Selling in a buyer‑favourable market: realistic pricing and strategy

Greater Vancouver Realtors (GVR) released the February 2026 stats and the headline is clear: slower‑than‑average sales, elevated inventory, and a market that’s settling into a new “normal.” City‑wide, we saw about 9.8% lower than last year and almost 29% below the 10‑year seasonal average, while active listings climbed to roughly 13,500.

What I’m Seeing On The Ground

Now for the part you won’t find in the stats was how buyers are actually behaving.

Recently, I listed a renovated, move‑in‑ready detached home in Richmond—nothing gimmicky, just clean, well‑maintained, and priced in line with today’s reality, not last year’s. Over the course of the open houses, we saw strong foot traffic with over 30 groups of attendees and ended up with 10 offers on the table, despite all the talk about a “slow” market.

What stood out to me:

• Serious buyers are still out there; they’re just more selective.

• Lots of buyers are upsizing and they need to sell first.

• Most people still don't want to participate in multiple offers despite showing strong interest.

• Turn‑key homes that show well and are priced realistically are drawing attention very quickly.

• Even when we’re not trying to manufacture a bidding war, a well‑positioned property can still attract multiple offers.

This is why I push back when I hear, “The market is dead.” For the right properties, priced correctly, the market is very much alive—it’s just more discerning than it was in the frenzy years.

If you’re a homeowner thinking about selling, here’s how this “new normal” plays out for you:

• You might want to consider spending some money to renovate or upgrade some parts of your home. The time and money spend could potentially land you a better return on investment in this market.

• Pricing low will attract attention but not the right buyers. You might end up scaring the actual buyers away. They don't want to play games anymore so be cautious.

• You can still achieve strong results if you combine realistic pricing with good presentation (clean, updated, move‑in‑ready where possible).

• With buyers having more choice, strategy around pricing, timing, and preparation matters more than ever.

On the buy side, the same stats look very different:

• A 12.6% sales‑to‑active ratio and inventory 37% above the long‑term average means more selection and less FOMO than we’ve seen in years.

• With detached in a buyer’s market and townhomes/condos closer to balanced, you have more room to negotiate on many listings—especially anything that’s dated or mis‑priced.

We’re in a market where averages tell one story, but individual homes tell another. The latest GVR stats show a balanced‑to‑buyer‑leaning environment, yet well‑priced, well‑prepared listings are still attracting serious buyers and, in some cases, multiple offers.

If you’re thinking about buying or selling in 2026, let’s talk about how today’s conditions line up with your goals—and how to use this “new normal” to your advantage.

Barton Lui, Metro Vancouver Real Estate Advisor

P:604-715-5568 | E: barton@bartonrealtor.com

REAL BROKER B.C. Ltd.