Market Update | February 2026
A measured start to 2026.
“North Van: A sharp correction in volume sees sales fall 37.4% year-over-year, while “Days on Market” surged 73.3%, indicating a liquidity crunch.
West Van: New listing volume rose 11.1%, yet absorption sits at a stagnant 5.2%, keeping the district firmly in a buyer’s market.
Bottom Line: The premium on patience has increased. Sellers must price ahead of the market to secure capital; buyers have maximum leverage.”
Market Analysis: The Seasonal Shift November confirmed the cooling trend anticipated in Q4. While North Vancouver saw a 9.2% contraction in sales volume, West Vancouver recorded a statistical bounce (▲ 17.8%). This divergence highlights a key trend: the market is not frozen, but it is highly price-sensitive. Buyers are active, but they are prioritizing value and ignoring speculative pricing.
Liquidity & Days on Market The most critical metric this month is liquidity. In North Vancouver, "Days on Market" surged 35.3% to 23 days. This indicates that while inventory is easing slightly for the holidays, the remaining supply is moving slower. Sellers are no longer in a position to dictate terms; the window for liquidity is narrowing as we approach year-end.
Outlook: Patience Pays The broader sentiment is defined by patience. With economic conditions softening, buyers are conducting deeper due diligence. For sellers, this means that "testing the market" is a failed strategy. Success in this environment requires pricing ahead of the curve to secure a sale before the holiday lull fully takes hold.
JANUARY 2026 STATS
North Vancouver
Sales: 92 (▼ 37.4%)
Active Inventory: 691 (▲ 11.8%)
Days on Market: 26 (▲ 73.3%)
Detached Price: $2,037,600 (▼ 6.9%)
Townhome Price: $1,269,900 (▼ 7.5%)
Condo Price: $780,300 (▼ 0.8%)
Absorption Rate: 13.4% (Balanced/Cooling)
West Vancouver
Sales: 29 (▼ 6.5%)
Active Inventory: 558 (▼ 0.5%)
New Listings: 210 (▲ 11.1%)
Days on Market: 65 (▲ 4.8%)
Absorption Rate: 5.2% (Deep Buyer's Market)
Price Note: HPI Benchmark data unavailable due to low transaction volume.
About Matt Council
Matt Council is a top-performing North Vancouver Realtor and West Van specialist with a background in finance. He moves beyond the sales hype to offer clients a data-driven, pressure-free approach to buying and selling real estate on the North Shore. Whether you are evaluating a presale in Lower Lonsdale or a detached home in Lynn Valley, Matt helps you understand the numbers behind the move.
Thinking of making a move? Let’s run the numbers.