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It's official: the most annoying Victoria Real Estate Bear blog "character" is Sitting Pretty (all versions). Almost 70% of the poll respondents obviously didn't think Pretty's schtick was either entertaining or informative enough to give a good reason to vote for someone else instead.

Next most annoying characters were Patriotz, Roger and HHV. But we know you guys mean well, right?

I didn't get any votes myself, for that I'd like to thank SP for draining votes away and saving me from a bruised and battered ego.

I'd be curious to know who some people selected the "Write In Candidate" option for? Feel free to let us know in the comments. Here's a link to the complete results.

Here is a rundown on the most recent stats release by VREB.

Have a look at this graphic, I put together two lovely screen captures from the VREB site. I couldn't believe it when I saw it, but yes, those are bubbles from the banner of the VREB home page here.

Okay, perhaps nobody else has gotten tired of this, but it's something I couldn't help noticing about MSM coverage of our housing market. First, the obvious: constant references to how the market is returning to a more balanced state, which is better for buyers and sellers. How is it better? Supposedly a moderation of price increases that were starting to make the whole market unaffordable. The increase of listings is good because it means there is more choice after several years with frenzied activity.

However, what is this balance, really? Is housing more affordable? No, it's clear that its not. What's the one thing that would make it more affordable?

Umm, yeah, lower prices.

Does the MSM foresee lower prices in the near future? Of course not, instead, they look forward to a cooling of the red hot market and a continuation of single digit annual price gains.

Well, here is an open thread for your comments on the real estate scene lately. As of today, a search of the MLS in the VREB area found 1083 condos. The breakdown shows 312 were listed below the March median price of $300,000, while the other 771 were listed higher. Grand total on MLS is now 1083. So this inventory is still growing every day.

A search of Craigslist found 136 condos listed for sale. As usual, by the time you click this link the number could go up or down a bit. But probably up.

Some other interesting stories to consider and maybe comment on:

Hat tip to Roger, here is a place to check if you want to look at graphs of house prices in various areas around BC. This link will take you to a graph of City of Victoria apartment prices. The graph reproduced above via a screen print shows house prices in the period from 2001 to 2008. There doesn't appear to be a positive trend forming so far this spring. Will the trend reverse?

The mood around the local bear blogs would seem to be: not this time.

New VREB stats are due tomorrow, I will try to post some graphs and numbers then.