It's called a buyers' market, and Vancouver Real Estate Board President Jake Moldowan says it's a healthy one when homes sell in less than two months.

Vancouver real estate sales were down 36 per cent from August 2009, according to the latest monthly report for August from the Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver.

But prices have stayed strong: benchmark price for all Vancouver housing increased from $539,600 to $576,597.

Canadian Real Estate Association figures show a 10-per-cent increase in Vancouver sales from July to August, which could be a sign of what's to come in future months.