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Agent Spotlight: Nick Moroso

For third generation Vancouverite Nick Moroso, a career in real estate more than made sense—it formed the next piece of his family’s history with Vancouver properties

When we set out to learn more about Nick Moroso, we had no idea of his long history with Vancouver and his deep love for the city. Oh, we knew about his expertise in real estate—particularly in the Brentwood area—but we didn’t know the depth of his history with our fair city. 

Nor did we realize  how long he’d been an agent.

That’s the thing with Nick. He feels incredibly established, like he’s been helming his corner of the market for a decade and is ready for anything. Imagine our surprise when we learned he’d only moved into real estate four years ago! This might be because his history with the Lower Mainland goes back three generations—his parents, grandparents and great grandparents all lived and owned property in Vancouver. He feels established because his roots run deep. 

DT: Three generations in Vancouver, that’s a rare thing nowadays. Do you come from a family of REALTORSⓇ?

Nick: Actually I am the first REALTORⓇ in the family, but there are a lot of real estate stories in my family. We’re not new to real estate! My great grandparents owned three side-by-side lots, backing on Rupert Park in Vancouver. Both houses still stand side by side. My grandfather was Jack Moroso and grandmother Elizabeth Moroso. 

Matt Zonailo, my grandfather’s nephew,  built several 3 storey apartments in Vancouver before building the Panorama Place at 2055 Pendrell Street in 1964. He bought 7 side by side houses to build Panorama Place, and back then instead of the houses being bulldozed, the Fire Department burnt them down. It took two years for Matt to start building as he fought with the city to allow balconies as at the time you were only allowed a 12 inch ledge. The Panorama Place was the first  high rise building to have balconies and it laid the foundation for all others to follow. At 28 stories it was the second highest building in the city at the time of construction. Matt operated the Panorama Place as a rental building for 10 years and then sold it. The corporation that bought it, sold the individual units as Co-operative Strata’s which was a first in Vancouver. The Panorama Place celebrated 50 years in 2014, the building held a celebration and there was a display of many of the original signs from the building and photos from throughout the years. I love that a piece of my family history still sits overlooking  the tennis courts and unprecedented ocean views. 

Not only is Nick’s love of his family clear, his connection to the city is obviously important. 

DT: With these ties, I bet you know a lot about the city?

Nick: I like to think so! Born in Abbotsford, I grew up in Langley and  moved Downtown after highschool, and have been in Burnaby for the past ten years. Before real estate, I worked in purchasing for construction projects—I know a lot about quality materials—and as a bus driver for Translink. That job was great for getting to know the city. Then I bought my condo and swiftly became strata president. Once I’d started digging into strata issues, I realized I’d found my calling: real estate.

DT: What led you to Brentwood and your current property?

Nick: I knew Brentwood before it was the hub it is today, when it was just an old mall in a quiet neighbourhood that much of the city wasn’t aware of. My parents would drop me off at my Grandmas on their way to work in Vancouver, and her and I would adventure around on the bus. One of my favourites was the Valley Bakery in North Burnaby. 

Nick’s Grandmother was an exceptional woman, who not only knew the city, but had an incredible sense of her grandson. When he was younger, she’d actually told him that one day he’d buy in Brentwood.

Nick: I bought my condo on presale in 2010—it sat along Still Creek, and the location was important to me. Being in nature, being able to hear the water of the creek and watch the wildlife—all while having the convenience of living 5 minutes away from the skytrain. Who could ask for more? 

DT: As a Vancouver aficionado, can you tell us a little bit about your favourite parts of our fair city?

Nick: I’m a Vancouver boy, so I’m addicted to mountain views and beaches. When I bought my condo, I made sure to secure a northwest view of the mountains, and to get a huge sundeck to enjoy it from. Living in Vancouver is full of unique benefits, where you can take a short drive and ski or spend the day at the beach. I love the proximity to Whistler and the Okanagan, and I often ride my motorcycle there. I spend a week in Osoyoos every summer. How special is it that we can get to the only desert in Canada in 4 hours?

DT: With all these areas you love, is it hard to focus on any particular neighbourhood, or do you find yourself working widely across the city? 

Nick: I do work widely! But I also have a few particular favourites right now. Kitsilano is always a great place, with its beachfront community vibe. It’s still Vancouver, still central, but feels different because there are no towers around you. Then there’s Fairview, I think this is the next hot spot in the city. Right now it’s full of older lowrise buildings, but when the skytrain runs through it will change the areas. 

