Hello Everyone!

First I wanted to say a massive THANK YOU, to all of you, for confidence, support and business over this past year. As a result, I received a Sales Achievement Award from Macdonald Realty for 2016, and am second overall at my office. I am excited to continue serving you in 2017.


I hope you have all managed to stay safe, warm and dry during 'snow-meggedon'! Now I know what it's like to be in other parts of Canada during the winter.

Our snowy weather has contributed, no doubt, to a slower start to the real estate market this year. Home sales and listings trends are below long-term averages in the Metro Vancouver housing market. This is due largely to reduced activity in the detached home market.

Residential property sales in the region were down 39.5% compared to January 2016 and an 11.1% fewer compared to December 2016. While January is traditionally the slowest month for real estate sales, last month’s sales were 10.3% below our 10-year January sales average.

“From a real estate perspective, it’s a lukewarm start to the year compared to 2016,” Dan Morrison, Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver (REBGV) president said. “While we saw near record-breaking sales at this time last year, home buyers and sellers are more reluctant to engage so far in 2017.”

“Conditions within the market vary depending on property type. The townhome and condominium markets are more active than the detached market at the moment,” Morrison said. “As a result, detached home prices declined about 7 per cent since peaking in July while townhome and condominium prices held steady over this period.”

This past month has seen further changes introduced by our premier, Kristy Clark. After announcing the 15% foreign buyer's tax last August, in a bid to cool the overheating market, the provincial liberal party has now lifted the tax for those with work permits. The announcement was made on the 30th of January, so we will see what affect this has on the market in the coming months.

You can read more about that here: http://business.financialpost.com/personal-finance/mortgages-real-estate/b-c-lifts-foreign-buyers-tax-for-people-with-work-permits

Looking specifically at Vancouver, detached homes finished January firmly in a Buyer's market, with more properties listed, but less sales occurring than previous months. Townhomes, which are a relatively small market segment, have moved to a more balanced market...but condos are still a seller's market on both the east and west sides of the city.


Here is the snapshot. Please get in touch if you'd like more information on Vancouver, or other areas in the GVRD:

You may or may not have heard, but there were changes announced for the Property Transfer Tax (PTT) yesterday. The PTT is a provincial tax paid by buyers when a property changes title (so when you purchase).

Since it's introduction in the late 80's, it has been calculated at:
1% on the first $200K and 2% on the balance of the purchase price.

First time home buyers are exempt from paying for homes up to $475K. There is a partial exemption between $475K and $500K.

Here is a quick summary of the changes:

1.    There are no changes to the first time home buyer exemption limits;

2.    All buyers (whether first time buyers or not) no longer pay PTT on purchases of NEW homes up to $750,000 in value; note the buyer must be a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident; there is a partial exemption for homes between $750,000.00 and $800,000.00;

3.    PTT has changed so that there is now a 3% tax on amounts over $2,000,000.00. The 3% tax is only paid on the amount over $2,000,000.00, not the full price.

So, great news if you are purchasing a newly built home (up to $750K), not so great news for those buying over $2M...and no change if you are buying a re-sale property.

In my opinion, much more could have been done, namely increasing the threshold from $200K for the 1% calculation to help the many buyers purchasing re-sale property.

Hi Everyone,

Firstly - I wanted to say a huge THANK YOU to all of you. I recently received a Sales Achievement Award for 2015 and would not have done this without your trust, support and confidence in me.

In order to build on this success in 2016, I would like to offer a $100 gift card for any referrals received of your friends, family or colleagues that result in a sale. Please get in touch for more info.

Looking at January, home buyer activity remained at near record levels across the Metro Vancouver housing market. With demand still high, and listings still below average, we continue to see upward pressure on prices.

Residential property sales in Greater Vancouver for January 2016, saw an increase of 31.7% compared January 2015 and a 10.9% decline compared to December 2015.

Last month’s sales were 46% above the 10-year sales average for the month and rank as the second highest January on record.

“Fundamental economics are driving today’s market. Home buyer demand is at near record heights and home seller supply is as low as we’ve seen in many years,” Darcy McLeod, REBGV president said.

