Prince George, B.C.- The first half of 2014 has been a good one for the BC Northern Real Estate Board.

In its second quarter report, the BCNREB reports 2637 properties sold through multiple listing service, compared to 2363 that sole  in the first half of  2013.

The value of these properties is up as well.  $672 million compared with $579.9 million in 2013.

 “On average, most markets in the BC Northern Real Estate Board’s area remain strong” says BCNREB President Ken Laursen.  “Overall, sales activity is up 25% from last year while inventory continues to decline. Sales over active listings are at 18%, which puts the Board as a whole into a sellers’ market, though some areas, notably in the south, remain balanced. “

According to the Board’s report,  the north  and northwest are the most active areas for real estate with  sales and the average price of a home, rising significantly over the past year.

The central regions of the Board continue to show steady growth in average prices and number of sales while in the southern region the number of sales are on the rise after a short period of price correction.

“The economic prospects for the north continue to be strong” says Laursen “ BC Northern is likely to benefit from the continued capital investments in LNG, pipe lines and mining. In addition, the recovery in the US economy has led to a rise in US house starts, which should help BC timber markets.”

Here’s how the sales looked  region by region, the stats do not include  private sales:

Fraser Fort George:

Prinnce George:  695 properties worth $170.2 million have changed hands so far this year, compared with 636 properties worth $158.7 million in the first six months of last year.

• In the western part of the City, the median price of the 137 single family homes that have sold through MLS® was $240,000.
• In the area east of the Bypass, the 89 single family homes that sold had a median price of $205,000.
• In the northern part of the City 107 single family homes sold with a median price of $295,000.
• The 117 single family homes that sold in the southwest section of the City had a median sale price of $330,000.

Mackenzie: In the first six months of 2014, 39 properties worth $6.2 million were reported sold through the MLS® in the Mackenzie area, compared to 46 properties worth $7.6 million to June 30th, 2013. Half of the 33 single family homes sold so far this year, sold for less than $154,000 .

Cariboo Region:

100 Mile House: 156 properties worth $31 million have changed hands through the MLS® in the area since January 1st. This compares with 149 properties worth $28 million in the same period in 2013. Half of the 51 homes that sold so far this year, sold for $235,000 or less.  

Williams Lake: 179 properties have sold so far this year, compared to 167 properties by June 30, 2013. The value of these properties is $42 million ($35 million in 2013). Of the 65 single family homes sold this year, half sold for less than $245,000 .

Quesnel: There have been 125 sales worth $24.2 million so far this year, compared to 121 sales worth $27.3 million in the first six months of 2013. Of the 57 single family homes sold between January and June, half sold for less than $225,000.

Northwest Region

Prince Rupert: 197 properties worth $40.3 million have been reported sold through the MLS® in the Prince Rupert area so far this year, compared to 153 properties worth $33.2 million in the first half of 2013. The median price of the 141 single family homes that sold was $205,000.

Terrace:201 properties worth $48.4 million sold  in the first six months of 2014, compared to 180 properties worth $39.8 million in the same period last year. Half of the 99 single family homes that sold, sold for less than $289,900.

Kitimat: 94 properties worth $26 million have sold through the MLS® in the Kitimat area in the first six months of 2014, compared to 124 properties worth $26.9 million at this time last year. Half of the 49 single family homes sold so far this year, sold for less than $321,000

Bulkley Nechako Region

Houston: 16 properties worth $2.3 million have changed hands so far this year, compared to 27 properties worth $4.5 million in 2013.

Smithers:There were reported 134 sales with a value of $30.3 million in the first six months of 2014, compared to 124 sales worth $31.8 million at this time last year. Half of the 59 single family homes sold so far this year, sold for less than $255,000

Burns Lake: In the first six months of 2014, 36 properties worth $4.2 million were reported sold through the MLS® in the Burns Lake area, compared to 31 properties worth $3.7 million in the same time period last year.

Vanderhoof: There were 62 sales worth $10.3 million in the first six months of the year, compared to 42 sales worth $9.7 million to June 30th of 2013.

Fort St. James: 18 properties worth $3.4 million have sold through the MLS® in the Fort St. James area so far this year, compared with 10 properties worth $2.3 million in the first six months of 2013

Northern Region

Fort St. John:497 properties worth $188 million sold in the first half of 2014, compared to 383 properties worth $132 million in the first six months of 2013. The 201 single family homes which sold so far this year had a median selling price of $392,500.

 Fort Nelson: 28 properties worth $7 million have sold since January 1st, compared to 38 properties worth $10 million in the same period last year. Half of the 10 single family homes sold since January, sold for less than $285,000.