Sunday, May 19, 2024
ADVT 
National

Greater Vancouver home sales start to tick up

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 03 Jul, 2020 10:24 PM
  • Greater Vancouver home sales start to tick up

Home sales in the Greater Vancouver area are starting to return to more typical levels after dipping to four-decade lows in April, while prices continue to edge up from 2019.

Residential sales last month reached 2,443, a 64.5 per cent jump from May and a 17.6 per cent year-over-year increase.

The figure still hovered 21.9 per cent below the 10-year sales average for June.

Board chair Colette Gerber said realtors and their clients are getting more used to exploring and showcasing homes remotely through video tours and floor-plan reviews as buyers and sellers alike acclimate to health protocols amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Much more of the real estate transaction is happening virtually today," Gerber said in a release Friday.

"Over the last three months, home buyers and sellers have become more comfortable operating within the physical distancing and other safety protocols in place."

New home listings rose 21.8 per cent to 5,787 in June compared with a year earlier, a leap of 57.1 per cent from May, the board said.

The sales-to-active listings ratio was 21.4 per cent, well outside the range analysts consider as signalling potential for downward pressure on prices.

Prices have held steady over the last few months, with the composite benchmark index price at $1.03 million in June.

The figure marks a 0.3 per cent dip compared to May but a 3.5 per cent boost from June 2019.

In April, home sales in the Greater Vancouver area hit their lowest levels in nearly 40 years due to fallout from the virus, and experts said price declines could be expected to follow eventually.

MORE National ARTICLES

Canada almost self-sufficient in PPE as Canadian businesses step up: PM

Canada almost self-sufficient in PPE as Canadian businesses step up: PM
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says Canadian companies are now producing so much personal protective equipment needed in the fight against COVID-19 that Canada is almost at the point of being self-sufficient.

Canada almost self-sufficient in PPE as Canadian businesses step up: PM

A look at COVID-19 travel restrictions in each province and territory

A look at COVID-19 travel restrictions in each province and territory
If you're looking to explore Canada this summer, you'll first have to navigate the fluctuating patchwork of travel restrictions aimed at preventing the spread of the novel coronavirus throughout the country.

A look at COVID-19 travel restrictions in each province and territory

WE Charity only organization capable of running COVID-19 volunteer program: PM

WE Charity only organization capable of running COVID-19 volunteer program: PM
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says the non-partisan civil service, not him, decided the WE charity was the best option to dole out grants to students who volunteer in this summer.

WE Charity only organization capable of running COVID-19 volunteer program: PM

Most know little about prominent Indigenous, racialized Canadians, survey suggests

Most know little about prominent Indigenous, racialized Canadians, survey suggests
Indigenous and other racialized Canadians have been shaping the country's history and culture for centuries, but a new poll suggests most Canadians have a lot to learn about most of them.

Most know little about prominent Indigenous, racialized Canadians, survey suggests

National data standards in the works after COVID-19 highlighted info gaps: Hajdu

National data standards in the works after COVID-19 highlighted info gaps: Hajdu
Health Minister Patty Hajdu says federal officials are working on national standards for health data collection after the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted major gaps in information.

National data standards in the works after COVID-19 highlighted info gaps: Hajdu

Extradition cases never dropped for political, diplomatic reasons, PM was advised

Extradition cases never dropped for political, diplomatic reasons, PM was advised
The section of Canada's extradition law that the federal government is being urged to apply to drop the extradition case against Meng Wanzhou has rarely been used — and never for diplomatic or political reasons.

Extradition cases never dropped for political, diplomatic reasons, PM was advised