New listings for detached, attached and apartment properties in Greater Vancouver saw a 6.2% decline compared to January 2015 and a 119.8% increase compared to December 2015.

“The MLS® is the most powerful real estate marketing system in the country. If you’re thinking of selling, it’s important to talk with your REALTOR® about putting your home on the MLS® system to ensure your property gets maximum exposure,” McLeod said.

The total number of properties currently listed for sale on the MLS® system in Metro Vancouver is 6,635, a 38.6% decline compared to January 2015 (10,811) and a 10.1% increase compared to December 2015 (6,024).

Looking specifically at Vancouver, January finished in a strong seller's market, with most market segments having less than three months supply of inventory.

Come join me on social media or visit my webpage:
Twitter: @kimparish73
Facebook: www.facebook.com/KimParishMacRealty
Web: www.kimparish.com

A large part of my business comes from referrals, so if you or someone you know is interested in buying and/or selling, please pass along my contact information and I would be happy to speak with them about how I can help.

See below for info on Vancouver's east and west sides. Contact me if you'd like more information on this, or on an area not covered here.

Here are the stats:

Hello Everyone,

In a year when the number of homes listed for sale was below historical averages, actual home sales in Metro Vancouver set a new record.

The Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver (REBGV) reports that 2015 home sales were the highest annual total in REBGV history. This was powered early in the year by four straight months with more than 4,000 sales a month from March to June, another first for REBGV.

Sales of detached, attached and apartment properties in 2015 reached 42,326, a 27.8% increase from the sales recorded in 2014, and a 48.4% increase over residential sales in 2013.

The total number of homes listed for sale on the MLS® in 2015 ranked fifth in the last ten years.

"Home buyers were active and motivated throughout 2015 despite the pressure on supply of homes on the market," Darcy McLeod, REBGV president said. "Housing markets typically experience quieter periods within a calendar year, but that wasn't the case in Metro Vancouver last year.". “We often hear economists say that seller’s market conditions put upward pressure on home prices,” McLeod said. “That was certainly the case in 2015, with price increases ranging from 14 to 24% depending on property type.”

December echoed the trend of the past year: higher than average sales for the month, and a lower than average number of listings.
Residential property sales in Greater Vancouver totalled 2,827 in December 2015, an increase of 33.6% from December 2014. The total number of properties currently listed for sale on the MLS® system in Metro Vancouver is 6,024, a 41.6% decline compared to December 2014.

Looking specifically at Vancouver, we finished the year in a very strong seller's market, with most market segments having less than two month's supply of inventory.

Come join me on social media or visit my webpage:
Twitter: @kimparish73
Facebook: www.facebook.com/KimParishMacRealty
Web: www.kimparish.com

A large part of my business comes from referrals, so if you or someone you know is interested in buying and/or selling, please pass along my contact information and I would be happy to speak with them about how I can help.

See below for info on Vancouver's east and west sides. Contact me if you'd like more information on this, or on an area not covered here.

Here are the stats:

Hello Everyone,

Happy Holidays!

Despite the holiday season, housing demand remains strong in the Greater Vancouver area. The story this year has been fairly consistent throughout: lower than average supply and higher than average sales. November was no exception. Home sales reached near record levels even as home listings began the traditional year-end decline. Compared to November 2014, homes sales for Metro Vancouver were up 40.1%. 2015 was the second highest November on record for residential property sales.

The total number of properties listed for sale on the real estate board’s MLS® was 35% lower compared to November 2014.

“Demand remains strong and there are housing options at different price points throughout the region,” Darcy McLeod, REBGV president said. “It’s important to work with your REALTOR® to understand your options before you embark on your home buying journey.”

Looking specifically at Vancouver, November mirrors the rest of the lower mainland. We are seeing very strong Seller's markets across all of the market segments on both the east and west sides of the city. Condos and townhomes/duplexes all with less than two months of supply.

Come join me on social media or visit my webpage:
Twitter: @kimparish73
Facebook: www.facebook.com/KimParishMacRealty
Web: www.kimparish.com

A large part of my business comes from referrals, so if you or someone you know is interested in buying and/or selling, please pass along my contact information and I would be happy to speak with them about how I can help.

