Metro Vancouver Real Estate Market Insights: Stats Centre Reports - September 2025

Jersey Li
Sep 5
4 min read

Metro Vancouver Real Estate Market Insights: Your Comprehensive Real Estate Update with Jersey Li ☀️

Stats Centre Reports - September 2025

It's always sunny with me ☀️ This is your REALTOR®, Jersey Li 😄!

📉 August Sales Edge Higher — But Prices Keep Sliding

Your Metro Vancouver Real Estate Market Insights from September 2025 are here!

August’s stats confirm what we’ve been predicting all year: while transaction numbers are inching up, it’s happening at the expense of prices. Sellers are adjusting down, and buyers are finally stepping off the sidelines. Don’t let anyone convince you the market has “turned the corner” — it hasn’t.

Think of prices as following a U or V-shaped curve. Right now, we’re still on the left side of that curve. The bottom hasn’t arrived yet, and there are too many unresolved factors — the economy, unemployment, U.S. tariffs, immigration and emigration policies, and political uncertainty — for a sustained recovery to begin.

The market is shifting, but it’s still in a correction phase. Success will come from strategy, not emotion.

🔮 Jersey’s Market Prediction

Transaction activity will continue to improve modestly through the fall, but prices will remain under pressure. Detached homes are clearly in buyer’s market territory, with a sales-to-active listings ratio of just 9.3 per cent. Condos and townhomes are holding closer to balance but are still softening, with ratios of 14 and 15.8 per cent, respectively.

The data show that sellers have eased price expectations by about 2 percent since January and nearly 1.3 percent in August alone. That’s why deals are happening. As seller and buyer expectations align, more sales will get done — but at lower values.

Jersey’s Advice for Sellers

🏷️ If you’re selling in this market, the key is to be proactive

Stay humble. If you need to sell, be the first to adjust your price, not the last. In a market where inventory is high and buyers are cautious, the seller who accepts reality first is the one who secures the deal.

If you can afford to hold your property, or if you have a good tenant covering expenses, it may be wiser to sit tight until conditions improve. But if you’re selling now, don’t waste time chasing the market down. Every month you wait could mean taking less than if you had acted sooner.

Jersey’s Advice for Buyers

🧠 August is reaffirming what we’ve been talking about for months: this is your market.

For buyers, August is reaffirming what we’ve been talking about for months: this is your market. But don’t confuse opportunity with urgency — patience remains your strongest ally right now.

Prices are still easing, down 3.8% compared to last year and 1.3% just in the past month. This means the longer you watch the market, the more flexibility sellers are showing. If one seller refuses to adjust, simply move on. The inventory is broad and diverse, and motivated sellers are out there. As the old Chinese saying goes, “Don’t hang on to one tree” — there are always other options.

This is not yet the lowest point in the market cycle, so there’s no need to stretch your budget or compromise on the wrong property. Take your time to explore, compare, and understand which homes are sitting and why. Properties that have been on the market for 30 days or longer are prime candidates for negotiation. In many cases, sellers in this position are ready to deal.

If you’re buying for personal living purposes, now is the time to be selective and bargain hard. Look for well-maintained homes where you can see yourself long-term, but don’t overpay — leverage the market conditions to get the price, terms, or conditions that benefit you most. On the other hand, if you’re considering buying purely as an investment, this is not the right moment. Presales and speculative opportunities remain too risky in a market still moving downward.

In short, buyers hold the power, but the smartest play right now is to stay patient, act strategically, and negotiate from a position of confidence.

Sales Stats

📊 August 2025 Market Stats

Sales activity is showing slow signs of recovery. Metro Vancouver recorded 1,959 sales in August, a 2.9 per cent increase year-over-year, but still 19.2 per cent below the 10-year seasonal average.

The benchmark price for all properties is $1,150,400, down 3.8 per cent year-over-year and 1.3 per cent month-over-month.
Detached homes: 575 sales, up 13 per cent YoY, benchmark price $1,950,300 (⬇ 4.8% YoY, ⬇ 1.2% MoM).
Apartments: 956 sales, down 5.5 per cent YoY, benchmark price $734,400 (⬇ 4.4% YoY, ⬇ 1.3% MoM).
Townhomes: 409 sales, up 10.5 per cent YoY, benchmark price $1,079,600 (⬇ 3.5% YoY, ⬇ 1.8% MoM).

Inventory remains elevated with 16,242 active listings, up 17.6 per cent from last year and nearly 37 per cent above the 10-year average. With a sales-to-active listings ratio of 12.4 per cent, the overall market is balanced but leaning toward buyers.

👉 Click here to obtain the full market breakdown.

Rental Market Trends

🏙️ August 2025

The rental market remains firm, but the pace of rent increases has eased as more owners rent their homes rather than sell at lower prices. This has boosted rental supply, especially in high-density areas like Vancouver, Burnaby, and Richmond.

Vancouver 1-bed average: ~$2,520/month
Burnaby 1-bed average: ~$2,500/month
New Westminster/Coquitlam: ~$2,300–$2,350/month

For landlords, competition means proper pricing and presentation are essential. For renters, this is a window to negotiate lease terms, push for longer stability, or secure concessions such as parking or utilities included.

📊 For the full rental breakdown, click here.

Final Takeaways

🔑 Don’t Call It a Recovery: Vancouver Prices Keep Sliding

August confirms that Metro Vancouver real estate is in a slow correction phase. Sellers are easing expectations, buyers are gaining confidence, and deals are getting done — but at lower prices.

Sellers: Be first, not last, to adjust your price.
Buyers: Stay patient. Bargain hard, and don’t get stuck on a single listing.

This isn’t the recovery some want you to believe in. It’s still the correction we’ve been preparing for — and that means opportunity for those who play smart.