We will get back up! Considering the extent of lock down, the momentum of what March started certainly carried over into April. While sales were down and new listings were down, there was still participation in the market as Realtors found ways to present properties virtually and look at ways to ensure socially distanced showings could happen if necessary. Buyers were there and continue to be, with multiple offers occurring, even as of last week.

There were 1,119 homes sold of all types in Greater Vancouver in April this year compared with 2,562 homes sold last month, 1,850 sales in April last year and 2,631 homes sold in April 2018. Sales and listings were well below the ten-year average but actually higher than in November and December 2008 and January 2009, all three months below 1,000 homes sold. The last two weeks of April showed home sales average 48 per day compared with 138 per day during the first two weeks of March – a reduction of 75 per cent. New listings were down 51 per cent with there being an average of 122 per day compared to 253 per day at the beginning of March.

2020 Average Daily Sales by Week in Covid times:

• First two weeks of March – 253 new listings, 138 sales
• March 23 to 27 – 172 New Listings, 131 Sales
• March 30 to April 3 – 104 new listings, 62 sales
• April 6 to April 9 – 137 new listings, 58 sales
• April 14 to 17 – 131 new listings, 63 sales
• April 20 to 24 – 117 new listings, 48 sales
• April 27 to May 1 – 126 new listings, 48 sales

With the reduction in the number of homes sold and the number of homes being listed, absorption of new listings was actually stronger this April then compared with April 2019, 47 per cent compared to 31 per cent. The 47 per cent this year was even better than April 2018 at 44 per cent. Buyers were more engaged with the limited number of new listings than we’ve seen in April for the last 2 years – with more incidents of multiple offers occurring. Had more homes come on to the market we would have likely seen more home sales as a result.

Some highlights from April:

• Detached home sales in Vancouver West were slightly higher than January of this year, with a 58 per cent absorption rate and a slight increase in the average price for April compared to March
• Detached home sales in most areas had high absorption rates compared to attached homes, perhaps a sign of a push towards separate space and less home owners willing to part with that and put their homes up for sale
• The last two weeks of April showed the most significant lag in home sales and new listings, but similar to the end of March, home sales reported are from weeks previous and anecdotal reports indicated more activity amongst home buyers and sellers
• While Month’s of Supply increased in April due to lower sales totals, pushing areas into Buyer’s Market Conditions on paper– this will be temporary and even with those conditions we are seeing sales that favor sellers.

The number of homes for sale in Greater Vancouver saw a slight decrease in April. At the end of April there were 10,115 homes for sale, compared to 10,315 at the end of March and 15,060 at the end of April 2019 – a 33 per cent reduction in the number of homes available year-over-year. As expected, the number of homes that came to market in April were half that of March with 2,399 homes listed for sale, compared with 4,521 in March. We will come out of this pandemic with an extremely under supplied housing market, for both resale homes and presale homes. And while there are already some anticipating a drop in home prices as a result, activity through the worst of the pandemic hasn’t indicated that so far. As local, national and global governments begin to open up economies, there will be more opportunities for increased activity in the housing market. Home owners will seek changes in where they live, having been through more time at home than ever before, and in conditions they have not experienced. Changes will be desired for some and required for others. And governments will be doing their part to push the economy forward – they have the tools to do so and will.

“Predictably, the number of home sales and listings declined in April given the physical distancing measures in place,” Colette Gerber, REBGV president-elect said, “People are, however, adapting. They’re working with the Realtors to get information, advice and to explore their options so that they’re best positioned in the market during and after this pandemic. We’re seeing more innovation in today’s market, with Realtors using different technology to showcase homes virtually, assess neighbourhood amenities with their clients and handle electronically.”

