Metro Vancouver Market Update

October 2026 · Prepared for the Century 21 In Town Realty team

At a Glance

Total Sales	2.024	▼ 10.2% YoY
Composite Benchmark	$1,068,600	▼ 5.2% YoY
Active Listings	15,688	▼ 4.3% YoY
New Listings	4,805	▼ 11.6% YoY

Detached S/A	11.6%
Attached S/A	16.5%
Apartment S/A	13.5%

2026 Sales-to-Active Ratio Trend

Metro Vancouver overall S/A ratio, GVR monthly data · dashed line marks the 12% buyer’s-market threshold

Key Insight

The fall market gave us a bump, as predicted. The overall S/A ratio climbed back to 13.4% in October, up from 10.9% in September and back above the 12% line. This is the normal fall bump, not a market shift. Sales rose from 1,717 to 2,024 month over month, while active listings eased to 15,688.

Compared with last year, though, both sides stepped back. Sales were down 10.2% from October 2025 and 22.5% below the 10-year average for October. New listings fell 11.6% year over year. GVR chief economist Andrew Lis puts it down to a distracting month: the Bank of Canada’s rate hike on October 28 and a busy election season had buyers and sellers waiting to see how things settle.

Prices kept drifting lower. The composite benchmark slipped 0.7% from September to $1,068,600. Closer to home, Vancouver West dipped 0.8% to $1,196,600, while Vancouver East held flat (+0.1%) at $1,121,600.

What’s Hot:

Townhomes — the attached S/A ratio jumped to 16.5%, the strongest of any segment, and sales were nearly level with last October (−1.9%). Well-priced townhomes are moving.

What’s Not:

Apartments — apartment sales were down 16.7% year over year, and the apartment benchmark fell 1.3% in one month to $673,400. Houses are also still soft: detached is at 11.6%, below the 12% line.

Client Conversations

For Buyers

Plenty to choose from — 15,688 active listings, 24% above the 10-year average for October.
Anyone holding a rate hold from before the October 28 hike should be shopping now, before it expires.
Condos and detached homes are where the negotiating room is. Push on price and terms.

For Sellers

Price off today’s numbers — the composite benchmark is down 5.2% from a year ago.
New listings are down 11.6% year over year, so a well-priced home faces less fresh competition.
Townhome owners are in the best position of any segment right now.

Looking Ahead

3-Month Outlook

November through January is the winter slow period, so expect fewer sales and fewer new listings — that’s the calendar, not a market shift. Prices are likely to keep drifting rather than dropping sharply. Watch whether detached gets back above 12%.

12-Month Outlook

The Bank of Canada raised its rate to 2.50% on October 28, its first hike since 2023, and said further increases could be needed while it proceeds carefully. Next decision is December 9. The “wait for lower rates” argument is gone — for now, waiting likely means paying more to borrow.

Winning Strategy This Month

Use the rate hike to start conversations, not to create pressure. Buyers who were pre-approved before October 28 have a real reason to act before their rate hold runs out — check in with every one of them this week.

With sellers, it’s realistic pricing heading into winter. Buyers aren’t in any hurry, but they are active for the right price — and the ones out looking in November and December are serious.