man at desk smiling

Sunshine Coast Real Estate Market Review for December and a 2021 Synopsis

Home sales volume fell across the board on the Sunshine Coast in December.  Although demand has tapered off a bit, the main culprit for lower volumes has been the lack of available inventory…there is less inventory now than at any point in my 19-year career. A less significant factor has been the extreme weather (both rain and snow) keeping buyers at bay…so to speak. Let’s see how it breaks out:

 

Fully detached home sale

Fully detached home sales were down a modest 10% to $55,300,000 and unit sales were down 26% to 46 homes sold in December.  Available inventory is down 41% to 73 homes for sale, therefore the sales success ratio (the number of sales versus the available inventory) was 63% maintaining a pronounced Seller’s Market!

 

Year to date shows 2021 to be the highest volume year ever recorded on the Sunshine Coast.  Dollar volume was up 35% to $874,400,000 and unit sales were up 6% to 823 homes sold.

 

That average price for a home (total dollar volume divided by total sales) on the Sunshine Coast in 2021 was up 27% to $1,062,000. The median price for a home this year (the price of the home that sold in the middle) was $899,000.

 

Condos and Townhome sales

Condos and Townhome sales were down 32% in dollar volume to $5,850,000 and 39% in unit volume to 11 attached homes sold in December. Available inventory is down 44% to 36 units, therefore the sales success ratio (the number of sales versus the available inventory) was 31% maintaining a Seller’s Market.

 

Year-to-date shows dollar volume up over 2020 by 32% to $147,800,000 and unit sales up 22% to 260.

 

The average price for a condo or townhome (total dollar volume divided by total sales) was $568,500. The median price this year (the price of the home that sold in the middle) was $525,000.

 

Land only sales

Land only sales are down in dollar volume by 59% to $3,700,000 and unit sales are down by 52% to 10 lots sold in December. The available inventory is down 51% compared to last year at this time, therefore, the sales success ratio (the number of sales versus the available inventory) was 14%….this puts this segment market in Balanced Territory.

 

Year-to-date numbers paint a more accurate picture of the overall land-only market.  Dollar volume is up over 2020 by 104% to $126,300,000 and unit sales are up 34% to 237 lots sold in 2021.

 

The average price for a lot in 2021 was up 51% to $532,000 while the median price was $399,000.

2021 in Review – There were several factors that produced these year-to-date volume and value results:

 

  • Continued demand/migration to the Sunshine Coast – although this has tapered off a bit, the Covid – 19 Pandemic continues to be a driving force in folks’ thoughts about where they want to live and what they are willing to do to get there.
  • Continued low-interest rates, despite the more demanding federal stress test, was one factor that made paying more easier than originally thought.
  • The slow reduction of available inventory created a situation where prices rose in a very significant way. Even toward the end of the year, where demand was slowing down, the amount of inventory was so drastically reduced that prices continued to rise.

 

What will 2022 bring – there are several potential factors that will make the coming year continue to be a competitive market for buyers:

 

  • A promised interest rate increase from the Bank of Canada (BOC). With inflation conservatively at 4%, the BOC will raise the prime rate. How much is the question?  I think we will see several modest increases…but, even a ½ percent, makes a noticeable difference in monthly payments.
  • There will be another rush to buy when the increase is announced as everyone who locked in a rate for 90 or 120 days will now be in a hurry to purchase before the lock-in expires.
  • Inventory will continue to be the most significant factor when it comes to price in 2022. I think we will see fewer transactions, due to inventory, and higher prices.

 

Buyers – lock in a low rate asap and be prepared to devote significant resources, both in time and capital, to finding your home.  Pick a realtor you like because it’s going to get intense.

 

Sellers – make sure you have somewhere to go and a reason to go there! It’s not a good idea to simply sell because you can get “top dollar”. Buying back into the same market will almost guarantee a loss.  However, if you have a plan to downsize, move to a different market, or cash in equity and move up to that dream home then the 2022 market will help you realize that plan.