East of the Fraser River, the Fraser Valley Real Estate Board processed 688 sales of all property types on its Multiple Listing Service® in April, a decrease of 52 per cent compared to sales in March and a 50 per cent decrease compared to the sales in April of last year. According to the Fraser Valley Board, last month’s sales were on par with April sales in 1983 through to 1985; and new listings are in line with numbers last need in April 1981. There were 1,416 new listings in April, a 47 per cent decrease compared to March and a 58 per cent decrease compared to April of last year. April finished with 5,997 active listings, a decrease of 1 per cent compared to March’s inventory and a decrease of 24 per cent year-over-year. “Even though March’s initial numbers promised a banner spring, we expected the market to respond this way in April. Both sales and listings contracted in tandem as we all moved swiftly to embrace the measures necessary to respond to this global pandemic. Given that the volume of new listings coming on stream fell even faster than sales in April, the market remains stable,” Chris Shields, President of the Fraser Valley Real Estate Board.

More important than the housing market right now is focusing on getting through this pandemic and working to stay healthy and supporting those around us. The real estate market will continue and be much more active as social distancing measures and relaxations of those measures are allowed. Be safe and be careful.

SUMMING UP THE NUMBERS

Greater Vancouver: Total Units Sold in April 2020 was 1,119 – down from 2,562 (56%) in March 2020, down from 1,850 (40%) in April 2019, down from 2,631 (57%) in April 2018; Active Listings are at 10,115 compared to 15,060 (down 33%) at this time last year; New Listings in April 2020 were down 59% compared to April 2019 and down 60% compared to April 2018. Month’s Supply of Total Residential Listings is at 9 Month’s Supply (Balanced with signs of Buyer’s Market conditions in some areas and product types) and a Sales to Listings Ratio of 47% compared to 31% in April 2019 and 44% in April 2018.

Vancouver Westside Residential: Total Units Sold in April 2020 was 195 – down from 467 (58%) in March 2020, down from 342 (43%) in April 2019, down from 467 (48%) in April 2018; Active Listings are at 1,760 compared to 2,808 (down 37%) at this time last year; New Listings in April 2020 were down 62% compared to April 2019 and down 62% compared to April 2018. Month’s Supply of Total Residential Listings is at 9 Month’s Supply (Balanced with signs of Buyer’s Market conditions in some areas and product types) and a Sales to Listings Ratio of 44% compared to 29% in April 2019 and 40% in April 2018.

Vancouver East Side Residential: Total Units Sold in April 2020 was 120 – down from 297 (60%) in March 2020, down from 174 (31%) in April 2019, down from 298 (60%) in April 2018; Active Listings are at 836 compared to 1,403 (down 40%) at this time last year; New Listings in April 2020 were down 58% compared to April 2019 and down 66% compared to April 2018. Month’s Supply of Total Residential Listings is at 7 Month’s Supply (Balanced with signs of Buyer’s Market conditions in some areas and product types) and a Sales to Listings Ratio of 49% compared to 36% in April 2019 and 42% in April 2018.

North Vancouver Residential: Total Units Sold in April 2020 was 96 – down from 204 (53%) in March 2020, down from 149 (36%) in April 2019, down from 221 (57%) in April 2018; Active Listings are at 633 compared to 1,049 (down 40%) at this time last year; New Listings in April 2020 were down 57% compared to April 2019 and down 54% compared to April 2018. Month’s Supply of Total Residential Listings is at 7 Month’s Supply (Balanced with signs of Buyer’s Market conditions in some areas and product types) and a Sales to Listings Ratio of 43% compared to 29% in April 2019 and 46% in April 2018.

West Vancouver: Total Units Sold in April 2020 was 29 – down from 56 (48%) in March 2020, down from 48 (40%) in April 2019, down from 56 (48%) in April 2018; Active Listings are at 527 compared to 723 (down 27%) at this time last year; New Listings in April 2020 were down 62% compared to April 2019 and down 64% compared to April 2018. Month’s Supply of Total Residential Listings is at 18 Month’s Supply (Buyer’s Market conditions) and a Sales to Listings Ratio of 31% compared to 19% in April 2019 and 21% in April 2018.

