KIM HEIZMANN
KELOWNA – Residential real estate sales across the region from Revelstoke to Eastgate Manning Park and into the South Peace River region at record high despite low inventory of listings, reports the Association of Interior Realtors.
Residential sales for the month of April for the entire Association region totalled 1,719 sales.
The same area also saw a significant percentage increase compared to the same period last year, however that increase is in direct relation to the quarantine experienced throughout the month of April 2020 and not a true reflection of accurate market changes.
“We can’t look at the data as we normally would as this time last year we were in the thick of our first lockdown due to the pandemic,” says the Association of Interior Realtors President , adding that “what we can look at is what is currently happening and currently supply is still not catching up to demand. We are in a supply drought when it comes to listings.”
The total number of active residential listings remained low for April with only 2,818 across the Association region.
“Despite the supply drought the market remains strong and is starting to rationalize,” says Heizmann. “With vaccine roll outs underway, once more and more people get vaccinated and we get some mobility and comfort back, hopefully we see more homes come on market.”
The benchmark price for homes in the Central Okanagan, North Okanagan, South Okanagan and Shuswap/Revelstoke regions saw double-digit percentage increases in year-over-year comparisons in the single-family and townhomes categories.
The recently introduced benchmark pricing for the South Okanagan also showed double-digit percentage increases in townhomes and single-family homes with the condo sub-category showing single digit percent increases.
In the South Peace River region, the benchmark price for both single-family homes and condos increased 14 per cent. It is important to note benchmark price is not available for mobile homes.
The benchmark price estimates the value of a home based on features commonly found in a particular community. The calculation uses extensive sales data to identify the typical characteristics on a dwelling. Therefore, the benchmark price is not available for mobile homes given the low number of annual sales that prevent to model a typical dwelling.
