The Bank of Canada has just delivered another rate cut — and this one could make a meaningful difference for homeowners and buyers across Greater Vancouver.

What the bank of Canada rate cut means to you…

On October 29, 2025, the central bank lowered its key policy rate by 0.25 %, bringing it down to 2.25 %, the lowest level we’ve seen since 2022. The Prime Rate now sits around 4.45 %, and while the Bank hinted that this may be the last cut for a while, the shift signals a stabilizing phase for Canada’s economy and housing market.

Let’s break down what’s driving this move, what it means for you as a buyer or seller, and how to make the most of this window of opportunity.

Why the Bank of Canada Cut Rates Again

After nearly two years of aggressive tightening, the Bank of Canada has turned the corner. Here’s why:

• The economy is slowing down. GDP contracted 1.6 % in the second quarter, mainly due to weaker exports and business investment.

• Inflation has cooled. Headline inflation now hovers near 2.4 %, right on target.

• Trade uncertainty with the U.S. continues to challenge Canadian manufacturing and resource sectors.

• With prices stable and growth soft, the Bank concluded that a 2.25 % policy rate is “about right” for current conditions — providing relief without reigniting inflation.

In other words: this isn’t a panic cut. It’s a careful adjustment to maintain stability and support consumer confidence.

What This Means for Home Buyers in Greater Vancouver

For buyers, this is welcome news.

Every time the Bank trims its overnight rate, mortgage lenders respond — and variable or adjustable-rate mortgages benefit first.

Here’s the quick math:
A 0.25 % drop saves roughly $70 – $80 per month per $500 000 borrowed. Since the rate peak in 2023, that’s about $825 less each month on the same loan — nearly $10 000 a year in savings.

Beyond the math, buyers gain:

• Improved affordability — lower payments or a bit more room in your pre-approval.

• Confidence to act — a signal that the market is stabilizing after a volatile stretch.

• An opportunity window — the Bank hinted this could be the last cut for a while, so locking in now may secure a favourable rate before competition rises again.

What This Means for Sellers in Greater Vancouver

Sellers benefit too — just in a different way.

Lower rates tend to boost buyer activity and improve affordability, supporting stable home prices. As borrowing becomes more accessible, more qualified buyers re-enter the market — particularly for entry-level detached homes, condos, and townhomes.

That said, this isn’t an overnight rush. Sellers should still:

• Price strategically based on current comparable sales.

• Present beautifully — condition, staging, and marketing still drive results.

• Work with a professional who understands how shifting rates influence buyer psychology and timing.

With the right pricing and presentation, this rate environment can give your listing a meaningful advantage.

What It Means for the Vancouver Market Overall

Vancouver’s market thrives on confidence.

After a year of hesitant buyers and high borrowing costs, lower rates are re-energizing interest and showings across multiple property types.

We’re already seeing more pre-approvals and early-stage offers, clear signs that buyers are stepping off the sidelines.

Still, limited inventory means this will remain a balanced, steady market — not an overheated one. Expect consistent activity through winter and a potentially stronger spring 2026 if rates stay supportive.

The Bottom Line

The Bank of Canada’s rate cut to 2.25 % is good news for both buyers and sellers — restoring balance and creating opportunity in Vancouver’s dynamic housing market.

For buyers, it’s a chance to lock in lower costs and explore homes that may now fit your budget.
For sellers, it’s a reminder that confidence is returning and well-presented homes will attract attention again.

Ready to Make Your Move?

If you’re planning a move to or within Vancouver, now’s the perfect time to revisit your goals.

Let’s talk about your timing, financing, and strategy — so you can make the most of today’s changing market.

Visit MoveToVancouverCanada.com
or connect directly with Roland Kym, local Realtor and relocation specialist — helping people make smart moves in every market.

By Roland Kym — Vancouver Realtor, Personal Real Estate Corporation

View my video here on the subject.

Vancouver’s real estate market is world-renowned — for its beauty, its desirability, and, unfortunately, its affordability challenges. One topic that has resurfaced lately in conversations among developers, investors, and policymakers is the role of foreign buyers.

