized market of recent years which created complicated and sometimes stressful conditions for buyers and sellers.”

 

There were 2,140 active listings for sale on the Victoria Real Estate Board Multiple Listing Service® at the end of January 2024, an increase of 0.4 per cent compared to the previous month of December and a 23.1 per cent increase from the 1,739 active listings for sale at the end of January 2023.

 

“I think this balance and stability in our market brings with it an optimistic outlook for the coming months,” adds Chair Lidstone. “If balanced conditions continue, buyers and sellers will have more time to make decisions and there will be less pressure on pricing. Of course, there are many factors that impact the market here in Victoria, and as we’ve seen in the past things can change very rapidly. If you are considering selling or buying, connect with a local Realtor to identify where your opportunities are as we move towards spring.”

 

The Multiple Listing Service® Home Price Index benchmark value for a single family home in the Victoria Core in January 2023 was $1,224,000. The benchmark value for the same home in January 2024 increased by 1.6 per cent to $1,244,000 down from December’s value of $1,268,000. The MLS® HPI benchmark value for a condominium in the Victoria Core area in January 2023 was $562,200 while the benchmark value for the same condominium in January 2024 decreased by 0.6 per cent to $559,000, down from the December value of $562,000.

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The 2023 Victoria real estate market year in review 


A total of 329 properties sold in the Victoria Real Estate Board region this December, 2.8 per cent more than the 320 properties sold in December 2022 and a 16.5 per cent decrease from November 2023. Sales of condominiums were up 14.9 per cent from December 2022 with 108 units sold. Sales of single family homes increased 1.3 per cent from December 2022 with 158 sold.


A grand total of 6,207 properties sold over the course of 2023, 8.77 per cent fewer than the 6,804 sold in 2022.


“I’ve spoken a lot this year about our market’s return to traditional seasonal patterns,” said 2023 Victoria Real Estate Board Chair Graden Sol. “And at the conclusion of 2023 we can see that this trend continues. This is a welcome relief for sellers and buyers after an extraordinary five years of real estate market disruption. Everyone benefits from a more predictable real estate market, so it is encouraging to see the rhythm of seasonal trends reestablished. If this continues into 2024, we should see more inventory added in January and February and an increase in sales as consumers prepare for the spring market. True to seasonal form, December met expectations and was a slow month, both for sales and for new listings.”


There were 2,132 active listings for sale on the Victoria Real Estate Board Multiple Listing Service® at the end of December 2023, a decrease of 19.4 per cent compared to the previous month of November but a 26.3 per cent increase from the 1,688 active listings for sale at the end of December 2022.


“The single biggest impact on the housing market this year was interest rates,” added Chair Sol. “The increased cost of borrowing money meant that consumers had less purchasing power, which resulted in a drop in transactions. There is however still huge demand for housing in our market and as we move forward into 2024 and beyond, we need to continue to put focus on the creation of new supply so that as market activity increases prices don’t increase as quickly. The only way to moderate housing prices is to bring supply closer to meeting demand. As always, our market is subject to many influences and the purchase and sale process is complex. if you are contemplating buying or selling in 2023, call your favourite local Realtor who can create the best strategy for you and for your property.”


The Multiple Listing Service® Home Price Index benchmark value for a single family home in the Victoria Core in December 2022 was $1,236,500. The benchmark value for the same home in December 2023 increased by 2.5 per cent to $1,268,000, down from November’s value of $1,286,400. The MLS® HPI benchmark value for a condominium in the Victoria Core area in December 2022 was $565,800 while the benchmark value for the same condominium in December 2023 decreased by 0.7 per cent to $562,000, down from the November value of $577,400.

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I have sold a property at 601 139 Clarence St in Victoria

I have sold a property at 601 139 Clarence St in Victoria on Dec 15, 2023. See details here

Stunning Panoramic views of the Ocean, James Bay, Downtown and Parliament from this bright and Spacious Clarence House 2 Bed 2 Bath. Excellent layout with large living/dining/kitchen combo, in-suite laundry room, generous bedrooms with the primary featuring an ensuite and walk-in-closet. The monthly strata fee includes heat and hot water. This well maintained Steel & Concrete Building in James Bay has only 4 suites per floor and offers a guest suite, live-in caretaker, pool, hot tub, sauna, lounge, secure gated parking stall, workshop, bike storage and storage locker. This freshly painted unit has new vinyl plank flooring, updated kitchen with cherry cabinets, stainless appliances, quartz countertops, Hunter Douglas blinds and updated bathrooms with quartz top vanities. Amazing location walkable to the ocean, Beacon Hill, parks, shopping and dinning. Well managed strata, with friendly neighbours and community.

