Vancouver’s housing market has long been known for its sky-high prices and fierce competition. But beyond the headlines, there’s a deeper story about life cycle housing in Vancouver — how people move through different homes as their life stages change. Ideally, a young adult starts as a first-time buyer, upgrades as their family grows, and eventually considers downsizing in Vancouver for retirement.

That natural progression — moving up or down the housing ladder — has become harder than ever in the Vancouver real estate market. This challenge affects everyone from new buyers and families to retirees and investors. Let’s break down why moving up or down in Vancouver’s housing market has become such a challenge, and what it means for homeownership in…

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Buying a home in British Columbia in 2024–25 means knowing the rules for down payments and mortgage qualification. In Canada (including BC), the minimum down payment depends on price: 5% of the first $500,000, 5% on the first $500k plus 10% on the portion between $500,000–$1.5 million, and 20% for any price above $1.5M. For example, on a $600,000 home you need 5% of $500k ($25,000) plus 10% of the remaining $100k ($10,000), totaling $35,000. These Canadian rules apply in BC and Vancouver as well. A partial provincial program now lets qualified first-time buyers pay no property transfer tax on the first $500k of price. Under federal rules, any down payment under 20% makes your mortgage “high-ratio,” meaning mortgage default insurance is required. Lenders…

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Vancouver’s housing market presents buyers with a crucial choice: freehold vs strata ownership. These terms describe different ways you can own property, each with its own advantages and obligations. For many Vancouver home buyers, understanding the real difference between freehold and strata is essential before making an investment in Vancouver real estate.

Understanding Property Ownership Types in Vancouver

In British Columbia, the types of property ownership in BC include freehold, leasehold, and strata title. Most properties fall into one of these categories. Each type gives you different rights and responsibilities.

  • Freehold (Fee Simple) Ownership: You own the property outright — the land and the building — indefinitely. This is…

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If you’re exploring the Vancouver real estate market, you’ve probably come across terms like laneway home, duplex, and detached house. These are some of the most common Vancouver housing types, each offering unique benefits, challenges, and investment potential. Whether you’re a first-time buyer, an investor, or a homeowner considering redevelopment, understanding these types of homes in Vancouver is key to making an informed decision.

This guide breaks down the differences between laneway homes in Vancouver, duplex homes, and detached houses—covering costs, zoning, lifestyle advantages, and what kind of buyer each option fits best.

1. Overview of Vancouver Housing Types

Vancouver’s property market is one of the most dynamic in Canada. With…

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Buying or selling a home in Vancouver is a big milestone — and if you’re wondering how long it actually takes from start to finish, you’re not alone. Between financing, inspections, legal steps, and waiting for that all-important possession date, the process can feel like a marathon.

This guide breaks it all down step by step — the Vancouver home buying process and the selling a home in Vancouver guide — so you’ll know exactly what to expect. Whether you’re upsizing, downsizing, or buying your first condo, here’s how the Vancouver real estate timeline usually plays out.

Part 1: How Long Does It Take to Buy a Home in Vancouver?

The steps to buying a home in Vancouver follow a fairly predictable rhythm. Depending on your preparation, financing,…

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Buying a home in Vancouver can feel like a huge milestone, whether you’re a first-time homebuyer in Vancouver, an investor, or a family relocating to the city or nearby suburbs like Burnaby, Surrey, or Richmond. But before jumping into listings or open houses, the big question remains: how much house can I afford in Vancouver?

This guide breaks down what affordability really looks like in 2025, how to calculate your true budget, and what costs to plan for beyond your down payment.

Vancouver Home Affordability in 2025

As of 2025, Vancouver real estate prices have stabilized after several years of fluctuation. The average benchmark price for a home across Metro Vancouver sits around $1.15 million, though that varies widely depending on the…

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Sustained elevated inventories soften Fraser Valley home prices further, spurring bump in sales

SURREY, BC – Home prices in the Fraser Valley continued their downward trend in September, marking the sixth straight month of declines, amid high inventory.

The Benchmark price for a typical home in the Fraser Valley dropped one per cent in September to $926,300, down 5.4 per cent year-over-year. The continued softening of prices may be encouraging some buyers back into the market, as the Fraser Valley Real Estate Board recorded 962 sales on its Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) in September, an increase of three per cent over August. September sales were down two per cent year-over-year and 28 per cent below the 10-year average.

“As prices continue to…

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Fall Market Favours Buyers

VANCOUVER, B.C. – October 2, 2025

Another Bank of Canada rate cut and easing prices helped home sales registered on the MLS® in Metro Vancouver* edge higher relative to September last year.

The Greater Vancouver REALTORS® (GVR) reports that residential sales in the region totalled 1,875 in September 2025, a 1.2 per cent increase from the 1,852 sales recorded in September 2024. This was 20.1 per cent below the 10-year seasonal average (2,348).

“With another cut to Bank of Canada’s policy rate behind us, and markets pricing in at least one more cut by the end of the year, Metro Vancouver homebuyers have reason to be optimistic about the fall market,” said Andrew Lis, GVR’s director of economics and data analytics.…

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Inheriting a home in Canada can be both emotional and overwhelming. On one hand, it may feel like a gift from a loved one. On the other, the home may come with strings attached — namely, a mortgage. Many people assume that when a person passes away, their debts disappear. But if you inherit a house with a mortgage, the story is much more complicated.

This guide breaks down everything you need to know, from mortgage responsibility after death to your options when inheriting a mortgaged house. We’ll cover what happens legally, financially, and practically so that you know exactly what to do if you inherit a house with debt in Canada.

Understanding Inheritance and Mortgages in Canada

When someone dies, their estate (the total of their assets and…

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Vancouver’s housing market is famously expensive, and the path of mortgage rates will shape its direction in 2026. By mid-2025, Vancouver home prices had dipped from pandemic peaks, but remain high by historic standards. For example, in August 2025 the Metro Vancouver benchmark price was about $1,150,400, roughly 4% below a year earlier. Detached houses averaged about $1.93 million (down ~8% year-over-year) while condo apartments averaged about $813,000 (down ~3.5% YoY). Even after recent declines, Vancouver home prices are roughly 43% higher than a decade ago.

Against that backdrop of high prices and limited affordability, changes in interest rates can have outsized effects. Higher mortgage rates make monthly payments more expensive and shrink buyers’…

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