How to Sell Your Home Under 100 Days in 2026

The Vancouver housing market has entered an intriguing phase of transformation. Properties that once sold within days now stay on the market longer—often 100 days or more. These changes mark a fundamental shift in our city's real estate scene.

Our experience as Vancouver realtors through multiple market cycles shows a clear cooling period with dramatic changes in buyer behavior. The previous seller's playground has become a balanced environment where buyers can think over their decisions carefully. The era of bidding wars and overnight sales that defined Vancouver's market has ended. Buyers and sellers now must adapt to new realities that call for fresh strategies and realistic expectations.

Extended selling periods don't necessarily signal trouble, but rather show a market recalibration that brings both challenges and opportunities. Sellers should realize that setting any price and expecting quick results no longer works. Buyers now have the chance to be thorough in their property search without competing against countless other offers.

Several market forces drive these changes—economic uncertainty, shifting demographics, new work patterns, and changing housing priorities. We see our role growing beyond property listings to become trusted advisors who guide clients through these complex market conditions.

Success in today's market demands deep knowledge of neighborhood trends, pricing psychology, and effective marketing strategies. Our years in the field have taught us that successful deals need patience and precision, especially when homes take longer to sell.

Homeowners looking to sell in this market shouldn't abandon their real estate goals. They just need expert guidance to position their property right from the start. The Vancouver housing market still offers great opportunities—they just require careful planning and professional expertise to realize their full potential.

Why homes are sitting longer on the market

We've noticed a big change in how properties sell during our daily work as Vancouver realtors. The average Metro Vancouver home now takes about 100 days to sell—something we haven't seen in recent years. Several connected factors have changed our local real estate world and led to this longer selling period.

High inventory and low urgency from buyers

The biggest change we see now is more properties on the market while buyers hold back. January brought a huge 169.3% increase in new listings month over month, pushing active listings to 16,605. The total resale listings are up 20% from last year and 40% above the 10-year average. Sales numbers tell a different story—they've dropped almost 30% both monthly and yearly.

We see this every day in our work—people still come to showings and open houses but they're not ready to commit. A fellow realtor summed it up well when he said there's "zero urgency to do a deal". Sellers often need to cut prices multiple times before they get serious interest from buyers.

Interest rate uncertainty and economic caution

The market slowdown goes beyond housing numbers. Our region has its highest unemployment rate since 2016 (excluding 2020), which makes people more careful. Many possible buyers think the economy looks "quite recessionary" and worry about making big financial decisions right now.

Our clients tell us they worry more about economic stability than interest rates. One local realtor pointed out that buyers aren't just "holding off, waiting for interest rates to come down"—they're watching house prices and the economy as a whole.

Investor pullback and end-user dominance

The type of buyers in the market has changed too. Investors, who used to buy lots of properties, have stepped back. Lower rents, more empty units, and stricter short-term rental rules have pushed investors away from the market.

The market now belongs to end-users—first-time buyers and families who take their time and look more carefully at each property. These buyers are "incredibly picky" and move at their own pace. We've adapted our approach to give more detailed guidance and help set realistic expectations about timing and prices.

Our experience with past market changes helps us now. We know that homes with the right price and presentation still sell in good time—it's the overpriced or poorly presented properties that drag out the 100-day average.

How sellers can adapt to today’s market

Our experience as realtors in the Vancouver housing market has taught us the best ways to help sellers through these changing conditions. Homes now stay on the market for 100 days - nowhere near what most sellers expect or plan for. This means you need to adjust your approach.

Set realistic pricing from the start

Overpricing can kill a sale faster than anything else. We look at comparable sales to set realistic starting prices that get real interest. The market values today might look very different from just six months ago - and that's something sellers need to know. Price psychology plays a huge role because buyers examine every dollar and skip right past homes they think cost too much. It also helps to get honest feedback about how your property stacks up against other listings, so your price reflects both your home's strong points and weak spots.

Avoid relisting traps and price chasing

Many sellers fall into a dangerous cycle: they list too high, then keep making small price cuts that chase the market down. This leads to longer selling times and lower final prices. Experience shows that big, strategic price adjustments work better than lots of small cuts. You also need to stay away from the "relisting trap" where your property gets a bad reputation after too many price changes and relistings. Buyers' agents can easily spot homes with problematic pricing histories in their online records.

Be flexible with terms and timelines

Today's market rewards flexibility - deals often come together because sellers are willing to bend. Your property becomes more attractive when you work with buyer timelines, think about creative financing options, and stay open to negotiating closing dates. We help sellers create offers that protect their interests while still appealing to careful buyers. Our experience in negotiations is a great way to get this delicate balance right.

How a Vancouver realtor helps you sell faster

Working with an experienced Vancouver realtor will cut down your selling time significantly, even in a slower market. Our specialized knowledge and tools will guide you through challenges that make properties sit unsold for months.

Accurate pricing based on live data

The right price from the start makes all the difference between a quick sale and months of waiting. Our team does a complete comparative market analysis using sold data from the last 30-60 days, unlike online tools that give generic analyzes. We look at properties within a one-kilometer radius that match your home's square footage, age, and features. Your home's price will reflect your specific neighborhood's current value rather than city-wide averages. Statistics show that homes with the right initial price attract more viewers and get stronger offers.

Marketing strategies that attract serious buyers

Professional photography and strategic marketing are crucial to stand out in today's digital-first market. Your property will shine with high-quality professional photos, video tours, 3D floor plans, and drone footage that highlight its best features. Our targeted advertising reaches qualified buyers through Facebook, Google, Real Estate Weekly, and international platforms. This approach puts your property in front of active buyers searching for homes like yours, helping it stand out among thousands of listings.

Guidance through buyer psychology and timing

Our experience becomes a great asset in understanding current buyer behavior. End-users now drive Vancouver's market with strict criteria, and they take their time to review listings. We set up showings that work with potential buyers' schedules—early mornings and evenings included—so motivated buyers can see your home right away. We also help you decide when to take offers instead of waiting for higher bids that might not come. This expertise helps you capitalize on your first (usually best) offer rather than chasing falling prices.

Using our experience to avoid common seller mistakes

Home selling can get pricey when even experienced homeowners make mistakes that stretch out selling time. Overpricing tops the list of damaging mistakes, causing homes to lose buyer interest and sell for less. Making several small price cuts instead of one strategic change also hurts your chances. Our team keeps emotional decisions from clouding your judgment and causing missed opportunities. We also protect you from the "stale listing" problem where homes on the market for 60+ days attract low offers from buyers who think something might be wrong.

What can turn the market around

The Vancouver real estate market is experiencing a slowdown, but several promising indicators point to a potential turnaround in the coming months. Our decades of combined experience as realtors helps us track these indicators to guide our clients' decisions.

Improved buyer confidence and rate cuts

The Bank of Canada's recent key rate cut to 2.5% marks a radical alteration that steadily improves buyer sentiment. Homeowners now pay about $163 less each month on a typical variable-rate mortgage. Interest rates alone won't jumpstart the market immediately. However, they create what experts call a "rare window" where both rates and prices are declining. First-time buyers can benefit from this combination and take advantage of federal GST relief and provincial property transfer tax exemptions.

Better alignment between pricing and demand

Metro Vancouver apartments' benchmark price dropped 4.4% year-over-year. This reflects the market's needed recalibration. The market goes through what economists call a "reset rather than a rebound". Signs of recovery have started to emerge. BCREA predicts a 12% sales increase in 2026. This growth comes from pent-up demand as buyers who stayed away throughout 2025 return to the market.

More education for sellers on market shifts

We dedicate ourselves to helping sellers understand realistic pricing based on current and projected comparable sales instead of past figures. This knowledge stops sellers from chasing the market downward with multiple price adjustments. Our unique experience helps clients see how today's market changes create a chance to position properties strategically before the predicted recovery balances supply and demand.

Looking ahead: What buyers and sellers should expect

The Vancouver real estate market has transformed from its previous ever-changing environment. Properties now take about 100 days to find new owners. Notwithstanding that, this longer timeline creates chances for buyers and sellers who get proper guidance and set realistic expectations. Our time guiding clients through multiple market cycles shows these adjustment periods often lead to new growth phases. Smart positioning now rewards clients later.

Professional expertise makes a big difference in market transformations like we see today. Working with realtors who know neighborhood-specific trends becomes crucial when quick sales are no longer the norm. Our team's decades of combined experience in Vancouver's various communities helps us offer local insights that basic online valuations can't provide. We look at similar properties that match your home's special features instead of broad averages that might not show your property's true market value.

Patience and smart action are the life-blood of success in today's market. Homes might take longer to sell, but well-positioned properties still draw qualified buyers and fair offers. Our team helps sellers avoid dropping prices bit by bit as the market changes. We focus on setting the right price from the start to generate interest right away. On top of that, we use complete marketing plans that highlight your property's best features through professional photos, virtual tours, and targeted ads to reach motivated buyers.

The current cooling period gives you a chance to make smart moves. Vancouver's housing market fundamentals stay strong despite buyers being cautious now. Recent interest rate cuts and growing demand point to more balanced conditions ahead. Serious buyers now enjoy less competition and more time to make solid decisions, which leads to happier homeowners.

This changing market rewards sellers who adjust their expectations and plans. Having knowledgeable professionals guide your real estate experience makes the difference between frustration and success. Our team offers the expertise, market knowledge, and personal guidance you need to direct you through Vancouver's changing real estate world. Whatever your real estate goals are - buying or selling - working with experienced realtors who understand today's market challenges and opportunities will help you succeed with confidence.