May was for the most part a month of reprieve from elections, Bank of Canada decisions and tariff talks – until the very end of the month. In comes June, with the Bank of Canada meeting on June 4th and potential fallout from an increase in tariffs for steel and aluminum. Of course, tariff threats can change direction quicker than emails can be opened. The Canadian government has its work cut out for it, but they talk a good game promising better housing affordability through record supply and tax cuts while transforming the Canadian economy, all told when their throne speech was read out by King Charles.
If they can bring some stability to the rhetoric from down south, it may help to get buyers more excited about real estate. While the Bank of Canada paused rate cuts again this month due to sticky inflation and GDP numbers showing some life in the economy – albeit front-loaded from early purchases at the start of 2025 to avoid said tariffs, these pauses can’t last forever. But let’s not focus on interest rates, they are at levels matching the ten-year average. Confidence is what needs to be driving the real estate market, and the lack thereof is keeping sales down.
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Inventory levels are up, creating a clear buyer’s market, and with interest rates stabilizing and pent-up demand growing, many see this as one of the best buying opportunities in recent years.
Kevin Skipworth
Dexter Realty
Month-to-month sales ticked up slightly, but remained below last year.
There were 2,228 properties sold in Greater Vancouver in May, after 2,163 properties sold in April, 2,091 properties sold in March, and 1,827 properties sold in February. Uncertainty continued to keep buyers on the sidelines through May, much like the previous months this year. Imagine how many people are in the wrong homes and wishing they weren’t. Much like a box of chocolates though, you don’t know what each neighbourhood is doing until you dig into them. Some slowed in May while others pushed ahead. Take West Vancouver, which saw sales double in May from April and achieve the highest monthly sales since June of last year. While areas like Vancouver West, Port Coquitlam and Pitt Meadows saw less sales in May compared to April. In a market where price sensitivity is one of the most important, condo sales slowed in May compared to April, down 4%. It took a 25% off sale in Surrey to get buyers back to the table at that project.
Even though Greater Vancouver home sales in May have outpaced the previous months in 2025 so far, sales levels are still well below last year. Sales in May were down 18% compared to May last year after sales in April were down 24% compared to April last year. West Vancouver, Burnaby East, Port Moody, Tsawwassen and Squamish showed sales increases over May of last year. Perhaps the bright side of where sales in May tallied is that the month of May typically lags April. While only a slight gain over April, an improvement it was.
Heading east, the Fraser Valley region saw sales in May down 22% compared to May last year after being down 29% in April this year compared to April 2024. Although, compared to Greater Vancouver, sales were up much more month-over-month in May, showing 15% growth compared to April. Much better than the 3% month-over-month gain in Greater Vancouver. The Fraser Valley is showing signs of buyer engagement.
Greater Vancouver sales in May were 30% below the ten-year average, compared to April at 31% below the ten-year average, March at 35% below the 10-year average, and February at 39% below the ten-year average. Outside of 2020, total home sales in May were the lowest going back to the last two years of the 1900s. It’s hard to believe that May 1991 saw 3,800 sales with much less people and far fewer homes available in Greater Vancouver. Pent-up demand is a thing and it’s growing by the day.
New listings slowed down.
Sellers slowed down slightly in May with 6,728 new listings hitting the MLS® last month. This compared with April where 6,952 new listings came on, March with 6,565 new listings and 5,163 new listings in February. And while the absorption rate rose to 33% in May, it was only just above April at 31%, and March at 32%.
Only a third of new listings are selling in 2025, which has caused the number of “for sale” signs in Metro Vancouver to swell, with many staying up longer without “sold” on them. It’s at the point where availability of for sale signs has become a challenge in some areas. Sellers aren’t slowing enough though, so we’re going to need more signs.
The number of new listings in May were 9% above the ten-year average after April was 19% above the 10-year average and compared with March at 15% above the ten-year average.
There were 17,094 active listings in Greater Vancouver at month end compared to 16,207 active listings at the end of April, and 14,546 at the end of March. Total active listings are up from 13,600 at the end of May last year, a 26% year-over-year increase. This number has been steadily falling though, with April at a 30% increase year-over-year, and March at 38% year-over-year. There are several listings that get recycled after being cancelled and then brought back on the market at a lower price as well. And as we get closer to the summer months, expect to see some sellers come off the market either for the summer or until the market is more in favour of sellers.
More buyer’s markets popped up.
Months of supply increased to eight in May from seven months in April, pushing the region into more of a buyer’s market. With active listings climbing and sales growth slow, it’s not surprising to see Greater Vancouver move into this buyer’s market. But what an opportunity for buyers. Expect to see more spaghetti thrown against the walls over the next few months as buyers take advantage of the greatest buying opportunity we’ve seen in many years.
The detached market in Greater Vancouver remained at ten months supply which is a solid buyer’s market, while townhomes remained at six months and condos increased to seven months supply on the heels of a slower month – keeping those in a balanced market. In the Fraser Valley, months of supply dropped down to eight months from ten months, with detached dropping to ten months supply from 11 months, townhomes remaining at six months and condos climbing to eight months supply from seven.
Greater Vancouver townhome sales in May were down 10% compared to May last year, while condos sales were down 18% year-over-year. Detached sales struggled again compared to last year, down 22% from May last year. Townhome inventory was up 29% year-over year compared to 32% up at the end of April, while condo inventory dropped to 24% above May 2024 after being up 32% in April year-over-year. Detached homes were up 27% year-over-year, compared to being up 26% at the end of April.
Over in the Fraser Valley, detached home inventory is up 24% year-over-year compared to 36% at the end of April while townhome inventory is up 40% year-over-year after being up 57% at the end of April and up 72% year-over-year at the end of March. Condo inventory is up 31% year-over-year after being up 45% at the end of April and 67% year-over-year at the end of March. Surrey and Delta continue to struggle with inflated inventory and slower sales, while areas east like Abbotsford and Aldergrove performed better year-over-year in May.
Despite ongoing economic uncertainties and a slower-than-usual pace for Metro Vancouver's housing market, 2025 has seen steady month-over-month sales growth, with May continuing that trend. Increased buyer activity, encouraged by greater choice and moderating prices, signals growing confidence. While total sales remain below historical and year-over-year averages, regions like West Vancouver and parts of the Fraser Valley posted strong gains, highlighting a patchwork of momentum across neighbourhoods. Inventory levels are up, creating a clear buyer’s market, and with interest rates stabilizing and pent-up demand growing, many see this as one of the best buying opportunities in recent years.
