Buyer’s Market Advantages Continue to Grow
The Vancouver housing market in 2025 has unmistakably shifted toward a buyer’s market, offering some of the best opportunities in over a decade. Inventory levels have surged to over 17,000 active listings, the highest in ten years, representing a 25.7% year-over-year increase. This remarkable shift is giving buyers more options, stronger negotiating power, and time to make informed decisions—conditions that haven’t been seen since 2014.
“With all the inventory building, buyers do have more options. The conditions are really aligning to be more favourable for buyers,” said Adil Dinani, principal of the Dinani Group at Royal LePage West Real Estate Services.
The sales-to-active listings ratio currently sits at 13.4%, confirming clear buyer-favoring conditions in Vancouver’s real estate market.
Enhanced Negotiation Power and More Time
Buyers are now in a position to negotiate better terms, request upgrades, or secure lower prices, as many sellers adjust expectations in response to increased competition. With detached homes taking an average of 32 days to sell, up from 26 days in May 2024, the urgency and bidding wars of previous years have largely disappeared.
This longer timeline gives buyers the freedom to perform proper due diligence, making the market much more approachable—especially for first-time homebuyers.
Segment Highlights: Detached, Townhomes, and Condos
Detached Homes
Detached homes show the most dramatic buyer shift. With a sales-to-active ratio of only 10.2% and inventory up 84% in neighborhoods like Vancouver East, buyers have significant leverage. Prices in this segment have seen the most correction, making formerly out-of-reach homes more accessible.
Townhomes
Townhomes remain a strong value segment. Despite the market slowdown, benchmark prices inched up by 0.4% month-over-month, signaling stable demand and value retention—ideal for buyers seeking a balance between affordability and space.
Condos
With 7,370 condos on the market, this segment offers plentiful options for first-time buyers and investors. The benchmark price of $757,300 combined with improved mortgage terms makes condos the most accessible entry point in today’s Vancouver real estate landscape.
Summer Surge Likely in 2025
Although summer usually sees fewer transactions than spring, experts expect higher-than-normal activity in summer 2025 due to delayed buying decisions during an unusually quiet spring.
“We may have an unusually busy summer,” says Andrew Lis, GVR’s director of economics, citing pent-up demand.
This period could be a strategic window before competition returns in fall.
Favorable Economic Environment
Interest Rates Down
The Bank of Canada’s rate cuts, totaling 225 basis points since mid-2024, have lowered the overnight rate to 2.75%, improving overall affordability and increasing loan eligibility.
First-Time Buyer Incentives
Government programs are strengthening buyer confidence:
- First Home Savings Account (FHSA) contributions raised to $10,000/year
- Down Payment Match Program offering up to $25,000 in federal support
- 30-year amortization available for insured first-time buyer mortgages
Combined, these measures can provide $50,000–$80,000 in buying power, helping more Canadians step into homeownership.
Long-Term Investment Outlook
Even in a buyer’s market, Vancouver’s fundamentals remain strong: limited land, ongoing immigration, and a stable local economy support long-term appreciation. Investors can now purchase below-peak properties with high rental demand and low vacancy rates, making this an ideal time to build a portfolio or purchase a second property.
Area-Specific Opportunities
Vancouver West
Inventory in this premium area has risen to 15.1 months of supply, while sales are down 45% year-over-year. This creates rare buying opportunities in historically expensive neighborhoods.
Vancouver East
Inventory in the detached home market is up 84%, while townhomes are moving toward a balanced market. Buyers have more choice than ever, and better odds of finding value and location.
Conclusion: A Window of Opportunity for Informed Buyers
The summer of 2025 presents a strategic opportunity for buyers in Greater Vancouver—whether first-timers, upgraders, or investors. With softened pricing, ample inventory, flexible sellers, low interest rates, and powerful government programs, the market now strongly favors buyers.
For those financially ready, this could be the best chance in years to enter the market or expand your real estate portfolio. As always, acting early in a rising market cycle can yield the greatest long-term gains.
📚 References
- https://www.gvrealtors.ca/market-watch/monthly-market-report/may-2025.html
(Official REBGV May 2025 market data) - https://www.roryc.ca/blog/2025/05/more-options-negotiating-power-emerging-in-vancouver-housing-market/
(Buyer market trends and negotiation power) - https://gavinlam.c21.ca/2025/06/10/metro-vancouver-real-estate-market-update-may-2025
(Metro Vancouver regional breakdown) - https://www.vancouverhomesearch.com/blog/why-now-is-the-smartest-time-to-buy-a-home-in-vancouver-market-timing-value-and-opportunity/
(Long-term investment and timing analysis) - https://halifax.citynews.ca/2025/06/03/vancouver-home-sales-continue-to-weaken-inventory-builds-board/
(Market cooling and summer activity outlook) - https://www.nesto.ca/home-buying/vancouver-housing-market-outlook/
(Condo prices and accessibility analysis) - https://ontariohousingmarket.com/2025/06/05/vancouver-real-estate-market-update-june-2025/
(Interest rate updates and mortgage impact) - https://www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/professionals/housing-markets-data-and-research/market-reports/housing-market/housing-market-outlook
(Official CMHC housing market outlook) - https://ontariohousingmarket.com/2025/04/14/the-new-first-time-buyer-incentives-in-canada-in-2025-and-what-they-really-mean/
(Details on new government buyer incentives) - https://pegasuslending.com/blog/vancouver-housing-market-analysis/
(Rental market and investor insights)