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Slower winter markets can benefit buyers and sellers


A total of 394 properties sold in the Victoria Real Estate Board region this November, a 2.6 per cent increase from the 384 properties sold in November 2022 and a 3.2 per cent decrease from October 2023. Sales of condominiums were down 11.8 per cent from November 2022 with 120 units sold. Sales of single family homes increased by 6 per cent from November 2022 with 193 sold.


“It’s unsurprising to see this slight relaxation of sales in the market,” said Victoria Real Estate Board Chair Graden Sol. “Given the current interest rate environment, our sales numbers are lower than long term averages, but the pattern of seasonality within those lower numbers is what we would expect for this part of the year. We have seen a healthy twenty-five per cent increase in the number of listings on market compared to last year and this is positive news as we recover from that long-term trend of very low inventory.”


There were 2,644 active listings for sale on the Victoria Real Estate Board Multiple Listing Service® at the end of November 2023, a decrease of 4.1 per cent compared to the previous month of October and a 25.2 per cent increase from the 2,111 active listings for sale at the end of November 2022.

“The longer we are in balanced market conditions, the easier transitions for buyers and sellers become,” adds Sol. “Local people who planned to sell and move within the Greater Victoria area may have hesitated to list their homes back when record low inventory meant less choice when they became buyers. Now that we see some balance in the market, these people have more inventory to pick from and may feel more confident listing their existing home. And of course, all buyers are having better experiences with more time and more choice. We always anticipate a seasonal reduction in activity over winter, but if you are contemplating a move in the new year, now is an excellent time to consult with your favourite REALTOR® to create your strategy.”


The Multiple Listing Service® Home Price Index benchmark value for a single family home in the Victoria Core in November 2022 was $1,248,600. The benchmark value for the same home in November 2023 increased by 3 per cent to $1,286,400, which is down from October’s value of $1,305,900. The MLS® HPI benchmark value for a condominium in the Victoria Core area in November 2022 was $568,400, while the benchmark value for the same condominium in November 2023 increased by 1.6 per cent to $577,400, which is down from the October value of $585,600.

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Interest rates a large factor in Victoria real estate market


A total of 407 properties sold in the Victoria Real Estate Board region this October, 15.2 per cent fewer than the 480 properties sold in October 2022 and a 17.4 per cent decrease from September 2023. Sales of condominiums were down 7.2 per cent from October 2022 with 141 units sold. Sales of single family homes decreased 16.1 per cent from October 2022 with 193 sold.

 

“Overall, property sales drifted down in October compared to the previous month, likely due to consumers continuing to navigate interest rates higher than those seen in nearly two decades,” said Victoria Real Estate Board Chair Graden Sol. “The uncertainty around the direction of the Bank of Canada rate announcement in mid-October may have caused some buyers to push their purchasing plans into the future because it was unclear if rates were going to be hiked again or remain stable. Generally speaking, when we have periods of static interest rates, consumer confidence returns to the market. We can recall earlier in the year when rates plateaued; we saw an uptick in sales in the weeks after. However, when rates began to rise again, we saw consumer confidence falter.”

 

There were 2,756 active listings for sale on the Victoria Real Estate Board Multiple Listing Service® at the end of October 2023, an increase of 2.1 per cent compared to the previous month of September and a 25.7 per cent increase from the 2,192 active listings for sale at the end of October 2022.

 

“The good news in October was that we continued to see a slow and steady increase in the number of available properties for sale,” adds Sol. “This additional inventory is positive for buyers who will have more selection than they’ve experienced in recent years. The real estate market tends to slow down in late fall and winter, but there are still a good number of active buyers. If you’re thinking about making a move during the colder months, reach out to your local REALTOR® to plan your strategy.”

 

The Multiple Listing Service® Home Price Index benchmark value for a single family home in the Victoria Core in October 2022 was $1,257,100. The benchmark value for the same home in October 2023 increased by 3.9 per cent to $1,305,900, which is down from September’s value of $1,312,200. The MLS® HPI benchmark value for a condominium in the Victoria Core area in October 2022 was $575,300, while the benchmark value for the same condominium in October 2023 increased by 1.8 per cent to $585,600, which is down from the September value of $589,600.

