Spring Market Brings Abundance of Opportunity for Buyers
Metro Vancouver Real Estate Market Update – April 2025
The Metro Vancouver real estate market continued to experience a noticeable slowdown in April 2025, as residential sales fell sharply year-over-year. Despite lower borrowing costs and rising inventory—conditions that typically energize home buying—many prospective buyers appear to be holding off, influenced by broader economic uncertainties.
Sales Down, Opportunities Up
According to the Greater Vancouver REALTORS® (GVR), home sales in April 2025 totaled 2,163, marking a 23.6% decrease from April 2024 and placing activity 28.2% below the 10-year seasonal average.
“From a historical perspective, the slower sales we’re now seeing stand out as unusual, particularly against a backdrop of significantly improved borrowing conditions,” said Andrew Lis, GVR’s Director of Economics and Data Analytics. “Geopolitical and domestic uncertainties appear to be weighing on consumer confidence.”
Inventory Levels at 10-Year Highs
Although new listings were down slightly compared to April 2024, total inventory levels climbed significantly—now sitting at 16,207 active listings, the highest level recorded since 2014. This represents a 29.7% year-over-year increase and is 47.6% above the 10-year seasonal average.
This supply influx, coupled with slowing sales, is tipping the market into more balanced or buyer-friendly territory, especially for detached homes.
Key Market Indicators – April 2025
| Metric | April 2025 | April 2024 | % Change (YoY) | 10-Year Seasonal Avg |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Residential Sales | 2,163 | 2,831 | -23.6% | 3,014 |
| New Listings | 6,850 | 7,092 | -3.4% | 5,731 |
| Total Active Listings | 16,207 | 12,491 | +29.7% | 10,979 |
| Sales-to-Active Listings Ratio | 13.8% | — | — | — |
| Benchmark Price (All Properties) | $1,184,500 | $1,206,200 | -1.8% | — |
Benchmark Prices by Property Type
| Property Type | Sales (Apr 2025) | Sales YoY Change | Benchmark Price | Price YoY Change | MoM Change (vs Mar 2025) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Detached | 578 | -29% | $2,021,800 | -0.7% | -0.6% |
| Apartment | 1,130 | -20.2% | $762,800 | -2.0% | -0.6% |
| Attached (Townhome) | 442 | -23.8% | $1,102,300 | -2.9% | -1.0% |
What This Means for Buyers
While sales have cooled, opportunity is rising—particularly for buyers. A high level of inventory, stabilizing prices, and improved borrowing conditions make this an attractive time to enter the market.
“Inventory levels have just crested 16,000 for the first time since 2014, prices have stayed fairly stable for the past few months, and borrowing costs are the lowest they’ve been in years,” Lis added. “These factors benefit buyers... there’s plenty of opportunity for anyone looking to make a purchase.”
Time to Buy?
The April 2025 data paints a picture of a shifting market. High inventory levels and steady prices are giving buyers leverage not seen in years, even as geopolitical uncertainties and federal election concerns continue to cloud the economic outlook.
For those ready to act, this spring could be the moment to take advantage of favorable market conditions.
