May benchmark average price for single family home breaks record

Vancouver, B.C. June 4, 2007 -The Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver (REBGV) reports that total residential sales for detached, attached and apartment properties reached 4,331 units in May 2007, a slight increase when compared to the 4,297 units sold in May 2006. This figure also represents a decrease of 2.3 per cent when compared to the 4,434 sales in May 2005.

New listings for detached, attached and apartment properties increased by 6.2 per cent to 6,149 units compared to the 5,789 units listed in May 2006. The total number of active listings increased by 23.4 per cent to 11,749 units when compared to May 2006's 9,524 units.

"Traditionally May is one of the busiest periods in our market, and this past month was no exception," says REBGV president Brian Naphtali. "REALTORS® throughout the Greater Vancouver area are reporting brisk sales and the MLS® system is showing us that the average days a property spent on market dropped again for the fourth consecutive month to 37 days.

"The biggest story this month is the pricing and sales of single family detached homes. For the first time in our Board's history, the benchmark average price for a detached home passed the $700,000 mark. Greater Vancouver real estate is still a hot commodity and consumers are supporting that demand by investing in homes. This is supported by sales numbers as unit sales for detached homes also jumped significantly in a number of key reporting areas in May. These facts show us that despite continued price increases, appropriately priced properties are still finding the right buyers," explains Naphtali. "Anyone who is looking for guidance to help them make the best buying or selling decision should make an appointment with their local REALTOR®."

According to Multiple Listings Service® (MLS®) data, sales of apartment properties increased by 1.6 per cent to 1,789 sales in May 2007 compared to 1,760 sales in May 2006. The benchmark price of an apartment property in Greater Vancouver, calculated by the MLSLink® Housing Price Index, is $358,428, up 11.5 per cent from one year ago.

Sales of attached properties decreased by 4.5 per cent in May 2007 to 737 sales, compared to 772 sales in May 2006. The benchmark price of an attached unit is $439,317, up 10.8 per cent from a year ago.

Sales of detached properties increased by 2.3 per cent in May 2007 to 1,805 sales, compared to 1,765 sales in May 2006. The benchmark price of a detached unit is $711,245, up 11.8 per cent from last year.

Bright spots in Greater Vancouver in May 2007 compared to May 2006:

Detached:
Delta South	up 22.6% (76 units sold, up from 62)
Sunshine Coast	up 38.7% (104 units sold, up from 75)
Vancouver East	up 11.2% (277 units sold, up from 249)
Vancouver West	up 22.4% (246 units sold, up from 201)
West Vancouver/Howe Sound	up 30% (104 units sold, up from 80)

Attached:
Burnaby	up 30.3% (142 units sold, up from 109)
Port Moody/Belcarra	up 64% (41 units sold, up from 25)

Apartments:
Port Coquitlam	up 22.4% (60 units sold, up from 49)
Port Moody/Belcarra	up 65.5% (48 units sold, up from 29)
Squamish	up 128.6% (32 units sold, up from 14)