Richmond Residential: Total Units Sold in April 2020 was 137 – down from 337 (59%) in March 2020, down from 172 (20%) in April 2019, down from 312 (59%) in April 2018; Active Listings are at 1,386 compared to 2,220 (down 38%) at this time last year; New Listings in April 2020 were down 65% compared to April 2019 and down 65% compared to April 2018. Month’s Supply of Total Residential Listings is at 10 Month’s Supply (Buyer’s to Balanced Market conditions) and a Sales to Listings Ratio of 56% compared to 25% in April 2019 and 45% in April 2018.

Burnaby East: Total Units Sold in April 2020 was 12 – down from 27 (56%) in March 2020, down from 15 (20%) in April 2019, down from 35 (66%) in April 2018; Active Listings are at 101 compared to 153 (down 34%) at this time last year; New Listings in April 2020 were down 44% compared to April 2019 and down 52% compared to April 2018. Month’s Supply of Total Residential Listings is at 8 Month’s Supply (Balanced Market conditions) and a Sales to Listings Ratio of 38% compared to 26% in April 2019 and 53% in April 2018.

Burnaby North: Total Units Sold in April 2020 was 40 – down from 130 (69%) in March 2020, down from 81 (51%) in April 2019, down from 135 (70%) in April 2018; Active Listings are at 409 compared to 634 (down 35%) at this time last year; New Listings in April 2020 were down 51% compared to April 2019 and down 51% compared to April 2018. Month’s Supply of Total Residential Listings is at 10 Month’s Supply (Balanced Market conditions) and a Sales to Listings Ratio of 29% compared to 29% in April 2019 and 48% in April 2018.

Burnaby South: Total Units Sold in April 2020 was 55 – down from 143 (62%) in March 2020, down from 97 (43%) in April 2019, down from 108 (49%) in April 2018; Active Listings are at 463 compared to 819 (down 43%) at this time last year; New Listings in April 2020 were down 63% compared to April 2019 and down 63% compared to April 2018. Month’s Supply of Total Residential Listings is at 8 Month’s Supply (Balanced Market conditions) and a Sales to Listings Ratio of 52% compared to 34% in April 2019 and 38% in April 2018.

New Westminster: Total Units Sold in April 2020 was 61 – down from 118 (48%) in March 2020, down from 108 (44%) in April 2019, down from 133 (54%) in April 2018; Active Listings are at 333 compared to 533 (down 38%) at this time last year; New Listings in April 2020 were down 69% compared to April 2019 and down 63% compared to April 2018. Month’s Supply of Total Residential Listings is at 5 Month’s Supply (Balanced Market conditions) and a Sales to Listings Ratio of 69% compared to 38% in April 2019 and 56% in April 2018.

Coquitlam: Total Units Sold in April 2020 was 93 – down from 202 (54%) in March 2020, down from 153 (39%) in April 2019, down from 202 (54%) in April 2018; Active Listings are at 687 compared to 1,068 (down 36%) at this time last year; New Listings in April 2020 were down 59% compared to April 2019 and down 59% compared to April 2018. Month’s Supply of Total Residential Listings is at 7 Month’s Supply (Buyer’s Market conditions) and a Sales to Listings Ratio of 49% compared to 33% in April 2019 and 44% in April 2018.

Port Moody: Total Units Sold in April 2020 was 28 – down from 54 (48%) in March 2020, down from 60 (53%) in April 2019, down from 54 (48%) in April 2018; Active Listings are at 204 compared to 252 (down 19%) at this time last year; New Listings in April 2020 were down 61% compared to April 2019 and down 50% compared to April 2018. Month’s Supply of Total Residential Listings is at 7 Month’s Supply (Balanced Market conditions) and a Sales to Listings Ratio of 50% compared to 41% in April 2019 and 48% in April 2018.

Port Coquitlam: Total Units Sold in April 2020 was 42 – down from 96 (54%) in March 2020, down from 67 (37%) in April 2019, down from 103 (39%) in April 2018; Active Listings are at 197 compared to 395 (down 50%) at this time last year; New Listings in April 2020 were down 60% compared to April 2019 and down 58% compared to April 2018. Month’s Supply of Total Residential Listings is at 5 Month’s Supply (Balanced Market conditions) and a Sales to Listings Ratio of 54% compared to 34% in April 2019 and 56% in April 2018.