 

For a no-nonsense, sensible approach to selling your home call me, Russ Qureshi, REALTOR®, to get the job done.  Enjoy the benefit of my market intelligence now and call 604-741-7119 or send me an email at russ@coastlifestyles.ca Visit my website at www.coastlifestyles.ca

 

 

jump on the bed

Housing demand eases as inventory drops while prices remain high

The Sunshine Coast real estate market is realizing our seasonal slowdown. Fully detached and Land only properties are down a wee bit from last year’s totals, and the Condo/Townhome market is up! Let’s see how it breaks out:

Fully detached sales are down 7% in dollar volume to $68,750,000, with unit sales down 33% to 55 homes sold in November.  This stat shows the increase in value of each unit and how significant that has been over the recent past. 

It’s interesting to note, too, that we are only down $1,000,000 from last month’s dollar volume (approximately 1.3% lower), but we sold 8 fewer homes (approximately 12% less).  The available inventory is down 40% to 104 homes for sale…Therefore the sales success ratio (the number of sales versus the available inventory) is 53% keeping the detached market in sellers’ hands. 

Year to date, we are still up in total dollar volume by 40% to $820,000,000 and up 9% in unit sales to 777. 

November’s average sale price (total dollar volume divided by total sales) was $1,250,000, while the average sale price year to date is $1,054,000. 

Condos and Townhome sales are up in dollar volume by 18% to $12,350,000, and unit sales were down by 3% to 23 homes sold last month. As with the detached stat, this clearly illustrates the increase in value. 

Compared to last month, we are up 34% in dollar volume! The available inventory for the market segment is down 55% to 37 homes. Therefore, the sales success ratio (the number of sales versus the available inventory) is 51% keeping the attached market in sellers’ hands.

Year to date, we are up in dollar volume by 35% to $141,975,000 and unit sales by 25% to 249 condos or townhomes sold so far this year. 

November’s average sale price is $612,000, while the average price year to date is $570,000.

Land only sales are down in dollar volume by 5% to $7,700,000 and unit sales by 41% to 14 lots sold in November.  We are up 49% in dollar volume and up 40% in unit sales compared to last month. 

The available inventory for land is down 49% to 86 available units.  Therefore, the sales success ratio is 16%, giving this market segment some balance.

Year to date, we are up in dollar volume by 132% to $123,000,000, and units sales are up 46% to 227 lots sold in 2021 so far.

November‘s average price is $550,000, while the average year-to-date price is $540,000.

While demand eases, inventory continues to drop, causing prices to remain high and continue to climb in many cases.

Sellers are in control, but realizing a quick offer at or over the asking price requires thoughtful planning and preparation.

Buyers need to be prepared to act quickly and robustly to acquire the property they want…..there are rumours of increased interest rates next year that would affect the market strongly.  There are also rumours of the Provincial Government implementing a “cooling off” period for buyers (one of the strangest “sounds good” ideas I’ve heard in my career) in 2022.  More on both of those potential eventualities in my 2021 year-end review coming in early January. 

For market statistics, call your realtor. For market intelligence, call Russ Qureshi at Coast Lifestyles Network 604-741-7119.

walk in fall forest

Low inventory and home-buyer demands keep housing prices buoyant this fall

Sunshine Coast Real Estate Statistics for October 2021

 

The Sunshine Coast real estate market continues with a trend toward settling down from last year’s highs. Inventory remains exceedingly low however and this is keeping prices up even with average demand from buyers.

 

Let’s see how it breaks out:

 

Detached home sales are down for dollar volume in October by 22% compared to last year to $69,850,000 and unit sales are down 39% to 63 homes sold.  Our sales success ratio (the number of sales versus available inventory) is 55%! We consider it a seller’s market when this ratio is above 20%….so, with only 115 homes presently available, the competition can be fierce.  Compared with LAST MONTH we are down in dollar volume by $8,000,000 and unit sales by 7 homes which can be considered quite normal for this time of year.

Year-to-date we are still up in dollar volume by 62% to $680,500,000 and unit sales by 26% to 659 homes sold so far this year.

The median price for a home on the Coast is $860,000.

The average price for a home on the Sunshine Coast this year is $1,032,000.

 

Condo and Townhome sales are down in dollar volume by 40% to $9,800,000 and unit sales are down 41% to 20 homes sold. Our sales success ratio (the number of sales versus available inventory) is still 38%.  With inventory levels in this segment of the market falling by 13% in one month to 53 units available we are still seeing control within the seller’s hands. Compared with LAST MONTH we are up in dollar volume by 15% and unit sales by 25%.

