Market Update | Q1 2026
Measured Gains Mark a Cautious Start to the Spring Market
“• The Big Picture: March brought a typical seasonal lift in sales, but overall demand remains measured and well below the pace of stronger market cycles.
• Inventory Shifts: North Vancouver inventory is now 54.3% above the 10-year average, giving buyers significantly more choice than in previous springs.
•The Selective Buyer: While sales are up month-over-month, buyers are prioritizing value over urgency and rarely acting with haste.
•Market Rhythm: North Vancouver remains in balanced territory (19.9% ratio), while West Vancouver continues to favour buyers (7.5% ratio).”
March brought a further increase in activity across the North Shore, with sales building on February’s momentum. While this marks a more typical seasonal lift heading into spring, overall demand remains measured and well below the pace seen in stronger market cycles.
As of April 7, 2026, both North and West Vancouver saw sales improve year-over-year. However, the underlying dynamics continue to differ. North Vancouver experienced a modest lift in available inventory, giving buyers more choice, while West Vancouver saw supply remain comparatively tight. Despite these differences, a common theme persists: buyers are highly selective and rarely act with urgency.
Q1 in Review
Looking at the first quarter as a whole, the North Shore market continues to track along a slower pace than 2025. Sales were down by double digits in North Vancouver despite a similar or slightly higher level of listing activity. This suggests that demand, rather than supply, remains the primary constraint on market momentum. This aligns with the ongoing "wait and see" environment across Metro Vancouver as borrowing conditions continue to temper buyer confidence.
North Vancouver Market Stats
In North Vancouver, 184 sales were reported in March, up 36.3% from February. While this is an 8.2% increase from last year, sales remained 29.5% below the 10-year March average.
Total Inventory: 926 homes for sale (54.3% above the 10-year average).
Detached Houses: 15.6% ratio.
Apartments: 22.5% ratio.
Townhomes: 18.7% ratio.
West Vancouver Market Stats In West Vancouver, 46 sales were reported in March, up 39.4% from February. Despite a 15% increase from last year, sales remained 42.2% below the 10-year average.
Total Inventory: 613 homes for sale (13.3% above the 10-year average).
Detached Houses: 7.1% ratio.
Apartments: 10.1% ratio.
Townhomes: 7.7% ratio.
The Bottom Line
Early trends suggest both buyers and sellers are approaching the season with caution. For buyers, the elevated inventory in North Vancouver provides significant leverage. For sellers, the "wait and see" environment means pricing ahead of the market is essential to standing out.
MARCH 2026 STATS
North Vancouver
Sales: 184 (▲ 8.2%)
Active Inventory: 926 (▲ 8.6%)
Days on Market: 10 (▲ 25.0%)
Detached Price: $2,115,400 (▼ 5.3%)
Townhome Price: $1,255,800 (▼ 4.3%)
Condo Price: $779,700 (▼ 4.9%)
Absorption Rate: 19.9% (Balanced)
West Vancouver
Sales: 46 (▲ 15.0%)
Active Inventory: 613 (▼ 3.8%)
Days on Market: 30 (▲ 25.0%)
Detached Price: $3,096,500 (▼ 4.8%)
Townhome Price: n/a
Condo Price: $1,111,400 (▼ 10.9%)
Absorption Rate: 7.5% (Buyer Favouring)
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.