He continued to tell us about other locations in and around Vancouver, including Sasamat Lake, which definitely isn’t in town but is a gorgeous slice of British Columbia in the Anmore area. In fact, it turns out he does a lot of sales outside of Vancouver—mostly in Port Moody and Burnaby. West Coquitlam, and New Westminster. 

For a moment, we digress again into talking about the breweries and distilleries that have sprung up in Port Coquitlam. Nick is excited about the massive transformations that the Lower Mainland has undergone just in the past 10 years. Especially Port Coquitlam. It’s been cool to watch the increase in breweries and boutique shops, to see that area’s identity change. More families have moved there and it’s becoming one of the to-be areas of the Lower Mainland.

It doesn’t surprise us that a born-and-bred Vancovuerite, who obviously loves his city would choose Dexter. 

DT: What brought you to Dexter? 

Nick: I’ve been with Dexter from the start—all four years. It was the support and training that brought me in, but the way it’s run, how it’s a local business that’s run with a family-first mentality is what’s kept me. Dexter cares about my city, and their involvement with the real estate council and training and teaching  shows this. 

We’re excited to see how Nick’s career continues to grow, and to hopefully share a cold beverage with him on that fabulous patio one day soon.

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Sales and Listing Report for October 2020

“It’s not the load that breaks you down, it’s the way you carry it.”

Lou Holtz

We made it through Halloween in the year 2020 – with a full moon, endless fireworks and turning back the clocks and with all that it was the real estate market that was the least scary in all this. In fact, the market continued to shake off the effects of the pandemic in October and went out dressed as a bull when so many thought it would be the bear. Throw in a provincial election and the United States Presidential Election as a potential distraction to home buyers and sellers – but they weren’t having any of it. The beat just carried on.

There were 3,787 properties sold of all types in Greater Vancouver in October this year compared with 3,741 sold last month, 2,892 sales in October last year and 1,995 sold in October 2018. It was the second highest amount of sales for the month of October on record in Greater Vancouver, second to 3,942 in 2003. Each month it seems that the end of this run gets forecasted but we’ve yet to see that happen. Of course, as we go through a typical year of market cycles, November, December and January see activity slow down.

While this hasn’t been a typical year, it is safe to assume we’ll see this trend playout for the next 3 months as we come off the highs we’ve experienced. This shouldn’t be surprising nor indicative of anything more. This extremely local and well-founded market has the strength of significant demand behind it. But the current pandemic conditions and economic weight from the pandemic may play into market activity, but as we’ve seen it can both pull and push the market. And it is interesting to note that total sales in Greater Vancouver so far in 2020 are just shy of the total sales in 2019 and have already surpassed total sales in 2018. This is much more than pent up demand from a Covid-19 shutdown in the spring.

Total sales in October were 36 per cent above the ten-year average for the month. Looking at the different types of properties, detached home sales were up 43 per cent year over year (77 per cent in September), townhouses up 45 per cent year over year (72 per cent in September), apartments up 13 per cent year over year (36 per cent in September). The number of sales in October last year was the highest by month for 2019 so not surprising to see the year over year increases less this October. Detached homes made up 35 per cent of all sales, while townhomes made up 21 per cent and apartments 41 (down from 44) per cent. Total active listings for apartments are up 31 per cent year over year (compared to 20 per cent at the end of September), and active listings for townhouse and detached homes are down 12 per cent and 20 per cent respectively year over year (compared to 9 and 21 per cent).

2020 Average Daily Listings and Sales in Greater Vancouver by Week:

First two weeks of March – 253 new listings, 138 sales
Last two weeks of March – 167 New Listings, 98 Sales
April – 120 new listings, 56 sales
May – 189 new listings, 75 sales
June – 274 new listings, 115 sales
July – 274 new listings, 147 sales
August – 299 new listings, 157 sales
September – 313 new listings, 176 sales
October 5 to 9 – 300 new listings, 169 sales
October 13 to 16 – 311 new listings, 186 sales
October 19 to 23 – 254 new listings, 206 sales
October 26 to 30 – 222 new listings, 167 sales

In October there was a significant decrease in the number of new listings compared to September. In fact it was the lowest amount by month since May of this year. The number of new listings in October were 24 per cent higher than the ten-year average for this month but with the decrease in new listings and continued demand from buyers, the total number of active listings in Greater Vancouver has dropped down to 12,797 at the start of November. This is compared to the peak this year of 13,790 at the end of September and 12,658 at the beginning of November 2019 in Greater Vancouver.