Year-to-date we are ahead in dollar volume by 37% to $126,900,000 and unit sales by 27% to 225 units sold so far this year.

The median price for a condo or townhome on the Coast is $515,000.

The average price for a condo or townhome on the Sunshine Coast this year is $564,000. 

 

Land only sales – are down 53% in dollar volume to $3,900,000 and unit sales are down 56% to 10 units sold in October. Our sales success ratio (the number of sales versus available inventory) is 11% bringing this segment of the market on the buyer’s side. Month over month inventory remains relatively unchanged but sales are down last month by approximately 50% in both dollar volume and units sold.

Year-to-date dollar volume is still up by 157% to $115,000,000 and unit sales are up 62% to 213 units sold.

The median price for bare land on the Coast is $421,000.

The average price for land-only is $540,000.  

 

The real estate market on the Sunshine Coast seems to be in the process of normalized fall/shoulder season by slowing down with less inventory and sales across all segments. That said, the inventory is way down so prices, while varying over the previous month’s sales, continue to remain relatively high and the market is a seller’s market with the exception of land only.

 

Home Sellers – move-in ready is what buyers want so make sure your home shows well with all deferred maintenance completed prior to listing.

 

Home Buyers – be ready when you see the one you want! Be truly preapproved (paperwork done and only an appraisal needed on the purchase) and be ready to prioritize the purchase visit over other plans if you want that “new listing”.

 

For market information call a realtor. For market intelligence call Russ Qureshi at 604-741-7119 or email russ@coastlifestyles.ca

working out at home

Sunshine Coast is still in a strong seller’s market despite the slow down

We are still in a strong seller’s market despite the slow down in dollar volume and homes sold.

One might say, if the trend continues, we will be heading toward more normalized conditions over the next months.

Let’s see how last month breaks out:

 

Fully detached home sales are down in dollar volume, from last year at this time, by 2% to $77,500,000 and down in unit sales by 23% to 70 total detached homes sold in September. This is up over last month by approximately $6,000,000 in dollar volume and 3 home sales….  Inventory is down to 136 available homes making the sales success ratio (the number of sales versus the available inventory) 51.5%.  When we consider that a sales success ratio of 20% or more constitutes a “seller’s market,” we can see that statistically, sellers are still very much in control.

Year to date, we are still way ahead of last year. We are up in dollar volume by 62% to $680,500,000, and unit sales by 26% to 659 units sold so far in 2021.

The average price for a home on the Sunshine Coast is up 29% over this time last year to $1,032,000.

 

Condos and townhome sales are down in dollar volume by 47.5% to $8,300,000 and down by 54% in unit sales to 15 attached homes sold in September.  This is down in dollar volume compared to last month by 49.5% and down 34% in unit sales. Inventory is down to 61 available condos and townhomes, making the sales success ratio (the number of sales versus the available inventory) 24.5%, keeping this market segment in the hands of sellers.

Year to date, we are still way ahead of last year. Dollar volume is up by 46% to $117,100,000, and unit sales are up by 37% to 205 units sold so far in 2021.

The average price of an attached home on the Sunshine Coast is up 13% to $570,000.

 

Land only sales are up 23% to $10,100,000, and unit sales are down 10% to 18 land only properties sold in September. This is down in dollar volume compared to last month by 45% and down in unit sales by 10%. Inventory is down to 99 available land-only properties, making the sales success ratio a little over 18%, showing this market segment to be balanced.

Year to date, we are way ahead of last year.  Dollar volume is up by 206% to $111,100,000, and unit sales are up by 87% to 203 bare land properties sold in 2021 so far.

The average price of a piece of land is up 62% to $547,000.

Takeaway

I feel a change coming on! Considering the market has done nothing but rise for the last 18 months, a settling of prices is considered by many to be a good thing! The biggest “wildcard” will continue to be the lack of available inventory.  With so little inventory available, even minimal demand will maintain prices at or very close to current levels.

 

For market information call your realtor. For market intelligence call Russ Qureshi at 604-741-7119 or email russ@coastlifestyles.ca

woman looking out of the window's car while having a road trip-end of summer-w-merla

A “tapping of the brakes” for residential real estate on the Sunshine Coast in August

August saw a continued “tapping of the brakes” across all sections of the residential Real Estate market on the Sunshine Coast. We are still way up over last year at this time but trending toward a slowdown overall.

