Category: B.C. Real Estate News

Vancouver, BC – May 31, 2012. The BCREA Commercial Leading Indicator (CLI) rose for the third consecutive quarter, advancing 1.3 index points, or 1.2 per cent, to a revised index level of 111.91. On a quarter-over-quarter basis, the CLI is now 3.2 per cent above its level in the first quarter 2011.

“The trend in the CLI has turned sharply upward, reflecting several months of strong underlying data,” said Brendon Ogmundson, BCREA Economist.  “This signals a potential acceleration commercial real estate activity in the subsequent two to four quarters.”

This quarter’s increase in the CLI was driven by calmer global financial conditions to start 2012 as Euro-based fears cooled. The financial component of the CLI accounted for over one-third of CLI’s gain in the first quarter, with manufacturing output and employment growth also making a significant contribution.

“However, given the re-emergence of fears surrounding the Eurozone, last quarter’s gains may be only temporary,” added Ogmundson.

Vancouver, BC – April 13, 2012. The British Columbia Real Estate Association (BCREA) reports that the dollar volume of homes sold through Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) in BC declined 26.5 per cent to $3.8 billion in March compared to the same month last year. A total of 6,882 MLS® residential unit sales were recorded over the same period, a decline of 20 per cent. The average MLS® residential price was $545,959 in March, 8.1 per cent lower than in March 2011.

“The spike in consumer demand recorded a year ago was not repeated last month,” said Cameron Muir, BCREA Chief Economist. “A marked increase in high-end home sales a year ago pushed up unit sales and skewed average prices higher, so it’s no surprise to see fewer home sales and lower average prices in March of this year.”

Year-to-date, BC residential sales dollar volume declined 17 per cent to $9.2 billion, compared to the same period last year. Residential unit sales dipped 12.7 per cent to 16,724 units, while the average MLS® residential price edged back 5 per cent to $552,785 over the same period.

KPMG released a useful chart showing what HST home buyers will pay if they plan to be the primary resident in a new home. Click the image below to enlarge and the PDF is included below (see link).

BC HST Break Down

The BC Government recently released the BC First Time New Home Buyers’ Bonus program which would grant first time home buyers up to $10,000 back with the purchase of a new home. The requirements to qualify are below and to view the full PDF click the following link: 2012 First Time Home Buyers Fact Sheet.

You will qualify as a first-time new home buyer if:

– You purchase or build an eligible new home located in B.C.;
– You, or for couples, you and your spouse or common law partner, have never previously owned a primary residence;
– You file a 2011 B.C. resident personal income tax return, or if you move to B.C. after December 31, 2011, you file a 2012 B.C. resident personal income tax return (you will not be eligible for the bonus if you move to B.C. after December 31, 2012);
– You are eligible for the B.C. HST New Housing Rebate; and
– You intend to live in the home as your primary residence.