Sales Number Show Vancouver Island Real Estate Off to a Solid Start in 2012

Sales data released by the Vancouver Island Real Estate Board shows that Vancouver Island real estate sales activity tarted off well in 2012.
Across VIREB’s coverage area average sales prices edged up three per cent over 2011. The average sales price for a home sold within VIREB’s zones in January 2012 was $332,270, a modest rise from the January 2011 average price of $321,489.
“These are positive indicators for the year to come,” said VIREB President Guy Bezeau. “We are looking for stability and sustainability in real estate sales across the VIREB coverage area throughout the year and beyond.”
Across the VIREB area there were 216 single family units sold in January, which represents an increase of five per cent as compared to January 2011 when 205 homes were sold.
The MLS stats also report that there was a slight increase in the number of listings on the market in VIREB’s coverage area then at the same point a year ago. Currently there are 2,173 single family homes listed on the MLS system as compared to the 2,057 homes listed for sale at the end of January 2011 – an increase of approximately two per cent.
Comparing January 2012 to January 2011, the average sale prices across VIREB's six zones saw: Campbell River edge upward two per cent (to $298,584), the Comox Valley rose by four per cent to $345,631, Nanaimo’s average sales price increased six per cent (to $360,799), Parksville/Qualicum was down 12 per cent (to $341,696), Port Alberni/West Coast increased four per cent to $208,033 and the Cowichan Valley rose a full nine per cent (to $350,821)