Let’s see how this breaks out:

Fully detached sales

Fully detached sales were down in dollar volume from last year by 17% to $71,750,000 and unit sales by 36%, down to 67 units sold in August. Compared to last month, we are down 10% in dollar volume and 13% in sales. Our inventory in this market segment is down by 45% from last year to 163 homes for sale. This means our sales success ratio, the number of sales versus the available inventory, is 41% – still very much a sellers’ market. Compared to last month, inventory is down by 12%!!! This lack of inventory continues to drive the higher price points.

Year to date tells the story we are becoming used to…dollar volume is up 111% to $532,000,000 and up in sales by 60% to 522 homes sold this year.

The average price for a home on the coast remains unchanged from last month but up from last year by 31% to $1,017,000.

Condo and townhome sales

Condo and townhome sales were up in dollar volume by 5.5% to $16,500,000, and unit sales were even at 23 compared to last year at this time. Compared to last month, we are way up in dollar volume by 49% and 48% in unit sales. Our inventory in this market segment is down from last year by 57% to 56 available condos or townhomes for sale. The sales success ratio for this portion of the market is equal with the detached market at 41%….a sellers’ market! The inventory for August was down 15% from July.

Year to date is up in dollar volume by 56% to $108,750,000, and unit sales are up 47% to 180 units sold so far this year.

The average price for a condo or townhome is up 12% to $572,000.

Land only sales

Land only sales were up in dollar volume by 116% to $18,050,000, and unit sales were down 13% to 20 lots sold….that tells us something about the average price! We are up in dollar volume by 52% and unit sales by 30% compared to last month. Our inventory for bare land is down from last year by 47% (and down from last month by 9%) to 111 lots available. This means the sales success ratio is 18% which puts the market, just, in the hands of sellers.

Year to date is up in dollar volume by 259% to $101,000,000 and unit sales by 110% to 185 units sold in 2021 so far.

That average price from a bare land property is up 71% from last year to $545,000.

Inventory continues to be the single most deciding factor when it comes to buyer’s willingness to pay the prices we see recently…

Buyers – we are not seeing as many competitive offers but be prepared. If you require financing, make sure you have done the paperwork with your lender so you are ready with true preapproval and your purchase needs only appraise at the agreed-upon price.

Sellers – buyers will buy quickly but make sure your home is show-ready, and you have dealt with any deferred maintenance.

Of course, strategies for success are based on many personal variables as well, so give me a call, and we can chat! Call Russ Qureshi at 1-604-989-2253 or send him an email with your questions to russ@coastlifestyles.ca

Pender Harbour

Can the Sunshine Coast housing market do anything but rise?

July was an interesting month for Sunshine Coast real estate sales.  We see different results depending on market segment (detached, condos, land only).  This slightly reduced demand can be attributed to the summer months and most buyers deferring their purchase decision to August or September.  Let’s see how it breaks out across the three residential property types:

 

Fully Detached Sales are down in dollar volume by 6% to $80,300,000, and unit sales are down 23% to 77 units sold in July.  However, these figures are up by 20% over last month, showing that the recent pause in activity in the detached market was short-lived.

For July, the sales success ratio, the number of sales versus the available inventory, was 42%, keeping the market in the seller’s hands.

Year to date, we are still way ahead of last year’s totals.  Dollar volume for 2021 is up 111% to $531,200,000. Unit sales are up 60% to 522 homes sold so far this year.

The average price for a home on the Sunshine Coast remains relatively unchanged over the last three months at $1,020,000.

 

Townhome and Condo Sales are up, ever so slightly at 3.5%, in dollar volume to $8,350,000 and unit sales are down 29% to 12 units sold last month.  This continues a downward trend from last month.  July’s figures are down 16.5% in dollar volume and 33% in unit sales from June’s results.

The sales success ratio, the number of sales versus the available inventory, for July was 18% making the attached market a balanced one going into August.

Year to date, we are still way ahead in dollar volume by 284% to $92,305,000, and unit sales by 246% to 165 units sold so far this year.

The average price for a condo or townhome on the Sunshine Coast is now $560,000.