As we move through the last two months of 2020 – which can’t happen quick enough, the inventory of resale homes will continue to decline and we’ll start 2021 with another market short on supply. The residential market in Greater Vancouver currently has 3 month’s supply of homes for sale – indicative of a seller’s market. We are witnessing extreme seller’s markets in North Vancouver, areas of Burnaby, Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam, Pitt Meadows, Maple Ridge and Ladner that have 2 month’s supply with their being only one month’s supply of townhomes in Port Moody, Port Coquitlam and Coquitlam. The number of active listings for downtown apartments continues to be high although the increase in new listings leveled off in October. There has been an increase in the number of rentals available downtown as well with monthly rents showing a decline.

“Home has been a focus for residents during the pandemic. With more days and evenings spent at home this year, people are re-thinking their housing situation,” Colette Gerber, REBGV Chair said, “With demand on the rise, homes priced right for today’s market are receiving attention and, at times, garnering multiple offers.”

East of Vancouver, the Fraser Valley Real Estate Board processed 2,370 sales of all property types on its Multiple Listing Service® in October, an increase of 6.2 per cent compared to sales in September and a 48.9 per cent increase compared to October last year. This was the highest sales for the month of October in the Fraser Valley Board, a continued trend from September. There were 3,081 new listings in October, a 12.3 per cent decrease compared to September and a 29.3 per cent increase compared to October of last year. September finished with 6,872 active listings, a decrease of 6.8 per cent compared to September’s inventory and a decrease of 7.1 per cent year-over-year. “The situation is unprecedented. We are in the middle of a pandemic and in many of our communities we are seeing a strong seller’s market for townhomes and single-family homes priced correctly.” Chris Shields, President of the Fraser Valley Real Estate Board said. “For example, in Langley, our current supply of detached homes would sell in 1.4 months if no new listings became available. And for Mission townhomes, we have zero months of inventory.”

Here’s a summary of the numbers:

Greater Vancouver:

Total Units Sold in October were 3,787 – up from 3,741 (1%) in September 2020, up from 2,892 (31%) in October 2019, up from 1,995 (90%) in October 2018; Active Listings are at 13,066 compared to 13,022 at this time last year and 13,790 at the end of September; New Listings in October were down 13% compared to September 2020, up 36% compared to October 2019 and up 13% compared to October 2018. Month’s Supply of Total Residential Listings is down to 3 Month’s Supply (mostly seller’s market conditions with some areas of balanced conditions) and a Sales to Listings Ratio of 67% compared to 57% in September 2020, 69% in October 2019 and 40% in October 2018. Year-over-year, the House Price Index is up 6.0%.

Vancouver Westside:

Total Units Sold in October were 547 – up from 539 (1%) in September 2020, up from 506 (8%) in October 2019, up from 381 (44%) in October 2018; Active Listings are at 2,820 compared to 2,278 at this time last year and 2,868 at the end of September; New Listings in October were down 12% compared to September 2020, up 44% compared to October 2019 and up 16% compared to October 2018. Month’s Supply of Total Residential Listings is at 5 Month’s Supply (mostly seller’s market conditions with some areas of balanced conditions) and a Sales to Listings Ratio of 46% compared to 40% in September 2020, 62% in October 2019 and 37% in October 2018. Year-over-year, the House Price Index is up 4.1%.

Vancouver East Side:

Total Units Sold in October were 392 – down from 443 (12%) in September 2020, up from 316 (24%) in October 2019, up from 234 (68%) in October 2018; Active Listings are at 1,383 compared to 1,183 at this time last year and 1,392 at the end of September; New Listings in October were down 17% compared to September 2020, up 57% compared to October 2019 and up 30% compared to October 2018. Month’s Supply of Total Residential Listings is up to 4 Month’s Supply (mostly seller’s market conditions with some areas of balanced conditions) and a Sales to Listings Ratio of 57% compared to 54% in September 2020, 72% in October 2019 and 44% in October 2018. Year-over-year, the House Price Index is up 5.9%.