Ladner: Total Units Sold in April 2020 was 17 – down from 32 (47%) in March 2020, down from 29 (41%) in April 2019, down from 32 (47%) in April 2018; Active Listings are at 173 compared to 190 (down 9%) at this time last year; New Listings in April 2020 were down 45% compared to April 2019 and down 37% compared to April 2018. Month’s Supply of Total Residential Listings is at 10 Month’s Supply (Buyer’s Market conditions) and a Sales to Listings Ratio of 47% compared to 45% in April 2019 and 56% in April 2018.

Tsawwassen: Total Units Sold in April 2020 was 24 – down from 39 (38%) in March 2020, up from 18 (33%) in April 2019, down from 38 (37%) in April 2018; Active Listings are at 209 compared to 296 (down 29%) at this time last year; New Listings in April 2020 were down 61% compared to April 2019 and down 63% compared to April 2018. Month’s Supply of Total Residential Listings is at 9 Month’s Supply (Buyer’s to Balanced Market conditions) and a Sales to Listings Ratio of 56% compared to 17% in April 2019 and 32% in April 2018.

Pitt Meadows: Total Units Sold in April 2020 was 19 – down from 35 (46%) in April 2020, down from 28 (45%) in April 2019, down from 25 (24%) in March 2018; Active Listings are at 97 compared to 136 (down 28%) at this time last year; New Listings in April 2020 (31) were down 56% compared to April 2019 and down 47% compared to April 2018. Month’s Supply of Total Residential Listings is at 5 Month’s Supply (Mostly a Balanced Market with some Seller’s Market Conditions) and a Sales to Listings Ratio of 61% compared to 38% in April 2019 and 43% in April 2018.

Maple Ridge: Total Units Sold in March 2020 was 82 – down from 170 (52%) in March 2020, down from 124 (33%) in April 2019, down from 205 (60%) in April 2018; Active Listings are at 649 compared to 792 (down 18%) at this time last year; New Listings in April 2020 were down 55% compared to April 2019 and down 58% compared to April 2018. Month’s Supply of Total Residential Listings is at 8 Month’s Supply (Mostly Balanced Market Conditions) and a Sales to Listings Ratio of 54% compared to 36% in April 2019 and 57% in April 2018.

From sourdough starters to spring cleaning, there are a lot of isolation living tips flying around. Here’s a list we think offers something for everyone.

During these times of uncertainty, our many hours spent in our homes might be challenging, but they’re also an opportunity to take a step back and use what time we can to advantage. But before we dive into any tips and tricks, let’s start with the most important item:

Take care of yourself and your loved ones.

Seriously. There are great lists of things to do and sort and try and clean—we’re about to offer one just jam-packed with goodies. But all these lists and methods are not for everyone—nor should they pressure you into tackling anything you’re not capable of at the moment. 

Are you and your partner navigating remote work in a Vancouver apartment? Caring for elderly relatives? Homeschooling three kids under the age of ten? Um, you are busy. Trying to wrangle a teenager into respecting social distancing? Same. (Also, trying calling it “staying out of melee range.” Sounds cooler. Might appeal to the teenage brain.) 

Our lives have changed, and we’re responding to an unprecedented event. None of us were prepared for this, and all of us are going to cope in our own ways, and at our own speeds. Be kind to yourself, and respect your current limits. 

Now let’s get cracking with ways to use our time at home to advantage!

Digital done right

Spring cleaning doesn’t have to be limited to storing sweaters and dusting under the couch. 

Clean up those old emails

• We all have that digital inbox, the one electronic flyers fill up, that’s linked to our online shopping accounts. Now’s the time to go through those folders, delete spam, and file the messages you need to keep. Who knows, maybe you’ll find an email in there from a friend you haven’t talked to in a while?

Update and organize passwords

• With all our email, subscription services and shopping accounts, passwords can get out of hand. Whether you use a google account or another service, there are great options for organizing and keeping track of your passwords. 

