CONTACT
RSS

Victoria Real Estate Market Statistics for the Month of April
Victoria Spring market far from the usual as real estate continues to react to pandemic
 
A total of 287 properties sold in the Victoria Real Estate Board region this April, 58.8 per cent fewer than the 696 properties sold in April 2019 and 52.8 per cent fewer than the previous month of March 2020. Sales of condominiums were down 64 per cent from April 2019 with 73 units sold. Sales of single family homes were down 55.8 per cent from April 2019 with 163 sold.
 
"We continue to see the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the local real estate market," says Victoria Real Estate Board President Sandi-Jo Ayers. "Sales numbers are much lower than what we expected to see this spring and new listings are slow to come to market as owners wait to see what our community's trajectory is over the course of this pandemic. As a result, the available inventory of properties for sale remains lower than in April last year. Like so many other industries, much of the real estate market is watching, waiting and adapting."  
 
There were 2,305 active listings for sale on the Victoria Real Estate Board Multiple Listing Service® at the end of April 2020, 16.2 percent fewer properties than the total available at the end of April 2019 but a 2.4 per cent increase from the 2,252 active listings for sale at the end of March 2020.  
 
"Real estate services and REALTORS® were declared an essential service by our province in March in order to protect consumers who need to make real estate transactions during this time," adds Ayers. "This responsibility has opened opportunities for our profession to adapt our way of doing business to ensure our community's health is protected. Technology has allowed us to move much of our work online. Now you can participate in an open house from the comfort of your couch and manage your contracts and negotiations securely online. Of course, the vast majority of transactions still require an in-person showing at some point and so local Realtors are ensuring they are adhering to the advice of the Provincial Health Officer. We know that we are in complex times, but also that some people need to buy and sell. Our message has been and will be moving forward - if you need us, we are here."
 
The Multiple Listing Service® Home Price Index benchmark value for a single family home in the Victoria Core in April 2019 was $843,500. The benchmark value for the same home in April 2020 increased by 4.6 per cent to $882,700, 0.6 per cent more than March's value of $877,700. The MLS® HPI benchmark value for a condominium in the Victoria Core area in April 2019 was $512,700 while the benchmark value for the same condominium in April 2020 increased by 3.5 per cent to $530,700, 0.2 per cent less than the March value of $531,900.
 

Read

The real estate boom gripping B.C., and the city of Victoria in particular, has been historic on nearly all fronts. The frenzy to snatch up Victoria Real Estate soil kicked off after the 2013 boom in real estate in Vancouver. Bidding wars for detached homes spread like wildfire, pushing sales to a record in 2017, along with dollar volumes, which hit high prices driving the average home price up in Victoria

In response to public angst about runaway housing costs, policymakers at all levels dog-piled onto the real estate market, announcing a foreign buyers tax, mortgage stress tests and a hike in the property transfer tax. Meanwhile, the Chinese government took swift action to curb capital outflows, requiring citizens to pledge that they wouldn’t use cash leaving the country to buy property. Outflows from China plunged, however rumour has it that rich investors are still finding ways of laundering their money out of China to invest in Real Estate in Canada.

Increased taxation has pushed foreign bids aside, as a watch and hold approach is now being taken. With a $3-million purchase now requiring those buyers to cough up over half a million in levies upon closing. Local purchasers have been stymied by rising mortgage costs and tougher qualifying rules. A typical Victria household with an average mortgage would have to increase their salary two fold to be able to keep up with this ever increasing housing market.


We are optimistic that over the next few years there will be an increase in supply of housing, bringing the market into equilibrium and making housing more affordable for the average Canadian.

Read

Speculation Tax Update

The British Columbia government recently announced a “Speculation Tax” effective for the 2018 tax year. Details on the Speculation Tax have been limited especially given the magnitude and scope of the new tax. Below is some information released to date along with a link to the most recent Ministry of Finance Information Sheet:
So far the B.C. Government has advised the following:
   
Speculation Tax:

