Greater Vancouver New(er) Home Resale Report: January 2026.

The newer home resale market continues to hold steady in what has now become a sustained and firm buyer’s market. January sales were down 46% compared to the start of last year while total listings remain relatively flat. This reinforces a landscape defined by patience rather than pressure. The frantic urgency and speculative fever that once defined Metro Vancouver have stayed firmly in the rearview mirror. Today’s buyers continue to enjoy a position of power that has become the new regional standard with both time and a healthy supply of inventory on their side.

While one- and two-bedroom condo inventory dipped slightly, townhome and single family listings have climbed by 21% and 8% respectively. Across all product classes, sales to active ratios are hovering around 6%, which signals a market that is quiet but full of opportunity. This current lull allows for a rare window of calm for those looking at the long term.

For the Millennial generation, this muted market is exactly what we should have hoped for. Millennials are now the largest cohort in Metro Vancouver with roughly 800,000 residents, yet homeownership remains a challenge. Among the 25–39 age bracket, the homeownership rate has seen a decline over the last decade, with a larger share remaining in the rental market compared to previous generations at the same age.

We have moved away from an era of scarcity and into an era of choice, even as a growing supply of purpose-built rentals makes the decision to buy feel more complex. While renting offers a lower monthly overhead today, it is important to remember that a mortgage is essentially a forced savings account. Every dollar spent on a slight mortgage premium is equity you can eventually tap into years down the road. Rent is a monthly exit of capital that builds wealth only for your landlord, whereas homeownership ensures that your monthly payments are working for your own future.

Looking forward, the health of our region depends on a generation that feels invested in its future. While the macro-economic headlines might seem quiet, the micro opportunity for young professionals and growing families is louder than ever. This January report highlights a market that has finally caught its breath and offers a rare reset to buy into neighborhoods that were once priced-out. It is time to embrace the current calm as the perfect entry point for long-term security and the next chapter of homeownership.

There’s plenty of leverage for buyers of townhomes.

January recorded 22 sales of newer entry-level townhomes, a 39% year-over-year decline. Inventory has surged to 368 active listings, up 21% from last year. This combination of rising supply and slower sales is creating significantly more leverage for buyers than in previous years.

The Fraser Valley continues to lead the market, accounting for over half of all sales. Driven by affordability and inventory, young families are increasingly looking east of the Fraser. While South Surrey and Willoughby remain balanced, all other tracked regions have now shifted into strong buyer’s markets.

For those seeking more space, this market offers a rare window of opportunity. Median prices for newer entry-level townhomes currently range from $816,500 in South Surrey to $1.69 million in Vancouver West, underscoring the substantial value found in suburban hubs.

One-bed condos are ripe for negotiation.

January recorded 47 sales of newer one-bedroom condos, a 51% year over year decline. Active listings totaled 714 units, down 7% from last year. Notably, nearly half of these are concentrated in Surrey City Centre and Burnaby, areas shaped by years of intensive high-rise development. Even with this slight dip in inventory, the sharp drop in demand has firmly established every tracked region as a buyer’s market.

The entry-level segment is currently defined by a cautious "wait and see" approach. With investors largely absent and first time buyers navigating high carrying costs, activity has stalled outside of the $400,000 to $550,000 price range. This lack of urgency among buyers is keeping prices stagnant, providing a window for well-positioned end users to negotiate.

Median prices ranged from $408,000 in Surrey City Centre to $561,500 in Burnaby. Notably, Downtown Vancouver recorded zero sales in January, where the 42 active listings carry a median list price of $743,400. This highlights a clear signal of the disconnect between current asking prices and buyer reality.

Two-bed condos are ready for buyers.

January recorded 60 sales of newer two-bedroom condos, a 52% year over year decline. While inventory fell modestly by 7%, prices saw single and double digit percentage drops across the region. These conditions have created one of the strongest negotiating environments for buyers in recent years.

A noteworthy observation is the complete absence of sales in Surrey City Centre and South Surrey. With elevated inventory levels still in place and buyer activity reaching new lows, sellers in these regions are facing significant competition for the few active purchasers in the market.

Median prices for newer two-bedroom units ranged from $577,500 in Willoughby to $1.91 million in Downtown Vancouver. It is worth noting that Downtown Vancouver saw only one transaction, while the 74 remaining active listings carry a median list price of $1.42 million, suggesting a continued gap in price expectations.

Single-family homes present the opportunity to slow down and research.

The entry-level single-family market faced persistent pressure in January with only 18 sales, a 13% year over year decline. While inventory rose by 8%, activity remained dismal across all regions, with most markets reporting three or fewer transactions. This lack of movement has kept the entire segment in firm buyer’s market territory.

Upward migration from condos and townhomes has stalled as homeowners navigate a revaluation of their own assets. Despite interest rates dropping significantly compared to last year, the combination of lower equity and cautious sentiment has created a bottleneck on the housing ladder. This suggests that even with better borrowing costs, the "move-up" buyer remains hesitant.

With ample supply and a lack of urgency, buyers now have the rare luxury of time for thorough research and confident negotiation. Median prices currently range from $1.43 million in Surrey to $3.78 million in Vancouver West. For those positioned to act, the absence of competition offers a distinct tactical advantage.

Reasons why you should consider newer-home resale data:

• Facilitates wise choices in new pre-sale purchases by providing valuable comparables, offering insights into product considerations for both personal use and investment.
• Great for those looking to purchase housing that is still in the early stages of its lifecycle – this means less repairs and maintenance during the first few years of ownership.
• More recent building and developer history – provides assurance and certainty when making one of the most important transactions of your life.
• Homes include some of the latest design and technology – great for resale value.
• Monthly sales statistics crucial for evaluating and planning new housing developments.
• These figures are routinely used by industry stakeholders such as real estate developers to understand the value of land and anticipated market values for newly completed homes.

Read the full Dexter Realty report by Manraj Dosanjh.