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Market Updates

During the process of buying or selling a home, countless questions are bound to surface regardless of how "seasoned" you are in Real Estate.  Some questions are easily answered, however others may require a bit of research and study.   I understand how difficult it can be to sift through the mountain of information out there in order to find answers that are relevant and meaningful to you.  

As a firm believer in "knowledge is power," I do my best to educate and inform my Buyers and Sellers about the current market conditions and the process involved once you have made the decision to move.     

If you would like to receive regular Market Updates or newsletters please contact me at dodi.t@shaw.ca or call me at 604-644-3634

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2018 REMAX Recreational Property Report

As Canada’s residential market recovers, recreational property experiences a surge

Canada’s increasingly aging population has retirees driving and inflating the recreational market in popular leisure locations

  • Recreational properties are experiencing a surge in pricing with 78 per cent of regions surveyed showing growth
  • A RE/MAX survey showed that retirees drive demand for recreational properties in 91 per cent of regions examined
  • An older Canadian population with more purchasing power is driving prices up


A recent survey of RE/MAX brokers and agents found that recreational properties are experiencing a surge in pricing, with 78 per cent of regions surveyed showing a higher median price in 2018 compared to 2017. A RE/MAX survey conducted in the spring showed that 91 per cent of popular Canadian recreational markets are being driven by retirees, and with seniors outnumbering children in Canada for the first time as reported last year, retirees as a population are also driving up prices.

Compared to 2018, the median price of recreational properties, including waterfront, non-waterfront, water access and ski-in properties, has increased by 13 per cent across Canada. Median price information was calculated for the periods of July 2016 to June 2017, and July 2017 to June 2018.

“Compared to 2017, when only 55 per cent of regions surveyed had retirees driving the market, this year’s 91 per cent are having a much bigger impact,” says Christopher Alexander, Executive Vice President and Regional Director, RE/MAX INTEGRA Ontario-Atlantic Canada Region. “Combined with the fact that Canada’s senior population is the largest it has ever been, and many of these retirees are using recreational properties as retirement properties, pricing has increased across the majority of markets.”

Overall, British Columbia saw an increase of 19 per cent, with the median price in areas like Tofino increasing by as much as 112 per cent. Lack of inventory in the small region drove prices higher. Sun Peaks, one of Canada’s largest ski areas, saw an increase of 34 per cent, due to its available services and schooling attracting retirees as well as families.

The Prairies tell a different story however, with median price compared to 2017 decreasing by four per cent overall. For instance, median price for both non-waterfront and water-access properties in Turtle Lake, SK dropped by 16 per cent and 10 per cent respectively. The same is true for Qu’Appelle Valley, SK with the median price for non-waterfront properties dropping by as much as 25 per cent. Changes in mortgage rules and an economic slowdown are factors that contributed to the decrease. Sylvan Lake, AB showed no price change.

“The economic slowdown in the Prairies, combined with stricter mortgage qualifications, has affected demand in its recreational market,” says Elton Ash, Regional Executive Vice President, RE/MAX of Western Canada. “On the other hand, BC’s economy is the fastest growing in the country and its status as a destination market has contributed to the strong growth of its recreational market.”

Meanwhile, Ontario saw an overall price increase of 15 per cent, with the median price in areas like Haliburton’s waterfront properties increasing by as much as 98 per cent. The same rings true for its water access properties, with the median price increasing by 71 per cent. The median price of waterfront communities in the French River also showed strong growth of 36 per cent.

Atlantic Canada saw a very modest median price increase of 0.13 per cent. While areas like Shediac showed modest growth – three per cent for waterfront properties and five per cent for water access properties – Newfoundland’s East Coast saw a decline of as much as 18 per cent for waterfront properties. Part of this was due to unusually high-priced properties that sold in 2017.

“Atlantic Canada’s market is faced by slow economic growth, compared to Ontario,” says Alexander. “Those still recovering from the 2017 market downturn in places like Newfoundland and Labrador are delaying purchases of recreational properties at the moment.”

RE/MAX brokers foresee current trends continuing into 2019. In the next two to five years, brokers in BC speculate the market will see a shift from retirees to younger buyers driving demand for recreational properties, as the latter accumulate more purchasing power. However, in the prairies, the tighter mortgage qualifications and overall economic performance will make it more difficult for younger buyers to enter the market. In Ontario, brokers see both retirees and younger buyers driving demand in the next few years. Atlantic Canadian brokers are closely aligned with those in the Prairies who see retirees continuing to drive the market.

Click to view the data tables.

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This past year saw the single-family detached home and condo markets diverge on distinctly different paths in Canada’s two highest-priced real estate markets, Greater Vancouver and the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). The trend is expected to continue into 2018 as a mix of relative affordability for condo units and price appreciation for detached homes in recent years, combined with government policy changes in both markets, has helped push an influx of buyers toward condo ownership. The RE/MAX 2018 average residential sale price expectation for Canada is an increase of 2.5 per cent as the desire for home ownership remains strong, particularly among Canadian millennials. Read the full report here: 2018 REMAX Canada Housing Market Outlook

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The British Columbia Real Estate Association Reports: 

 

Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) residential sales in the province are on pace to reach 101,000 units this year, a decline of 10 per cent from a record 112,200 unit sales in 2016. Housing demand gained strength this spring, as some of the effects of federal and provincial policy efforts to tamp it down dissipated. The shock to consumer confidence that followed the implementation of these measures, particularly the foreign buyer tax in Vancouver, has largely run its course. More importantly, strong economic and demographic fundamentals are underpinning an elevated level of transactions in BC. 

 

Click here to read the full report.

 

If you have any questions on how you can capitalize on today's real estate market give me a call! 604.644.3634!

 

Regards

Dodi

 

ps. The compliment of your referrals is always welcome!

 

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April 2017 REBGV* statistical reports:

Click on the links below to read you real estate recaps for: 

North Vancouver

West Vancouver

Vancouver West

If you are interested in reviewing another market's report don't hesitate to call me at 604.644.3634 or email me at dodi.t@shaw.ca.

Regards, Dodi

 

*This report data was captured on May 2nd, 2017 and is current as of this date. All data from the Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver.

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Dodi Thorhaug Realty Inc.
Serving North Vancouver, West Vancouver and Coal Harbour

Reciprocity Logo The data relating to real estate on this website comes in part from the MLS® Reciprocity program of either the Greater Vancouver REALTORS® (GVR), the Fraser Valley Real Estate Board (FVREB) or the Chilliwack and District Real Estate Board (CADREB). Real estate listings held by participating real estate firms are marked with the MLS® logo and detailed information about the listing includes the name of the listing agent. This representation is based in whole or part on data generated by either the GVR, the FVREB or the CADREB which assumes no responsibility for its accuracy. The materials contained on this page may not be reproduced without the express written consent of either the GVR, the FVREB or the CADREB.