Apartments lead sales downward

Home sales registered on the MLS® in Metro Vancouver* declined 8.4 per cent relative to September last year, weighed down by the apartment segment.

The Greater Vancouver REALTORS® (GVR) reports that residential sales in the region totalled 1,717 in September 2026, an 8.4 per cent decrease from the 1,875 sales recorded in September 2025. This was 25 per cent below the 10-year seasonal average (2,289).

“While sales were down about eight per cent overall in September, this figure hides the fact the weakness is contained to the sizeable apartment segment, which typically accounted for half of sales in any given month in recent years,” said Andrew Lis, GVR chief economist and vice-president data analytics. “By contrast, sales of attached and detached homes finished slightly up from last September, consistent with our view that end-users are primarily driving the market, as investor-driven demand awaits more favourable market conditions.”

There were 5,852 detached, attached and apartment properties newly listed for sale on the Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) in Metro Vancouver in September 2026. This represents a 10.3 per cent decrease compared to the 6,527 properties listed in September 2025. This was 5.7 per cent above the 10-year seasonal average (5,537).

The total number of properties currently listed for sale on the MLS® system in Metro Vancouver is 16,394, a four per cent decrease compared to September 2025 (17,079). This is 24.3 per cent above the 10-year seasonal average (13,186).

Across all detached, attached and apartment property types, the sales-to-active listings ratio for September 2026 is 10.9 per cent. By property type, the ratio is 9.7 per cent for detached homes, 12.2 per cent for attached, and 11.4 per cent for apartments.

Analysis of the historical data suggests downward pressure on home prices occurs when the ratio dips below 12 per cent for a sustained period, while home prices often experience upward pressure when it surpasses 20 per cent over several months.

“The combination of slow sales and inventory trending lower has kept home prices from declining too swiftly, with the composite price index drifting down 0.5 percent month –over-month,” Lis said. “While small month-over-month changes may not appear significant individually, the cumulative effect of many small changes has become more pronounced over time, with all market segments now showing price declines of about three per cent since the start of the year.”

The MLS® Home Price Index composite benchmark price for all residential properties in Metro Vancouver is currently $1,075,900. This represents a 5.5 per cent decrease over September 2025 and a 0.6 per cent decrease compared to August 2026.

Sales of detached homes in September 2026 reached 575, a 4.2 per cent increase from the 552 detached sales recorded in September 2025. The benchmark price for a detached home is $1,784,700. This represents a 7.3 per cent decrease from September 2025 and a 0.8 per cent decrease compared to August 2026.

Sales of apartment homes reached 777 in September 2026, a 18.6 per cent decrease compared to the 954 sales in September 2025. The benchmark price of an apartment home is $682,500. This represents a 6.2 per cent decrease from September 2025 and a 0.5 per cent decrease compared to August 2026.

Attached home sales in September 2026 totalled 358, a 0.6 per cent increase compared to the 356 sales in September 2025. The benchmark price of a townhouse is $1,016,700. This represents a 4.7 per cent decrease from September 2025 and a 1.2 per cent decrease compared to August 2026.

Download GVR's September 2026 MLS® Residential Market Report.

It was a pleasure to help this client buy her first Vancouver Home, and I am grateful for her kind works she shared.

🎉 SOLD — and what a fabulous place to call HOME! 🎉

A huge congratulations to my wonderful first-time home buyers on finding their very own piece of Gastown! 

This one has SO much going for it — right in the middle of the action, surrounded by Gastown’s iconic cobblestone streets, great restaurants, coffee shops and that unmistakable Vancouver energy.

Inside? Bright, stylish and full of character. Floor-to-ceiling windows, beautiful wood floors and a cozy gas fireplace in the primary bedroom. The kitchen has been thoughtfully renovated with cabinetry all the way to the ceiling, a built-in pantry and loads of storage.

There’s a powder room for guests, a gorgeous ensuite, and a bright den that could easily be your home office, creative space — or second bedroom.

And the rooftop deck? WOW. Those views are pretty hard to beat!

But the best part of my job isn’t the keys, the condos or the rooftops…

It’s helping people find the place that feels like THEIR place.

I’m so happy we found the right home, in the right neighbourhood, at the right time for these first-time buyers.

Congratulations, you two! The next chapter starts NOW. 

#SOLD #Gastown #VancouverRealEstate #FirstTimeHomeBuyer #VancouverCondos #NewHomeowners #WendyMcLeod #ThinkRealEstate

SOLD — and this one is VERY special!

A huge congratulations to my lovely clients, a wonderful family who have found a home they absolutely LOVE — and I can completely see why!

