While the Okanagan real estate market remained nearly on par
with last year’s numbers through March 2020, a downturn is expected.
“While the market
remained steady in March this will likely slow down as the economic impacts of
COVID-19 continue to develop,” said the president of the Okanagan Mainline Real
Estate Board (OMREB), Michael Loewen. “In the meantime, real estate professionals
are still able to utilize technology-driven solutions to help accommodate these
transactions during self-distancing precautions.”
According to OMREB,
sales across the region from Revelstoke to Peachland totaled 551 in March, up
from February’s 435 sales and almost on par with last year’s 545 units sold.
For residential
listings, which totaled 1,365, jumped 45 percent compared to last month’s 939.
Overall active listings came in at 3,341, up over February’s inventory of
2,996, yet down 6 percent from this time last year.
The average number
of days to sell a home also dropped down to 88 days.
Main Highlights of COVID effects are:
· The impact of Coronavirus on the Okanagan Valley will likely be
very significant.
· Supply has risen because purchases have dropped, but the number of
sellers have remained relatively unchanged.
· The Okanagan Valley benchmark home price has held its value, but
the price of the median home purchase has dropped significantly. This is a sign
that buyers are avoiding the top of the market.
· The luxury vacation home market in the region will be affected by
the further weakening of the Alberta economy and an international travel ban.
· Buyer interest was high in the first three months of 2020, but the
the market has slowed with the impact of the Coronavirus Recession.
· We are watching several key risks
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