It’s a subject that sparks strong opinions, but today I want to focus on one specific and often overlooked area: the pre-sale market — and why reopening this sector to foreign participation could actually help create more homes for Canadians.

1. The Problem: A Lack of Liquidity = A Lack of New Homes

Right now, Vancouver’s housing market is facing a serious supply bottleneck.

Many developers are struggling to launch new projects because of rising construction costs, high interest rates, and slow pre-sale absorption. Banks require developers to pre-sell a certain percentage of units before financing construction — but when local demand softens, projects can’t reach that threshold.

And when projects stall or are cancelled, fewer homes get built, making our long-term affordability challenges even worse.

2. The Opportunity: Responsible Foreign Investment

This is where responsible, targeted foreign investment can make a meaningful impact.

By allowing foreign buyers to participate only in pre-sales, we can help developers achieve the sales benchmarks needed to secure financing and move projects forward.

This isn’t about reigniting speculation — it’s about unlocking liquidity to ensure that new housing gets built. Foreign buyers have historically represented a small percentage of total demand, but in today’s environment, even that small boost could be the difference between a project breaking ground or being shelved indefinitely.

3. A Fair and Smart Framework

Of course, any policy change must be designed carefully to protect local interests and ensure that the benefits flow back into our communities.

Here’s a practical framework that could achieve that balance:

• Foreign buyers may only purchase brand-new, pre-sale units. No resale properties allowed.

• They must hold and rent the property for at least five years, adding valuable rental stock to the market.

• After five years, they may sell the property like any other owner.

This model encourages long-term investment, strengthens rental availability, and prevents quick flips or speculative gains — aligning foreign participation with Vancouver’s housing goals.

4. The Broader Impact

Allowing responsible foreign capital back into the pre-sale market would do more than just boost liquidity. It would help stabilize the entire housing ecosystem.

New projects mean more homes for future buyers, more jobs for local trades and construction workers, and more tax revenue for municipalities. It would also increase rental housing supply — something urgently needed across Metro Vancouver.

Government programs and local buyers alone can’t fund or absorb every new project. We need a balanced, multi-layered approach — and foreign buyers can play a small but essential role in that equation.

5. Final Thoughts

Vancouver is a globally connected city — and our housing market has always reflected that. Reintroducing foreign buyers into the pre-sale segment, with clear rules and long-term requirements, would not only benefit developers and builders but also renters and future homeowners.

It’s not about favouring outsiders — it’s about ensuring that our city continues to grow sustainably and that developers can build the homes our communities desperately need.

By restoring strategic liquidity to the system, we can move from a cycle of delay to one of development — creating more opportunities for everyone who calls Vancouver home.

If you’d like to talk about Vancouver’s housing trends or explore pre-sale opportunities, feel free to reach out anytime.
604-970-0393
Roland@RolandKym.com
www.RolandKym.com | www.MoveToVancouverCanada.ca

Licensed by Keller Williams Ocean Realty VanCentral

View the latest market snapshot video here.

Hi everyone — Roland Kym here with your October 2025 Greater Vancouver Real Estate Market Update.

The fall market has arrived, bringing high inventory, modest sales growth, and slightly lower prices. After months of anticipation, the Bank of Canada finally cut its benchmark interest rate in mid-September, and now the question on everyone’s mind is:
Will that be enough to reignite demand?

Let’s break down what’s really happening across Metro Vancouver.

Sales Activity: Buyers Are Returning—Cautiously

In September, Greater Vancouver recorded 1,875 home sales — up about 1% year-over-year, but still 20% below the 10-year average for this time of year.

That means activity is slightly better than last fall, but we’re still far from a boom. Buyers are back, but they’re proceeding with caution.

By property type:

• Detached homes: 552 sales (+7% year-over-year)

• Townhomes: 356 sales (–6%)

• Condos: 954 sales (flat year-over-year)

Detached homes are seeing a small resurgence, likely from move-up buyers who waited through the summer. But overall, sales remain muted compared to historic levels.

