KIM HEIZMANN
KELOWNA – Residential real estate sales across the region from Revelstoke to Eastgate Manning Park and into the South Peace River region remain strong ahead of the slower winter season, reports the Association of Interior REALTORS®.
“Demand is still strong despite chronically low supply, but we are seeing a healthier environment for buyers and sellers compared to what we saw in 2020 and earlier in the year,” says the Association of Interior REALTORS® President Kim Heizmann, adding that “sales are transpiring at a good, healthy pace.”
Residential sales for the entire Association region decreased 18 per cent over the same month last year, clocking in at 1,115 residential sales in October. This was a slight increase compared to September’s 1,067 sales.
The inventory, or supply of active residential listings was down 39 per cent across the Association region compared to the 4,308 active listings during October 2020, while new listings slipped 12 per cent over last year October’s 1,372 units.
“As we head into the final months of the year, we can see that this supply drought or lack of new listings has really become the main theme of the year. It will be interesting to see if this trend maintains or changes in 2022,” says Heizmann.
The benchmark price for homes in the Central Okanagan, North Okanagan, South Okanagan and Shuswap/Revelstoke regions are continues showing double-digit percentage increases in year-over-year comparisons in all home categories.
In the South Peace River Region, where benchmark pricing is not available, average sale prices for single-family homes increased 11 per cent but decreased 13.8 per cent in the condominium category.