April Market Review

April’s market numbers continued to tell the story of a market adjusting back toward balance - but they also highlighted an important shift emerging between Metro Vancouver and the Sunshine Coast.

In Greater Vancouver, April 2026 recorded 2,110 total sales compared to 2,163 in April 2025 - a modest 2.5% year-over-year decline. Inventory remained elevated at 16,236 active listings, sitting nearly 38% above the 10-year seasonal average. The benchmark price across all residential property types now sits at $1,098,000, down 6.9% year-over-year. Detached homes were notably stronger than multi-family properties, with detached sales increasing 14% year-over-year even while apartment sales declined 10.7%.

On the Sunshine Coast, we’re seeing many of the same themes - just at a very different price point and pace. Detached homes continue to show greater stability locally than condos, with detached sales holding steady year-over-year while condo sales declined significantly. The benchmark price for a detached home on the Coast now sits at $820,700 compared to Metro Vancouver’s detached benchmark of $1.84 million.

One of the clearest trends emerging this spring is the growing importance of pricing strategy and property presentation. This month we saw several properties trade substantially below original asking price, particularly in higher price ranges and homes that experienced longer market exposure. In some cases, negotiated sale prices differed from asking prices by $80,000 to well over $200,000. At the same time, several well-positioned properties sold at or near asking price, particularly homes with strong lifestyle appeal, views, privacy, or updated condition.

We saw that firsthand within our own team sales this month. In Sechelt, well-maintained ranchers with functional layouts and proximity to amenities continued to attract interest. In Halfmoon Bay, lifestyle-oriented properties with privacy and coastal access remained active segments of the market. In Gibsons, buyers continued to respond positively to homes offering flexibility, character, and long-term livability.

What the April numbers and sales activity both reinforce is that buyers are highly selective. Properties that are well-prepared and strategically priced are continuing to move, while homes entering the market above perceived market value are facing more resistance and longer negotiation periods.

• 39 sales in April 2026 vs 39 in April 2025 (no change)

• 439 active listings vs 464 last year (-5.4%)

• Sales-to-active ratio: ~8.9%

• Benchmark price: $820,700 (-2.3% year-over-year)

Detached homes continue to represent the largest and most stable segment of the Sunshine Coast market. While market conditions remain buyer-favoured overall, detached inventory declined slightly year-over-year while benchmark pricing saw a comparatively modest adjustment relative to other property types.

• 5 sales in April 2026 vs 4 in April 2025 (+25%)

• 37 active listings vs 35 last year (+5.7%)

• Sales-to-active ratio: ~13.5%

• Benchmark price: $724,800 (-2.8% year-over-year)

Townhomes continue to sit closer to balanced market conditions than detached homes or apartments. Sales activity improved year-over-year while benchmark pricing remained relatively stable compared to other segments. Several townhome sales this spring have reflected continued demand for lower-maintenance living options, particularly for buyers seeking walkability, updated interiors, and functional layouts.

• 2 sales in April 2026 vs 7 in April 2025 (-71.4%)

• 37 active listings vs 43 last year (-14%)

• Sales-to-active ratio: ~5.4%

• Benchmark price: $389,600 (-23.6% year-over-year)

The apartment segment remains the softest part of the Sunshine Coast market based on current sales activity, sales-to-active ratios, and benchmark price movement. Compared to detached homes and townhomes, condos recorded the largest year-over-year decline in both sales and benchmark pricing. Because the Sunshine Coast condo market is relatively small, limited transaction volume can create more dramatic percentage swings in the statistics than larger market segments. Even so, the current data reflects significantly softer activity relative to other property types.

Across all segments, the overall trend remains consistent: inventory levels continue to provide buyers with choice and negotiating leverage, while pricing, preparation, and market positioning are playing an increasingly important role in how properties perform. The rapid-paced pandemic-era market is gone, but the current market remains active for properties that align well with buyer expectations and current market conditions.

And while the broader data shows Coast-wide trends, every community — Gibsons, Roberts Creek, Sechelt, Halfmoon Bay, and Pender Harbour — continues to behave somewhat differently depending on inventory levels, price range, and property type.

If you’d like to understand what’s happening specifically in your neighbourhood or price range, we’re always happy to dig into the details.