Posts Tagged ‘Victoria BC real estate market update’

The Greater Victoria real estate market is giving buyers more room to breathe than it did a year ago. The Greater Victoria real estate market is still active, but it is clearly more competitive for sellers. Sales are down from last year, inventory is up, and buyers have more time to compare options, negotiate, and look for value. In March 2026, a total of 579 properties sold through the Victoria Real Estate Board, which was 5.5% lower than March 2025, when 613 properties sold. Detached home sales were down 2.4% year over year, and condo sales were down a sharper 18.8%. At the same time, active listings climbed to 3,261, up 7.9% from March 2025 and 12.3% from February 2026. That matters because it tells us buyers are not competing in the same tight environment they were used to in past markets. What That Means in Plain Terms This is a market with more supply and softer demand than last spring. That does not mean homes are not selling. It means sellers need to adjust their expectations. When inventory rises and sales fall, buyers gain leverage. They can be more selective. They can wait for the right home. They can compare condition, location, layout, and price across more listings. They are also more likely to push for better terms, ask tougher questions, and look for homes they feel are priced well from day one. For sellers, this is not the kind of market where most properties can simply come out high and expect to attract a top-dollar result. The strategy has to be tighter than that. Price, presentation, and timing all matter more when buyers have options. Buyers Are Looking for Deals One of the clearest signals in the current numbers is that buyers are shopping carefully. The Victoria Core benchmark for a single family home in March 2026 was $1,330,200, down 1.1% from March 2025. The benchmark for a condo was $553,800, down 0.8% year over year. Prices have not collapsed, but the direction tells an important story: buyers are resisting overpricing, and values are not rising fast enough to bail out an ambitious list price. That is why today’s buyers are often drawn to homes that feel like strong value. They are not just asking, “Do I like this home?” They are also asking, “Is this priced better than the other five I saw this week?” In a market like this, the overpriced listing often becomes the listing that sits. The Market Is Close to Buyer-Friendly Territory The sales-to-active listings ratio helps explain the tone of the market. In March 2026, there were 550 total residential sales and 3,261 active listings, which works out to roughly 16.9%. VREB notes that for Victoria, a ratio below 17% points to downward pressure on prices, 17% to 28% is considered balanced, and above 28% signals upward pressure on prices. In other words, the market is sitting right on the edge of buyer-friendly conditions. That does not mean every neighbourhood or property type behaves the same way. Greater Victoria is still made up of many micro-markets. A well-priced home in a high-demand pocket can still move quickly. But broadly speaking, sellers are competing harder for attention than they were a year ago. What Sellers Need to Understand Right Now If you are thinking about selling, the message is not “do not sell.” The message is do not sell with last market’s expectations. This market rewards sellers who: price based on current competition, not peak headlines prepare the home properly before it hits the market understand what buyers will compare it against respond quickly when feedback points to price or condition concerns This is especially important because buyers are no longer being rushed into decisions at the same pace. VREB itself noted that the current mix of supply and demand has created fewer high-pressure transactions and has given both sides more time for due diligence and decision-making. That is a major shift from the kind of market where almost any decent listing could rely on urgency to do part of the work. The Bottom Line The current Greater Victoria market is more competitive for sellers than it was last year. Sales are down. Inventory is higher. Buyers have more choice and are looking closely for value. That means top-dollar outcomes are still possible, but they are far less likely to come from overpricing or wishful thinking. They come from accurate pricing, strong preparation, and a strategy built for the market that exists now, not the one sellers remember. For homeowners considering a move, this is the time to be realistic, not reactive. A smart strategy can still produce a strong result, but the market is asking sellers to earn it. If you are thinking about selling and want honest advice on where your home fits in today’s market, contact Faber Real Estate Group for a clear pricing and positioning strategy tailored to your property. Michael F., 5-Star Review, via Google “Cal and Scott exceeded our expectations in every way. They were always available to answer our questions and address any concerns immediately, providing exceptional support throughout the entire process. Their dedication and expertise made the selling and buying experience seamless and stress-free.” Faber Real Estate Group Royal LePage Coast Capital Realty 📞 250-244-3430 📧[email protected] ℹ️ Scott Faber Personal Real Estate Corporation ℹ️ Cal Faber Personal Real Estate Corporation Vanessa Wood, Zachary Parsons, and Sophie Taylor “Building Lasting Relationships, One Home at a Time.”

