Vancouver, BC – September 11, 2009. The British Columbia Real Estate Association (BCREA) reports that Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) residential sales in the province climbed 66 per cent to 8,565 units in August compared to the same month last year. The average MLS® residential sales price in the province climbed 12 per cent to $471,078 from $421,685 in August 2008. 

"Homes sales continued at a rapid pace in August,” said Cameron Muir, BCREA Chief Economist. “Attractive home prices and low mortgage rates were key drivers in the market."

The number of active residential listings declined 20 per cent over the past year, with August posting 26 per cent fewer active listings than the peak in December 2008 (seasonally adjusted). “Home prices edged higher in many markets over the summer months as declining inventories created competition among homebuyers for the best properties."

Year-to-date, MLS® residential sales dollar volume declined 2 per cent to $25 billion over the same period last year. A total of 54,945 units were sold in the first eight months of 2009, up 1 per cent from 2008, while the average MLS® price declined 2 per cent to $454,769.