Buyers and sellers adopting a wait-and-see approach to housing market

Home sales on the MLS® in Metro Vancouver continue evolving at a pace similar to last year, with the sales down roughly three per cent from last March.

When pairing flat inventory levels with sales remaining below long-term averages, we’re not seeing prices move significantly in either direction.”

— Andrew Lis, GVR Chief Economist and Vice-President of Data Analytics

VANCOUVER, BC, CANADA, April 2, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ -- Home sales registered on the MLS^® in Metro Vancouver* continue evolving at a pace similar to last year, with the sales down roughly three per cent from last March.

The Greater Vancouver REALTORS^® (GVR) reports that residential sales in the region totalled 2,032 in March 2026, a 2.8 per cent decrease from the 2,091 sales recorded in March 2025. This was 31.8 per cent below the 10-year seasonal average (2,981).

“Year-to-date, sales are tracking our forecast for the year closely, and the weakness in demand we continue to observe at the aggregate level is unsurprising,” said Andrew Lis, GVR chief economist and vice-president data analytics. “What’s interesting is that the aggregate total masks an emerging divergence among market segments. While the multifamily segment continues to see slower sales, the detached segment may be awakening with sales up, and new listings down from last year.”

There were 5,792 detached, attached and apartment properties newly listed for sale on the Multiple Listing Service^® (MLS^®) in Metro Vancouver in March 2026. This represents a 10.3 per cent decrease compared to the 6,455 properties listed in March 2025. This was 4.9 per cent above the 10-year seasonal average (5,521).

The total number of properties currently listed for sale on the MLS^® system in Metro Vancouver is 14,774, a 1.6 per cent increase compared to March 2025 (14,546). This is 38 per cent above the 10-year seasonal average (10,704).

Across all detached, attached and apartment property types, the sales-to-active listings ratio for March 2026 is 14.2 per cent. By property type, the ratio is 11 per cent for detached homes, 17.2 per cent for attached, and 15.7 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.

“We continue to see fewer sellers stepping into the market than last year, which is keeping inventory levels relatively flat. Pairing this dynamic with sales remaining below long-term averages, we’re not seeing prices move significantly in either direction,” Lis said. “And while the political uncertainty over tariffs may have diminished relative to what we saw in early 2025, the conflict in the middle east is now putting upward pressure on bond yields and fixed mortgage rates.

“As a result, it’s reasonable to expect there may be a dampening effect on demand as we head into the spring market, absent a swift resolution to the conflict.”

The MLS^® Home Price Index composite benchmark price for all residential properties in Metro Vancouver is currently $1,104,300. This represents a 6.8 per cent decrease over March 2025 and a 0.4 per cent increase compared to February 2026.

Sales of detached homes in March 2026 reached 571, an 8.3 per cent increase from the 527 detached sales recorded in March 2025. The benchmark price for a detached home is $1,854,800. This represents an 8.2 per cent decrease from March 2025 and a 1 per cent increase compared to February 2026.

Sales of apartment homes reached 999 in March 2026, a 7.8 per cent decrease compared to the 1,084 sales in March 2025. The benchmark price of an apartment home is $706,700. This represents a 7.8 per cent decrease from March 2025 and a 0.2 per cent decrease compared to February 2026.

Attached home sales in March 2026 totalled 446, a 5.5 per cent decrease compared to the 472 sales in March 2025. The benchmark price of a townhouse is $1,047,100. This represents a 5.7 per cent decrease from March 2025 and a 0.1 per cent increase compared to February 2026.

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Editor’s Note:

* Areas covered by Greater Vancouver REALTORS^® include: Bowen Island, Burnaby, Coquitlam, Maple Ridge, New Westminster, North Vancouver, Pitt Meadows, Port Coquitlam, Port Moody, Richmond, South Delta, Squamish, Sunshine Coast, Vancouver, West Vancouver, and Whistler.

Greater Vancouver REALTORS^® is an association representing more than 15,000 Realtors and their companies. The association provides a variety of member services, including the Multiple Listing Service^®. For more information on real estate, statistics, and buying or selling a home, contact a local Realtor or visit gvrealtors.ca.

Mark Moldowan
Greater Vancouver REALTORS®
+16047839695 ext.
mmoldowan@gvrealtors.ca

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