The Greater Victoria real estate market continued to show signs of stability and steady activity in February 2026. According to the Victoria Real Estate Board, 465 properties sold across the region, representing a 37.2 percent increase from January, though still 11.9 percent lower than February 2025. While year-over-year comparisons show some moderation, the strong month-to-month growth indicates that buyers are returning to the market as we move toward the spring season. Inventory is also expanding, giving buyers more options than they have seen in recent years. Active listings rose to 2,903 properties, up 10.6 percent from January and 10.4 percent higher than the same time last year. For many buyers and sellers, this signals a shift toward a more balanced real estate environment where neither side holds a dramatic advantage. Local REALTOR® Scott Faber notes that the Victoria market continues to behave differently than many larger Canadian markets. “There’s a lot of noise coming out of Vancouver and Toronto,” Scott Faber says. “However, our market here is very stable and resilient compared to other markets across Canada.” Insights for Buyers For buyers entering the market this spring, the increased inventory is creating more breathing room to explore options and make thoughtful decisions. With nearly three thousand active listings available, buyers can take time to compare homes, neighbourhoods, and property types more carefully than they could during the intense competition of previous years. Scott Faber explains that condominiums may offer particular opportunity right now. “If you’re a buyer looking for a condo this spring, this is definitely a good time to explore those options,” Scott Faber says. “Especially for downsizers or first-time homebuyers, there’s a lot of choice available and mortgage rates have come down significantly compared to last year.” However, the single-family home segment remains competitive in certain price ranges. Scott Faber notes that homes under $1.2 million with suites are attracting strong demand, particularly in areas like Saanich and Langford. “One of our listings had 18 showings within two weeks,” Scott Faber says. “And we’ve been in multiple-offer situations on several homes under a million dollars, some with suites and some without.” Because of this continued competition in certain segments, preparation remains critical. “If you’re looking for a single-family home, get prepared with a mortgage pre-approval and talk to your real estate professional so you’re ready to act,” Scott Faber advises. Insights for Sellers For sellers considering entering the market this spring, the February activity provides an important takeaway: preparation and presentation matter more than ever. While buyers have more inventory to choose from, homes that are properly priced and move-in ready are still attracting strong interest and selling quickly. Properties that are not show-ready, however, may take longer to move in a market where buyers have more choice. Scott Faber sees this trend clearly when working with clients. “When a home is priced to sell and it’s move-in ready, buyers are moving quickly,” Scott Faber says. “But the homes that aren’t show-ready or require significant updates tend to sit longer because buyers simply have more options right now.” For sellers, this makes professional strategy essential. “I always recommend choosing a professional real estate team that understands how to position your home properly in today’s market,” Scott Faber says. “If your home is well-appointed, marketed correctly, and priced appropriately, you’re going to have a good experience selling.” Market Outlook Looking ahead to the spring market, Greater Victoria appears to be entering a period of stability rather than volatility. The benchmark price for a single-family home in the Victoria Core is now $1,307,400, a modest 0.9 percent decrease from last year, though prices have increased since January. Condominiums show a similar pattern, with a benchmark value of $545,600, down slightly year-over-year but rising month-over-month. Scott Faber believes these numbers reflect a market that is finding its balance. “What we’re seeing right now is a balanced market,” Scott Faber says. “We’re not seeing the large supply increases that some people expected, and when the market is balanced it creates great opportunities for both buyers and sellers.” As the spring market approaches, activity is expected to continue building. Buyers will likely benefit from increased inventory, while sellers who prepare their homes properly can still capture strong demand. Final Thoughts February’s data and on-the-ground experience point to a clear conclusion: the Greater Victoria real estate market remains steady, resilient, and balanced. Buyers now have more options and greater confidence as prices stabilize and inventory expands. Sellers, meanwhile, can still achieve excellent results when their homes are positioned correctly in the marketplace. For those considering a move this year, understanding these local dynamics is critical. If you are thinking about buying or selling in Greater Victoria, connect with Scott Faber and the Faber Real Estate Group for personalized guidance and expert insight into today’s market opportunities. Scott L., 5-Star Review, via Google “I had the pleasure of working with the Faber Group to sell my house, and I couldn't be more pleased with the experience. Cal and Scott from the Faber Group provided exceptional service from start to finish. Their expertise and guidance were instrumental in preparing my home for sale, ensuring it was presented in the best possible light for maximum return on investment. They demonstrated a deep understanding of the market, strategically timing the listing to attract the right buyers. Faber Real Estate Group Royal LePage Coast Capital Realty 📞 250-244-3430 📧[email protected] ℹ️ Scott Faber Personal Real Estate Corporation ℹ️ Cal Faber Personal Real Estate Corporation Vanessa Wood, Zachary Parsons, and Sophie Taylor “Building Lasting Relationships, One Home at a Time.”