Vancouver’s real estate market in 2025 is showing a clear shift from the frenzied sellers’ market of recent years to a more balanced, buyer-friendly environment. Home prices across the city have pulled back modestly from their peaks, with the composite benchmark price down roughly 3–4% year-over-year. This is one of the Vancouver housing trends of 2025: easing prices, high inventory levels, and more negotiating power for buyers. Against this backdrop, homebuyers and investors are asking which property type is holding value best. The data show that Vancouver townhome prices have weakened less than other types. In fact, townhomes are outperforming condos and detached houses in terms of value retention.
Vancouver’s skyline is dominated by high-rise condo towers, but in 2025 the luxury condo boom is cooling off. Overall Vancouver property values have softened: the average resale home price in Metro Vancouver fell about 3.4% year-over-year to roughly $1,132,500 in October 2025. By comparison, the average selling price of a Greater Vancouver condo apartment was about $718,900 in October – down 5.1% from a year ago. Detached homes (single-family houses) saw a milder decline – the benchmark detached price of $1,916,400 was down 4.3% year-over-year. Notably, townhouse and multiplex units (attached homes) have declined less: the benchmark townhome price was $1,066,700, only 3.8% below last year’s level. These official figures make it clear that townhomes vs condos Vancouver comparisons strongly favor townhomes in 2025. Townhouses have lost far less value than condos, and slightly less than detached houses, suggesting they retain value better.
Vancouver Condo Market Downturn
After years of rapid growth, the Vancouver condo market has entered a downturn. By mid-2025 the Vancouver condo market downturn was evident in several key indicators. Benchmark condo prices have slid, and sales volumes have collapsed. For example, in October 2025 apartment benchmark prices hit $718,900 – a 5.1% drop from October 2024. Resale condo transactions also fell sharply: sales were down 23.1% year-over-year that month.
The surge of new condominium development earlier in the decade left a glut of inventory; recent reports note over 2,500 unsold condo units in Metro Vancouver, the highest level in decades. Rising mortgage rates and slower immigration have dampened demand, especially for high-density living.
In simple terms, condo owners and investors are now yielding to market realities. Over the past 18 months, Vancouver condos have lost roughly $50,000 in value on average. This means many units that sold for $770–800K in 2022 are now in the $700K range. The pullback is strongest in luxury downtown towers, but even average condos in the suburbs and older buildings are seeing price cuts. The oversupply of rental and investment condos has also pushed rents down, eroding investor returns. All these factors point to a downward trend for condos – a buyer’s market where rents and sale prices both have room to fall.
Detached Home Prices in Vancouver
The detached home prices Vancouver segment (single-family houses) has also cooled, though not as dramatically as condos. After reaching stratospheric highs in 2021–2022, detached prices in the city have retraced several percentage points. By October 2025, the benchmark detached home price stood at $1,916,400, about 4.3% below the year-ago level. In practical terms, many houses that sold for $2.0–2.2 million at peak are now selling closer to $1.9 million. That said, detached prices remain much higher in absolute terms than other types: Vancouver still has some of the priciest detached houses in Canada.
Market analysts point out that Vancouver detached home prices have even broken through a key psychological barrier. By autumn 2025, prices had slipped below $1.94 million, breaching a support level from January 2024. Inventory is high – there are now roughly twice as many listed houses as in early 2022 – so buyers have choices. Even so, detached homes have historically held value better than condos during downturns, partly because houses include more land value and cater to affluent buyers who are less rate-sensitive. Some regions such as North Vancouver and Burnaby have seen only small price dips, with median prices still within 5–10% of their 2022 peaks. Overall, detached home prices in Vancouver are down modestly, and this segment remains very expensive, but the pullback has been noticeable.
Townhomes: The Middle Market Stabilizes
Townhomes – also called attached houses or row houses – make up the middle rung of Vancouver’s market. They typically share walls with neighbors like a condo, but have street-level entrances and often a small yard or garage. In 2025, this middle segment has proven surprisingly resilient. Townhome benchmark prices stood at $1,066,700 in October 2025, only 3.8% lower than a year earlier. That decline is smaller than the drops for condos (–5.1%) and similar to detached homes (–4.3%).
Sales activity further highlights townhomes’ appeal. In October 2025, 477 townhomes sold – only 4.8% fewer than a year ago. By contrast, condo sales plunged 23%, and detached sales fell about 4.3% (to 693 units). Moreover, townhomes are selling faster relative to their supply: the sales-to-listings ratio for attached homes was 17.6% in October (well above the 11.3% for detached homes). In practical terms, this means a higher share of listed townhomes are selling compared to other types.
Realtors note that many buyers – especially families priced out of big houses – have been turning to townhomes instead of condos. A stack of data and anecdotes shows that townhomes have become the “sweet spot” for value-minded Vancouver home buyers.
Townhomes vs Condos Vancouver
Comparing townhomes vs condos in Vancouver reveals why townhomes have held up. Townhouses typically offer multiple bedrooms, private entries, and sometimes small yards or garages – features that condos lack. They feel more like a low-rise house. Yet they come at prices closer to condos than to big houses. A downtown Vancouver condo runs on average under $750K, whereas townhouses average around $1,060K. Detached houses average nearly $1,920K.
The supply picture also favors townhomes. Over the last decade, Vancouver developers focused on high-density condos in urban cores. Purpose-built townhome projects are fewer, and many older townhomes are in established neighbourhoods. This relative scarcity means demand has stayed firm. Condos, by contrast, face a glut of new supply and investor selling.
