BC Housing Demand Remains Mixed in October, BCREA
Vancouver, BC – November 15, 2016. The British Columbia Real Estate Association (BCREA) reports that 7,272 residential unit sales were recorded by the Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) in October, down 16.7 per cent from the same month last year. Total sales dollar volume was $4.4 billion in October, down 24.2 per cent compared to the previous year. The average MLS® residential price in the province was $606,787, a decline of 9.1 per cent compared to the same month last year.
“Housing demand remained mixed across the province in October,” said Cameron Muir, BCREA Chief Economist. “Home sales across the Lower Mainland were down from the elevated levels of one year ago, but stabilized on a month to month basis. In contrast, home sales on Vancouver Island and in the interior of the province continue to post strong year-over-year gains.”
“The decline in the average residential price reflects a smaller proportion of transactions in the province originating in Vancouver,” added Muir. Home sales through the Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver fell to 31.4 percent of BC transactions last month, compared to 42.6 per cent a year ago.
Year-to-date, BC residential sales dollar volume increased 27.4 per cent to $70.4 billion, when compared with the same period in 2015. Residential unit sales climbed by 15 per cent to 101,069 units, while the average MLS® residential price was up 10.8 per cent to $696,992.
Monte Creek Ranch Winery planted their vines back in 2009 and started selling their first bottles in 2015. 44 acres of their ranch is devoted to their grape vines, while the rest houses livestock, honey bees, and the Haskap berry which is native to Siberia. Back in 1906 Monte Creek was the last site that Billy Minor executed a train robbery. Monte Creek has marketed their products around this historical event which makes their labeling and story quite unique. Located on the South Shore of the South Thompson River, Monte Creek Ranch has a beautiful tasting room and shop that can be easily identified while traveling to the area. Monte Creek Ranch is only 25 minutes from downtown Kamloops, just past the Vernon turn off. They host a variety of events and community gatherings incorporating things like art, yoga and holiday events. Monte Creek Ranch also has a seasonal restaurant called The Terrace Restaurant. There are a lot of locations to sit and enjoy the scenery at Monte Creek including their beautiful patio with fireplace or many of the grassy knolls. The rural neighbourhood of Monte Creek and 
Privato Vineyard & Winery is the only Kamloops winery not on the South Thompson River. This vineyard is nestled in the rural part of Westsyde, located on the west shore of the North Thompson River. The owners of Woodward’s Tree Farm decided in 2010 to use part of their 88 acres to start their own winery. Privato is located only 25 minutes from Downtown Kamloops or a quick five minutes from the Save-On-Foods in Westsyde. Privato and Woodwards Tree Farm is a great place to visit and is often bustling throughout the year. When visiting Privato you can enjoy a personalized wine tasting, take time to enjoy the scenery and have a lovely picnic on their grounds or in the wine garden. Privato is located in rural 
Sagewood Winery planted their vines in 2005. Family owned and run, they specialize in artisan wines hand crafted in their on-site winery. Located on the North Shore of the South Thompson River, Sagewood is a smaller scale vineyard nestled into the hillside with gorgeous scenery. Sagewood is located 20 minutes from the heart of Kamloops east of the LaFarge Bridge. 
