You know you want to buy it.
- Sales up 20% month-over-month across Greater Vancouver
- Sales-to-listings ratio shoots up to 41%
- Pent Up Demand at All Time Highs
- Affordability got that much better with lower rates
Imagine if all those buyers and sellers decided that now was the time to act. Interest rates are no longer a brake on the market, but more so a motivation to buy with sub 4% mortgage rates now available. Variable rate mortgages haven’t looked this good in over 3 years! Markets move in unison. At some point, buyers and sellers will too, and with every month that demand builds, it comes closer to unleashing into the market. There are historical dips in the market such as the financial crisis of 2008 or the suite of government interventions after 2016 that lead to periods of optimal purchasing power. Those who purchased during those times didn’t regret it. It’s happened before and will happen again. Think about how many people in the last 3 years who have waited to buy their first home, move up, move down, part ways and sadly pass away. Movements happen in real estate out of necessity, that can only be held back so long. Life is too short to time the market perfectly, if you find the home you know you want – buy it!
Momentum Carries Metro Vancouver Market Into the Fall
October brought a much-needed lift to Metro Vancouver’s housing market after the seasonally quiet September. Across Greater Vancouver, sales rose sharply from September, new listings moderated, and inventory tightened, pushing the market back toward balanced conditions in some areas. Make no mistake, buyers have tremendous opportunity in this market still.
Stronger Sales, Tighter Supply in Greater Vancouver
Total residential sales in October across the region reached 2,255 units, up 20% from September and 15% higher than August. That’s a healthy improvement heading into the winter months and a clear sign of underlying market demand. Year-over-year, sales were down 15% from October 2024 but they were only down 1% from July, which was the monthly high for 2025. Many buyers are taking advantage of recent interest rate drops and continued elevated listing inventory. In comparison to October 2023, sales are up a solid 17%, reinforcing that demand is there, with plenty of it still waiting in the wings.
Active listings ended the month at 16,393, down 4% from August and 13% higher than last year, marking the first time in several months that inventory began to contract meaningfully. With fewer new listings entering the system, 5,518 in October, down 17% from September, buyers are now seeing less new competition for desirable homes.
The sales-to-listings ratio climbed to 41%, up from 28% in September. That’s pushing some markets to balanced territory, and a clear shift from the slower late-summer pace. Months of inventory fell to 7 months, down from 9, suggesting a tightening dynamic where well-priced listings are attracting offers faster.
Greater Vancouver sales in October were 15% below the 10-year average, better than the previous months where September was 20% below the 10-year average, August was 19% below the 10-year average, but like July at 14% below the 10-year average. The market is showing signs of buyers making moves, and with this latest interest rate drop by the Bank of Canada, there is more motivation to get out and buy.
Greater Vancouver townhome sales in October were down 4% year-over-year after being down 5% compared to September last year, while condos sales dropped to 23% down year-over-year after being up 1% last month. With the stock of condos piling up, literally, buyers have the best opportunity in decades to purchase new product at prices below what it cost to build them. Expect condo sales to propel in the coming months as this supply is consumed. A great opportunity for first time buyers that can take advantage of GST rebates for new properties up to $1.5M. Detached sales dropped in October to 4% below October last year after being up 6% year-over-year in September. Townhome inventory shrunk in October with many areas shifting back to seller market conditions, showing just how much is missing in the “missing middle” segment of the market. This is a continued ask of the government to look at addressing this supply constrained type of home which prevents many buyers from moving up or moving down in the market.
Active Listings Shrink in October
Inventory dropped down as is seasonally typical for October. Active listings finished October at 16,393, up 13% from last year’s 14,477, and a drop of 4% from September’s 17,079. This was a more significant drop from September compared to last year when there was a smaller decline in active listings between September and October, and it was much different than 2023 when the number of active listings increased between September and October. The window of choice and opportunity for buyers shifted in October, and this could be a signal for buyers not to continue the waiting game. With the choice of listings, and good listings at that, declining, as buyers come forward more competition can become present in the market.
The region shifted out of a buyer’s market to a balanced market, technically, in October. The months of supply dropped down to 7 from 9 in September which is the lowest it has been since April of this year.
The number of new listings in October were 16% above the 10-year average, after September was 20% above the 10-year average. With the decline in new listings, sellers may be starting to resist in the market and shifting towards the wait and see game as well. Buyers should be careful that waiting could lead to less available properties, especially those properties with willing sellers.
