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Spring market bolsters MLS® activity in Fraser Valley

FVREB — Thu, 02 May 2013 18:06:54 +0000

Home sales increased in April, with the Fraser Valley Real Estate Board reporting 1,366 sales processed through its Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®), an increase of 21.1 per cent compared to March’s 1,128 sales, but still lagging behind April 2012’s 1,435 sales.

“Historically, sales and listings activity noticeably increases during the spring months and April was no exception,” explains Ron Todson, President of the Board. “What’s different this year is that a number of external factors, such as tighter credit rules and the government’s spotlight on consumer debt have made some consumers more cautious about buying or selling a property. However, for those who need to move to a bigger or smaller home or to another community before summer hits, its business as usual because when you need a home, you need a home.”
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Original post blogged on b2evolution.

Undecided? Fraser valley REALTORS® invite voters to all-candidates’ meetings

FVREB — Thu, 11 Apr 2013 16:58:14 +0000

The Fraser Valley Real Estate Board (FVREB) is sponsoring nine all-candidates’ meetings across the region in advance of BC’s provincial election on May 14.

Organized by local chambers of commerce and the Surrey Board of Trade, the events are taking place in Abbotsford, Mission, Langley City and Township, Surrey, North Delta and White Rock and cover 15 electoral ridings.

Ron Todson is president of the FVREB. “This is a seminal election with many new candidates in every riding. For many citizens, these meetings may be their only opportunity to see and hear people who will be their representatives in the legislature after May 14.”

Original post blogged on b2evolution.

Lower inventory keeps home prices in check as ‘slow but steady’ market continues

FVREB — Wed, 03 Apr 2013 16:38:56 +0000

In March, the Fraser Valley Real Estate Board processed 1,128 sales on its Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®), a 20 per cent decrease compared to the 1,412 sales during the same month last year, and a 24 per cent increase compared to February’s 913 sales.

The Board also received 11 per cent fewer new listings in March compared to last year – 2,736 compared to 3,066 – keeping inventory in check. March finished with 9,503 active listings, 1.5 per cent fewer than March of last year and 3.5 per cent fewer than the 9,832 available during March of 2009; the highest volume of active listings for that month in the last decade.

Ron Todson, President of the Board, explains, “Although we saw a typical spring uptick in activity from February to March, our sales remained at about 70 per cent of the norm for March and our new listings came in at 90 per cent of what the Board would typically receive.

Original post blogged on b2evolution.

Positive signs Fraser Valley housing market is starting to move

FVREB — Mon, 04 Mar 2013 16:53:13 +0000

Sales on Fraser Valley’s Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) in February experienced a typical ‘early spring’ surge, increasing by 48 per cent in one month going from 617 sales in January to 913 last month. However year-over-year, they reflect a decrease of 28 per cent compared to the 1,269 sales processed in February 2012. Since last September, home sales have idled at levels last seen in the early 2000s.

Based on February’s increase in activity, Ron Todson, President of the Board, is guardedly optimistic, “We’re seeing signals that the stand-off between buyers and sellers over the last six months is coming to an end.

“Business has picked up in the last month with increased traffic at open houses, sellers quicker to accept offers and homes selling on average two weeks faster than they did in January.”

Original post blogged on b2evolution.

‘Neighbourly’ REALTORS® abound in Surrey

FVREB — Tue, 26 Feb 2013 16:42:04 +0000

The Fraser Valley Real Estate Board (FVREB) presented its highest honours for community giving at its Annual General Meeting, February 20 at the Coast Hotel & Convention Centre in Langley.

For the first time, the individual and corporate REALTORS® Make Good Neighbours awards recipients were from the same office. The individual award went to REALTOR® Lucky Gill with her brokerage Sutton Group – West Coast Realty, Surrey receiving recognition for being the most community-minded office in the Fraser Valley.

Board president Scott Olson explains how important these awards are, “REALTORS® not only help people realize the dream of home ownership, an average of 65 per cent also volunteer their time and skills to help improve their communities.

Original post blogged on b2evolution.

Mission REALTOR® honoured for highest standards of duty and professionalism

FVREB — Tue, 26 Feb 2013 16:32:44 +0000

The 2013 recipient of the Fraser Valley Real Estate Board’s John Armeneau Professional of the Year award is Cal Crawford, Managing Broker of Landmark Realty Mission.

The award is the highest honour the Board bestows, recognizing outstanding leadership and dedication professionally and within the community.

After over 30 years in real estate, 24 of which serving the community of Mission, Crawford is well known for his expertise in management, training and sales. For ten of those years he has served organized real estate by volunteering on behalf of the Board, most notably on its Brokers’ Council.

Original post blogged on b2evolution.

FVREB announces new 2013/2014 board

FVREB — Thu, 21 Feb 2013 19:40:05 +0000

The Fraser Valley Real Estate Board (FVREB) elected its new Board of Directors for 2013/2014 at its Annual General Meeting held on February 20.

REALTOR® Ron Todson will replace outgoing President Scott Olson. Todson has been active in real estate since 1981, and is a managing broker of RE/MAX Little Oak Realty in Abbotsford.

“It’s a tremendous honour to volunteer for an organization that has been serving the real estate needs of the Fraser Valley since 1921. Our mission as a board is to ensure that our members have access to the best tools and support to provide the highest level of professional service to our clients,” Todson said.

Original post blogged on b2evolution.

Home sales slow to near historic levels in Fraser Valley as buyers watch and wait from the sidelines

FVREB — Mon, 04 Feb 2013 19:19:05 +0000

A total of 617 sales were processed through the Fraser Valley Real Estate Board’s Multiple Listing Service (MLS®) in January, a decrease of 23 per cent compared to 799 sales during the same month last year. January 2013 ranks as the second slowest for that month in the last thirteen years, second only to January 2009 during the global recession.

Scott Olson, president of the board, says there is a distinction between what REALTORS® saw four years ago compared to today. “People want to buy. We’re already seeing early signs of a typical spring market with more foot traffic at open houses and an increase in calls.

“Buyers have been holding off in hopes that prices will drop more, however it’s become clear that sellers are only willing to go so far. Prices for typical homes in the Fraser Valley have decreased by only two to three per cent in the last six months and in January we’re starting to see a reversal of that – in half of our communities prices have crept back up.”

Original post blogged on b2evolution.