Based on recent developments and trends, British Columbia’s housing market is expected to experience a “strong recovery” in 2024, according to the BC Real Estate Association’s (BCREA) forecast update released today.
But before that recovery takes place, the apparent decline that began in 2022 will continue well into 2023, with total home sales across the province expected to decline by 7.1% this year to 75,150 units. Such home sales volumes will be higher than in 2018 and 2019.
The median home price will also decrease by 7% to $925,500 in 2023 compared to 2022.
In 2022, home sales reached 80,898 units and the median home price was $996,694.
For 2024, the BCREA currently expects total home sales to reach 93,025 units, an increase of 23.8% year-on-year. Average house prices will also see a relatively modest increase of 3.1%.
“We expect home sales to remain slow in 2023 as the market continues to be constrained by high mortgage rates and absorbs the impact of a slowing economy,” the forecast said.
“However, historically the housing market has tended to lead the business cycle and the onset of a recession generally coincides with the onset of a housing market recovery and a significant increase in activity during the following year as the economy recovers and the effects of mortgage cuts. rates materialize free demand.”
Under the jurisdiction of the Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver, which includes the City of Vancouver, total housing sales will reach 28,000 units in 2023 and 35,000 units in 2024 – up from 29,261 units in -2022. Average house prices will reach US$1.22 million in 2024, which is more than US$1.18 million in 2023 but less than US$1.272 million in 2022.
The Fraser Valley Real Estate Board’s jurisdiction, including Surrey, will see comparatively more modest home price gains next year after surging at the start of the pandemic. In 2024, median home prices are expected to rise just 1% to $965,000 after falling 13% to $955,000 in 2023 and rising 8.4% to $1.1 million in 2022.
But the volume of home sales in the Fraser Valley will be particularly strong in 2024, with forecasts calling for 17,000 units – up from 13,000 in 2023 and 14,599 in 2022.
“A slowing economy and still high mortgage rates are expected to keep housing activity well below normal in 2023,” BCREA chief economist Brendon Ogmundson said in a statement.
“However, we expect a strong recovery, fueled by an expected decline in mortgage rates and record high immigration, which will bring significant momentum into 2024.”
The federal government’s strict immigration targets until 2025 will further boost the housing market recovery.
