
Here is an extract from OMREB regarding January's real estate statistics:
The Okanagan Mainline Real Estate Board (OMREB) reported January 2012 sales activity of all
MLS® property types rose marginally over the same month last year as the housing market continues to show
moderate but steady improvement. The statistics are as follows:
Central Zone (Peachland to Lake Country): Overall sales in the Central Zone slipped by 0.9% to 211 units
($74.8 million) compared to 213 ($81.4 million) last January, but improved 15.3% over the 183 units sold in
December. While total residential sales dipped by 3.6% to 189 units compared to 196 sold last January, they
jumped 14.5% from the 165 in December. Single family home sales of 102 units rose 3.0% compared to 99 last
year, and climbed 6.3% compared to December (96). While, January’s inventory of 4,231 units was up 4.0%
compared to 4,067 in 2011, the 902 new listings for the month dipped 1.1% from the 912 last year.
Mortgage rates are expected to stay at or near record lows for most of 2012, and continue to positively impact
purchasing power and improve affordability for buyers. Home prices are forecast to experience little
movement as the supply of homes more closely matches consumer demand moving forward.