1.     The Speculation Tax will target foreign and domestic speculators in BC. 

2.     Exemptions will be available for:
a.     Principal residences (excluding satellite families – households with high worldwide income that pay little income tax in BC )
b.     Qualifying long-term rental properties (no specific definitions of long term rental provided)
c.      Certain special cases
3.      A non-refundable income tax credit will help offset the tax for BC residents. This will leave the bulk of the tax levied on vacant and short-term rental properties owned by individuals who do not live in BC, as well as satellite families.
4.     In 2018, the tax rate will be 0.5% of assessed value. In 2019, the rate will increase to 2% of assessed value.
5.     The Speculation Tax will initially apply to the Metro Vancouver, Fraser Valley, Capital and Nanaimo Regional Districts, and in the municipalities of Kelowna and West Kelowna.
At this time the following concerns and practice points have not been addressed:
1.    No grandfathering announced for existing owners or buyers currently under a contract of purchase and sale.   
2.  No announcement whether this tax can form a lien or is otherwise attached to the Speculator’s property (including after the Speculator’s property is sold in which case a Non-Speculator Buyer may be liable for a Speculator Seller’s tax liability).
3.  No announcement on how the Speculation Tax is to be prorated when a Speculator Seller has paid the tax for the year and the property is then sold to a Non-Speculator Buyer. 
4.  No announcement on any Seller or Government certificates that may protect a Buyer from tax liability when purchasing from a Speculator Seller or a Seller that the government may later deem to be a Speculator.
5.  No announcement on suggested changes to the Contract of Purchase and Sale that may be required to deal with liability to both buyers and sellers due to the proposed tax (including a Non-Speculator Buyer that may be liable for tax liability from a Seller that is later deemed to be
Many Realtors have commented that there appears to be a new landscape where government passes sweeping legislative changes often times on short notice, without grandfathering, without consultation with industry and with significant penalties (for example penalties of double the tax, interest on the tax, a fine up to $250,000 and up to two years in prison for Realtors providing certain advice or preparing certain documents under the Property Transfer Tax Act). Given this constantly changing landscape, we appreciate that you and your clients may wish to work with a law firm that is well-versed in these matters and Mullin DeMeo is proud to continue to assist you and your clients in this regard. If you have any questions on the above or any other real estate related matter, please do not hesitate to contact our office at any time.
Read

Victoria Real Estate Market Adapts to Changing Policy Landscape

A total of 545 properties sold in the Victoria Real Estate Board region this February, 19.3 per cent fewer than the 675 properties sold in February last year. The sales of condominiums were down 15.5 per cent from last year in February with 174 units sold. Single family homes were 24.4 per cent down from the year previous, with 260 sold this February.

"We certainly anticipated that we would see some lower numbers this year compared to last," says Victoria Real Estate Board President Kyle Kerr. "Right now prospective home buyers are met with many hurdles as they start shopping for their new home. They're in a market that's experienced long-term low inventory, which means more price pressure and competition on homes. Buyers are navigating increasing interest rates and the new mortgage stress test. These factors all combine to constrain our market. Like any changes to consumer experience, there is a period of response before consumers adapt to the new rules. We saw an increase in buyers in November and December who bought early to avoid the mortgage stress test, and this likely means less buyers in the current market. However, with continued historical low inventory levels, demand is still outpacing supply."

There were a total of 1,545 active listings for sale on the Victoria Real Estate Board Multiple Listing Service® at the end of February 2018, an increase of 3.6 per cent compared to the month of January and 0.5 per cent more than the 1,537 active listings for sale at the end of February 2017.

"The provincial government recently rolled out its budget, which includes an admirable commitment to spend six billion dollars to build 114,000 units in ten years," adds President Kerr. "These units will take years to come to market, and it is difficult to predict how many we will see in Victoria. The government needs a long-term approach to supply needs in our area, and that initial commitment is a good start. A reasonable way to bolster their commitment and improve current conditions is for the province to work with our municipalities to reduce the timelines and costs associated with bringing new housing to our market."
 
The Multiple Listing Service® Home Price Index benchmark value for a single family home in the Victoria Core in February 2017 was $771,100, while the benchmark value for the same home in February 2018 increased by 9 per cent to $840,300, slightly higher than January's value of $831,900. The MLS® HPI benchmark value for a condominium in the Victoria Core area in February 2017 was $394,400, while the benchmark value for the same condominium in February 2018 increased by 19.85 per cent to $472,600, which is slightly higher than January's value of $460,500.


 
About the Victoria Real Estate Board - Founded in 1921, the Victoria Real Estate Board is a key player in the development of standards and innovative programs to enhance the professionalism of REALTORS®. The Victoria Real Estate Board represents 1,371 local Realtors. If you are thinking about buying or selling a home, connect with your local Realtor for detailed information on the Victoria and area housing market. 
 