North Vancouver:

Total Units Sold in October were 334 – up from 328 (1%) in September 2020, up from 260 (31%) in October 2019, up from 173 (90%) in October 2018; Active Listings are at 824 compared to 777 at this time last year and 918 at the end of September; New Listings in October were down 23% compared to September 2020, up 31% compared to October 2019 and down 4% compared to October 2018. Month’s Supply of Total Residential Listings is down to 2 Month’s Supply (mostly seller’s market conditions) and a Sales to Listings Ratio of 74% compared to 56% in September 2020, 76% in October 2019 and 37% in October 2018. Year-over-year, the House Price Index is up 9.6%.

West Vancouver:

Total Units Sold in October were 104 – up from 98 (6%) in September 2020, up from 66 (58%) in October 2019, up from 55 (89%) in October 2018; Active Listings are at 630 compared to 654 at this time last year and 743 at the end of September; New Listings in October were the same compared to September 2020, up 31% compared to October 2019 and down 1% compared to October 2018. Month’s Supply of Total Residential Listings is down to 6 Month’s Supply (mostly balanced market conditions with buyer’s market conditions at the high end) and a Sales to Listings Ratio of 50% compared to 47% in September 2020, 42% in October 2019 and 26% in October 2018. Year-over-year, the House Price Index is up 8.1%.

Richmond:

Total Units Sold in October were 384 – down from 415 (7%) in September 2020, up from 345 (11%) in October 2019, up from 230 (67%) in October 2018; Active Listings are at 1,704 compared to 1,948 at this time last year and 1,751 at the end of September; New Listings in October were down 11% compared to September 2020, up 23% compared to October 2019 and up 7% compared to October 2018. Month’s Supply of Total Residential Listings is at 4 Month’s Supply (mostly balanced market conditions with detached homes experiencing seller’s market conditions) and a Sales to Listings Ratio of 62% compared to 59% in September 2020, 68% in October 2019 and 39% in October 2018. Year-over-year, the House Price Index is up 5.3%.

Burnaby East:

Total Units Sold in October were 50 – up from 41 (22%) in September 2020, up from 26 (92%) in October 2019, up from 17 (194%) in October 2018; Active Listings are at 124 compared to 153 at this time last year and 139 at the end of September; New Listings in October were up 13% compared to September 2020, up 19% compared to October 2019 and up 19% compared to October 2018. Month’s Supply of Total Residential Listings is down to 2 Month’s Supply (mostly seller’s market conditions) and a Sales to Listings Ratio of 81% compared to 75% in September 2020, 50% in October 2019 and 33% in October 2018. Year-over-year, the House Price Index is up 7.5%.

Burnaby North:

Total Units Sold in October were 170 – down from 192 (11%) in September 2020, up from 166 (2%) in October 2019, up from 76 (124%) in October 2018; Active Listings are at 627 compared to 517 at this time last year and 644 at the end of September; New Listings in October were down 18% compared to September 2020, up 37% compared to October 2019 and up 13% compared to October 2018. Month’s Supply of Total Residential Listings is up to 4 Month’s Supply (mostly seller’s market conditions with some areas of balanced conditions) and a Sales to Listings Ratio of 60% compared to 55% in September 2020, 80% in October 2019 and 30% in October 2018. Year-over-year, the House Price Index is up 5.6%.

Burnaby South:

Total Units Sold in October were 178 – up from 173 (3%) in September 2020, up from 157 (13%) in October 2019, up from 87 (104%) in October 2018; Active Listings are at 744 compared to 704 at this time last year and 769 at the end of September; New Listings in October were down 16% compared to September 2020, up 30% compared to October 2019 and up 7% compared to October 2018. Month’s Supply of Total Residential Listings is at 4 Month’s Supply (mostly seller’s market conditions with some areas of balanced conditions) and a Sales to Listings Ratio of 59% compared to 48% in September 2020, 68% in October 2019 and 31% in October 2018. Year-over-year, the House Price Index is up 3.4%.

New Westminster:

Total Units Sold in October were 168 – down from 176 (3%) in September 2020, up from 136 (24%) in October 2019, up from 88 (91%) in October 2018; Active Listings are at 520 compared to 430 at this time last year and 540 at the end of September; New Listings in October were down 15% compared to September 2020, up 69% compared to October 2019 and up 12% compared to October 2018. Month’s Supply of Total Residential Listings is at 3 Month’s Supply (mostly seller’s market conditions with some areas of balanced conditions) and a Sales to Listings Ratio of 62% compared to 56% in September 2020, 85% in October 2019 and 36% in October 2018. Year-over-year, the House Price Index is up 5.5%.

