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Metro Vancouver’s housing market continued its gradual cooling in September, with overall sales dipping while inventory stayed elevated and prices edged lower. The slowdown was concentrated in apartments, while detached and attached homes held steadier—pointing to end-user demand as the main driver.
Sales Trends: Apartments Pull the Market Lower
Home sales totalled 1,717 in September 2026, an 8.4% decline from the 1,875 sales recorded in September 2025 and 25% below the 10-year seasonal average.
- Detached homes: 575 sales (+4.2% year-over-year)
- Attached homes (townhouses): 358 sales (+0.6%)
- Apartments: 777 sales (−18.6%)
As Greater Vancouver REALTORS® chief economist Andrew Lis noted, the overall dip masks strength outside the apartment segment. Attached and detached sales finished slightly ahead of last September, consistent with primary residence buyers remaining active while investor demand stays on the sidelines.
Inventory and Market Balance
New listings fell 10.3% year-over-year to 5,852 but remained 5.7% above the 10-year average. Total active inventory stood at 16,394—down 4% from a year ago yet still 24.3% above the long-term average.
The sales-to-active listings ratio was 10.9% overall (9.7% detached, 12.2% attached, 11.4% apartments). Historically, ratios sustained below 12% tend to put downward pressure on prices, while levels above 20% support price growth. The current reading keeps conditions buyer-leaning but not sharply unbalanced.
Price Movement: Gradual Softening Continues
The composite MLS® Home Price Index benchmark for all residential properties was $1,075,900, down 5.5% from September 2025 and 0.6% from August. Year-to-date, prices have declined roughly 3% across segments.
- Detached: $1,784,700 (−7.3% year-over-year, −0.8% month-over-month)
- Apartment: $682,500 (−6.2% year-over-year, −0.5% month-over-month)
- Townhouse: $1,016,700 (−4.7% year-over-year, −1.2% month-over-month)
Slower sales combined with inventory that has trended lower recently have prevented steeper monthly drops, though the cumulative effect of small declines is becoming more noticeable.
Tip for Buyers and Sellers
Focus on property type and data-driven pricing. Apartments are absorbing the bulk of the sales weakness, creating more room for negotiation on condos, while detached and attached homes show relatively firmer demand. Whether you’re buying or selling, a current comparative market analysis tailored to your specific segment and neighbourhood is essential—generic pricing no longer works in a selective, end-user-driven market. Presentation and realistic expectations help both sides close successfully.
TLDR: September 2026 sales fell 8.4% year-over-year (led by an 18.6% drop in apartments), inventory remains above average, and prices are down about 5.5% overall (roughly 3% year-to-date). The market is buyer-leaning with end-users active and investors waiting; strategic, type-specific pricing is key.Ready to talk through how these conditions affect your specific plans? Reach out anytime—I’d be happy to review your situation and discuss next steps for buying or selling in Metro Vancouver.
