Dr Sam Mehrbod’s Blog

Vancouver’s housing prices dipped slightly this fall amid elevated listings and cautious buyer engagement. Cost barriers persist, but migration and limited new completions will prevent sharp declines. Core urban markets remain competitive despite weaker transaction volumes. Forecast: Stabilization expected through 2026, followed by gradual recovery if borrowing costs ease.

Slide 1: Vancouver’s housing market is tricky—undersupplied structurally, but current demand is cooling sharply. Slide 2: Home sales dropped 20% from the 10-year average, while listings surged 40%—more choices, more competition. Slide 3: Unemployment hits highest since 2016 (excluding 2020), with recession fears and job losses weighing heavily. Slide 4: Builders struggle with costly land,…

The Vancouver area continues to experience slow but steady rebalancing as ownership costs ease from pandemic-era highs. Home values and mortgage rates have declined for 6 consecutive quarters, improving affordability. However, RBC’s aggregate measure of 89.2% still marks Vancouver as the least affordable market in Canada. Property transactions remain subdued, with buyers facing high costs…

Vancouver’s fall market softened as persistent cost pressures limited buyers’ capacity even amid slightly lower prices. Benchmark price fell 3.2% year-over-year to $1.14 million, while inventory climbed to decade-high levels. Elevated ownership expenses and borrowing limits continue to weigh on demand and prolong listing durations. RBC projects little price recovery until greater market accessibility emerges…

Vancouver’s housing market saw a slight 1.2% rise in September sales, though activity stayed well below the 10-yr avg. Inventory grew 14.4% yearly as new listings surged, giving buyers more leverage and choice. Falling prices and lower borrowing costs are creating favorable conditions for buyers this fall. The composite benchmark price dropped 3.2% yearly to…

Prep Early: Complete exterior maintenance—fix gutters, repaint, rake leaves, and brighten windows before cold weather limits improvements. Warm and Welcoming: Keep interiors cozy and decorated; personal touches help buyers imagine themselves living there. Avoid Neglect: Maintain curb appeal, keep utilities on in vacant homes, and price realistically to attract serious buyers. Smart Offer Choices: Don’t…