Get rid of old accounts

• Between cleaning those emails and organizing those passwords, you’re bound to uncover things you’d forgotten about. The moment is ripe to unsubscribe from unwanted newsletters and close accounts for services you no longer need. 

Go through your downloads folder + desktop

• Do you even know what’s in there? You’re about to. Whether you dump everything into a catch-all downloads folder or drop files onto your desktop, it’s time to sort through the digital dust we accumulate.

Take out the trash

• That trash can or recycle bin on your computer is ready to be dumped. If you’re like us, you’ll want to take a quick look over the files inside to make sure you’re not deleting anything that you need, then it’s time to click that button.

Picture perfect papers

We all have that pile of papers, the one full of things we’ll deal with later. Good news: later is finally upon us. 

That kitchen drawer

• It’s there. You know it, we know it, and our collective moms know it. Maybe it’s the place you cram all those cooking implements you might use “one day,” or it’s your catch-all for mail and charity donations you mean to follow up on. No matter what you cram into that drawer, this is the perfect opportunity to sort through what’s inside. Who knows, maybe you’ll find that spoon you’ve been looking for, or a tool for trying a new recipe? 

That stack in your office

• You meant to file those papers at the start of January. Then February. And now we’re in the middle of spring and that pile has probably gotten a little bigger, there might even be things that you need for your taxes. Let’s dive in and see if your tax return can get a little better.

That pile of old pictures + memorabilia

• This isn’t a chore, this is how you remind yourself of all the wonderful things you’ve done and all the fantastic people in your life. You can sort through the box or bin or drawer you put everything in and unearth treasures you’d forgotten you had. For those of you who always wanted to take up scrapbooking, this is your moment.

Household maintenance

While we always recommend leaving any major work to the professionals, there are those nuisance problems any of us can fix.

Tighten those screws

• That one screw on that one cabinet door handle, the one you can tighten with an allen key and keep meaning to get to? Now is the time, we know you can do it.

Tidy those cables

• That mess of cables behind your home office computer station or cluttering the back of your entertainment stand? It’s a pain. It’s been a pain for ages. With this extra time on your hands, you can bring that mess into line. (Fun tip: pipe cleaners can be brilliant for this, but pretty much anything works). 

Rearrange that storage

• You know those storage boxes, the ones we get imagining the perfect system we’ll create for whatever it is we’re storing (usually sweaters or craft supplies)? And how, oh so often, we get halfway through said project and life gets in the way? Well, life has just gotten out of your way, so dive on in and finish what you’d started. 

Clean those cupboards

• If you’re like everyone else, there’s a collection of tinned items cluttering up the back of your kitchen cupboards. Now is the perfect time to clean out everything you won’t use and make space for things you will. If you’re comfortable, it’s also an ideal time to donate any unwanted food items to the Greater Vancouver Food Bank. (If you’re not comfortable dropping things off in person, you can make a money donation—they can really use the help right now).

Of course the list could go on. Especially when it comes to our homes! But while most of us can’t replace that kitchen sink or re-tile our bathrooms, we can make a list of priorities and plan for how they’ll get done when isolation is lifted. 

And if that tiny kitchen or non-existent ensuite can’t be fixed with a renovation, you can know that Dexter is ready to help you find that perfect new home.

At Dexter, we know the value of taking the long view. Now is the time to take a step back, and use your time to advantage.

During these times of uncertainty, our many hours spent in our homes might be challenging, but they’re also an opportunity to work on those many items you can’t ever find the time for when the market is hopping. 

But before we dive into any tips and tricks, let’s start with the most important item:

Take care of yourself and your loved ones.

Our lives have changed, and we’re responding to an unprecedented event. None of us were prepared for this, and all of us are going to cope in our own ways, and at our own speeds. Be kind to yourself, and respect your current limits.

Now, let’s get cracking with ways to use our time at home to advantage!

The Digital Basics

We all mean to keep on top of our digital items, and all too often life gets away from us. What better time to tackle those digital basics that have been hanging over your head?

