‘Sign’ of the Times: Unexpected New Indicator Reveals B.C.’s Sluggish Real Estate Market

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Consider it a reflection of our era?

“There are currently numerous listings in the Metro Vancouver area, and there aren’t enough indicators to keep track of them all,” says Kaitlyn Herbst, a realtor with MRKT

Real Estate

Group said.

If we remove the signpost after selling the property and return it to them, allowing them to reuse it for another client, they have agreed to provide us with a refund which we can apply towards our next signpost purchase.

Herbst mentioned in April that there were over 15,000 listings in the Greater Vancouver region.

“There are many signs,” she remarked.

What I’m saying is, condominiums aren’t necessarily known for having signs around, but potential purchasers simply aren’t making an appearance. They’re feeling somewhat unsure about all that’s happening and thus are choosing to take additional time before deciding.

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Real estate professionals indicate that this year began with an intriguing trend in the Greater Vancouver area.

“As we anticipated, the market was supposed to show somewhat higher activity compared to what we have observed thus far,” said Andrew Lis, director of economics and data analytics at Greater Vancouver Realtors, to Global News.

We anticipated seeing an increase in sales for the year; however, sales have been quite sluggish since the start of this year.

Lisa indicated that this situation might partly stem from the uncertainties caused by U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariffs, the political instability surrounding the Canadian election, and the federal government’s comprehensive approach to housing policy.

“It might be various elements preventing purchasers from taking action, however, activity on the buying front has been rather subdued,” Lis commented.

On the seller’s side, many individuals are bringing their properties to the market. Currently, we find ourselves in a situation where inventory levels are among the highest they’ve been in nearly ten years. This makes it an exceptionally intriguing period for the real estate market.

Lis mentioned that sales have decreased approximately 24 percent compared to last year.

They are currently below our 10-year seasonal averages, about 20% to 30%, and they have remained at these levels for quite some time now.

Liz mentioned that the market began to recover towards the end of last year; however, it has progressed more slowly during the initial months of 2025.

“However, on the inventory front, we have observed quite a substantial rise in inventory levels within our area,” he mentioned.

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The inventory level for the Greater Vancouver area tracked by our board has exceeded 16,000 units, a figure we haven’t encountered in roughly ten years.

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Lis mentioned that this is beneficial for purchasers since there is now a variety of options available, including condominiums, single-family homes, and townhouses.

Nevertheless, they’ve observed higher sales figures for standalone houses compared to linked properties or condominiums.

Lis stated that generally, price trends have remained relatively stable over the past several months and even throughout the last couple of years.

The fluctuations have been quite minimal — perhaps a percentage point up or down from time to time — however, overall, the pricing trend has remained relatively stable and this consistency applies broadly across various product categories.

Herbst mentioned that she has never witnessed a market quite like this one before.

“A few years back, when there were no subjects, you used to purchase spots without seeing them firsthand,” she stated.

I had clients purchase houses without ever having seen them myself. Free from constraints, just like that. Now it’s more along the lines of, ‘We’ll return for a second visit with you.’

Herbst mentioned that some sellers are offering additional perks to attract potential purchasers.

There is a single property (located in Langley) currently on the market where the agent is including a Disney Cruise as part of the deal for the purchasers of this family home. It’s a four-person cruise,” she explained.

The cost isn’t low, but it makes it distinctive. This approach helps attract families to come inside. Plus, it offers many choices for potential buyers. Thus, when you compare them side by side, this option allows me to take a vacation with my family.

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