Vancouver, BC – August 30, 2012. The British Columbia Real Estate Association (BCREA) released its 2012 Third Quarter Housing Forecast Update today.

BC Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) residential sales are forecast to edge down 4 per cent to 73,400 units this year, before increasing 7.5 per cent to 78,900 units in 2013. Since 2009, MLS® residential sales in BC have ranged between 74,000 to 78,000 units. A record 106,300 MLS® residential sales were recorded in 2005.

"Despite more robust consumer demand in the Interior, fewer home sales in Vancouver will pull the BC total lower this year," said Cameron Muir, BCREA Chief Economist. "However, a notable growth trend in full-time employment combined with persistently low mortgage interest rates is expected to boost housing demand around the province in 2013."

"MLS® residential prices are expected to remain relatively stable this year and through 2013, with changes in average price statistics largely the result of a differing mix of home types sold and shifting regional demand patterns," added Muir. Average price data for Vancouver was skewed artificially high in 2011 by a wave of detached home sales in the priciest neighbourhoods. Lower Mainland's share of provincial home sales is expected to decline to 58 per cent this year from 62 per cent in 2011. The average MLS® residential price in BC is forecast to decline 7.8 per cent to $517,500 this year, and remain relatively unchanged at $519,000 in 2013.

Year-to-date, BC residential sales dollar volume increased 16.8 per cent to $38 billion, compared to the same period last year. Residential unit sales increased 3.5 per cent to 66,922 units, while the average MLS® residential price rose 12.9 per cent to $566,925 over the same period.