Supply: Inventory Surges to Multi-Year Highs

The supply side tells a completely different story.

In September, 6,527 new listings hit the market — 6% higher than last year and roughly 20% above the 10-year average. Sellers are stepping forward, encouraged by stabilizing rates and fall optimism.

Active listings (total homes available) reached 17,079 units, up 14% year-over-year and 36% above the 10-year average — the highest selection we’ve seen in years.

For buyers, this means choice and leverage have returned.
For sellers, it means your home needs to stand out — through sharp pricing, professional presentation, and strategic marketing.

Market Temperature: Balanced, but Cooling

The sales-to-active listings ratio sat at 11.3% in September, pointing to a market that’s balanced but leaning cool.

• Detached: 8.5% (buyer’s market)

• Townhomes: 12.7% (balanced)

• Condos: 13.3% (balanced, cool edge)

Anything below 12% typically signals downward pressure on prices. Between 12–20% is considered balanced. In other words, Greater Vancouver is now on the cooler side of balanced — a calmer, more rational environment for everyone involved.

Prices: Slight Softening Across the Board

The benchmark composite price across all home types is now $1,142,100, down 3.2% year-over-year and 0.7% month-over-month.

Normally, September pricing is flat or slightly positive — so this dip reinforces the cooling trend we’re seeing in the data.

By segment:

• Detached: $1,933,100 (–4.4%)

• Townhomes: $1,069,800 (–2.7%)

• Condos: $728,800 (–4.4%)

Detached homes continue to feel the most pressure, while townhomes and condos remain more resilient due to affordability and first-time-buyer demand.

Interest Rates and the Economic Picture

On September 17th, the Bank of Canada made its first rate cut in months, dropping the policy rate to 2.5%.

This move has already boosted sentiment — mortgage rates are inching lower, and some buyers are re-engaging this fall. The next rate announcement is October 29th, and if inflation keeps easing, we may see another quarter-point cut.

However, the broader economy is flashing mixed signals.
Canada’s unemployment rate sits at 7.1%, and B.C. at 6.2%, both above normal. Concerns about job security are holding some potential buyers back.

So, we’re in a balancing act: cheaper borrowing costs are supporting demand, but economic caution is tempering it.

How Today’s Market Compares to a Typical September

In short: fewer buyers, more sellers, and much higher inventory — a buyer-skewed environment we haven’t seen consistently in years.

Advice for Buyers

• Take advantage of selection. With inventory at multi-year highs, you can be strategic and patient.

• Negotiate with confidence. The ratios are in your favour.

• Watch rates closely. If another cut arrives this month, you could lock in lower financing heading into winter.

Advice for Sellers

• Price precisely. Buyers are data-driven; overpricing leads to stale listings.

• Presentation wins. Stage, photograph, and market your home professionally — competition is fierce.

• Stay flexible. Terms, timing, and conditions can make or break a deal in a cooler market.

Looking Ahead: What to Expect Next

Here’s my outlook for the next 3–6 months:

Short-term: Prices likely drift sideways or slightly lower through the rest of 2025.
Medium-term: If rate cuts continue and the economy steadies, we could see renewed momentum in early 2026, especially in condos and townhomes.
Risk: If job losses deepen, any recovery may take longer to appear.

This fall isn’t about chasing a rising market — it’s about strategic positioning. Buyers can finally shop thoughtfully, and sellers who adapt early will lead the pack.

Final Thoughts

September 2025 marks a return to balance in the Greater Vancouver real estate market.
There’s more inventory, less urgency, and a renewed sense of calm.

For buyers, that means opportunity.
For sellers, it’s a reminder that strategy and presentation matter more than ever.

If you’d like a detailed breakdown of how these numbers impact your neighbourhood or property type, feel free to reach out — I’d be happy to walk you through the specifics.

Roland Kym — Top 1% Vancouver Realtor
MoveToVancouverCanada.com
Helping you find your home — and your next chapter — in Vancouver.