SURREY, BC – Last month’s sales volumes on the Fraser Valley Real Estate Board’s Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) were the highest for June since 2005 and rank as the fourth busiest month ever for MLS® sales in the Fraser Valley.

There were 2,413 sales processed on the MLS® in June, an increase of 45 per cent compared to the 1,668 sales processed in June of last year and also an increase of 23 per cent compared to May.

Jorda Maisey is the Board’s President. “This is the strongest residential market we’ve experienced since 2005 and prior to that in the early 90’s. What’s generating all this activity?

“Our informal market research shows that the majority of homebuyers in the Fraser Valley are families with children moving within their same community or moving within the Fraser Valley region. Our clients are telling us that they’re feeling confident with the current economic climate in BC and the long-term value of investing in real estate.”

In addition to a surge in sales, the number of new listings also picked up in June increasing by 11 per cent going from 2,989 last year to 3,316 last month; taking the number of active listings to 8,105.

Maisey adds, “With demand for detached homes and townhomes at peak levels, our advice to prospective buyers is interview a number of REALTORS® for help navigating what can be a stressful market. With the average home selling in just over a month and many homes receiving multiple offers, you need an expert to find you a home, protect you and position you for success.”

In June, the MLS® Home Price Index (MLS® HPI) benchmark price of a detached home was $609,900, an increase of 7.3 per cent compared to June 2014 when it was $568,600. The benchmark price of townhouses in June was $302,600, an increase of 1.6 per cent compared to $297,800 in June 2014. The benchmark price of apartments decreased year-over-year by 2.6 per cent, going from $197,000 in June 2014, to $191,900 last month.