First-Time Buyers: Why Fall 2026 Could Be Your Window

For years, first-time buyers in the Lower Mainland were told to wait. Today the numbers look different.

Prices are lower than a year ago

The Greater Vancouver apartment benchmark is $682,500, down 6.2% year over year. In New Westminster the composite benchmark is $719,600, down 8.2%. In the Fraser Valley, the apartment benchmark is $461,800 and townhomes are $745,300.

You have choice

With active listings well above long-term averages in both Greater Vancouver and the Fraser Valley, you can compare homes, negotiate and include subject clauses that protect you.

The tax savings are real

BC's First Time Home Buyers' Program exempts you from property transfer tax on the first $500,000 of the price for homes...

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Greater Vancouver Market Update: September 2026

If you've been waiting for the Greater Vancouver market to give buyers some breathing room, September delivered. According to Greater Vancouver REALTORS®, 1,717 homes sold last month, down 8.4% from September 2025 and 25% below the 10-year seasonal average.

Prices are softening across every property type

The composite benchmark price is now $1,075,900, down 5.5% from a year ago:

  • Detached: $1,784,700 (down 7.3%)

  • Townhouse: $1,016,700 (down 4.7%)

  • Apartment: $682,500 (down 6.2%)

Inventory is high

There are 16,394 active listings, 24% above the 10-year seasonal average. The overall sales-to-active ratio is 10.9%. When that ratio stays under 12%, prices historically face downward pressure, which is exactly...

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The B.C. Election and the Housing Market: What Buyers and Sellers Should Know

By Elio, Alex & Nicola — City to Suburb Real Estate Group, RE/MAX City Realty

With B.C.’s provincial election approaching on October 24, housing is once again a major issue for voters — and understandably so. For homeowners, buyers, renters, investors and developers, provincial policies can have a meaningful impact on the cost and availability of housing.

But how much could this election actually change the real estate market?

The short answer is: potentially quite a bit over time, but probably not overnight.

Here’s a look at the key housing issues being discussed and what they could mean for the B.C. real estate market.

Where the Market Stands Today

It’s important to look at the market before looking...

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Back in December last year, I asked Jen Arbo, New Westminster's Citizen of the Year and Editor of Tenth to the Fraser, to give us some of her latest recommendations on her community and on the social media front. Her answers were included in one of our Facebook posts here, but we decided to make it available on our blog as well, just in case some of you missed it!

 

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Reasons We Love New Westminster - December 13, 2016 · 

The Rundown Project - We ask residents to give us their current favourites and current recommendations for their community. The first up is the Sapperton Resident, Editor of Tenth to the Fraser and recently declared...

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Public art creates attachment to the place you call home. Unlike gallery shows, public art is free and accessible to everyone. There are no tickets, no lineups, no dress code and you don’t look weird if you view it alone or with a partner (phewf, right?). Cities that understand the numerous benefits of public art are often the ones that push for its development.

 

A prime example of a city who’s done an excellent job of this is New Westminster. The city has repeatedly commissioned artists to create contemporary public art projects, something that has been especially apparent over the last few years. In addition to adding a splash of new color to New West’s ever-changing...

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We are excited to announce Music By The River beginning July 6, 2017.

 

Where: Westminster Pier Park (click here for map)

When: July 6, 13, 20, 27 (Thursday nights)

Time: 5:00pm - 8:00pm

What: An all ages, free experience including live musical performance, two DJ stages, busking performances, artisan vendors, live painting, ribbon dancing and more.

 

DID YOU SAY BEER? Yes! The entire park will be one massive site-licensed area allowing you to take your drink anywhere within the park! The 'Eats at the Pier' concession will be serving Steel and Oak Brewing Co along with Pacific Breeze wine. Make sure to bring your picnic dinner down to the park and enjoy a drink as you listen to great...

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How to find the right Neighbourhood to move to

 

Whether you’re moving to the City, the suburbs or anywhere else, having a plan to find the right neighbourhood for your needs is crucial. Here are some tips to finding that perfect place for you.

 

Speak with an Expert.

The first two people you will want to consult when moving to a new city is your Mortgage broker and Realtor. They will be sitting down with you to help insure that you are able to find your dream home.

Your Realtor will help you find neighbourhoods that have the type of home and amenities that you are looking for.

The mortgage broker will assist your in financing your home purchase and letting you know what is affordable...

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Listings are key for any real estate agent. It's a big part of our business. And as an agent, it's extremely hard to let go of a listing or cancel it, even for good reasons. This year in the Vancouver real estate market, it's been a market of change and adjustment. The government has come out with number of changes to slow down the market, but this last new change/program gave my seller and I reason to pause and think.

 

Let me explain.

 

My seller has a beautiful condo just steps from Coquitlam Centre. We priced it right, and for the last two months, have had numerous showings, and a number of great offers. Some of the offers fell through due to financing, while others didn't come together...

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Finding a rental that works for your family can be a big challenge. Really, anything regarding finding a suitable home in Vancouver is over the top difficult. As a real estate agent, you might be surprised to hear that I don't push buying a home on to all of my friends and clients. Owning a home isn't for everyone, there are many good reasons that people stay out of the real estate purchase market. I have close friends who rent a home in East Vancouver for $850 a month! It's a whole house with a garage and yard. $850 a month! Why would you move, you couldn't get a home that cheap.

 

So if you are looking for a new rental, how can you keep ahead of the game, or give you a leg up? Here are...

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When moving into a new neighbourhood, family heads can't help but wonder where they can find a community best suited for their family needs. Today, some communities set themselves apart but their new regulations set by the city council.

 

New Westminster can be considered ahead of the game; they know how important families are to a community and they want families to move in and stay in New West. How?

 

The city of New Westminster set a precident on making sure there are enough homes for families in the City. With detached homes rizing in purchase and rental prices, Jonathan Cote passed new regulations making it a must that all new buildings in the city, must contain a certain number...

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Reciprocity Logo The data relating to real estate on this website comes in part from the MLS® Reciprocity program of either the Greater Vancouver REALTORS® (GVR), the Fraser Valley Real Estate Board (FVREB) or the Chilliwack and District Real Estate Board (CADREB). Real estate listings held by participating real estate firms are marked with the MLS® logo and detailed information about the listing includes the name of the listing agent. This representation is based in whole or part on data generated by either the GVR, the FVREB or the CADREB which assumes no responsibility for its accuracy. The materials contained on this page may not be reproduced without the express written consent of either the GVR, the FVREB or the CADREB.