After several months of subdued activity, the British Columbia housing market is showing signs of regained momentum. According to BCREA, residential unit sales in the province increased in September 2025 compared to the same month last year — a positive indicator for both buyers and sellers.
Key Insights
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The increase in unit sales suggests that buyer confidence may be improving, possibly driven by more stable mortgage rates and the easing of pandemic-era disruptions.
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Despite the uptick, activity remains well below the long-term ten-year average for September. This means that while the trend is improving, the market is not yet in “full recovery” mode.
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Inventory remains elevated, which continues to exert moderating pressure on price increases. Many regions, especially the more expensive markets (such as the Lower Mainland), continue to face tighter affordability and slower growth.
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There is a strong regional divergence: some interior and smaller markets are recovering faster, while major metro areas are lagging behind.
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For sellers: well-priced and well-located listings are gaining traction, but sellers need to remain realistic about timelines and market conditions. For buyers: the increase in available options and less-frenetic conditions may offer better opportunities to negotiate.
Why This Matters
The September rise in sales is significant because it could mark the early stage of a return toward more “normal” activity after a prolonged period of softness. While the market is not yet out of the woods, the improvement suggests that underlying demand is no longer wholly constrained.
For professionals across the real-estate ecosystem — from agents to lenders — this shift may signal the time to reassess strategies. Buyers might benefit from increased leverage. Sellers may need to sharpen their pricing and presentation. Developers and investors should closely monitor how inventory and regional performance evolve.
Looking Ahead
BCREA’s broader forecasts and dashboards suggest that resale home sales in the province could remain flat to modestly rising through the balance of 2025, with more meaningful growth expected in 2026. Elevated listings, cautious buyer sentiment, and affordability constraints are still headwinds. But the September data provides a brighter foothold.
Market watchers will be observing:
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Whether this uptick represents a one-off or the start of a sustained improvement.
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How pricing responds: will average prices begin to rise in step with increased sales, or will high inventory continue to flatten growth?
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The regional breakdown: will lagging markets (e.g., Greater Vancouver) catch up, or will strong performance continue to be concentrated in certain sub-regions?
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The effect of policy, interest-rate shifts and new-construction supply on the resale market.
Bottom Line
September 2025 appears to mark the beginning of a rebound in BC home-sales activity. Buyers and sellers alike should take note — but also remain cautious. The path ahead is a gradual one, and markets are still operating under conditions that favour thoughtful decision-making rather than aggressive speculation.
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Imran Ali
The Ali Group
📧 [email protected]
📞 604-616-555
