Prince George, B.C. – There is  some positive news  from the BC Northern Real Estate Board.

The first quarter numbers are in, and the first three months of the year have seen more sales throughout the north and higher values.  The BCNREB  reported 1005 sales with a value of $248,635,086  in the first quarter of 2014. That compares with 900 sales worth $212,173,760 to the end of March, 2013.

In Prince George, there   were 250  properties of all kinds  sold in the first three months of the year,  up from 239 during the same period  a year ago.  As for  value,  the total value  was  $62 million up from $53.5 million  worth of sales in the first quarter of  2013.

“Real estate markets throughout BCNREB’s area continue to show strength, being led by a robust economy in the north and west” says President Ken Laursen.  “The central part of the region continues to show benefits from steady growth, while the southern part of the region continues to offer great affordability.”

Here are the region by region breakdowns, note that in all cases, the numbers reflect  sales  by realtors :  (2013  1st quarter values are in brackets)

Fraser Fort George Region

City of Prince George:  250 (239) properties of all types, worth $62 million ($53.5 million), have changed hands in the first 3 months of 2014 in the City of Prince George.

In the west part of the City the median price of the 53 single family homes that have sold on MLS® was $240,000 ($210,500). 

In the area east of the By-pass, the 35 single family homes that sold had a median value of $202,500 ($182,750).

 In the northern part of the City, commonly referred to as “the Hart”, 33 single family homes sold with a median price of $304,000 ($259,000). 

In the southwestern section of the City, 41 homes have sold since January with a median price of $321,000 ($295,500).

Mackenzie: Since January 1st 13 (11) properties worth $2 million ($1.3 million) have changed hands.

Cariboo Region

100 Mile House and area: A total of 55 (49) properties of all types worth $11 million ($9.8 million) have been sold in the area since the beginning of the year. In the first three months of 2014, 22 single family homes, 7 parcels of vacant land and 15 homes on acreage changed hands.

Williams Lake: 64 (65) properties have sold so far this year in the Williams Lake area. The value of these properties was $14.4 million ($14.1). In addition to the 23 single family homes sold, 16 homes on acreage, 5 manufactured homes in parks and 3 manufactured homes on land have changed hands in the first quarter. 

Quesnel: 32 (46) sales worth $6.4 million ($12.1 million) were recorded in the first three months of 2014. In addition to the 14 single family homes that sold, 2 parcels of vacant land and 4 homes on acreage have sold this year.

Northwest Region

Prince Rupert: 83 (66) properties worth $17.7 million ($18 million) have sold through the MLS® so far this year. In addition to the 56 single family residential properties, 6 parcels of vacant land and 5 half duplexes have sold.

Terrace: 101 (60) properties sold in the first quarter of 2014. The value of these properties was $23 million ($11.5 million). 43 single family homes and 5 manufactured homes on land have changed hands since January 1st. 

Kitimat: In the first quarter of 2014, 36 (60) properties worth $10.4 million ($10.2 million) have been reported sold. Of those 36 properties, 23 were single family homes, 5 were townhouses and 2 were vacant parcels of land.

Bulkley Nechako Region

Smithers: 65 (35) sales with a value of $12.8 million ($8.4 million) sold to March 31st, 2014. In addition to the 23 single family homes that sold, 14 parcels of vacant land, 14 homes on acreage and 4 manufactured homes on land changed hands this year.

Burns Lake: 15 (11) properties worth $1.7 million ($1.3 million) have changed hands since January 1st.

Vanderhoof: 18 (21) sales worth $3 million ($5.8 million) in the first quarter of 2014.

Fort St. James: In the first quarter of 2014 there were 5 (5) sales worth $679,500 ($1.5 million) in the Fort St. James area.

Northern Region

Fort St. John: In the Fort St. John area, 201 (150) properties worth $69.4 million ($47.5 million) changed hands in the first quarter of 2014. In addition to the 72 single family homes sold, 20 parcels of vacant land, 41 half duplexes, 13 homes on acreage, 12 manufactured homes in parks and 20 manufactured homes on land have sold since January 1st.

Fort Nelson: 12 (16) properties worth $2.6 million ($4.7 million) were reported sold  since the beginning of the year.