Activity is now almost 20% above the six-year low reached in February 2019 but remains 7% below heights reached in 2016 and 2017.
The unemployment rate in Canada was 5.6% at the end of October 2019, unchanged from the previous month. The national unemployment rate continues to hover near some of the lowest levels in over four decades.
The number of full-time jobs was up from the end of the previous month to a new monthly record. There were 25,900 more full-time jobs in October 2019 compared to a month earlier. A gain of 18,400 part-time positions led to an increase of 44,300 total jobs in October.
The Bank of Canada announced on October 30th, 2019 that it was keeping its trend-setting overnight lending rate unchanged at 1.75%. This marks the eighth straight interest rate decision where the Bank has held rates steady.
In our local market for Vancouver Island sales of single-family homes in October dropped by 11% from 2018 and were virtually the same as in September. Apartment and townhouse sales dipped by 9% and 22%, respectively.
Last month, 343 single-family homes sold on the Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) System compared to 345 the previous month and 384 in October 2018.
Inventory of single-family homes in October rose by 14% from one year ago (1,173 to 1,333). Active listings of apartments increased by 16% (322 to 373) year over year while townhouse inventory dropped by 21% (167 to 132).
The benchmark price of a single-family home was $521,800 in October, a 4% increase from one year ago and down slightly from September and very close to the National average. In the apartment category, the year-over-year benchmark price rose by 3%, climbing to $300,200 and marginally higher than in September. The benchmark price of a townhouse rose by 1% year over year, hitting $402,300 last month, which was 2% lower than in September.
Benchmark price of a single-family home in Campbell River area last month was $446,300. Comox Valley reached $531,400,Duncan reported $485,300,Nanaimo’s price rose by less than 1% to $559,500 Parksville-Qualicum price increase by 3% to $583,900. Port Alberni reached $336,100 in October, an 11% increase from one year ago.
I have noticed some interesting activity with multiple offers on some property types. This month I had multiple offers in the $500,000 price point and also in the $2,000,000 price point. I think buyers are recognizing values and are jumping into the market before inventory starts to swing the other way again.
Let me know if you need any market insights or predictions in the buying and selling cycles and I will be happy to share my 26 years of experience with you.