What changed in Greater Vancouver’s housing market in August 2025?

Sales ticked up year over year while benchmark prices eased slightly month to month. Inventory remains elevated versus the 10-year seasonal average, keeping conditions close to balanced.

August at a glance

• Sales: 1,959 homes sold in August 2025 (+2.9% YoY), still 19.2% below the 10-year seasonal average (2,424).

• New listings: 4,225 (+2.8% YoY) and 1.3% above the 10-year seasonal average (4,172).

• Active listings: 16,242 (+17.6% YoY) and 36.9% above the 10-year seasonal average (11,862).

• Sales-to-Active Listings Ratio (SALR): 12.4% overall — Detached 9.3%, Townhome 15.8%, Apartment 14.0%. (Below ~12% often points to downward price pressure; sustained 20%+ can push prices up.)

• Benchmark prices (MLS® HPI): Composite $1,150,400 (-3.8% YoY, -1.3% MoM). Detached $1,950,300 (-4.8% YoY, -1.2% MoM). Townhome $1,079,600 (-3.5% YoY, -1.8% MoM). Apartment $734,400 (-4.4% YoY, -1.3% MoM).

• Average days on market: Detached 47, Townhome 36, Apartment 42.

What’s driving the Greater Vancouver real estate market update

Easing prices are helping bring some buyers off the sidelines, particularly in the detached and townhome segments where sales rose ~13% and ~10.5% year over year, respectively. Apartments pulled back ~5.5% versus last August.

GVR’s economics team notes that buyer and seller expectations are aligning, which is supporting transaction volume even as prices ease modestly month to month. As inventory trends normalize against seasonal averages, continued sales momentum could gradually reduce the cushion of available listings.

What this means for you right now

If you’re buying:

• A 12.4% SALR suggests conditions are near the lower edge of “balanced.” You may have more time for diligence and pricing comparisons than during tighter markets. Pair your search with recent sold comparables and watch micro-trends by property type (detached vs. apartment).

• Month-to-month price softness (-1.3% composite) can create negotiation room on list-price expectations—especially in areas or property types sitting longer on market.

If you’re selling:

• Buyers are active, but price sensitivity is real. Position your home strategically against competing inventory and consider timing around new-listing waves (4,225 hit the market in August).

• With detached SALR at 9.3%, ensure your pricing and presentation (repairs, staging, marketing assets) are dialed to stand out. Townhomes and apartments show comparatively firmer ratios (15.8% and 14.0%).

How to read the next moves

Watch three levers each month:

1. Inventory vs. seasonal norms (active and new listings),

2. SALR by property type (signals for pricing momentum), and

3. Composite + segment benchmark prices (month-over-month trend).
   In August, the story is modestly improving demand meeting still-generous supply—typically a cue for surgical pricing and disciplined offer strategies rather than extremes.

Final takeaway

Your Greater Vancouver real estate market update (August 2025) shows a market edging toward balance: sales improving year over year, prices easing slightly month to month, and inventory still above long-term norms. Use this window to make data-driven moves—by segment, by neighbourhood, and by days-on-market dynamics.

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— Frank Fu, REALTOR® (PREC*) — Greater Vancouver