Vancouver, BC – November 17, 2009. The British Columbia Real Estate Association (BCREA) reports that Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) residential sales in the province climbed 115 per cent to 8,624 units in October compared to the same month last year. Last month posted the highest number of MLS® residential sales for the month of October since 2003, when 8,682 units changed hands. The average MLS® residential sales price in the province climbed 17 per cent to $493,328 from $420,259 in October 2008.

“BC homes sales continued on an upward trend in October,” said Cameron Muir, BCREA Chief Economist. “Despite a lackluster economy, low mortgage interest rates have induced many potential buyers into the market. However, the recent phenomenal pace of home sales is expected to moderate in the coming months as pent-up demand dissipates and eroding affordability begins to impact the purchasing power of households.”

Year-to-date, MLS® residential sales dollar volume increased 14 per cent to $33.3 billion over the same period last year. A total of 72,146 units were sold in the first ten months of 2009, up 13 per cent from 2008, while the average MLS® price was up 1 per cent to $461,694.

For more information, please contact:

Cameron Muir 
Chief Economist