The Vancouver housing market is cooling, but not every type of home is feeling the chill equally.
September’s housing statistics show fewer home sales across Greater Vancouver, continued price declines, and plenty of homes for buyers to choose from. But there’s an important difference between property types: condo sales have slowed considerably, while detached homes and townhouses are holding up better.
If you’re thinking about buying or selling a home in Vancouver or the surrounding areas, this month’s numbers offer some important clues about where the market stands. Here’s your October 2026 Vancouver real estate market update, covering September’s results.
📉 Greater Vancouver Home Sales Slow in September
Greater Vancouver recorded 1,717 residential home sales in September 2026. That’s:
- 8.4% fewer sales than September 2025
- 25% below the 10-year September average of 2,289 sales
The slowdown tells us that buyers are still approaching the market cautiously. Sales activity remains well below what we would typically expect for this time of year.
However, the overall numbers don’t tell the whole story. The biggest decline came from the apartment and condo segment, which has traditionally made up a significant share of home sales across Metro Vancouver.
By comparison, detached home and attached home sales edged up slightly from last year. This suggests that demand is holding up better for certain types of homes, even as the broader Vancouver housing market cools.
For buyers and sellers, the takeaway is simple: looking at the overall market is helpful, but understanding your specific property type is just as important.
🏡 Fewer New Listings, but Buyers Still Have Plenty of Choice
There were 5,852 new homes listed for sale across Greater Vancouver in September 2026. That represents:
- 10.3% fewer new listings than September 2025
- 5.7% above the 10-year September average of 5,537
While fewer sellers brought their homes to market compared with last year, the total number of homes available remains higher than usual.
At the end of September, there were 16,394 properties listed for sale across Metro Vancouver. That’s:
- 4% fewer homes than September 2025
- 24.3% above the 10-year seasonal average
In other words, there may be fewer new listings coming onto the market, but buyers still have a much larger selection than they would in a typical September.
For anyone shopping for a Vancouver condo, townhouse, or detached home, this means more opportunities to compare properties, evaluate prices, and decide which home offers the best value.
For sellers, it also means more competition. Buyers can take their time weighing up different options, so pricing and presentation remain important when bringing a home to market.
💰 Vancouver Home Prices Continue to Decline
The MLS® Home Price Index benchmark price for all residential properties in Greater Vancouver reached $1,075,900 in September 2026.
That’s:
- 5.5% lower than September 2025
- 0.6% lower than August 2026
Prices have been gradually moving lower, with all three major property types—detached homes, townhouses, and condos—experiencing declines since the beginning of the year.
The pace of monthly declines has been relatively modest, but those small changes can add up over time.
A benchmark price represents the estimated price of a typical home in a given market. It’s useful for understanding the broader direction of Vancouver real estate prices, but it doesn’t tell us exactly what an individual property is worth.
Location, condition, layout, recent comparable sales, and competing listings all influence a home’s market value. That’s why a property-specific pricing strategy matters, particularly in a market where buyers have more options.
🏢 Condo Sales Are Taking the Biggest Hit
One of the clearest trends in September’s Greater Vancouver real estate market was the difference between condo sales and other property types.
Here’s how each segment performed.
Detached Homes
There were 575 detached home sales in September 2026, up 4.2% from the 552 sales recorded in September 2025.
The benchmark price for a detached home was $1,784,700, representing:
- A 7.3% decline from September 2025
- A 0.8% decline from August 2026
Detached home sales are holding up better than condo sales, but prices remain lower than they were a year ago. Buyers looking for detached homes may still find opportunities, although affordability and the price of individual properties remain important considerations.
Condos and Apartments
Apartment sales saw the largest decline among the three property types, with 777 sales in September 2026.
That’s an 18.6% decrease from the 954 sales recorded in September 2025.
The benchmark price for an apartment home was $682,500, down:
- 6.2% from September 2025
- 0.5% from August 2026
The condo market is facing a more noticeable slowdown, with fewer buyers completing purchases compared with last year. For condo owners thinking about selling, this makes it especially important to understand competing listings, recent sales, and what buyers are responding to in their price range.
For buyers, the wider selection may create opportunities to find a property that better fits their budget and needs.
Townhouses and Attached Homes
Attached home sales, which include townhouses, totalled 358 in September 2026. That’s a slight increase of 0.6% from the 356 sales recorded in September 2025.
The benchmark price for a townhouse was $1,016,700, down:
- 4.7% from September 2025
- 1.2% from August 2026
Townhouse sales have remained relatively steady compared with condos, although prices have continued to soften.
For buyers who need more space than a condo offers but aren't looking for a detached house, townhouses may be worth exploring. As always, the value of an individual property depends on its location, condition, layout, and the competition in its immediate area.
🔑 What This Means for Vancouver Home Buyers
If you’re planning to buy a home in Vancouver or Greater Vancouver, the current market offers some advantages.
With inventory still more than 24% above the 10-year seasonal average, buyers have more properties to compare than they typically would at this time of year.
Here are a few things to consider:
- Compare your options carefully. Don't focus only on the asking price. Look at recent sales and competing properties to understand what represents good value.
- Understand your negotiating position. Homes that have been on the market for a while may offer room for negotiation, depending on the seller's circumstances and the level of competition.
- Look beyond the regional averages. Condo, townhouse, and detached home prices are moving differently. Your preferred neighbourhood and property type can make a meaningful difference.
- Make sure the numbers work for you. Consider your financing, monthly costs, and long-term plans before making an offer.
More choice doesn't mean every property is a bargain, but it does give buyers more opportunity to make a considered decision rather than rushing into a purchase.
🪧 What This Means for Vancouver Home Sellers
For sellers, the current market calls for realistic expectations and a well-planned strategy.
Although fewer new listings came onto the market in September, the overall number of homes for sale remains elevated. Buyers have alternatives, and they are comparing properties before deciding which ones are worth pursuing.
If you're preparing to sell your Vancouver home, consider these priorities:
- Price according to the current market. Recent comparable sales and competing listings are more useful than relying on what a similar home sold for a year ago.
- Make your property stand out. Presentation, preparation, and a strong first impression can help your home compete with other available options.
- Pay attention to your property type. Condo sellers, in particular, need to understand the slower pace of apartment sales and how their property compares with others in the same area.
- Review buyer feedback. If showings aren't leading to offers, it may be time to reassess your asking price, presentation, or overall marketing strategy.
A softer market doesn't mean you can't sell successfully. It means understanding the competition and positioning your property appropriately is more important than ever.
📍 The Vancouver Real Estate Market: What's Next?
September's numbers show a Greater Vancouver housing market where sales are slowing, prices are gradually declining, and buyers continue to have plenty of choice.
But the most important takeaway is that not every home is experiencing the market in the same way. Condo sales have dropped significantly, while detached home and townhouse sales have held up better. Prices, meanwhile, have declined across all three property types.
For buyers, the current conditions offer more opportunities to compare homes and negotiate. For sellers, realistic pricing and a strategy tailored to the property and neighbourhood are essential.
Whether you're buying your first condo, upgrading to a townhouse, or selling a detached home, the right approach starts with understanding what's happening in your corner of the market.
Thinking about making a move in Vancouver or Greater Vancouver? Get in touch with Cari Mai to discuss what these market conditions mean for your property, neighbourhood, and real estate goals.
Market data: Greater Vancouver REALTORS® (GVR), September 2026 monthly statistics. Benchmark prices are from the MLS® Home Price Index.