 
Read
Categories:   1029 view st | 1061 Fort St | 1188 Yates | 128 Amphion Terrace | 2018 | 2018 MLS Statistics Victoria | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2417 Beacon Avenue | 3010 washington Ave | 439 cook st | 515 Chatham | 751 fairfield rd | 760 johnson st | 881 short st | 881 uptown | 930 yates | abstract | abstract development | accountant | acreage | Activity Book | affordable homes | agreement of purchase | air bnb | Apartment | approach seller direction | April statistics | astoria | august 2022 | bare trustee | bc | BC Energy | bc home assessed value | BC Housing | bc landlords | BC Real Estate Council | BC Real Estate Foundation | BC Real Estate Rules | bc speculation tax | bc tax rules | bc title | bcrea | Bear Mountain | Belmont | beneficial interest | best realtor | bosa development | british columbia | british columbia real estate | building warranty | Buy | buy a condo in cedar hill | Buy Apartment | Buy Apartment Victoria BC | Buy Condo | Buy Condo Victoria | Buy Condo Victoria BC | Buy Home | Buy Home Victoria BC | Buy House Victoria BC | Buy In Victoria BC | Buy Property | buy real estate in Rockland victoria bc | buyer | buyers | buyers tax | Buying | Buying Home | Buying A ForeClosed Home | Buying A House | Buying A House With Cash | Buying An Investment Property | Buying Property | Buying Rental Property | Buying Your First Home | BuyingProperty | canada | canada home search | Canadian Housing Market | cannabis rules | capital park | cedar hill | central saanich | central saanich waterfront | Century | Century 21 Houses For Sale | Century 21e | character home | City of Saanich | clause to remove junk | close to uvic | CMHC | Co Hatley Park, Colwood Real Estate | coast hotel | concert properties | condo | condo clear | condo downtown | condo for sale | condo project | Condos For Sale | consumer protection | cordova bay | Corona Virus | corporations | Costs House | Costs Of Buying A House | Covid-19 | covid19 | cra | Craigslist Houses | Craigslist Houses For Sale | CS Brentwood Bay, Central Saanich Real Estate | CS Saanichton, Central Saanich Real Estate | customs house | david foster | deceased on title | december | detached Homes | development opportunity | disclosure forms | dockland real estate victoria | downtown | downtown victoria | downtown victoria condo | downtown victoria condos | Downtown Victria | Du West Duncan, Duncan Real Estate | elevate | empty home tax | Es Rockheights, Esquimalt Real Estate | Es Saxe Point, Esquimalt Real Estate | esquimalt | esquimalt home | estate planning | evergreen hill | fairfield condo | fairfield rd | fantastic app | farm | farm land | father | father's day | february real estate statictics | fifteen 88 | fifteen88 | find a home in victoria | find a home victoria bc | find home find | First | First Home | First Time Home Buyer | fisherman's warf | fixed mortgage | for sale by owner | for sale by owner victoria | For Sale In | For Sale On | For Sale Victoria BC | ForeClosed | ForeClosed Home | foreign b | foreign buyer tax | foreign buyer tax in british Columbia | foreign buyers | garden suite | go agent | gst | guidelines | hacks | hamlet park | harbourside | home | Home Buyer | home for sale | Home Partnership Program | Home Prices | home renovations | home search criteria | home warranty | Homes | Homes Sale | homes for sale | homes for sale in victoria bc | homes for sale under $400000 | House | House Buy And Sell | House For Sale In | House Sold | House Victoria BC | House With Cash | houses | Houses For Sale | Houses For Sale On | Houses To Buy In Victoria BC | housing market | hudson one | hudson place | hudson place one | hudson presale | Ilaria | income splitting | Investment Property | January | Jawl | jawl properties | joint tenancy | july statistics | june 15 | June 2018 | june 2020 | june 2022 | junk removal | Kijiji Homes | Kijiji Homes For Sale | kitma rd | La Bear Mountain, Langford Real Estate | La Florence Lake, Langford Real Estate | La Glen Lake, Langford Real Estate | La Happy Valley, Langford Real Estate | La Westhills, Langford Real Estate | Ladysmith | landlord | lanford | langford | lefreve | legal | legato | luxury | luxury condo | luxury condo inner harbour | luxury home | luxury real estate | luxury tax | luxury waterfront | manhattan | March | march statistics | marigold | Market | market on yates | Market Value | May | May 2020 real estate | may 2021 real estate | may statistics | me | misrepresentation | ML Mill Bay, Malahat & Area Real Estate | MLS | MLS 2018 August | mls app | mls statistics | mortgage | mosaic | Multi Family Properties | Multi Family Properties For Sale | Na North Nanaimo, Nanaimo Real Estate | nanaimo | near | new bc budget 2018 | New Condos | New Condos For Sale Victoria BC | new foreign entity tax | New Homes | New Homes For Sale Victoria BC | New Houses | New Houses