 

Land only sales are up 33% in dollar volume to $8,575,000 and down 44% in unit sales to 14 lots sold.  Compared to last month, it’s a mixed bag.  We are up in dollar volume by 24% and down in unit sales by 12.5%. The results are skewed by a 61-hectare sale of Ruby Lake (partial waterfront) for just over $3,000,000.

The sales success ratio, the number of sales versus the available inventory, for July was 11.5% making this segment of the market a buyers’ one.

Year to date sees us ahead by 320% in dollar volume to $82,950,000 and unit sales by 153% to 165 units sold in 2021 so far.

The average price for land-only is $503,000.

 

The Sunshine Coast continues to see record prices and sales volume across all segments of the market. I have a sense this should ramp up even more over the next 60 days.  With housing supply so low and demand continuing to be significant, can the Sunshine Coast housing market do anything but rise?

at the lake this summer-bernardbodo-w

Is the Sunshine Coast real estate market normalizing? 

Is the Sunshine Coast real estate market normalizing?

 

Sales in the month of June on the Sunshine Coast prove my inclination that the market was/is slowing. With statistics this month showing we are still ahead in all sections of the market compared to last year’s numbers we have seen a marked decrease in sales compared to last month.  Let’s see how this breaks out:

Detached home sales

Detached home sales are up in dollar volume by 9% over last year to a total of $63,945,000.  The average price is well up too as the total units sold this month is down 18% to 61.  Compared to last month, the market has slowed considerably.  We are down 25% in dollar volume and down 28% in unit sales.

 

Year to date shows we are still enjoying a huge increase over 2020.  Up in dollar volume for 2021 by 171% to $450,900,000, unit sales are up 97% to 445 homes sold this year.

 

While inventory is still 40% less than last year at 197 available homes, it has increased by 15 units since last month.  This is another factor taking the edge off some of the buying frenzies that we’ve experienced until recently.  Nonetheless, the sales success ratio (the number of sales versus the available inventory) is at 31%, continuing a seller’s market.

Condos and townhome sales

Condos and townhome sales are up 35% in dollar volume over last year to $10,000,000.  Unit sales are up 28% to 18 sales; however, compared to last month, we are down 38% in dollar volume and 40% in unit sales.

 

Year to date shows we are still well up from last year.  Our dollar volume for this market segment is up 344% to $84,000,000, and unit sales are up 306% to 153 condos or townhomes sold this year.  Inventory is still down 53% from last year to 56 units but is up 12% from last month.  Nonetheless, the sales success ratio is 32% maintaining a seller’s advantage for this portion of the market.

Land only sales

Land only sales are up 23% in dollar volume from last year to $6,500,000.  Unit sales are dead even with last year at 16 lots sold in June.  We are down in dollar volume by 49% and unit sales by 45% compared to last month.

 

Year to date shows we are still ahead of last year’s pace by 457% in dollar volume to $74,350,000 and unit sales by 277% to 151. Inventory is down 43% from last year to 123 lots available but even with last month’s inventory.  This puts the sales success ratio at 13%, which is considered a balanced market.

The market is changing

We can see the market is changing. From a historical point of view, it is still solid.  But from the relative point of view of (comparing to last month), we have seen the market has settled by about 30% on average.

Home Sellers

Home Sellers – start thinking about price and keeping your expectations in check.  Certain highly desirable properties are going under multiple offers; however, the vast majority of properties coming to market are not receiving multiple offers and are having to negotiate price! Imagine that!:) As always, the more turn-key / ready-made your property is will result in a quicker sale for more money.

Home Buyers

Home Buyers – the immediate market over the summer is your best time to get a deal; as I predict (with Covid in the rearview mirror), the market will start to get very busy again.  If you see the right property for you, don’t wait to make an offer….go for it today!

 

 

Madeira Park arial

Is the real estate market on the Sunshine Coast pausing? No way, here’s why

May 31, 2021

Is the real estate market on the Sunshine Coast pausing? The sales statistics say no way….

We continue to see a high volume of transactions across all property types on the Sunshine Coast. In speaking with my colleagues, we are noticing a marked slowdown in calls of interest on our listings and that properties are generally taking longer to sell. The stats have yet to coincide with those observations, but the general sense is: the market is slowly changing. Let’s see how it breaks out:

Fully detached home sales

Fully detached home sales increased in dollar volume by 355% to $86,065,000 and unit sales by 203% to 85 units sold in May. Active listings are up by 6 over last month to a total of 182. This is down 41% compared to last year. The sales success ratio (the number of sales versus the available inventory) is 45% keeping the market in the seller’s hands.

