What January 2026 Sales Activity in Vancouver Is Telling Us So Far

The Market Spoke — Here's What It Said

As January 2026 wraps up, the Vancouver real estate market delivered something more valuable than hype or headlines: data.

After four weeks of real transactions, real buyer decisions, and real seller responses, the patterns are clear. This wasn't a month of dramatic swings or speculative energy. It was a month that revealed exactly how the market is functioning right now — and what that means as we move forward.

If you're buying, selling, or planning a move to Vancouver, here's what January's activity is actually telling us.

January Confirmed One Thing: This Is a Selective Market

The word that defines January 2026 is selective.

Buyers are active, but they're not rushing. Sellers are listing, but outcomes vary widely. Some homes sold quickly and cleanly. Others sat longer than expected and required price adjustments. There's no panic, but there's also no momentum carrying poorly-positioned listings across the finish line.

The truth is, pricing accuracy, location, and condition are deciding outcomes — not timing, not luck, and definitely not emotion.

Sales Activity Is Steady, Not Rushed

Late-January numbers show a market that's stable, not stagnant.

• Sales volume is consistent, not explosive.

• Well-priced homes continue to sell without sitting or drama.

• Overpriced listings linger, then adjust.

This steadiness tells us buyers feel confident enough to act, but they're not feeling pressured to compete. That's a healthy signal. It means the market is functioning normally — not frozen, not overheated.

Inventory Levels Are Balanced, Not Flooded

January gave buyers more choice than we've seen in recent seller-dominated years, but not so much that prices are collapsing.

Inventory is healthy enough to allow comparison shopping and thoughtful decisions, yet not so high that sellers are forced into panic reductions. This balance explains why the market feels uneven: buyers have leverage in some situations, but not in all.

Homes offering clear value continue to perform. Homes priced optimistically get tested by the market — and often adjusted.

Buyer Behaviour Has Evolved

One of the clearest takeaways from January is how intentional buyers have become.

They're spending more time evaluating neighbourhoods. They're watching days on market. They're comparing similar homes and doing the work. Decisions are deliberate, not emotional.

When value is obvious, buyers act decisively. When it isn't, they wait.

For anyone new to Vancouver, this environment offers a calmer opportunity to understand pricing differences between areas and property types without the pressure seen in hotter markets.

Sellers Are Being Divided by Preparation and Pricing

January sellers fell into two distinct groups:

1. Prepared sellers who priced based on recent comparable sales and presented their homes clearly. These listings saw steady interest and, in many cases, successful sales.

2. Optimistic sellers who listed based on past market peaks or broad online estimates. These listings often required price adjustments as buyers responded selectively.

The lesson? Success in today's market depends more on strategy than timing.

What January Does — and Doesn't — Tell Us

January provides clarity, not certainty.

It doesn't signal a major upswing or a downturn. It doesn't predict spring inventory levels. What it does show is how buyers and sellers are interacting right now — and that interaction is balanced, rational, and grounded.

This clarity is valuable. It sets realistic expectations moving into the next phase of the year.

How January Sets the Stage for February

As February approaches, January has quietly established the tone for early 2026:

• Buyers are informed and engaged.

• Sellers are adjusting expectations.

• Pricing is becoming more accurate.

• The market is active, but not frantic.

Historically, February builds on January's groundwork, often bringing more listings and slightly faster decision-making. The foundation laid in January suggests a market preparing to move forward thoughtfully, not abruptly.

Final Thoughts: January Was Honest

January 2026 wasn't loud — it was honest.

The Vancouver real estate market is functioning, measured, and selective. For buyers, sellers, and those planning a move to Vancouver, this kind of environment offers clarity instead of chaos.

Understanding what January revealed allows you to move into February with confidence, perspective, and a realistic sense of how the market is actually behaving.

If you're ready to build a real strategy based on what's actually happening — not what you hope is happening — let's talk.

Roland Kym brings nearly two decades of experience in the Vancouver real-estate market to his work at Move to Vancouver Canada. Having completed over 1,000 transactions, Roland has developed a streamlined system dedicated to helping professionals, families and international buyers relocate smoothly and confidently.

He knows the region inside and out—from neighbourhoods and school zones to market trends and cross-border considerations. His approach is not about selling dreams, but delivering results. On this blog he draws on his real-world relocation expertise to give you clear, actionable guidance so you can make Vancouver your next home without the guesswork.