Key Takeaways
- Metro Vancouver residential sales totalled 1,717 in September 2026, down 8.4 per cent from the same month in 2025.
- Apartment sales declined 18.6 per cent year-over-year, driving the overall drop, while detached sales rose 4.2 per cent and attached sales increased 0.6 per cent.
- The composite benchmark price reached $1,075,900, down 5.5 per cent year-over-year and 0.6 per cent from August 2026.
- Active inventory stood at 16,394 listings, four per cent lower than September 2025 but 24.3 per cent above the 10-year seasonal average.
- The sales-to-active listings ratio of 10.9 per cent across all property types signals continued downward pressure on prices.
September 2026 figures reveal a market where apartment buyers and sellers face distinctly different conditions than those trading detached or attached homes. While overall transaction volume dropped compared to the previous year, the weakness concentrated in one segment, leaving the other two with small gains.
Sales and Inventory in September 2026
Residential transactions in Metro Vancouver reached 1,717 in September 2026, sitting 25 per cent below the 10-year seasonal average for the month. The year-over-year decline of 8.4 per cent masks diverging trends by property type.
Apartment sales totalled 777, down 18.6 per cent from September 2025. Detached home sales came in at 575, up 4.2 per cent year-over-year. Attached home sales numbered 358, up 0.6 per cent from the same month in 2025.
New listings arriving in September 2026 totalled 5,852 properties, down 10.3 per cent year-over-year but still 5.7 per cent above the 10-year seasonal average. Total active inventory across the region stood at 16,394 listings, down four per cent from September 2025 yet 24.3 per cent above the 10-year seasonal average.
The combination of slower sales and elevated inventory relative to historical norms has kept the sales-to-active listings ratio at levels that typically signal downward price pressure. The ratio across all property types reached 10.9 per cent in September 2026. Historical data suggests downward pressure on home prices occurs when this ratio dips below 12 per cent for a sustained period.
Benchmark Prices by Property Type
The composite benchmark price for all residential properties in Metro Vancouver stood at $1,075,900 in September 2026, down 5.5 per cent from September 2025 and 0.6 per cent from August 2026.
| Property Type | September 2026 Benchmark | Year-Over-Year Change | Month-Over-Month Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Detached | $1,784,700 | -7.3% | -0.8% |
| Attached | $1,016,700 | -4.7% | -1.2% |
| Apartment | $682,500 | -6.2% | -0.5% |
Detached homes recorded the largest year-over-year price decline at 7.3 per cent, even as sales in the segment rose modestly. Apartments showed a 6.2 per cent year-over-year price drop alongside the steepest sales decline. Attached homes fell 4.7 per cent year-over-year with near-flat sales activity.
All three segments have seen prices drift lower by roughly three per cent since the start of the year. While individual month-over-month changes appear small, the cumulative effect has become more pronounced over time.
Sales-to-Active Listings Ratios
The sales-to-active listings ratio provides insight into which segments face the most price pressure. In September 2026, the ratios by property type were:
- Detached: 9.7 per cent
- Attached: 12.2 per cent
- Apartment: 11.4 per cent
Attached homes registered the only ratio above the 12 per cent threshold, suggesting the most balanced conditions among the three segments. Detached and apartment ratios both fell below the level historically associated with downward price pressure.
What This Means for Buyers
Apartment buyers encounter the weakest segment, with sales down 18.6 per cent year-over-year and prices down 6.2 per cent. The sales-to-active listings ratio of 11.4 per cent suggests continued downward price pressure in the coming months. Buyers in this segment benefit from more selection and less competition than in recent years.
Detached and attached buyers see modest sales increases year-over-year, but prices continue to decline across all segments. Detached home prices fell 7.3 per cent year-over-year despite the uptick in transactions, while attached prices dropped 4.7 per cent. Buyers looking at these property types face less inventory than apartment buyers but still more choice than the 10-year average.
For first-time buyers, the apartment segment offers the most accessible entry point at a benchmark of $682,500, with market conditions favouring buyers. Those seeking more space in attached or detached homes face higher benchmarks but also benefit from year-over-year price declines. Explore current Greater Vancouver listings to see what fits your budget and needs.
What This Means for Sellers
Apartment sellers face the most challenging conditions, with sales down 18.6 per cent year-over-year and the segment driving overall market weakness. The sales-to-active listings ratio of 11.4 per cent indicates continued downward price pressure, meaning sellers in this segment may need to adjust expectations or wait for conditions to shift.
