Balanced Market Conditions Continue as Inventory Rises and Sales Slow
February 2025 saw Metro Vancouver’s housing market maintain balanced conditions, as inventory levels increased while sales activity slowed. With a potential Bank of Canada rate cut expected in mid-March, both buyers and sellers are navigating a market that offers the highest level of selection seen since pre-pandemic times.
Market Overview: Sales & Inventory Trends
Sales: Residential sales across Metro Vancouver totaled 1,827 in February, an 11.7% decrease from February 2024 and 28.9% below the 10-year seasonal average.
New Listings: 5,057 new listings entered the market, marking a 10.9% increase year-over-year and 11.6% above the 10-year seasonal average.
Total Listings: Active listings reached 12,744, representing a 32.3% increase from February 2024 and 36.4% above the 10-year seasonal average.
Sales-to-Active Listings Ratio: The overall ratio was 14.8%, indicating a balanced market where prices tend to remain stable.
📌 Market Insight:
The increase in new and active listings is giving buyers more choices, but demand remains tempered due to economic uncertainty and higher borrowing costs.
Price Trends & Benchmark Values
The MLS® Home Price Index composite benchmark price for all residential properties in Metro Vancouver sits at $1,169,100, reflecting:
A 1.1% decrease from February 2024.
A 0.3% decline compared to January 2025.
📉 What This Means:
With inventory growing and sales slowing, home prices are experiencing a flattening trajectory, consistent with balanced market conditions.
Breakdown by Property Type
Detached Homes
Sales: 477 units sold, down 14.8% from February 2024.
Benchmark Price: $2,006,100, up 1.8% year-over-year.
Sales-to-Active Listings Ratio: 10.7%, indicating mild downward pressure on prices.
Townhouses (Attached Homes)
Sales: 359 units sold, down 10.9% year-over-year.
Benchmark Price: $1,087,100, down 1.2% from February 2024.
Sales-to-Active Listings Ratio: 18.5%, suggesting a more balanced townhouse market.
Condominiums (Apartments)
Sales: 976 units sold, down 10.6% year-over-year.
Benchmark Price: $747,500, down 2.8% from February 2024.
Sales-to-Active Listings Ratio: 16.8%, maintaining stable conditions.
Regional Highlights: A Closer Look at Pricing and Market Trends
Each region in Metro Vancouver tells a different story, shaped by buyer demand, available inventory, and local economic factors. Here’s what the latest benchmark prices reveal about the housing landscape across Burnaby, New Westminster, Vancouver, and the Tri-Cities.
🏡 Burnaby: Market Stability Amid Growing Inventory
Burnaby continues to experience balanced market conditions, with slight price adjustments across all property types.
Burnaby East: $1,139,200 (Detached: $1,959,700 | Townhouse: $915,800 | Apartment: $784,900)
📌 Insight: Prices in Burnaby East remain relatively stable, with detached homes seeing stronger resilience than other property types. Townhouses and apartments here offer more affordability compared to other Burnaby submarkets.Burnaby North: $981,700 (Detached: $2,085,400 | Townhouse: $911,000 | Apartment: $732,000)
📌 Insight: Benchmark prices have slightly softened, reflecting a balanced market where buyers have more choice. Apartments are holding steady at $732,000, making this a more accessible entry point for first-time buyers.Burnaby South: $1,116,000 (Detached: $2,207,300 | Townhouse: $1,108,700 | Apartment: $823,100)
📌 Insight: Burnaby South remains one of the higher-priced submarkets, particularly in the townhouse segment, where benchmark values exceed $1.1M. The price stability in this area suggests steady buyer demand despite increased inventory.
🏡 New Westminster: A Resilient Market for Buyers & Sellers
Overall Benchmark Price: $823,700 (Detached: $1,574,200 | Townhouse: $950,700 | Apartment: $657,600)
📌 Insight: New Westminster continues to offer strong value compared to its neighboring cities, making it an attractive choice for first-time buyers.
🏡 Vancouver: A Tale of Two Markets
Vancouver's market remains diverse, with pricing shifting differently across the East and West.
Vancouver East (Benchmark: $1,215,300) remains more affordable than Vancouver West, particularly for apartment buyers at $684,800.
Vancouver West (Benchmark: $1,320,000) continues to command premium prices, with detached homes averaging $3.49M.
🏡 The Tri-Cities: A Market in Transition
The Tri-Cities (Coquitlam, Port Moody, and Port Coquitlam) continue to attract buyers seeking affordability and space, particularly as Vancouver’s prices remain high.
Coquitlam (Benchmark: $1,080,000) shows strong demand, with affordable apartment pricing ($732,000) keeping buyers engaged.
Port Moody (Benchmark: $1,077,900) remains a higher-priced area, with detached homes over $2M.
Port Coquitlam (Benchmark: $952,700) remains one of the most affordable options, making it a strong choice for first-time buyers.
Market Factors to Watch
🔹 Interest Rates: A Bank of Canada rate cut expected in March could make mortgages more affordable, stimulating demand.
🔹 Spring Market Activity: Historically, March to June sees increased buyer interest—watch for shifts in sales trends.
🔹 Economic Factors: Tariff-related economic uncertainties may impact investment and housing demand.
Key Takeaways for Buyers & Sellers
🔹 For Buyers:
More inventory means greater choice and less competition.
Potential rate cuts could improve affordability in the coming months.
🔹 For Sellers:
Pricing strategically is essential in this balanced market—overpricing may lead to longer time on market.
Spring could bring higher buyer activity, but patience is key.
Final Thoughts
With Metro Vancouver real estate continuing to balance out, both buyers and sellers are benefiting from more predictable conditions. If you're considering a move, let's discuss how this evolving market impacts your goals.
📩 Thinking of Buying or Selling?
Reach out for a personalized market strategy tailored to your needs.
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