Home sale numbers looking up

Real estate agents saw a rise in both the price and the number of single-family homes sold in Prince George last year.

The average price reached an unprecedented $252,391, according to B.C. Northern Real Estate Board numbers issued this week, a $5,907 increase over 2011, while sales of such homes added up to 841, an 18-unit increase.

Multiply the two and total activity amounted to $212.3 million, the third highest on record, behind $260.2 million in 2007, when 1,083 homes went for an average $240,245, and $238.5 million in 2006, when 1,208 homes went for an average $197,444.

BCNREB president Joni Brown characterized the year as "pretty stable."

"We didn't see dramatic increases in the prices and the inventory is down but we're a healthy market, especially compared to a lot of the rest of the province."

Brown predicts much the same for the year ahead.

"We don't have a crystal ball but the economists are saying the north should holding pretty good for the next year," Brown said.

Looking at all types, 1,244 properties worth $293.8 million sold in 2012, compared with 1,197 properties worth $272.1 million in 2011.

At year-end there were 620 properties of all types available through the Multiple Listing Service compared to 527 properties at the end of 2011.

In the area west of Highway 97, half of the 261 single family homes that changed hands in 2012, sold for less than $228,500. As well, 19 apartment units and 33 townhomes were sold in 2012. As of Dec. 31 there were 58 single family homes listed through MLS in this area, compared to 49 at the same time last year.

East of Highway 97, there were 10 apartment units, six half-duplexes, and 16 townhomes sold in 2012. The 162 single family homes sold had a median value of $180,000. At the end of December there were 36 single family homes available for sale through MLS in this area compared with 57 at the end of 2012.

North of the Nechako River, 37 homes on acreages, 13 manufactured homes in parks and a further 36 manufactured homes on land sold in 2012. Of the 169 single family homes sold, half sold for less than $266,000. As of Dec. 31 there were 38 single family homes available through MLS in this area of the city compared with 50 at the end of 2011.

In the southwest section of the city, 11 half duplexes, 13 townhomes, 14 homes on acreages and 12 manufactured homes in parks and a further 9 manufactured homes on land sold in 2012. Half of the 240 single family homes sold in 2012 sold for less than $310,000. At year end there were 55 single family homes available for sale through MLS in the southwest sector, compared with 69 at the end of 2011.