Year to date, we are up in dollar volume by 259% to $387,000,000, and unit sales by 156% to 384 units sold so far in 2021.

The average price for a home on the Sunshine Coast is $1,007,000.

Condo and townhome sales

Condo and townhome sales increased in dollar volume by 172% to $16,050,000 and unit sales by 1000% to 30 units sold in May. Active listings are up by 1 unit to 51 available condos or townhomes for sale. This is down by more than 50% from the same time last year and puts the sales success ratio for this segment of the market at 60%…firmly in the hands of the seller.

Year to date, we have seen a 415% increase in sales dollar volume to $74,000,000 and an increase in unit sales by 365% to 135 units sold in 2021.

The average price for a condo or townhome is $547,500.

Land only sales

Land only sales have increased in dollar volume by 800% to $15,850,000 and unit sales by 314% to 29 units sold in May. Active listings decreased by 6 units to 123 available lots/land only units available. This is down 45% from last year. This means the sales success ratio for this segment of the market is 24%!!! Unheard of territory for land only.

Year-to-date dollar volume is up 742% to 67,850,000, and unit sales are up 462% to 135 units sold so far in 2021.

The average price for land-only is $502,000.

Home Sellers: offer a home that is move-in ready

As has been the cemented trend over the previous 12 months, make sure your home shows well. Buyers expect a move-in ready home when they’re paying these recent prices…so give them move-in ready and save yourself time on the market.

Home Buyers: get preapproved

As of June 1st, the Federal Government has increased the stress test for insured and uninsured mortgages, making it even more difficult for those most benefited by entering the market. If you have all or mostly cash, you will be fine. Be as liquid (financially) as possible and be prepared to act quickly on the home you love.

COVID19 long view

With the country on the way to getting through the pandemic, we will see much of the built-up cash reserves (accumulated over the recent months by folks not travelling, going out or finding ways to easily spend) get spent. It won’t all be on real estate but be prepared for a relatively calm summer and then another wild ride this fall.

Real estate slow-down due to latest Provincial Government response to the ongoing COVID19 pandemic

I have noticed over the past several weeks prior to writing this blog, that calls and inquiries on properties have slowed down considerably.  Rather than a market fluctuation or correction, I am pinning the slow-down in action mostly on the latest Provincial Government response to the ongoing Pandemic.

 

That said, the statistics for April show another huge increase in sales and something I didn’t think would happen on the Sunshine Coast – the average price for a home this past month, and indeed for the year to date, has surpassed one million dollars.

 

Let’s see how the statistics break out for April 2021:

Fully detached home sales on the Sunshine Coast BC

 

Fully detached home sales on the Sunshine Coast BC surpassed last April’s dollar volume by 326% to reach $87,600,000 and unit sales were up 207% to a total of 80 homes sold in April alone! A big culprit for rising prices has been the severe lack of inventory…down again this month by 37% to 171 homes available.

This means our sales success ratio (the number of sales versus the available inventory) is 47% putting us deeply into a sellers’ market for the twelfth month in a row.

Year to date the dollar volume is up by 239% to $301,000,000 (1/3 of ONE BILLION dollars in the first quarter of 2021…oh my) and unit sales are up 145% to 299 homes sold since the New Year.

The average price for a fully detached home has reached $1,006,331 (year-to-date average).

Condos and townhome sales

 

Condos and townhome sales are up in dollar volume by 769% to $16,600,000 and unit sales are up 1000% to 30 units sold in April.  Available inventory is down, of course, by 55% to a total of 50 homes available.

The sales success ratio for this segment of the market remains high at 60% keeping it a seller’s market.

Year to date the dollar volume is up 342% to $57,900,000 and unit sales are up 309% to 105 units sold in 2021.

The average price of a condo or townhome has reached $550,000 (year-to-date average).

Land-only sales

 

Land-only sales are interesting as we had zero land-only sales in April of 2020.  Our dollar volume this year is $15,000,000 unit sales are 25 lots/bare land sold. The available inventory is as low as I’ve seen it for land at 129 available properties.  This is down 42% from last year.

