The housing market, like most markets, is cyclical.

These cycles can be greatly influenced by a number of factors, including interest rates, economic conditions and consumer confidence, which can create a shortage or surplus in housing.

A seller’s market happens when there’s a shortage in housing or more potential buyers than homes. A buyer’s market, on the other hand, occurs when there is a surplus in housing or more homes for sale than buyers. A balanced market happens when there is the same number of homes for sale as there are buyers.

STOP PRESS: January 2021 - It's a sellers market RIGHT NOW

Seller’s market at-a-glance

• More buyers than homes for sale
• Prices tend to be higher because of increased demand
• Homes sell quickly

What will Kamloops Real Estate do in 2021? Is it time to sell or buy your Kamloops real estate?

Read what the BC Real Estate Association thinks and the stats for 2020

Fourth Quarter – November 2020

The COVID-19 pandemic and associated recession have impacted housing markets in unexpected and unpredictable ways. Despite what may be the worst recession in BC history, the housing market had a record fall season and prices are rapidly rising as pent-up demand floods into an under-supplied market.
As that pent-up demand from the loss of a spring season fades, sales will likely slow from their current pace, but activity is expected to remain strong as record-low mortgage rates and a recovering economy continue to drive sales.

The average Canadian

When it comes to real estate, the ideal time to sell your home often falls in the spring months, or is it?

After all, many people hunker down during the winter months or are too busy with the holidays to think about purchasing a new home. And don't forget, people like to start shopping in the spring to make sure they are settled in their home before the start of a new school year.

On the other hand, some people do need to sell over the holidays, and some buyers have no alternative but to buy a home during the holidays. Whether or not it's best to keep your home on the market will come down to personal preference, but there are some benefits and drawbacks you should consider as you make your decision.

The best time to sell a house, by the numbers

The B.C. Real Estate Association's latest housing forecast was released Tuesday and shows that while sales in 2020 did fall to "historic lows" in April, they have since rebounded to pre-pandemic levels and even puts the year on track to outdo 2019 sales.

Among the industries still grappling with the impacts of COVID-19 this year, the B.C. housing market is not one of them.

The Canadian real estate market dipped in April this year, amid the lockdowns and economic impacts brought about by COVID-19. Although the pandemic stopped what was predicted to be a strong spring 2020 market, transactions started to pick up around May and June.

The B.C. Real Estate Association’s latest housing forecast was released Tuesday and shows that while sales in 2020

Things You Should Know Before You Sign an Agreement

Buying or selling real estate in Kamloops its best to get a great Realtor.

Smart consumers will interview several potential real estate agents before they settle on which one they want to work with, and good agents are selective about their clients, too. Just as you're sizing up a good fit, the real estate agent will likely be interviewing you as well. Be wary of agents who don't ask you questions and probe for your motivation. 

The interview stage of the relationship is important for everyone involved. You can interview the agent over the phone, or get together at their office for the first meeting. Even a top-producing agent will be prepared to meet you at your home to help you make your

How To Prepare Your House For Sale

Expert insights on selling it quickly and for top dollar

For most people, listing their house for sale isn't a spur of the moment thing. People often think about selling their house for years before ever actually selling it. Yet, given how much time and thought people tend to give it, many people don't do enough to prepare their house for sale (or prepare themselves for what's to come). They just get to a point where they decide it's time to sell and they pop a sign in the yard.

This often leads to people not selling their house for as much, as quickly, or as smoothly as it could have. Or at all. On the other hand, there are people who do too much and spend way more time and money than they should.

They may

B.C. real estate: home prices forecast to rise 7.7 percent by end of 2020, and 3.7 percent in 2021

B.C. realtors expect not only to sell more homes this year and the next compared to 2019.

They also anticipate prices to rise in 2020 and 2021. The B.C. Real Estate Association predicts 2020 to finish with a 7.7 percent increase in average price over 2019. The BCREA also forecasts a further increase of 3.7 percent in 2021.

In Greater Vancouver, the association anticipates the average price to jump 5.9 percent over 2019. For 2021, the average price in the region is predicted to rise 2.4 percent. In the Fraser Valley, the BCREA expects the average price to grow 6.7 percent in 2020, and 2.6 percent in 2021.

It can be recalled that the Canada

The global pandemic may have brought the Canadian real estate sector to a near standstill this spring, but over the longer term it appears to have stoked homebuying intentions.

It almost goes without saying that COVID-19 has had a far-reaching impact on the Canadian economy and healthcare system in the first half of 2020. As expected, the spring housing market was much cooler than 2019, with the Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA) confirming that May 2020 recorded the lowest volume of sales in May since 1996. Despite the significant drop in sales volume due to the pandemic, though, national home prices remained relatively stable. 

After a quiet April, market activity began to pick up in local housing markets across the country in May: more

The stress test rate is about to fall for the second time in three months following cuts by Canada’s Big Six banks to their 5-year fixed posted rates.

Ever since 2016, all insured mortgages must qualify at a minimum rate or, in other words, pass a 'stress test'. The key difference between an insured mortgage and an uninsured mortgage is the initial amount you're able to put down on the purchase of a If you find yourself able to put down more than 20% of the purchase price immediately, you can carry on without seeking mortgage insurance . If, however, your down payment comes in at under 20% of the total purchase price, the government mandates that the balance of the mortgage must be backed by government-supported insurance.

Mortgage experts say the

The dollar figure on your provincial property assessment notice should not be taken as your home’s market value

In early January, homeowners across British Columbia received their 2020 assessed property values, released by BC Assessment. For the most part, the province remains relatively stable. However, there are significant changes to note, including a dramatic decrease in values in the lower mainland by as much as 15 per cent and increases of 41 per cent in smaller areas such as Kitimat. Regardless of the situation, it can be a confusing landscape to navigate as a homeowner, seller, or buyer. Here is a look at some of the need-to-know points that demystify the real versus the perceived impact of the newly released property assessments.

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