They’ve secured this beautiful Heritage Row Home in the iconic “Stable House” in South Granville, and it is packed with the kind of character and charm that you just don’t find in new construction.

Think authentic Edwardian-era architecture beautifully blended with modern living. Nine-foot ceilings, gorgeous hardwood floors, antique fixtures, exposed brick and a rich history that gives this home a personality all its own.

And then there’s the hidden courtyard… A private little retreat that extends the living space and gives the family a wonderful place to relax, entertain and enjoy those Vancouver evenings.

The renovated kitchen brings it all together with stainless steel appliances and a gas range, while the spacious primary bedroom takes up the second floor. And the third-floor loft? So much possibility! A home office, bedroom, creative space — or whatever fits this family’s lifestyle.

But honestly, my favourite part of this sale is seeing how much they fell in love with the home itself. 

There’s something pretty special about finding a character home with history, personality and a style that just speaks to you — and knowing that a wonderful family is going to create their own history here.

Congratulations to this beautiful family! I’m so happy we found the one that felt like HOME. 

#SOLD #SouthGranville #VancouverRealEstate #HeritageHome #CharacterHome #VancouverHomes #HappyClients #WendyMcLeod #ThinkRealEstate

Here are seven tips for selling in a buyer’s market in the Canadian housing sector:

#1 Price Your Home Correctly

It is crucial to make sure your property is competitively priced. It is important to remember that the buyer has the power to negotiate in a buyer’s market. Buyers also typically have more choices in this kind of climate. Therefore, if you are interested in selling your property, you will need to attract buyers, which can be successfully achieved by pricing your property competitively. You can do so by conducting thorough research in the area of your property and pricing it based on current market conditions. Of course, a real estate agent can help you with choosing a price that will be competitive.

#2 Are Upgrades Needed?

When assessing your residential property, can you ensure the property is in good condition? If not, you may need to go ahead with proper repairs and upgrades. Remember, buyers will always choose a property that provides them with the greatest value for their money. It is essential that your property is in excellent condition and that all necessary repairs and upgrades have been completed before showing the property to buyers.

This can add significant value to your property and assure buyers that they are investing their money in something worth the cost. The goal should be to make your property appealing. If this means a fresh coat of paint, an extra bedroom, or new flooring, then so be it. However, since renovations cost money, the renovations and upgrades should be done considering the price the property will likely command with those changes.

#3 Curb Appeal

Many real estate agents and industry experts typically suggest maximizing your property’s curb appeal. Why? The first impression is usually the last. This is especially true in real estate. The first thing any potential buyer sees is a property’s exterior. Before putting up your property for sale, try to pay special attention to its curb appeal and surroundings. The exterior of the house should not look unkempt. The porch should be clean, for example. Uneven pathways should be fixed. There should be no overgrown bushes, weeds, leaves, broken or bad lights, broken pots, poor landscaping, or spiderwebs.

Overall, the external appearance should be in perfect condition. Only then will the buyer have a positive mindset when examining the property’s interior.

#4 Flexibility

Flexibility was not a common word during the last couple of years. Today, the term is quite ubiquitous. Put simply, always be flexible and willing to negotiate. Since buyers have multiple options and properties to choose from, they have the upper hand in a buyer’s market. Indeed, those interested in selling their property should be open to negotiations and should aim to reach agreements that are mutually beneficial for both parties. This does not mean the seller has to sell his property at a loss. The real estate market typically maintains a dynamic where sellers can still make a decent profit even if the buyers have more negotiating power.

#5 Real Estate Agents

No matter your circumstances, you must always work with a reputable real estate agent. Property owners may have the most fantastic property but finding a suitable buyer still requires the expertise of a reputable and experienced real estate agent. This is even more important in a buyer’s market as real estate agents have more information about market trends and dynamics and can help sellers price their property at the most competitive price and present it in a way that the buyer is convinced that this is the best option for them.

Real estate agents are also better positioned to advise which upgrades or renovations are needed and which might not be worth the money. They know what can give a particular property an edge in the market, and sellers should utilize this expertise to get the best price and buyer.

#6 Presentation Matters

Every seller must present the home properly. Once the real estate agent identifies a prospective buyer, it is vital to ensure they can present your property most effectively. Homes should be staged to make buyers envision themselves in that space. Properties for sale should never be cluttered or dirty, personal items should be removed, and the whole ambiance should be that of space, comfort, and livability.

#7 Try to Sweeten the Deal

In the end, when you are confined to the parameters of a buyer’s market, buyers expect more. One tip to make your property more attractive is to offer something to sweeten the deal. This could include a broad array of features, such as including the home’s appliances or offering an early closing.