December 2025 Market Update

CENTURY 21

Metro Vancouver Market Update

Q4 2025 Edition | Your Essential Guide to Market Trends

Market Snapshot – December 2025

Overall S/A Ratio

12.7%

Buyer’s Market

Sales vs 2024

-10.4%

23,800 Total

Active Listings

12,550

+14.6% YoY

Key Insight: The market ended 2025 with the lowest annual sales total in over 20 years, while inventory hit record highs. All property types are sitting below the 12% threshold that signals downward price pressure — this is a prime opportunity for buyers!

What’s Hot & What’s Not

HOT (Relatively Speaking)

Apartments

S/A Ratio: 15.1% (most resilient)
Holding above balanced market
Best for sellers in current climate

Attached/Townhouses

S/A Ratio: 14.6%
Moderate buyer demand
More movement than detached

Strong Areas: Richmond, Squamish, Port Coquitlam apartments

COOLING DOWN

Detached Homes

S/A Ratio: 9.3% (weakest)
Well below balanced market
Significant price pressure

Sales Activity:

October: 693 sales
November: 541 sales (-22%)
December: 431 sales (-20%)

Slower Areas: Detached homes in Burnaby, West Vancouver, North Vancouver

Strategic Tips for Your Clients

BUYER TIPS

Take Your Time: With inventory at record highs and ratios below 12%, buyers have the upper hand
Target Detached: The 9.3% S/A ratio on detached homes means serious negotiating power
Be Strategic: Properties are taking longer to sell — don’t rush, inspect thoroughly
Lock in Lower Rates: Borrowing costs are down nearly 1% from peaks
Negotiate Hard: Sellers are adjusting to new reality — ask for price reductions, closing cost help, or included items
Look Beyond Price: With 12,550 active listings, you have choices!

SELLER TIPS

Price Aggressively: Market has shifted — price competitively from day one
Consider Timing: Q1 traditionally sees uptick in buyers; if not urgent, wait for spring
Apartments First: If you have an apartment/condo, you’re in the best position relative to other property types
Staging Matters More: With high inventory, presentation is critical to stand out
Be Flexible: Consider incentives like covering strata fees, offering move-in credits
Realistic Expectations: Prices down 4-5% YoY — accept the market of today, not 2022

Market Forecast

3-Month Outlook (Q1 2026)

Cautiously Optimistic

Sales Activity: Expected modest uptick in Feb-Mar as traditional spring market approaches. January will remain quiet (typical seasonal pattern).
Inventory: Will likely stay elevated (11,000-13,000 range) as more sellers test the market in spring.
Prices: Continued slight softening (0-2% decline) before stabilizing in March. Detached homes may see 2-3% further decline.
Interest Rates: Stable at current levels — no further BoC cuts expected, which may limit buyer enthusiasm.
Best Opportunities: Late Jan-Feb for buyers before spring competition increases. Sellers should wait until March listing rush.

12-Month Outlook (2026 Full Year)

Gradual Recovery with Regional Variations

Sales Volume: Expecting 5-10% increase from 2025’s 23,800 sales as market stabilizes. Still below 10-year average (31,625).
Price Trajectory:
• Q1-Q2: Flat to -2%
• Q3-Q4: Potential 0-3% recovery as trade tensions ease and consumer sentiment improves
• Net 2026: -1% to +2% depending on economic factors
Property Type Winners: Apartments and attached homes will outperform detached. First-time buyer segment remains strongest.
Inventory Levels: Will moderate by year-end as sales absorb some supply, but remain above historical averages.
Key Wildcards:
• US-Canada trade relations (tariff risks)
• Immigration policy changes
• Potential BoC rate cuts in H2 2026 if economy softens
Regional Hotspots: Watch Squamish (+5% YoY prices), Richmond apartments, and Port Coquitlam for relative strength.

Bottom Line: 2026 will be a year of stabilization and gradual recovery. The extreme buyer’s market of late 2025 will moderate but won’t flip to a seller’s market. Opportunities exist for both buyers and sellers who price/offer realistically.

Your Winning Strategy for 2026!Hey there, Rockstar Realtors!

Yes, 2025 was challenging with the lowest sales in 20 years, BUT here’s the exciting part: you now have MORE INVENTORY than ever to work with, buyers have AMAZING negotiating power, and sellers who list strategically WILL sell!

This is YOUR time to shine!

Educate your buyers on their unprecedented advantage
Coach your sellers on realistic pricing for quick sales
Position yourself as the market expert who knows how to win in any conditions
Stay positive — every market creates opportunities for those who adapt!

Remember: The best realtors don’t wait for perfect markets — they CREATE opportunities in the market they have! 🏆

Volume may be down, but your value to clients has NEVER been higher. Let’s make 2026 your best year yet! 💪

Quick Action Items

This Week:

Review your buyer clients’ search criteria — expand their options with this inventory!
Call your seller leads with a reality check on pricing (use that 4.5% YoY decline stat)
Focus on apartments and townhouses for quicker seller wins
Prepare Q1 marketing: “2026 – The Year of the Smart Buyer”
Study the specific S/A ratios in YOUR farm area — not all neighborhoods are equal!

Data Source: Greater Vancouver REALTORS® Monthly Statistics Package (Oct-Dec 2025)

Questions? Market insights? Let’s collaborate and crush 2026 together!

This analysis is for professional use by licensed realtors. Always verify specific data points with official GVR sources.

Doug Foulds – Managing Broker