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Bank of Canada maintains overnight rate target at 1/2 per cent

The Bank of Canada is maintaining its target for the overnight rate at 1/2 per cent. The Bank Rate is correspondingly 3/4 per cent and the deposit rate is 1/4 per cent.

Inflation is broadly in line with the Bank’s projection in its April Monetary Policy Report (MPR). Food prices continue to decline, mainly because of intense retail competition, pushing inflation temporarily lower. The Bank’s three measures of core inflation remain below two per cent and wage growth is still subdued, consistent with ongoing excess capacity in the economy.

The global economy continues to gain traction and recent developments reinforce the Bank’s view that growth will gradually strengthen and broaden over the projection horizon. As anticipated, growth in the United States during the first quarter was weak, reflecting mostly temporary factors. Recent data point to a rebound in the second quarter.  The uncertainties outlined in the April MPR continue to cloud the global and Canadian outlooks.

The Canadian economy’s adjustment to lower oil prices is largely complete and recent economic data have been encouraging, including indicators of business investment. Consumer spending and the housing sector continue to be robust on the back of an improving labour market, and these are becoming more broadly based across regions. Macroprudential and other policy measures, while contributing to more sustainable debt profiles, have yet to have a substantial cooling effect on housing markets. Meanwhile, export growth remains subdued, as anticipated in the April MPR, in the face of ongoing competitiveness challenges. The Bank’s monitoring of the economic data suggests that very strong growth in the first quarter will be followed by some moderation in the second quarter.

All things considered, Governing Council judges that the current degree of monetary stimulus is appropriate at present, and maintains the target for the overnight rate at 1/2 per cent.

Provided by the Bank of Canada. For full details click here: http://www.bankofcanada.ca/2017/05/fad-press-release-2017-05-24/

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Another solid month for Fraser Valley real estate

SURREY, BC – The Fraser Valley real estate market continued to show strength in April, reaching the highest sales level for the region in the past ten months.

The Fraser Valley Real Estate Board processed 2,230 sales of all property types on its Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) in April, a decrease of 24.9 per cent compared to the 2,969 sales this time last year and a 0.8 per cent increase compared to the 2,213 sales in March 2017.

Of the 2,230 sales processed in April, 438 were townhouses and 567 were apartments.

Gopal Sahota, President of the Board, on the pace of the market in April, “Growing demand is catching up to the limited inventory we have available currently, and that’s creating a less-than-ideal environment for both buyers and sellers. People want to live in the Valley right now and we need more listings to support that.”

Total active inventory for the Fraser Valley last month was 4,913 listings, the lowest seen for an April in ten years. Inventory levels decreased 13.8 per cent when compared to April 2016, but did increase slightly by 2.2 per cent month-over-month.

The Board received 2,950 new listings in April, a 4 per cent decrease from March 2017, and a 25.2 per cent decrease compared to April 2016’s 3,942 incoming listings.

"Pricing continues to be impacted by the persisting demand for our region. However, there’s lots of opportunity throughout the Valley where homes – especially attached homes – remain affordable and available. Talk you your REALTOR® to see what’s out there, and might be right for you,” added Sahota.

For the Fraser Valley region, the average number of days to sell a single family detached home in April 2017 was 26 days, compared to 15 days in April of last year.

HPI® Benchmark Price Activity

• Single Family Detached: At $888,900, the Benchmark price for a single family detached home in the Valley increased 2.3 per cent compared to March 2017, and increased 14.5 per cent compared to April 2016.

• Townhomes: At $446,000 the Benchmark price for a townhome in the Fraser Valley increased 3.2 per cent compared to March 2017, and increased 26.2 per cent compared to April 2016.

• Apartments: At $285,400, the Benchmark price for apartments/condos in the Fraser Valley increased 3.1 per cent compared to March 2017, and increased 29.8 per cent compared to April 2016.

Provided by the Fraser Valley Real Estate Board. A full stats package can be found here: 
http://www.fvreb.bc.ca/statistics/Package201704.pdf

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Reciprocity Logo The data relating to real estate on this website comes in part from the MLS® Reciprocity program of either the Greater Vancouver REALTORS® (GVR), the Fraser Valley Real Estate Board (FVREB) or the Chilliwack and District Real Estate Board (CADREB). Real estate listings held by participating real estate firms are marked with the MLS® logo and detailed information about the listing includes the name of the listing agent. This representation is based in whole or part on data generated by either the GVR, the FVREB or the CADREB which assumes no responsibility for its accuracy. The materials contained on this page may not be reproduced without the express written consent of either the GVR, the FVREB or the CADREB.