In essence, townhomes vs condos Vancouver is a trade-off: condos offer affordability and location, but townhomes offer space and stability. In 2025 the market is sending a clear message that townhomes with ground-level living and small yards are proving more attractive – and more valuable – than many high-rise condos.
Why Townhomes Are Holding Value
Several factors explain the value retention Vancouver real estate trend favoring townhomes:
Space and Lifestyle Appeal:
Townhomes provide more living area, multiple bedrooms, and often a small yard or deck. Families who need room to grow find them appealing, especially since detached houses are out of reach for many. With mortgage qualifications tightening, townhomes offer a house-like feel without the full land premium.
Affordability Per Dollar of Space:
Per square foot, townhouses cost more than condos but far less than detached houses. This pricing sweet spot gives townhomes strong appeal to first-time buyers and upgraders.
Limited New Supply:
Zoning and development patterns have not produced a flood of new townhomes. Most existing townhomes are in established neighbourhoods, giving them scarcity value. Condos, in contrast, have heavy new supply competing for buyers.
Buyer Demographics:
Townhouses attract young families, professionals, and downsizers. These buyers tend to hold their homes longer and pay closer to list price, keeping prices stable even in cooler markets.
Resale and Rental Demand:
A well-located townhome often commands stronger rents than a condo of similar size, supporting long-term value.
Taken together, these factors mean that townhomes are outperforming condos and detached houses in terms of holding value. As of late 2025, the smallest year-over-year decline in benchmark prices has been in the townhome segment.
Vancouver Home Buyer Insights
What does this mean for someone searching the Vancouver real estate market 2025?
Balanced Market Conditions:
Higher inventory and slower sales give buyers more negotiating power. Prices have already adjusted, so sharp future drops are not guaranteed.
Buying vs. Waiting:
Interest rates are still elevated. Some buyers may wait, but forecasts suggest only modest further price changes. For long-term owners and investors, securing a good townhome or condo now may make sense, depending on budget.
Location Still Matters:
Certain regions are holding value better than others. Suburban areas have shown more stability than central Vancouver. A well-located townhome tends to hold value better than a condo downtown.
Best Property Type to Buy Vancouver:
Townhomes offer a balance of space, value, and stability. For budgets under $1.5M, they often meet needs without the premium of a detached house.
Value Retention:
Townhomes have declined the least in 2025. Condos have experienced the largest pullback.
Amenities and Zoning:
More mid-density zoning may increase townhome supply in the future, but current supply remains limited. Walkability, transit access, and community features boost long-term value.
Long-Term Perspective:
Despite the current dip, Vancouver property values have trended upward for decades. Over long ownership periods, townhomes often strike the right balance between affordability and resilience.
Which Vancouver Property Type Is Best to Buy Now?
So, which Vancouver property type should buyers and investors focus on? The evidence suggests townhomes. Compared to high-rise condos, townhomes have held value better in the current market. They also offer a clear lifestyle advantage over condos without the high cost of detached homes.
The “best” choice naturally depends on budget, lifestyle, and long-term goals, but townhomes appear to be the most stable and balanced option right now. Condo prices continue to face downward pressure, and detached home prices, though resilient in the long run, remain high.
In the Vancouver real estate market 2025, townhouses have held their value better than both condos and detached homes. If you prioritize value retention and livable space, townhomes are the strongest option. Condo prices are still sliding, and detached homes remain expensive, so investors and homebuyers should plan accordingly.
If you’re planning to buy, sell, or invest in Vancouver real estate in 2025, strong guidance can make a major difference in your results.
Adam Chahl, founder of Vancouver Home Search, brings deep market experience, clear data-driven advice, and a straightforward approach that helps investors and home buyers make confident choices in a shifting market.
If you want personalized insights into townhomes, condos, or detached homes — or you’re considering your next move — reach out to Adam for a strategy call.
Get expert advice tailored to your goals and today’s market conditions.
FAQs
1. Why are Vancouver townhomes holding value better in 2025?
Townhomes offer more space, strong family demand, smaller supply, and better long-term livability than many condos. This balance of affordability and utility has helped keep Vancouver townhome prices stable while other segments show more volatility.
2. Are condos still a good investment in Vancouver despite the condo market downturn?
Condos can still work for investors who focus on well-located buildings with strong rental demand. However, buyers should be more selective in 2025 because some buildings face oversupply, weaker resale values, and lower value retention compared with townhomes.
3. Is 2025 a good time to buy a detached home in Vancouver?
Detached home prices in Vancouver have softened due to affordability pressure and higher carrying costs. For long-term investors or families planning to stay put, 2025 can present opportunities, but the entry price is still high relative to other property types.
4. What is the best property type to buy in Vancouver for value retention?
Based on current Vancouver housing trends, townhomes show the strongest value retention, balanced price growth, and steady demand from both investors and end users. They sit between the volatility of condos and the high cost of detached homes.
5. Will Vancouver real estate values rise again after 2025?
Most forecasts suggest Vancouver property values will stabilize as interest rates ease and population growth continues. The recovery will likely be uneven, with townhomes and well-located detached homes rebounding first. Condos may take longer depending on supply levels. Most forecasts suggest Vancouver property values will stabilize as interest rates ease and population growth continues. The recovery will likely be uneven, with townhomes and well-located detached homes rebounding first. Condos may take longer depending on supply levels.
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