Commercial real estate sales decline and price activity varies across the Lower Mainland

Commercial real estate sales in the Lower Mainland declined in the third quarter (Q3) of 2018 compared to the elevated activity experienced in recent years.

There were 565 commercial real estate sales in the Lower Mainland in Q3 2018, a 19.5 per cent decrease from 702 sales in Q3 2017, according to data from Commercial Edge, a commercial real estate system operated by the Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver (REBGV).

The total dollar value of commercial real estate sales in the Lower Mainland reached $3.903 billion in Q3 2018, a 0.9 per cent decrease from $3.938 billion in Q3 2017.

“We’re seeing less demand across our commercial market compared to recent years and supply is beginning to ramp up with a number of projects expected to complete in our region over the next year,” said Phil Moore, REBGV president.

Q3 2018 activity by category

Land: There were 199 commercial land sales in Q3 2018, which is a 34.8 per cent decrease from the 305 land sales in Q3 2017. The dollar value of land sales was $2.007 billion in Q3 2018, a 14.8 per cent decrease from $2.356 billion in Q3 2017.

Office and Retail: There were 229 office and retail sales in the Lower Mainland in Q3 2018, which is down 4.2 per cent from the 239 sales in Q3 2017. The dollar value of office and retail sales was $1.377 billion in Q3 2018, a 45.5 per cent increase from $946 million in Q3 2017.

Industrial: There were 118 industrial land sales in the Lower Mainland in Q3 2018, which is down 12.6 per cent from the 135 sales in Q3 2017. The dollar value of industrial sales was $290 million in Q3 2018, a 30.1 per cent decrease from $414 million in Q3 2017.

Multi-Family: There were 19 multi-family land sales in the Lower Mainland in Q3 2018, which is down 17.4 per cent from 23 sales in Q3 2017. The dollar value of multi-family sales was $230 million in Q3 2018, a 3.9 per cent increase from $221 million in Q3 2017.

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