"There are fewer active listings compared to this time last year," says Georges Pahud, REBGV president. "If you're thinking about selling your home, now is a good time.

"Driven by strong demand and affordability, townhouse and condominium sales remain very active," Pahud says. "Right now, more than 50 per cent of active residential listings are priced under the Greater Vancouver average of $456,952, while more than 15 per cent of listings are available under $250,000."

According to Multiple Listings Service data, sales of apartment properties increased 13.7 per cent in January 2006 to 848 sales, compared to 746 sales in January 2005. The benchmark price of an apartment property in Greater Vancouver, calculated by the MLSLink® Housing Price Index, is $288,275, up 20.9 per cent from one year ago.

Sales of attached properties increased 20.4 per cent in January 2006 to 337 units sold, compared to 280 units in January 2005. The benchmark price of an attached unit is $356,442, up 15.1 per cent from January 2005.

Sales of detached properties totaled 739, an increase of 9.6 per cent compared to 674 sales in January 2005. The benchmark price of a detached home increased to $548,053 up 21.1 per cent from a year ago. Source: (REBGV)