By Cheryl Jahn

Positive housing sales numbers

Jul 15, 2025 | 3:26 PM

PRINCE GEORGE – New housing is popping up all over the city, and the numbers are reflecting it.

“We are seeing more sales this year, over the same time last year, and a higher sales price,” says Kristine Newell Past Chair, BC Northern Real Estate Board. “So when we came into the year, there was a lot of uncertainty. A lot of people were really nervous to get into the market. So seeing that the sale prices are up and the overall sales are up, that shows us that buyers are returning to the market with confidence. And I think that a large part of that that’s been helping has been the constant rate decreases.”

The Mayor of Mackenzie says people are beginning to come to that community and cites a long list of what makes the place attractive.

“Mackenzie is a relatively safe community to live in,” says Joan Atkinson. “It’s safe for children, and we like to say we really raise free range children in this town because you see eight and ten-year-olds biking around town, and you wouldn’t see that in a larger city because we have relatively low traffic.”

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But the forest sector in Mackenzie has struggled for years.

“The difference between the downturn we experienced in 2008 and 2009 is, we now have two active mines, one to the west of us and Terra Gold and then to the east of us. So we have a number of families who are now supported by the mining industry.”

The Province brought in the Housing Supply, mandating that communities build homes. Will that make a difference?

“I think it’s too soon to see. I think we’re a little bit more excited about the home buying incentive programs or savings programs. I think those are going to have a bit more of an impact, but these two things take time. As with any legislation, it’s hard to navigate and it takes quite a while to see any changes,” says Newell.

So, what is bringing people to Prince George?

“Affordability for the most part,” says Newell with no hesitation.

“If you want to get really affordable, move to Houston. But we’ve got that mix of affordability and jobs and being that BC hub, there’s a lot of opportunity here.”

The BC Northern Real Estate Board a total of 2,345 properties were sold in the first six months of this year, up from 2,281 in the same period last year.