IAN MACKAY
NANAIMO – There was little relief for frustrated buyers in April despite an increase in active listings. Inventory of single-family homes and condo apartments rose by eight per cent and 16 per cent, respectively, but active listings of townhouses dropped by eight per cent.
April saw sales of 590 single-family detached properties compared to 567 the previous month. In the condo apartment category, 133 units sold last month versus 136 in March 2021. As for townhouses, 106 units changed hands in April compared to 124 the previous month. (Since the pandemic began at this time last year, and the economic lockdown significantly slowed down the housing market – at least initially – year-over-year sales comparisons are not particularly helpful right now.)
The pervasive lack of inventory has created a strong sellers’ market, and buyers face fierce competition in their home search. Multiple offers are the norm rather than the exception, and many homes are selling over the asking price.
“Buyers are understandably frustrated, and it’s also disheartening for realtors,” says 2021 VIREB
president Ian Mackay. “Whether they’re buyers or sellers, we want to make our clients happy.”
Mackay echoes the sentiments voiced by the British Columbia Real Estate Association (BCREA), which does not see the inventory situation improving until more supply comes online. BCREA and local real estate boards are advocating with policymakers at the provincial and regional levels to speed up the
development process so that municipalities can expand supply more quickly to meet demand.
“We have seen that demand-side policies like taxes and higher mortgage rates are just not working,”
notes Mackay. “The best route to making housing more affordable, particularly for first-time buyers, is to
increase supply. It’s not a quick solution, but it’s the only one that makes sense long-term.”
It is no surprise that the heated housing market is impacting prices, which are rising throughout the
board area. The benchmark price of a single-family home hit $659,300 last month, up by four per
cent from March and 22 per cent higher than in April 2020. The benchmark price of an apartment
reached $345,200, a year-over-year increase of 14 per cent and four per cent higher than in March. The
benchmark price of a townhouse rose by 21 per cent year over year, climbing to $499,200, which was
three per cent higher than in March.
In Campbell River, the benchmark price of a single-family home hit $588,800 in April, an increase of 25
per cent over last year. In the Comox Valley, the benchmark price was $692,300, up by 24 per cent from
one year ago. Duncan reported a benchmark price of $596,300, an increase of 19 per cent from April
2020. Nanaimo’s benchmark price rose by 23 per cent, hitting $683,000, while the Parksville-Qualicum
area saw its benchmark price increase by 16 per cent to $743,400.
The cost of a benchmark single-family home in Port Alberni reached $417,700, a 26 per cent year-over-year increase. For the North Island, the benchmark price rose to $305,000, a 19 per cent increase over last year.