Housing Market Continues To Stabilize Moving Into Spring: Media Release
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tflorkoHousing Market Continues To Stabilize Moving Into Spring: Media Release
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tflorkoMEDIA RELEASE
For Immediate Release:
April 6, 2011
Housing Market Continues to Stabilize Moving into Spring
Kelowna, BC – The Central Zone of the Okanagan Mainline Real Estate Board (OMREB) reported March 2011 sales
activity of all MLS® property types improved over last month but dipped compared to sales reported at this time
last year when buyers were spurred into the market early in the first quarter to avoid the impending HST. The
local housing market continues to stabilize and show more balanced conditions moving into Spring.
While active listings and inventory were down from March 2010 (4,750 units compared to 4,959 last year), the
1,122 new listings taken fell by 17.85% over last year (1,361) but rose 10.43% from last month (1,016). Overall
unit sales and total sales volumes dropped 12.14% this March (to 340 from 387 – totaling $129.34 million
compared to $150.51 million in 2010), and total residential units sold declined 12.57% (to 306 from 350 in 2010)
but climbed 39.09% over February (220). The average price for a single family home is up 5.89% compared to last
year at this time ($486,609 from $459,546), while the median price rose 2.06% ($433,750 from $425,000 in 2010).
“Gradual but steady economic improvement, population and employment growth has returned the BC housing
market to normalcy after two years of volatility. News of rising interest rates could create a sense of urgency and
stimulate demand as many buyers choose to get into the market while rates are still relatively low,” says Kent
Jorgenson, OMREB Director and REALTOR® in the Central Zone. “With Spring on the way, we can expect to see
more sellers listing their homes, and potential buyers closing deals before mortgage rates are raised further.
Compared to the heated Lower Mainland market, the Central Okanagan continues to offer an excellent selection
of properties and attractive home prices for anyone looking to buy here – whether they are first‐time buyers,
moving up, downsizing or retiring.”
The results of OMREB’s Board‐wide monthly Buyers Survey – launched in September 2010 to profile who the
buyers are, what they are buying and where they are from – indicates that serious buyers are taking advantage of
the current market conditions and leveraging their positive purchasing power while it lasts, Jorgenson notes.
“Pricing continues to be important when selling your home, so working with a real estate professional to
understand current local market conditions and to provide comparisons specific to your neighbourhood is
essential as home values vary based on property type and location.”
The Central Zone of OMREB covers an area from Peachland to Lake Country and east along Highway 33 to
Westbridge (including the Christian Valley). The Okanagan Mainline Real Estate Board (OMREB) is comprised of
1,147 member REALTORS® and 86 real estate offices in the Southern Interior of BC.
For the most comprehensive source of all real estate listings, home buying and selling information, visit our
national websites at www.realtor.ca and www.icx.ca. To find out about the advantages of using a REALTOR®,
check out www.howrealtorshelp.ca
All OMREB listings are published in the MLS® Real Estate Review magazine available at all real estate offices and
various locations in the Central Okanagan, North Okanagan, the Shuswap and Revelstoke areas. For
comprehensive Board‐wide statistical information, please visit our local public site: www.omreb.com
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For more information:
Kent Jorgenson, Director ‐ Central Zone (Central Okanagan and Board‐wide statistical information)
[email protected] (250) 717‐5000
Cameron Muir, Chief Economist, BCREA (Province‐wide statistical information)
[email protected] (604) 742‐2780
DISCLAIMER: Monthly sales statistics are based on the sales reported by real estate offices as of the last day of the month.
There may be some lag time in reporting sales and minor adjustments in total results are made accordingly.
