CPABC Industry Update Summer 2015 - BC Real Estate Industry | Page 3

ent C by ing 500 011. 35 Where We Live and Work – The Real Estate and Development Industry in British Columbia S U M M E R A key driver of the BC economy, the real estate and development industry has fuelled growth in our province for many years. The price of residential real estate, the rise in popularity of mixed-use developments, and the evershrinking size of condominiums are hot topics with British Columbians. 2 0 1 5 BC is one of the hottest real estate markets in Canada, with $48 billion invested in residential real estate in the province in 2014. Over 153,500 British Columbians work in the finance, insurance, real estate, and leasing industry, representing 25% of BC’s total GDP. According to the BC Real Estate Association, housing demand for 2015 is expected to produce the highest level of unit sales since 2007. The non-residential construction sector is also strong, as 3.2 million square feet of office space in Metro Vancouver is expected to become available in 2015-2016. The Chartered Professional Accountants of British Columbia was formed through the amalgamation of ICABC, CGA-BC, and CMABC. CPABC was officially established when the CPA Act came into effect on June 24, 2015. In this issue, CPABC Industry Update profiles the real estate industry’s contributions to the BC economy, how the commercial real estate industry is undergoing a digital disruption, the impact of foreign buyers on the 3 HOUSING DEMAND residential real estate market, and a Q&A with members working in the About real estate industry. CPABC Industry Update is the organization’s Nine of BC’s 11 real estate Housing demand for 2015 onlineismagazine members working in industry. expectedfor to produce Published quarterly, Industry Update is distributed the highest level of tounit over 36,000 candidates, and sales sincemembers, 2007. students in British Columbia. Opinions expressed are necessarily BC not Multiple Listingendorsed Service by CPABC. Copyright CPABC Industry Update 2015. (MLS) residential sales are forecast Contact to rise 12% us toVisit 94,300 units in us online at 2015. bccpa.ca, or email [email protected]. Editorial inquiries can be sent to Tiana Mah at [email protected]. board areas are forecast to Also included experience in this issue is a list housing of professional development courses increased in 2015. being offereddemand this fall. Those members working in real estate and development •won’t want to miss our ASPE accounting seminars for the Vancouver & Fraser Valley are forecasted to lead the real estate and construction industry. province with a 16% to 17% increase in residential sales. Update, and we look forward We hope you enjoy this edition of Industry Drivers of housing demand: to your feedback. In this Issue economic growth consumer confidence low mortgage interest rates Real 7 Urban Commercial Development in Vancouver: The Rise of Vancouverism Look for this icon throughout Industry Update Click to return to In this Issue (page 3) Estate Outlook in every issue 8 Designing New Neighbourhoods The non-residential construction sector 10 Digital Disruption in Commercial 4 Industry Snapshot: Real Estate Real Estateis strong in BC, as work continues on 3.2 million sq. ft. of office space in Metro Vancouver. This space is Building BC: Member Q&A on expected to become available BC’s Real Estate Industry throughout 2015-2016. 16  14 PD Opportunities 18 CPABC Career Connect Profile: 23 Connect with Investment in Non-Residential Building Ledcor CPABC Online Construction in BC (Q2 2015): 20 Market Implications of Foreign 0.3% Spending is up: +4.5% +1.0% Investment is up Buyers institutional buildings industrial sector Source: BC Stats, non-residential building investments, July 28, 2015 20 Office Market Outlook by Canada’s Major Markets (Q1 2015) Indicator Vancouver Calgary Toronto Vacancy downtown 7.2% 10.7% 2.7% Vacancy suburbs 11.5% 10.4% 9.1% Net rent downtown $27.31 $28.00 $28.55 Net rent suburbs $19.21 $23.00 $14.88 Source: Colliers Q1 2015 Office Market Outlook report 1 2 3 8 10 WorkBC industry profile: finance, insurance, real estate and leasing, workbc.ca BCREA Housing Market Update (July 2015) BCREA Housing Forecast, second quarter – June 2015 16 20 SUMMER 2015 | page 3