Vancouver: Buyers Step Back In, But a Tale of Two Markets
Vancouver Westside did well in detached and townhome segments while the condo market struggled to keep up. The one saving grace for condos was a significant drop in new listings. Detached and townhouse segments are drawing renewed attention, with sellers pricing or negotiating in line with buyer expectations. The sales-to-listings ratio rose to 38% overall from 24%, edging closer balanced range, while inventory dropped to 3,100 listings.
Vancouver Eastside was reliable and active as it continued its path of showing strength, with 269 sales, up 29% from September and 16% above last year while achieving the highest number by month this year. Active listings eased to 1,654, and the sales-to-listings ratio jumped to 45%, signaling a potential trend to confident, balanced demand.
The Suburb Story
Areas east of Vancouver showed less growth in sales in October compared to Vancouver, perhaps a sign of a market shifting outwards as a lagging trend. September saw the opposite effect, but sales corrections typically start from Vancouver so this could be a sign of what’s to come in the suburbs. Port Moody was one of the better performing markets in the suburbs in October, which is surprising given the price points are typically on the higher side. Pitt Meadows saw double the total sales in October compared to the previous month and achieved one of the better months this year for that municipality.
Ladner & Tsawwassen: South Delta had some strong numbers in October. Ladner with 30 sales, a balanced 50% ratio, and consistent demand through the fall. Tsawwassen had 51 sales, up 34% from September and 42% above last year, with a 55% ratio, signaling one of the most active sales to listing ratios in the Lower Mainland. Buyers continue to chase lifestyle-driven value, and South Delta is delivering it.
Fraser Valley
The Fraser Valley kept the positive trend rolling, posting 1,123 sales, up 17% from September. Active listings fell 4% to 10,121, while new listings dropped 14% month-over-month, tightening conditions. Average prices climbed 0.1% month-over-month remaining under $1 million, while months of inventory dropped to 9 from 11, showing meaningful progress toward balanced conditions but still technically a buyer’s market.
Detached homes in North Delta and Langley saw the most activity, with townhouse demand following closely behind. After months of hesitation, confidence is quietly returning across the Valley.
Looking Ahead
October showed what a healthy market could look like with stronger sales, and a balancing of conditions with inventory declining while demand picks up. The excess quality listings from earlier in the year are being absorbed, and both buyers and sellers are adjusting to the new rate and home price landscape.
While we’re unlikely to see fireworks through the winter, the fundamentals are encouraging with fewer new listings, steady demand, and pricing that will try to hold its ground with quality listings. As 2025 winds down, confidence is quietly creeping back with demand ready to enter the market after playing the waiting game for the past 3 years and beyond save for the Covid years. So if you are a buyer, why wait
Here’s a summary of the numbers:
Greater Vancouver: Total Units Sold in October were 2,255 up from 1,875 (20%) in September, up from 1,959 (15%) in August, down from 2,286 (1%) in July, down from 2,632 (14%) in October 2024, and up from 1,926 (17%) in October 2023; Active Listings were at 16,393 at month end compared to 14,477 at that time last year (up 13%) and 17,079 at the end of August (down 4%); the 5,518 New Listings in October were down 17% compared to September, up 28% compared to August, down 4% compared to July, down 1% compared to October 2024, and up 16% compared to October 2023. Month’s supply of total residential listings is down to 7 month’s supply from 9 (balanced market conditions) and sales to listings ratio of 41% compared to 28% in September, 47% in October 2024, and 42% in October 2023.
Month-over-month, the house price index is down 0.8% and in the last 12 months down 3.4%.
Beyond her professionalism, Berna’s warm, friendly, and reassuring approach made working with her a pleasure. She genuinely listens to her clients’ needs and goes above and beyond to help them find the right home. I would trust Berna completely and highly recommend her to anyone looking for a dedicated and reliable realtor.
Our criteria this time were a bit more challenging, but with her patience, deep knowledge, and guidance, we finally found the home that felt just right. Throughout the entire process, she wasn’t just a real estate agent. She was a true advisor and a calm, reassuring presence.
Looking back, choosing to work with her was one of the best decisions we made. We couldn’t be happier with the home we found and the experience we had.
Highly recommended to anyone looking for not just a house, but a place to truly call home. Thank you again!
She was endlessly patient with us—always ready to answer questions, walk us through the details, and offer honest advice without ever making us feel rushed or pressured. From the very beginning, it was clear she truly cared about us finding the right home, not just making a quick sale.
Berna has that rare mix of being incredibly professional and deeply personal. She made what could have been a stressful process feel manageable and even exciting. We always felt supported and in good hands every step of the way.
I’m so grateful for everything she did for us, and I can’t recommend her highly enough. If you’re buying or selling, you’ll want Berna in your corner—both as a realtor and as the genuinely kind person she is.
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