(Surrey, BC) – Sales processed on the Fraser Valley Real Estate Board’s Multiple Listing Service (MLS®) increased by 23 % in one month going from 1,477 sales in May to 1,815 in June. June’s numbers represent an 8 % decrease compared to the 1,982 sales during the same month last year. 

“Historically, it’s not unusual for June sales to outperform May in the Fraser Valley. This has happened in nine of the last twenty years.  However, a 23% increase in one month is significant. We were busier than expected and it could be due to the combined effect of mortgage rates edging down, the Harmonized Sales Tax coming into effect July 1, as well as the tremendous selection of homes available in the Fraser Valley. 

Although we’re seeing a decrease in the number of new properties coming on stream, June buyers have only had this volume of homes to choose from two other times in our history, in 1995 and 2008.”

The total active inventory on Fraser Valley’s MLS® at month’s end was 11,110, 19% more than was available in June 2009. The Board’s MLS® received 9% fewer new listings in June compared to May.   Listings typically do decrease in the summer, which will continue to stabilize the market.  Over the last few months, we’ve seen residential benchmark prices leveling. Year-over-year, price increases may still appear dramatic depending on the property type and location because at this time last year, we hadn’t yet begun our recovery phase.  In a stabilizing market, consumers know to rely on the expertise of a REALTOR® because prices are highly local and competitive. 
In June, the benchmark price for Fraser Valley detached homes was $518,355, a 9.9 % increase compared to $471,788 in June 2009.  The benchmark price of Fraser Valley townhouses in June was $328,080, a 9% increase compared to $301,103 in June 2009. The benchmark price of apartments increased by 6.6 per % year-over-year going from $231,014 in June 2009 to $246,351 in June 2010.