The April numbers are in from both Greater Vancouver REALTORS® (GVR) and the Fraser Valley Real Estate Board (FVREB), and there’s a noteworthy shift this month: after more than a year of year-over-year declines, the Fraser Valley posted its first annual sales increase, while Metro Vancouver’s detached segment continues to quietly gather momentum. Conditions remain firmly in buyers’ favour across both regions, but the spring market is showing its first real pulse.
Metro Vancouver (GVR)
Residential sales totalled 2,110 in April, down 2.5% from April 2025 and 22.9% below the 10-year seasonal average. The headline number masks an interesting story underneath: detached home sales jumped 14% year-over-year (659 sales), while apartment sales fell 10.7% (1,009) and attached/townhome sales slipped 2% (433).
GVR Chief Economist Andrew Lis noted that detached homes have historically acted as a bellwether for broader market sentiment, and the divergence we’re seeing now may signal that other segments could follow. He added it “may only be a matter of time” until the rest of the market catches up — which could tighten inventory unless more sellers come forward.
Key April 2026 numbers:
- New listings: 6,684 (down 2.4% YoY, but 15.5% above the 10-year average)
- Active inventory: 16,236 (up 0.2% YoY, 37.9% above long-term average)
- Composite benchmark price: $1,098,000 (down 6.9% YoY, down 0.6% from March)
Fraser Valley (FVREB)
The Fraser Valley turned a corner in April. For the first time in over a year, sales posted a year-over-year increase — 1,118 sales on the MLS®, up 11% from March and 7% above April 2025. New listings rose 6% from March to 3,549, still above seasonal norms but trending below last year.
FVREB Chair Ishaq Ismail described market activity as picking up through the spring, with conditions still firmly favouring buyers thanks to healthy inventory levels and improving affordability — though buyer confidence remains tempered by ongoing economic uncertainty.
Key April 2026 numbers:
- Active listings: 9,816 (up 7% from March, 45% above 10-year seasonal average)
- Sales-to-active listings ratio: 11% (still buyer’s market territory; balanced is 12–20%)
- Composite benchmark price: $899,200 (up 0.1% from March — the second consecutive monthly increase)
Average days to sell: Detached 37 days · Townhome 32 days · Condo 42 days
Benchmark prices by type:
- Single family detached: $1,374,800 (down 8.8% YoY)
- Townhome: $771,600 (down 7.4% YoY)
- Apartment/condo: $491,000 (down 8.3% YoY, but up 0.4% from March)
What This Means For You
If you’re buying: You still have meaningful negotiating power in both regions, particularly in the multi-family segment. Inventory remains elevated, prices are well off their peaks, and condos in particular are showing the deepest year-over-year discounts. That said, the detached segment is the one to watch — if that momentum spreads, the window of maximum buyer leverage could start to narrow through late spring.
If you’re selling: Pricing realistically matters more than ever. Properties priced to current market conditions are still moving, especially detached homes where demand is clearly strengthening. Condos and townhomes face stiffer competition given inventory levels, so presentation, pricing, and marketing strategy are critical.
As always, hyper-local conditions vary significantly by neighbourhood and property type. If you’d like a tailored read on what’s happening in your specific area or with your home, reach out — I’m happy to walk through it with you.