BC Housing Demand is Forecasted to be Strongest Since 2007

The British Columbia Real Estate Association released its 2015 Second Quarter Housing Forecast. There is a more robust economic growth, with strong consumer confidence and the rock-bottom mortgage interest rates are expected to push housing demand this year to its highest level since 2007. 

Multiple Listing Service residential sales in British Columbia are forecast to rise 2.4 per cent to 86,050 units this year and a further 3.9 per cent to 89,400 units in 2016. The ten-year average is 82,100 unit sales. There was a record 106,300 MLS residential sales were recorded in 2005. That would be nice to see that again! 

The average MLS residential sales price is forecast to rise 4.5 per cent to $594,000 this year, with most of the upward pressure being exhibited on the South Coast. Elevated consumer demand is expected to be partially offset by resale inventories and additions to the housing stock in 2016. As a result, the average MLS residential sales price is forecast to increase by 2.4 per cent to $608,500 next year.