See below for info on Vancouver's east and west sides. Contact me if you'd like more information on this, or on an area not covered here.

Here are the stats:

Hello Everyone,

I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving filled with family, friends, love and laughter....and lots of turkey!

This past September generally followed the same trend we have been seeing for 2015: a lower than average number of homes for sale and higher than average sales for the period maintaining a Seller's market across Metro Vancouver. This also is creating upward pressure on housing prices, particularly for detached homes.

The Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver (REBGV) reports that residential property sales in Metro Vancouver reached 3,345 on the Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) in September 2015. This represents a 14.5% increase compared to the 2,922 sales recorded in September 2014, and a 0.5% decrease compared to the 3,362 sales in August 2015.

Last month’s sales were 32.9% above the 10-year sales average for the month.

“Residential home sales have been trending at 25 to 30% above the ten-year sales average for most of the year. The number of homes listed for sale hasn’t been keeping up with the demand,” Darcy McLeod, REBGV president said. “It’s this dynamic that’s placing upward pressure on home prices, particularly in the detached home market.”

New listings for detached, attached and apartment properties in Metro Vancouver totalled 4,846 in September. This represents a 7.9% decline compared to the 5,259 new listings reported in September 2014.

The total number of properties listed for sale on the real estate board’s MLS® is 10,805, a 27% decline compared to September 2014 and a 0.8% decline compared to August 2015.

“At no point this year has the number of homes listed for sale exceeded 14,000, which is the first time this has occurred in the region since 2007,” McLeod said.

Looking specifically at Vancouver, detached homes on the west side have moved into Balanced market territory, just barely. This minor slow down may, in part, be attributed to our upcoming federal election and partially buyer fatigue. Having said that, these conditions have had little impact on other market segments, which still sit firmly in Seller's market territory.

Come join me on social media or visit my webpage:
Twitter: @kimparish73
Facebook: www.facebook.com/KimParishMacRealty
Web: www.kimparish.com

A large part of my business comes from referrals, so if you or someone you know is interested in buying and/or selling, please pass along my contact information and I would be happy to speak with them about how I can help.

See below for info on Vancouver's east and west sides. Contact me if you'd like more information on this, or on an area not covered here.

Here are the stats:

Hello Everyone,

I hope you all had a fantastic Labour Day long weekend! We've had a beautiful summer, weather-wise. Now that people are back from summer holidays and teachers and students are back at school, that 'back to work' feeling is in the air....or is that the telling bite of Autumn?

Metro Vancouver home buyers spent the summer months searching for their next home. Between June and August, home sales were between 25 and 30% above the ten-year sales average.

The Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver (REBGV) reports that residential property sales in Metro Vancouver for August 2015 were 21.3% higher when compared to August 2014, and 15.5% lower compared to the number of sales in July 2015.

Last month’s sales were 27.9% above the 10-year sales average for the month.

“There was no summer lull in our market this year. Home buyers have been working with their REALTORS® throughout the summer months,” Darcy McLeod, REBGV president said. “They’re motivated, but they’re competing for a smaller supply of homes for sale than is typical for this time of year — that’s the dynamic driving our market right now.”. “Those who have a sound buying strategy and an understanding of current price trends are having the most success in today’s market,” McLeod said.

While sales did slow slightly from July to August we are still in a strong Seller's market for Vancouver and most of the lower mainland.

Come join me on social media or visit my webpage:
Twitter: @kimparish73
Facebook: www.facebook.com/KimParishMacRealty
Web: www.kimparish.com

A large part of my business comes from referrals, so if you or someone you know is interested in buying and/or selling, please pass along my contact information and I would be happy to speak with them about how I can help.

See below for info on Vancouver's east and west sides. Contact me if you'd like more information on this, or on an area not covered here.

Here are the stats:

Hi Everyone,

July continued the trend we have been seeing for several months: lower inventory, and higher sales driving a Seller's market in the Vancouver area. Metro Vancouver home sales were more than a third above the 10-year average in July, while the number of homes listed for sale continues to trend below recent years. 

The Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver (REBGV) reports that residential property sales in Metro Vancouver* reached 3,978 on the Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) in July 2015. This represents a 30% increase compared to the 3,061 sales recorded in July 2014, and a decrease of 9.1% compared to the 4,375 sales in June 2015.

Last month’s sales were 33.5% above the 10-year sales average for the month.

“Today’s activity continues to benefit sellers as home buyers compete for the homes available for sale,” Darcy McLeod, REBGV president said.

The total number of properties currently listed for sale on the region’s MLS® is 11,505, a 26.3% decline compared to July 2014 and a 5.5% compared to June 2015.

"Much of today’s activity can be traced to strong consumer confidence, low interest rates, and a reduced supply of homes for sale.” McLeod said. “We have about 5,000 to 6,000 fewer homes for sale today than we've seen at this time of year over the last five to six years."

Come join me on social media or visit my webpage:
Twitter: @kimparish73
Facebook: www.facebook.com/KimParishMacRealty
Web: www.kimparish.com

A large part of my business comes from referrals, so if you or someone you know is interested in buying and/or selling, please pass along my contact information and I would be happy to speak with them about how I can help.

See below for info on Vancouver's east and west sides. Contact me if you'd like more information on this, or on an area not covered here.

Here are the stats:

Our Greater Vancouver real estate market continues to be very competitive with lower inventory of homes on the market and higher sales than for the same time the previous year. This is putting upward pressure on prices, particularily in the detached home market.

If you've been thinking of selling, now is a great time. Give me a call today and we can discuss a strategy for your property:

Cell: 778.317.9909

Email: kim@kimparish.com

Check out the Hot Sheets for your neighbouhood. If you would like more information on any of these, or would like to know about an area not covered here, get in touch and I'll be happy to discuss:

Hello Everyone!

The real estate market in Greater Vancouver continues to be blazing hot. Last month was the highest selling June, and the second highest overall monthly total, on record for the Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver (REBGV). With the weaker loonie, interest rates that continue to remain low, a low supply of homes for sale and higher than average demand, it seems this trend will continue.

Last month’s sales were 29.1% above the 10-year sales average for the month. It’s the fourth straight month with over 4,000 sales, which is a first in the REBGV’s history. The previous highest number of residential home sales was 4,434, recorded in May 2005.

“Demand in our detached home market continues to drive activity across Metro Vancouver,” Darcy McLeod, REBGV president said. “There were more detached home sales in the region last month than we’ve seen during the month of June in more than 10 years.”

East Vancouver, in particular, is extremely competitive in the detached home market segment. June finished with an extremely low 1.5 months' supply of inventory. This represents a very strong seller's market. Having said that, all market segments on Vancouver's east and west sides finished with less than 3 months supply of inventory, which means now is a great time to be a seller.

“Housing market activity comes in cycles; we're in an up cycle right now that looks similar to the mid-2000s,” McLeod said. “It would be easy to point to one factor that's causing this cycle, but the truth is that it's a number of different factors. He went on to say, "Conditions today are being driven by low interest rates, a declining supply of detached homes, a growing population, a provincial economy that's outperforming the rest of Canada, pent-up demand from previous years and, perhaps most importantly, the fact that we live in a highly desirable region.".

Come join me on social media or visit my webpage:
Twitter: @kimparish73
Facebook: www.facebook.com/KimParishMacRealty
Web: www.kimparish.com

A large part of my business comes from referrals, so if you or someone you know is interested in buying and/or selling, please pass along my contact information and I would be happy to speak with them about how I can help.

See below for info on Vancouver's east and west sides. Contact me if you'd like more information on this, or on an area not covered here.

Here are the stats:

Our Greater Vancouver real estate market continues to be very competitive with lower inventory of homes on the market and higher sales than for the same time the previous year. This is putting upward pressure on prices, particularily in the detached home market.

If you've been thinking of selling, now is a great time. Give me a call today and we can discuss a strategy for your property:

Cell: 778.317.9909

Email: kim@kimparish.com

Here are the Hot Sheets: