Vancouver Housing Market Hits 18-Month Low, Buyers Gain Edge

Vancouver's housing market shows its biggest transformation in 18 months and now favors buyers. September 2025 saw 1,875 residential sales. This number rose 1.2% from September 2024 but dropped 20.1% below the 10-year seasonal average of 2,348 units[-3]. The market's downward trend and the Bank of Canada's rate cut have created new opportunities for potential buyers.

The market slowdown has affected Vancouver's housing prices. The MLS® Home Price Index composite benchmark price stands at $1,142,100, down 3.2% from September 2024. Available properties have jumped to 17,079, a 14.4% rise from last year[-2]. This number sits 36.1% above the 10-year seasonal average[-2]. Our team's experience in Vancouver real estate shows these conditions have pushed the sales-to-active listings ratio to 11.3%. This ratio that indicates a mild buyer's market. We help our clients understand these market patterns and turn them into real opportunities. Buyers can benefit from more choices while sellers need strategies for a cooling market. Professional guidance helps make smart decisions that line up with your long-term real estate goals.

Metro Vancouver Sales Drop to 18-Month Low

Recent market analysis shows September's housing activity reached its lowest point since early 2024. The Vancouver housing market recorded 1,875 residential sales in September 2025. This marks a major downturn in market momentum.

Sales fall 20% below 10-year average

The Metro Vancouver housing market shows clear signs of cooling. September's sales numbers fell well short of historical norms. Sales are now 20.1% below the 10-year seasonal average of 2,348 transactions. This slowdown has developed throughout 2025, with May showing an 18.5% drop in activity compared to the previous year. The neighboring Fraser Valley paints an even clearer picture. August sales were 36% below the 10-year average, which created buyer's market conditions across the Lower Mainland.

Our team of Vancouver realtors has noticed this sales weakness varies by property type. Detached homes recorded 552 sales in September (a 7% increase from last year). Apartment sales reached 954 units (up 1.5%) while attached home sales totaled 356 (down 5.8%). Let Paul Eviston help you navigate today's market.

Year-over-year comparison shows slight uptick

September's sales volume raises concerns against historical averages, but there's good news in the year-over-year numbers. Sales grew by 1.2% compared to September 2024. This modest improvement follows August's 2.9% year-over-year increase. These numbers might suggest the market is starting to stabilize.

The recovery remains delicate and uneven across months, as July saw a 2% year-over-year decline in sales. The overall trend for 2025 points to a cautious market where buyers have more power.

Realtors help interpret long-term trends for buyers

These fluctuating statistics need professional expertise to understand. The sales-to-active listings ratio sits at 11.3%, just under the critical 12% threshold where prices typically start falling. Historical data shows extended periods below this level often lead to market-wide price decreases.

Our role as realtors involves breaking down these complex indicators for clients. We help buyers understand what these numbers mean: better negotiating power, less competition, and chances to buy properties that were out of reach during peak market conditions. Our expertise helps identify neighborhoods and property types that offer the best value in this changing market.

Bank of Canada Rate Cuts Shift Buyer Sentiment

The Bank of Canada has started to alter buyer confidence in Vancouver's cooling housing market. The policy rate stands at 2.5%, which creates new opportunities for potential homebuyers in Metro Vancouver.

Lower borrowing costs improve affordability

Mortgage interest rates have dropped steadily since their peak in September 2023. This has increased borrowing capacity by approximately 16.5% as of January 2025. First-time homebuyers with down payments less than 20% can now spread their mortgages over 30 years instead of 25. Lower rates combined with extended amortization periods have increased purchasing power by 27% compared to late 2023 qualifying criteria. Someone who qualified for a CAD 836,016 mortgage in September 2023 might now qualify for up to CAD 1,079,854. Paul Eviston can help you navigate today's market as your Vancouver realtor.

Markets anticipate further rate cuts

Affordability should continue to improve throughout 2025, according to financial experts. The Bank of Canada will likely cut its policy rate by another 125 basis points to 2% by mid-2025. This could push mortgage rates even lower. The average 5-year fixed mortgage rates now sit in the mid-3% range. These adjustments slowly reverse the pandemic-era ownership cost increases that significantly affected Vancouver's housing market.

Realtors guide clients through mortgage pre-approvals

Mortgage pre-approvals have become vital tools for serious homebuyers in today's changing market. Pre-approvals offer significant benefits: buyers learn their exact price range, gain stronger negotiating power with sellers, and get rate protection against possible increases. A pre-approval usually comes with a rate hold lasting 120-130 days while buyers look for their perfect home. Vancouver realtors recommend getting pre-approvals before house hunting, especially as the market moves in buyers' favor. Our expertise helps clients see how these economic changes create real opportunities in Vancouver's evolving real estate market.

Inventory Surge Gives Buyers More Options

Metro Vancouver's housing inventory has hit near-record levels, giving prospective buyers more choices than ever before. Active listings currently show 17,079 properties available, which marks a significant 14.4% increase from September 2024.

Active listings rise 36% above 10-year average

Available properties have surged well beyond historical patterns. The total number of homes on the market exceeds the 10-year seasonal average by 36.1%, offering buyers an exceptional selection of properties. This trend has remained steady throughout 2025. August saw 16,242 homes available, pushing 36.9% above typical levels. The market showed even stronger numbers in March 2025, with inventory soaring 44.9% above the 10-year average. Our team helps clients find their way through this expanded marketplace with personalized strategies that match their needs.

New listings increase 6.2% year-over-year

Fresh inventory keeps flowing into the market steadily. September brought 6,527 new properties, showing a 6.2% increase from the previous year. These numbers sit 20.1% above the 10-year seasonal average, making conditions even more favorable for buyers. Paul Eviston can help you make the most of today's market.

Sales-to-active listings ratio signals buyer's market

The sales-to-active listings ratio stands at 11.3%, which tells the real story of our current market. Any ratio below 12% typically pushes prices downward. Different property types show varying ratios: detached homes at 8.5%, townhouses at 12.7%, and condos at 13.3%. These numbers clearly show Vancouver's housing market favors buyers right now.

Realtors help buyers in high-inventory environments

This abundance of inventory makes a realtor's expertise more valuable than ever. We help buyers determine true value among many choices and spot properties that have been listed longer. Our team uses extended days-on-market data (74 to 300+ days) to strengthen your negotiating position. We also guide you to balance the luxury of choice with quick action when the right opportunity comes along.

Price Trends Vary by Property Type

Price analysis in Metro Vancouver shows major variations between property categories. Each segment responds differently to current market conditions. The composite benchmark price for all residential properties stands at CAD 1,591,356.69, which is 3.2% lower than last year.

Detached home prices fall 4.4% year-over-year

Vancouver's housing market shows the biggest corrections in luxury single-family homes. The detached properties benchmark price dropped to CAD 2,693,504.61. This represents a 4.4% decrease from last year and a 0.9% decline from August. Detached homes in Vancouver West continued this trend throughout 2025 and fell 5.6% to CAD 6,429,702.45.

Apartment prices decline amid rising supply

Condo prices face similar market pressure. Their benchmark price dropped to CAD 1,015,480.92, showing a 4.4% decrease compared to September 2024. The inventory levels rose 17.6% from last year and keep pushing apartment valuations down. Paul Eviston can help you navigate today's market.

Townhouse market sees moderate softening

Townhouses proved more resilient than other property types. Their benchmark price sits at CAD 1,490,616.74, with just a 2.7% year-over-year decline. Regional differences tell an interesting story - Vancouver East townhouse prices grew 1.2% monthly while Vancouver West saw a 1% monthly decline.

Realtors provide property-specific pricing insights

We analyze these complex price trends daily as professionals in Vancouver's housing market. Our expertise helps buyers take advantage of declining values. Sellers also need accurate pricing strategies to stay competitive in the current market.

How a Realtor Helps You Navigate the Vancouver Market

The Vancouver housing market continues to evolve, and professional guidance makes a real difference. Our team of realtors serves the Greater Vancouver area with deep expertise to help you make sense of these complex conditions. We bring detailed knowledge about neighborhoods, including pricing trends, school quality, transportation options, and upcoming developments that could affect your property's value. Vancouver realtors with years of experience understand market evaluations, zoning laws, and financing choices that shape your decisions.

A skilled realtor takes the stress out of Vancouver's complex housing market. We make everything easier by figuring out the right property type for your needs and budget. Our team finds available properties, breaks down complicated paperwork, and puts together strong purchase offers. Our negotiation skills become even more valuable in today's buyer's market, where sales-to-active listings ratios show buyers have more leverage.

The market's inventory levels are now 36% above average. This gives buyers more options to explore and opportunities to find properties that have been listed longer. Paul Eviston can guide you through today's market conditions. We help sellers set realistic price expectations as the Vancouver market cools down. Our expertise shows in how we present offers, work with home inspectors, and handle negotiations to protect your interests. The Vancouver housing market needs local knowledge that experienced professionals bring - from targeted pricing strategies to finding neighborhoods that offer the best investment potential.