The latest report from the BC Northern Real Estate Board (BCNREB) shows mixed performance in the northern region of British Columbia, with some areas experiencing increases in sales while others faced declines.
Vanderhoof and Fort St. James, saw varying levels of activity in the first quarter of 2025.
According to the BCNREB, sales in the B.C. Northern region ticked slightly downward in the first quarter of 2025, following stronger activity in the previous quarter.
"At 1,034 sales on a seasonally adjusted basis, housing market activity was 3.1 per cent below historical averages and 11 per cent above the level of Q1 2024," said BCNREB in a press release.
In Vanderhoof, 27 sales totalling $9.6 million were reported in the first quarter of 2025, compared to 15 sales worth $4.6 million in the same period last year. At the end of March, there were 71 properties available for purchase in the Vanderhoof area, up from 68 properties at the same time last year.
The Fort St. James area saw nine sales in the first quarter of 2025, totalling $2.3 million. Last year also saw nine sales in the same period, however, they totalled to $1.9 million. As of March 31, there were 33 properties available for purchase in the Fort St. James area, a slight increase from 31 properties in March of the previous year.
Seasonally adjusted sales rose from the prior quarter in Williams Lake, Smithers, Quesnel and Fort St. John. While Kitimat, 100 Mile House, Prince George, Prince Rupert and Terrace saw declines.
BCNREB said that sales activity in the North remained strong during the first quarter, relative to other regions of the province, while following the provincial trend of accumulating inventory.
Despite what the BCNREB called a "stable" sales-to- active listings ratio of about 19 per cent, the organization said the threat of tariffs, largely directed at the bedrock industries of the northern economy, has the potential to upend a strong start for Northern markets.
With files from Binny Paul.
