Vancouver Real Estate News

Latest real estate news from Vancouver BC and Canada by Jay Banks and his Vancouver Homes team

Will a Tax Credit Extension Help the U.S. Market?

American House by La Citta Vita
American Real Estate Market
by La Citta Vita

In the United States, the GDP recorded 3.5% growth in the third quarter – for the first time in a year. Similarly, the once-ailing housing market has shown big improvements since last winter. Is our southern neighbour really waking up?

Right now, the U.S. real estate market is working with 7.5 months’ supply of inventory. This sounds like quite a lot, but compared to January’s 12.4 months’ supply, it is a great improvement. Eyes of all real estate experts (but also potential buyers) are now on one thing – the first time home-buyers’ tax credit.

Buyer demand remains strong while home listings increase

The Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver (REBGV) reports that the number of residential property sales in Greater Vancouver totaled 3,559 in September 2009, an increase of 3.4% from the 3,441 sales recorded in August 2009 and an increase of 124.5% compared to September 2008 when 1,585 sales were recorded.

Since the beginning of the year, the MLSLink Housing Price Index (HPI) benchmark price for all residential properties in Greater Vancouver has increased 13%. Home prices compared to September 2008 levels are up 1.6 per cent.

Bricks and Mortar: A Solid Investment

Annual Residental Avarage Price 1980 2009 2

As an answer to the latest recession in the housing market in Canada, REMAX Canada published a report analyzing the local Canadian housing markets over the last 30 years. The conclusion of the report is simple – bricks and mortar have been one of the safest ways of investing in Canada over the past three decades.