January 2026 Market Update

by Admin Marketing

CENTURY 21

Metro Vancouver Market Update

January 2026 Edition

Market Snapshot – January 2026

S/A Ratio

9.1%

Buyer’s Market

Total Sales

1,107

-28.5% YoY

Active Listings

12,628

+9.9% YoY

Key Insight: January 2026 continued last year’s trends with sales 28.5% below 2025 and 30.9% below the 10-year average, marking the fourth slowest January in over two decades. All property types sit well below the 12% threshold that signals downward price pressure—this remains a prime buyer’s market.

What’s Hot & What’s Not

HOT (Relatively Speaking)

Apartments

S/A Ratio: 10.3% (most resilient)
Holding closest to balanced market threshold
Best for sellers in current climate

Attached/Townhouses

S/A Ratio: 11.1%
Moderate buyer demand
More movement than detached

Strong Areas: West Vancouver apartments (S/A 7.6% MoM growth), Ladner apartments, Tsawwassen detached (benchmark +3.5% MoM)

Cooling Down

Detached Homes

S/A Ratio: 6.7% (weakest)
Well below balanced market threshold
Significant price pressure

Sales Activity:

November: 541 sales
December: 431 sales (-20%)
January: 300 sales (-30%)

Slower Areas: Detached homes in Vancouver West (S/A 15%), Burnaby East detached (S/A 2%), Richmond detached (S/A -2.2% MoM)

Strategic Tips for Your Clients

Buyer Tips

Take Your Time: Inventory at record highs gives you leverage
Target Detached: 6.7% S/A ratio = serious negotiating power
Be Strategic: Properties taking longer to sell—inspect thoroughly
Lock in Rates: Borrowing costs remain favorable
Negotiate Hard: Ask for price reductions, closing cost help
Look Beyond Price: 12,628 active listings = more choices!

Seller Tips

Price Aggressively: Competitive pricing from day one
Consider Timing: Q1 traditionally sees buyer uptick
Apartments First: Best position relative to other types
Staging Matters: Presentation critical to stand out
Be Flexible: Consider incentives like covering strata fees
Realistic Expectations: Accept today’s market, not 2022

Market Forecast

3-Month Outlook (Q1 2026) – Market Momentum Slowly Evolving:
Expected modest improvement in Feb-Mar as traditional spring market approaches, but January’s tepid start sets cautious tone. Inventory will stay elevated (12,000-13,500 range) continuing to favor buyers. Prices face continued downward pressure through Q1. Best opportunities: January-February for buyers before any spring competition materializes.

12-Month Outlook (2026) – New Normal: Stabilization Without Recovery:
Expecting minimal change from 2025’s low baseline with annual total likely 23,000-25,000 sales (well below 10-year average of 31,625). GVR Chief Economist Andrew Lis forecasts prices to “finish the year relatively unchanged” with market “slowly evolving to what may be a new normal.” Apartments show most resilience while detached homes face continued challenges.

Your Winning Strategy for 2026!

Hey there, Top Producing Realtors!

Yes, 2025 ended 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!

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 28.5% 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!

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

Douglas Foulds, REALTOR® | Property Manager

Data Source: Greater Vancouver REALTORS® Monthly Statistics Package (January 2026)
This analysis is for professional use by licensed realtors. Always verify specific data points with official GVR sources.

Doug Foulds – Managing Broker

Century 21 In Town Realty