SURREY, BC – In a year when the real estate market was at a standstill for months due to COVID-19, total annual sales in the Fraser Valley still finished 12.4 per cent above the 10-year average due to unrelenting, pent-up consumer demand during the second half of 2020.

Chris Shields, President of the Board, observes, “The pandemic upended everything in 2020 and how the real estate market responded to it was nothing short of remarkable. No one could have anticipated a six-month stretch like we’ve just experienced. Typical seasonal cycles did not apply, how we conduct business had to change to keep the public safe; and most unexpected, has been the unwavering demand for family-sized homes in our region and so far, there is no sign of it slowing down.”

A total of 31,693 new listings were received by the Board’s MLS® in 2020, an increase of 3.7 per cent compared to 2019. As with annual sales, 2020 was also the fourth highest year for new inventory for the Board in the last decade.

Baldev Gill, Chief Executive Officer of the Board, adds, “Although listing volumes appear healthy, our region’s current overall inventory is 28 per cent below normal. For those who have been thinking of selling but have held off due to the pandemic, the industry has mastered how to keep consumers safe using technology and strictly following provincial health guidelines. Ask your REALTOR® if now is a prudent time to list because the market currently is favouring sellers.”