1. Update and organize your passwords for your social media, website, and other key accounts, so you have them ready to hand. 
2. Make sure you’re not paying for services you don’t use. Are you paying for hosting or a website that is old or broken? Now is the time to look into that and get rid of anything unwanted.
3. Organize your email inbox, delete spam and file messages you’ll need to refer to in future. Do the same for your computer. And remember to back up your files when everything is nice and tidy!
4. Go through your devices and delete unwanted photos, videos and any outdated apps.
5. Organize those photos you want to use for social media, but just never quite have the time to sort through.

Your Best Foot Forward

Websites, social media and newsletters have a terrible habit of getting pushed to the bottom of our list when life is busy. But they are important. Is your website bogged down by old photos and older words? The moment is ripe to update your platforms and put your best digital foot forward.

Compile and organize your client testimonials. 

• Update your website so new and prospective clients can see current comments on your awesome service, and maybe post your favorites to social media. This is also a great moment to reach out to old clients and check in with them (while asking about a testimonial).

Compile your best and most recent “solds” with the photos and details you’re allowed to share for each. 

• For those of you who share these on your websites, it’s time to update those items. It can also be great content to share on social media. Let’s show your potential new clients your selling prowess.

Update the pictures on your website + social media

• Got old photos? Good news, you just sorted through all those files and are ready to update your website and social media with fresh new photos.
• Take a look at your headshot. Do you need to have it retaken when life returns to normal? Put it on your to-do list.

Update your personal narrative

• Review all the written content on your website and social media, and make sure everything is spelled correctly and content is updated (like changing “Dexter Associates Realty” to “Dexter Realty”).
• Read your bio. Update your bio. We know, bios… it’s tough. But still, this is the perfect moment to climb that mountain and take a moment to really reflect on your bio. Is it still true to who you are? Is the information out of date? Is it consistent across social media, your website, and your brand collateral? 
• When you’ve updated your bio, please send it to us so we can keep your profile gleaming on Dexter’s website.

Check your website links and make sure they’re all working.

• Yup, all of them, including your social media links.

Contacts and Newsletter

• Even if you don’t want to start an electronic newsletter on your own, you can take a huge step in the right direction by organizing your contacts and making a list of those people you already email with real estate updates. 
• Feeling brave? Make yourself a MailChimp account and start exploring the ways you can use this tool to enhance your options for connecting with clients (as well as finding new ones).

Stay On Top of Your Game

While we wait for social distancing to end, there are an ever-growing number of opportunities for staying informed and enhancing your skill set.

Share Best Practices

• Make a Zoom date with your colleagues, and stay in touch while sharing best practices

Small Business BC Meetups

• Small Business BC is pleased to share their new Digital Meetups series, taking place every Tue-Thur at 11AM. Their virtual meetups and webinars are designed to help entrepreneurs navigate the COVID economy. Watch new and archived webinars here.

Real Estate Institute of BC

• The Real Estate Institute of BC is offering regular webinars. Taking place on April 30th, their next session is “Step Code,” which will take agents through “what the BC Energy Step Code is, how it supports B.C. Government mandates and enables local government leadership on innovation and climate action, and how it will inform the next edition of the BC Building Code.”

LeadingRE Webinars

• One of the benefits of Dexter’s partnership with Leading RE is the access and resources that it gives to our agents. Along with webinars, they have a large number of shorter video courses Dexter agents can take on several topics through their Institute Program for Learning. During this month, they have offered more courses for free. We encourage our agents to take advantage of some of the free courses over the next week and beyond.

Make a Plan

This will end. 

That deceptively simple statement bears repeating: this will end. And when it does, we might be looking at an incredibly hungry market, where buyers and sellers have been waiting on pins and needles for the chance to act. 

• Make a plan with all your clients for how you’ll work towards their goals when the landscape returns to something resembling normal. 
• Part of a team? Take this opportunity to plan your approach and identify any shared assets—such as a team website or shared social page—and how you can use this time to make those shine.

Until this does end, stay home as much as possible, take care of yourself and your loved ones, and remember to wash your hands.