This puts the sales success ratio at 19%… almost unheard of territory for this segment of the market.

The average price for a piece of land has reached $490,000 (year-to-date average).

 

My real estate advice for May is short and sweet

 

Home Buyers – be ready with preapproval, a large down payment if possible, and be ready to act immediately on your choice of purchase.  You may be in a situation where you will have to compete with other buyers for the same property so decide how much risk you are comfortable with regarding waiving certain conditions.

 

Home Sellers – while the statistics paint a very rosy picture for sellers the fact remains that each home is truly unique (especially on the Sunshine Coast) and to effect a quick, competitive, sale your home must have the deferred maintenance looked after and try to make your home look great when you show it!  Buyers are willing to pay for turn-key situations, not necessarily furnished, but rather, clean, no fixing, and move-in ready will get your home sold faster and for more money.  If you decide to sell as-is…or sell a rental property….then expect it to take longer.

 

How long can this real estate rise last – Sunshine Coast update for March 2021

For the tenth month in a row, we have seen continued increases in property sales and prices on the Sunshine Coast, BC.

I’ve personally noticed this past week that I see fewer calls than previous weeks and fewer viewing requests, too….with that little caveat aside, the volume of contact requests is still way above usual.  Let’s see how this breaks out:

 

Detached home sales in March increased by 242% in dollar volume over last year to $106,175,000. Unit sales increased by 140% to 106 units sold.  The amount of available fully detached homes sits at 149….47% less than last year.  With that in mind, we see our sales success ratio (the number of sales versus the available inventory) is as high as I’ve ever seen it at 71%….golly, we consider it a sellers’ market when this figure is at 20%!!! The year-to-date numbers paint a similar picture with an increase of dollar volume by 212% to $213,300,000 and unit sales increasing by 128% to 219 homes sold so far this year.  The average price for a home has increased by 37% to $975,000 so far this year.

 

Condo and Townhome sales in March increased by 223% to $14,100,000, and unit sales increased by 192% to 27 units sold.  The amount of condos and townhomes for sale is 52….66% less than last year. With that in mind, we see our sales success ratio (the number of sales versus the available inventory) is 52%…truly a mind-boggling ratio in my experience. The year-to-date numbers are up 153% in dollar volume to $18,500,000, and unit sales are up 142% to 34 sold so far this year. The average price for a condo or townhome has increased by 10% to $550,000.

 

Land only sales in March increased by…wait for it….898% in dollar volume to $19,500,000 and unit sales by 337% to 35 lots sold in March.  The available inventory for land only is down 37% to 131 lots available.  With that in mind, we see our sales success ratio (the number of sales versus the available inventory) is 26%. This puts the land-only category into a sellers’ market again this month!  The year-to-date numbers for dollar volume are up 489% to $37,100,000 and up for unit sales by 376% to 81 lots sold this year.  The average price for land only is up 23% to $458,000.

 

How long can this rise last?

 

One might ask the question, at this point, how long can this rise last? Where is the point where folks simply cannot afford to buy at home? Of course, that is relative, and many individuals have already realized that the market has “left them behind.”  Some lucky buyers can still go out and get what they want, and, let’s face it, compared to many of the Lower Mainland areas, we still offer a deal on price here on the Sunshine Coast.  We also have to look at the low inventory as a major culprit for rising prices.

 

The coming months should see (as we have seen this cycle consistently in the past) an increase in inventory, and this should have a cooling effect on rising prices.  I don’t think we will see prices reduce in any significant way, but I don’t think we’ll see the same rapid rise in values that we’ve experienced for the last while.

 

Home Buyers – take heart! If you’ve been struggling in this market, don’t worry. Remain focused and prepared to go after the one you want.  Be pre-approved financially and, if there is more than one decision-maker, make sure you are on the same page for what’s important to you for a purchase because you will (in all likelihood) pay more for something that doesn’t quite check all the boxes.

 

Home Sellers – indeed, you are in the driver’s seat.  Make sure the home is ready to sell and move into…complete deferred maintenance and make your home “show ready.” Buyers just want to move in for the most part…they don’t want to have to take on your deferred maintenance and repairs…you will sell regardless, but the difference when preparing your home for the market versus not preparing can be measured in the tens of thousands of dollars range.