Detached and attached sellers benefit from modest sales increases—up 4.2 per cent and 0.6 per cent respectively—but must contend with year-over-year price declines of 7.3 per cent and 4.7 per cent. New listings down 10.3 per cent year-over-year suggests some sellers are holding back, possibly waiting for more favourable conditions.
Sellers across all segments face inventory levels 24.3 per cent above the 10-year seasonal average, meaning more competition for buyer attention. Pricing competitively and presenting homes well matter more in a market with elevated supply and slower sales. A free home valuation can help you understand where your property sits in the current market.
What This Means for Investors
Investor-driven demand appears to be waiting for more favourable market conditions, according to analysis from the Greater Vancouver board of REALTORS®. The apartment segment—traditionally investor-heavy—shows the steepest sales decline at 18.6 per cent and a sales-to-active listings ratio of 11.4 per cent, indicating continued downward price pressure.
Investors considering rental properties face a market where prices have declined year-over-year across all segments, potentially offering better entry points than in recent years. However, the sales-to-active listings ratios suggest prices may continue drifting lower in the near term. Those with a longer time horizon may find opportunities, particularly in the apartment segment where prices have fallen 6.2 per cent year-over-year.
End-users appear to be driving most of the activity in the detached and attached segments, where sales rose modestly despite price declines. Investors focused on these property types face less competition from other investors but more from owner-occupiers.
Comparing the Three Segments
The divergence among property types reveals different market dynamics:
- Detached homes: Largest year-over-year price decline at 7.3 per cent, but sales up 4.2 per cent. Sales-to-active listings ratio of 9.7 per cent suggests continued downward price pressure.
- Apartments: Steepest sales decline at 18.6 per cent with a 6.2 per cent price drop. Sales-to-active listings ratio of 11.4 per cent indicates ongoing weakness.
- Attached homes: Most balanced conditions with sales up 0.6 per cent and prices down 4.7 per cent. The only property type with a sales-to-active listings ratio above the 12 per cent threshold at 12.2 per cent.
Attached homes show the most stability among the three segments, while apartments face the most pronounced weakness. Detached homes present a middle ground, with rising sales but the steepest price declines.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are apartment sales down so much more than detached or attached sales?
Apartment sales fell 18.6 per cent year-over-year in September 2026, while detached and attached sales rose modestly. Analysis from the Greater Vancouver board suggests investor-driven demand is waiting for more favourable market conditions, and apartments typically attract more investor activity than detached or attached homes. End-users appear to be driving most of the activity in the detached and attached segments.
What does a sales-to-active listings ratio below 12 per cent mean?
Historical data suggests downward pressure on home prices occurs when the sales-to-active listings ratio dips below 12 per cent for a sustained period. In September 2026, the overall ratio reached 10.9 per cent, with detached at 9.7 per cent, apartments at 11.4 per cent, and attached at 12.2 per cent. Ratios below this threshold indicate more supply than demand, typically leading to price declines.
Are prices likely to keep falling?
All three property segments have seen prices decline by roughly three per cent since the start of the year. The sales-to-active listings ratio of 10.9 per cent across all property types, combined with inventory 24.3 per cent above the 10-year seasonal average, suggests continued downward pressure in the near term. However, the pace of decline has been gradual, with the composite benchmark falling 0.6 per cent from August to September 2026.
Outlook
September 2026 figures show a market where apartment buyers and sellers face the most pronounced weakness, while detached and attached segments display more stability. The gap between sales and inventory levels continues to exert downward pressure on prices across all property types, though the pace of decline remains measured.
The combination of elevated inventory relative to historical norms and sales activity 25 per cent below the 10-year seasonal average suggests the current dynamic may persist in the near term. Buyers across all segments benefit from more selection and less competition than in recent years, while sellers face the need to price competitively and present homes well to attract attention in a market with more supply than demand.
Whether you're considering a purchase, sale or investment, understanding the specific conditions in your property type and municipality helps you make informed decisions. Browse the latest market news or explore Greater Vancouver homes for sale to see current opportunities.
Ready to take the next step? Renanza Realty connects you with experienced professionals who understand the Greater Vancouver market. Visit our buyer guides for more insights, or request a free home valuation to understand where your property sits in today's market.
Sources & References
- Greater Vancouver REALTORS® — Apartments lead sales downward (September 2026)
Data last checked: 2026-10-02