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A total of 493 properties sold in the Victoria Real Estate Board region this September, 20.2 per cent more than the 410 properties sold in September 2022 and a 9.4 per cent decrease from August 2023. Sales of condominiums were up 23 per cent from September 2022 with 155 units sold. Sales of single family homes increased 3.2 per cent from September 2022 with 228 sold.


“What we saw in our market last month was a continuation of the seasonal market trend we expect in a typical year as we move into fall,” said Victoria Real Estate Board Chair Graden Sol. “We have seen a slight return to a more balanced market in recent weeks. Our inventory right now features almost a thousand more listings for sale than we saw than at the start of this year.”


There were 2,699 active listings for sale on the Victoria Real Estate Board Multiple Listing Service® at the end of September 2023, an increase of 8.4 per cent compared to the previous month of August and a 17.3 per cent increase from the 2,300 active listings for sale at the end of September 2022.


“That increase in inventory means there are more properties for prospective buyers,” Sol notes. “More inventory also means buyers may have more time to shop, though in many of our local markets a well-priced property will sell rapidly, and we’re still seeing some multiple offer situations. The challenge of the day is that there are many buyers who hope to find homes in the missing middle – families who seek two- or three-bedroom homes at attainable price points – who are challenged by our current interest rate environment. Though housing prices have remained reasonably stable this year, the cost of carrying a mortgage has increased tremendously. This means that many first-time buyers and families are unable to purchase homes in our current market. With so many variables at play in each of the micro markets within Greater Victoria, it’s a good time to meet with your Realtor to discuss strategy if you are considering a move.”


The Multiple Listing Service® Home Price Index benchmark value for a single family home in the Victoria Core in September 2022 was $1,299,500. The benchmark value for the same home in September 2023 increased by 1 per cent to $1,312,200, which is down from August’s value of $1,323,900. The MLS® HPI benchmark value for a condominium in the Victoria Core area in September 2022 was $581,500, while the benchmark value for the same condominium in September 2023 increased by 1.4 per cent to $589,600, which is up from the August value of $582,000.

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Victoria real estate market needs better mix of housing supply to help restore balance

A total of 544 properties sold in the Victoria Real Estate Board region this August, 13.8 per cent more than the 478 properties sold in August 2022 and an 8.6 per cent decrease from July 2023. Sales of condominiums were up 10.8 per cent from August 2022 with 164 units sold. Sales of single family homes increased 9.6 per cent from August 2022 with 273 sold.


 


“Real estate activity this month reflected what we’d expect to see in an average late summer housing market,” said Victoria Real Estate Board Chair Graden Sol. “The beginning of the month was reasonably slow, and sales ramped up through the last half of the month. The brisk sales pace leading up to the end of August may very well continue into September.”


 


There were 2,490 active listings for sale on the Victoria Real Estate Board Multiple Listing Service® at the end of August 2023, an increase of 2.9 per cent compared to the previous month of July and a 16.5 per cent increase from the 2,137 active listings for sale at the end of August 2022.


 


"The focus in our market and by all levels of government needs to be on opening up more supply," Sol notes. "Our inventory levels, though up from last year, are still too low to support a well-balanced market. A decade ago, we saw over 5,000 active listings in August. Another important piece of supply is the housing mix that is available. Most residential properties for sale in our market last month were single family homes – this type of property is generally at the top price point. Missing middle homes, such as townhomes and condos represented only 37.1% of listings for sale. Townhomes, which in my experience are what a lot of families hope to purchase, represented only 9.8% of the residential properties for sale. This imbalance in the mix of housing options means there is the potential for more price pressure on these types of properties because demand is concentrated at more attainable price points."


 


The Multiple Listing Service® Home Price Index benchmark value for a single family home in the Victoria Core in August 2022 was $1,327,700. The benchmark value for the same home in August 2023 decreased by 0.3 per cent to $1,323,900, which is up from July’s value of $1,318,800. The MLS® HPI benchmark value for a condominium in the Victoria Core area in August 2022 was $583,700, while the benchmark value for the same condominium in August 2023 decreased by 0.3 per cent to $582,000, which is up from the July value of $578,000.

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