For Sale Victoria BC | New realtor | new tax rules | newsletter october | newsletter september | non-resident | north dairy rd | Norway House Buy And Sell | november | NS Dean Park, North Saanich Real Estate | NS Lands End, North Saanich Real Estate | OB South Oak Bay, Oak Bay Real Estate | ocean view | october | october 2022 | Offer | Old Houses | Old Houses For Sale | openhouse | outbreak | Pandemic | parking | parkside | parkside hotel | parkside presale | polo village | Possession Dates | Pre-sale | pre-sale home | preconstruction | presale | presale condo | price | Properties | Properties For Sale | property | property guys | property transfer tax | purchase agreement | Purple Bricks | Purple Bricks Homes For Sale | real estate | real estate app | real estate estat | real estate estatistics | Real Estate Foundation BC | real estate news | real estate purchase | real estate rule changes | Real Estate Sold | real estate statistics | real estate tax | Real Estate Victori | real estate victoria | realtor | Realtor Houses For Sale | realtor tipline | realtor.ca | realtors | Remax | Remax Land | Remax Land For Sale | Rental | Rental Property | resale downtown victoria condo | residenes | residential property | resources | rockland real estate victoria | roundhouse rise | saanich garden suite | Sale | Sale Victoria BC | save money | saxe point | school | scrap speculation tax | SE Cedar Hill, Saanich East Real Estate | SE Cordova Bay, Saanich East Real Estate | SE Maplewood, Saanich East Real Estate | SE Mt Doug, Saanich East Real Estate | SE Mt Tolmie, Saanich East Real Estate | SE Swan Lake, Saanich East Real Estate | search for homes on MLS | second property | selkirk waterway | Sell My House | Sell My House Fast For Market Value | sell your home in victoria | seller | sellers | Sellers Market | selling | september | september real estate news | sidney | Sidney condo | sidney condo project victoria | Sk East Sooke, Sooke Real Estate | Sk John Muir, Sooke Real Estate | Sold | Sold Homes | Sold properties | specul | specula | speculation | speculation ta | speculation tax | speculation tax for foreigners in British Columbia | Statistical Updates | statistics | Step One Code | Steps To Buying A House | storage | strata | strata insurance | strata tips | stress test | subdivision | SW Marigold, Saanich West Real Estate | SW Northridge, Saanich West Real Estate | SW Portage Inlet, Saanich West Real Estate | SW Royal Oak, Saanich West Real Estate | SW Strawberry Vale, Saanich West Real Estate | SW Tillicum, Saanich West Real Estate | Tax | tax avoidance penalties property transfer tax | tax changes | tax changes in bc | tax fraud | tax penalties | Tax rukes | tax rules | tax splitting | telephone scam | Tenancy | tenancy laws | tenanted properties | tenants | the aragon | the haro | the jukebox | the juliet | the manhattan | the manhattan 930 yates | the nest | the railyards | thetis Glen | thetisglen | timeshare | tips | tips on virtual open house | title insurance | Top Realtor | Top Realtor Victoria BC | townhouse | Townhouses | Townhouses Victoria BC | Townhouses For Sale Victoria BC | Tresah | Troke | trust agreements | Trusts | two lots | ubc | under 600 000 | vacation home | vancouver | variable mortgage | Vi Burnside, Victoria Real Estate | Vi Downtown, Victoria Real Estate | Vi Fairfield West, Victoria Real Estate | Vi Fernwood, Victoria Real Estate | Vi James Bay, Victoria Real Estate | Vi Jubilee, Victoria Real Estate | Vi Mayfair, Victoria Real Estate | Vi Rockland, Victoria Real Estate | vic west new condo project | victora | victoria | Victoria August 2018 MLS Statistics | victoria bc | victoria bc canada | victoria bc home find | Victoria BC Home Prices | victoria condo | victoria condo market 2019 | victoria Day parade | victoria homes | victoria housing bubble | victoria inner harbour | victoria luxury condo | Victoria New Condos For Sale | victoria pre sale | victoria property | victoria property searc | victoria property search | victoria real estate | victoria real estate board | Victoria Real estate statistics | victoria speculation tax | Victoria Top Realtor | victoria townhouse | victoria waterfront | victoria waterfront condo | Victoria Waterfront Properties | vip | virtual open house | VR Prior Lake, View Royal Real Estate | VR Six Mile, View Royal Real Estate | VR View Royal, View Royal Real Estate | VREB | VW Songhees, Victoria West Real Estate | VW Victoria West, Victoria West Real Estate | water view | waterfront | waterfront condo | waterfront property | waterview | wharf street | what is happening with BC speculation tax | yates
Categories
MLS® property information is provided under copyright© by the Vancouver Island Real Estate Board and Victoria Real Estate Board. The information is from sources deemed reliable, but should not be relied upon without independent verification.