As summer drew to an end we saw a dip in sales, with 11% fewer sales than August 2018 and 9% fewer than July 2019. The VIREB housing market has transitioned towards a balanced market, with some areas trending towards a buyers market. Sellers are recognizing the change in the market and adjusting their pricing expectations. 

The single biggest mistake you can make when marketing your home is pricing incorrectly. You only get one chance to make a great first impression so you want to ensure that you are pricing your home accurately.

Price too high and you risk your property sitting on the market too long and the market conditions changing. Overpricing also limits demand and reduces the number of buyers who view the home. Without viewings, you aren’t going to get a sale at any price so you need to set a price that is enticing enough to get buyers through the door and submit an offer.

Many clients ask: “Can I test the market at a high price and reduce if I don’t get any offers?” In theory, you can price your home at whatever price you like but that doesn’t mean there is a buyer out there willing to pay it. Research proves that overpriced homes sit on the market longer and actually sell for less than comparable homes that are priced at the correct market value from the start. 

Get it right the first time! Before listing your home for sale, seek the opinion of a local real estate professional. Your real estate agent will research recent sold and listed properties, review features, neighbourhoods, and current market conditions in order to provide you with an accurate estimate of your homes market value. If you get multiple evaluations, keep in mind that no two appraisals will ever be exactly the same but they should be close.

Pricing your home correctly will help you to put your best foot forward and maximize your chances of getting a sale. 

The Vancouver Island Real Estate Board has realeased their lastest stats for May 2019. 

In summary, we continue to see a softening in the market. Current conditions are comparable to that of 2014 and it is expected that market conditions will continue into to fall. Weaker demand has resulted in a 22 percent increase in inventory of single family homes in the VIREB market compared to one year ago. Homes are moving more slowly but we are still seeing sales; and well priced properties are moving quickly.   

To view the full report visit www.vireb.com

1. Depersonalize

You’ve spent time personalizing your home and adding finishing touches to your space. But when it's time to sell it’s best to get back to the basics so you can showcase your home, not your things. This is the perfect time to start packing so go ahead and put away those cherished family photos, sports-themed posters, collections, awards, and antique china set. Your goal is to create a neutral space where buyers can visualize themselves moving in.

2. Declutter

Create a clean visual for buyers by removing any unnecessary items. Focusing on functionality will help you decide what to keep and what to put away (photos, accessories, books, out-of-season clothing, and small appliances). Keeping the clutter to a bare minimum will help make spaces feel much bigger.

3. Paint

Patch any dents in the walls and apply a fresh coat of paint. If you’ve painted a room in the last few years, you can probably get away with a few quick touch ups rather than painting the entire room. You may also want to cover any brightly painted areas with an inviting neutral tone such as a cool grey or a warm beige.

4. Clean

Clean every surface until it shines! Presenting a clean home shows buyers you take care of your home. Wash the windows inside and out, clean the floors, pressure wash the driveway and don't forget to clean under sinks and appliances.

5. Make Small Upgrades

Make some small but impactful upgrades such as updating light fixtures or door handles. These updates can completely change the look of a room and can help increase the value of your home.

6. Add Curb Appeal

You can add a lot of curb appeal without investing a lot of money. A new door mat and a beautiful pot of flowers at the front door make a great first impression. If you’re feeling bold, try painting the front door red or navy blue.

7. Get Professional Help

Hire a handyman to fix leaky faucets, clean out the gutters, patch drywall, repair broken tiles and make other small repairs around the home. Buyers will notice if there is anything wrong so it’s a good idea to ensure everything is in good repair before listing your home.  

8. Tidy Up Outside

Tidy up the yard by cutting the lawn, raking the leaves and weeding the garden. For a bigger impact on a budget, add fresh mulch and some brightly coloured flowers.

We saw a 28% drop in the sales of single-family homes and a 32% increase in inventory compared to January 2018. As expected, the shift towards a more balanced market is resulting in modest price reductions and lower demand as many buyers take a "wait and see" approach. The balanced market conditions offers buyers more choice and room to negotiate. This is not to say that it is a bad time for sellers to be getting into the market; just that sellers will need to adjust their expectations to the current market conditions rather than the record-setting pace we've experienced over the last few years. 

We are seeing a shift towards a more balanced market compared to the long-term sellers market we have experienced. Changes in government policy, the mortgage stress test, and the increase in interest rates have all impacted real estate markets across the country. Buyers are taking more time to observe these changes in the market and we have seen fewer multiple offers as a result.

That said, prices continue to rise in the VIREB market despite moderating sales. In October 2018, we saw 385 single family homes sold which was 11 percent higher than in September, yet 16 percent lower than October 2017. With a benchmark price of $508,200, prices have increased by 11 percent compared to one year ago. Overall inventory of single family homes is down 8 percent from September but up slightly from 2017 (1175 vs. 1138).