Residential sales across the Revelstoke to Peachland region rose to 545
in March, up from February’s 407 yet 13% fewer than March of last year reports the Okanagan Mainline
Real Estate Board (OMREB).
While Mother Nature is taking her time with the outward signs of spring, the market is rising to the
occasion with more activity. In line with a typical spring busier market was an average price of $510,435,
just 4% above February and 2% lower than last March.
“Interestingly, average days on market, a gauge of how long it takes for homes to sell, rose to 92 days
from February’s 88 days and last March’s 79 days, comments OMREB President Marv Beer. “Usually,
when activity increases we see the average days indicator shorten, yet here we’re seeing the opposite.”
Also of note and despite a 44% increase in new listings over the previous month, the supply of homes
for sale decreased 12% over February’s inventory.
“Despite steady increases in new listings over the past several months, housing supply is light as we
head into the spring market, which is concerning and points to a problem we’ve been stressing for a
while: a generalized lack of housing supply,” says Beer.
With government solely focused on dampening housing demand through measures such as stricter
mortgage rules, higher interest rates and even the speculation tax, there’s been little to no attention
paid to helping assure a sustainable supply of affordable housing. “There are troubling trickle-down
effects with these one-sided government policies, especially for young families trying to put a roof over
their heads,” contends Beer.
If millennials, currently the largest first-time home buying group, can’t buy, they will likely stay renting
longer, spelling bad news for rental markets already facing plenty of competition for few vacancies. If
housing supply stays low, those who still qualify under the new stricter mortgage rules may find
increased competition for scarce housing, often a catalyst that drives up pricing.
Those hoping to upgrade, which could free up an affordable home for sale, may find their own
difficulties. Prospective purchasers may be chased away by stricter mortgage rules under which they no
longer qualify. Even if buyers can be found, starter home owners may be challenged to find an upgrade
they can now afford, as they face the same challenges (harder mortgage qualifying rules; higher interest
rates; competition for scarce suitable homes) as their prospective buyers. The seller of the affordable
home may opt to stay put and no starter home opens up to a first time buyer.
“At the end of the day, the answer likely lies in governments doing things differently and its likely a
basket of actions to fuel creation of a spectrum of affordable housing to accommodate a range of
population requirements,” says Beer.