Coquitlam:

Total Units Sold in October were 356 – up from 307 (16%) in September 2020, up from 254 (40%) in October 2019, up from 136 (162%) in October 2018; Active Listings are at 844 compared to 882 at this time last year and 897 at the end of September; New Listings in October were down 11% compared to September 2020, up 37% compared to October 2019 and up 22% compared to October 2018. Month’s Supply of Total Residential Listings is down to 2 Month’s Supply (mostly seller’s market conditions) and a Sales to Listings Ratio of 78% compared to 60% in September 2020, 77% in October 2019 and 37% in October 2018. Year-over-year, the House Price Index is up 7.6%.

Port Moody:

Total Units Sold in October were 92 – up from 88 (5%) in September 2020, up from 66 (39%) in October 2019, up from 36 (156%) in October 2018; Active Listings are at 254 compared to 204 at this time last year and 282 at the end of September; New Listings in October were down 26% compared to September 2020, up 50% compared to October 2019 and up 73% compared to October 2018. Month’s Supply of Total Residential Listings is at 3 Month’s Supply (mostly seller’s market conditions) and a Sales to Listings Ratio of 75% compared to 53% in September 2020, 80% in October 2019 and 51% in October 2018. Year-over-year, the House Price Index is up 3.9%.

Port Coquitlam:

Total Units Sold in October were 122 – up from 114 (7%) in September 2020, up from 107 (14%) in October 2019, up from 75 (63%) in October 2018; Active Listings are at 250 compared to 296 at this time last year and 266 at the end of September; New Listings in October were down 11% compared to September 2020, up 38% compared to October 2019 and up 9% compared to October 2018. Month’s Supply of Total Residential Listings is at 2 Month’s Supply (mostly seller’s market conditions) and a Sales to Listings Ratio of 69% compared to 58% in September 2020, 84% in October 2019 and 46% in October 2018. Year-over-year, the House Price Index is up 8.6%.

Ladner:

Total Units Sold in October were 55 – up from 53 (4%) in September 2020, up from 21 (162%) in October 2019, up from 22 (150%) in October 2018; Active Listings are at 120 compared to 187 at this time last year and 136 at the end of September; New Listings in October were down 9% compared to September 2020, down 23% compared to October 2019 and up 16% compared to October 2018. Month’s Supply of Total Residential Listings is down to 2 Month’s Supply (mostly seller’s market conditions with some areas of balanced conditions) and a Sales to Listings Ratio of 108% compared to 95% in September 2020, 32% in October 2019 and 50% in October 2018. Year-over-year, the House Price Index is up 8.3%.

Tsawwassen:

Total Units Sold in October were 76 – down from 80 (5%) in September 2020, up from 32 (138%) in October 2019, up from 25 (204%) in October 2018; Active Listings are at 285 compared to 296 at this time last year and 308 at the end of September; New Listings in October were down 27% compared to September 2020, up 5% compared to October 2019 and up 25% compared to October 2018. Month’s Supply of Total Residential Listings is at 4 Month’s Supply (mostly seller’s market conditions with some areas of balanced conditions) and a Sales to Listings Ratio of 89% compared to 69% in September 2020, 40% in October 2019 and 37% in October 2018. Year-over-year, the House Price Index is up 7.6%.

Pitt Meadows:

Total Units Sold in October were 39 – down from 44 (11%) in September 2020, up from 31 (25%) in October 2019, up from 32 (22%) in October 2018; Active Listings are at 90 compared to 104 at this time last year and 100 at the end of September; New Listings in October were down 23% compared to September 2020, up 2% compared to October 2019 and up 36% compared to October 2018. Month’s Supply of Total Residential Listings is at 2 Month’s Supply (mostly seller’s market conditions) and a Sales to Listings Ratio of 79% compared to 68% in September 2020, 64% in October 2019 and 86% in October 2018. Year-over-year, the House Price Index is up 5.6%.

Maple Ridge:

 Total Units Sold in October were 293 – up from 267 (1%) in September 2020, up from 180 (62%) in October 2019, up from 183 (60%) in October 2018; Active Listings are at 527 compared to 765 at this time last year and 610 at the end of September; New Listings in October were down 4% compared to September 2020, up 19% compared to October 2019 and down 1% compared to October 2018. Month’s Supply of Total Residential Listings is at 2 Month’s Supply (mostly seller’s market conditions) and a Sales to Listings Ratio of 101% compared to 88% in September 2020, 74% in October 2019 and 49% in October 2018. Year-over-year, the House Price Index is up 7.5%.

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