Five Key Real Estate Trends in Vancouver for 2025

Vancouver real estate never stands still. In 2025, buyers and sellers across Greater Vancouver are adjusting to new technology, stricter rules, and changing lifestyle priorities. To make smart decisions, I need to understand how these trends affect Vancouver homes for sale, from downtown Vancouver condos to West Vancouver view properties and family homes in North Vancouver.

Here are five key shifts that are shaping our market right now and how I use them to protect value for my clients.

1. Digital tools are now part of every serious sale

Online first impressions have never mattered more. Buyers often decide within seconds if a property is worth a viewing, especially with busy work lives and traffic across Greater Vancouver.

I now treat digital marketing as the foundation, not a bonus. That includes:

• High-end photography that highlights light, space, and views
• 3D virtual tours that let buyers walk through on their phone or laptop
• Video tours that show how rooms connect and how the home actually lives
• Precise listing descriptions that speak to real buyer needs, not filler

For luxury real estate in West Vancouver or North Vancouver, serious buyers often start from out of town. A strong online presentation becomes their first showing. When I combine that with guided private tours, I attract fewer lookers and more qualified buyers.

This digital shift is just as important for strata properties. Many buyers decide between several Vancouver condos based almost entirely on the online presentation before they step foot in the building.

2. Buyer priorities in Vancouver are changing

Affordability pressures, remote work, and lifestyle goals have reshaped what buyers look for in Vancouver neighbourhoods.

I am seeing consistent preferences across different price points:

• More interest in secondary suites and multi-generational layouts
• Strong demand for outdoor space, even small balconies or patios
• Extra weight on walkability and access to parks, seawall, and transit
• Greater care around strata rules, bylaws, restrictions, and fees

With Vancouver condos, buyers want well-managed strata corporations with healthy contingency funds and clear building history. With detached homes, buyers look harder at potential rental income, laneway options, or the ability to create a suite.

Luxury real estate clients in Greater Vancouver are placing more value on privacy, security, and quiet streets, rather than just square footage. Many will trade a larger home in a busy area for a more private setting with strong views in West Vancouver or the North Shore.

My role as a Realtor Vancouver clients can trust is to match these priorities with the right streets, buildings, and city plans, not just the right floor plan.

3. Suburban and secondary areas are no longer secondary

High prices in central Vancouver have pushed more buyers to look outside the downtown core, and that trend continues in 2025.

Families and move-up buyers are widening their search to:

• North Vancouver, for mountains, schools, and access to hiking and skiing
• West Vancouver, for estate-style lots, privacy, and water views
• East Vancouver neighbourhoods, for character homes and strong community feel
• Neighbourhoods near new SkyTrain extensions, where long-term value can grow

This shift does not mean bidding wars have disappeared. Well-priced homes in sought-after pockets still attract strong interest, especially when they combine good schools, transit, and walkability.

For sellers, this trend rewards those who price with precision. Fair market pricing, supported by a detailed market update on recent sales, can bring multiple offers without overpricing and sitting on the market.

4. Data and analytics now drive smarter pricing

Guesswork has no place in a market as valuable and complex as Greater Vancouver. I rely heavily on real-time data to advise both buyers and sellers.

This includes:

• Up-to-date sales and active listings in the exact micro-area
• Days on market trends for similar property types
• Listing-to-sale price ratios by neighbourhood and price band
• Strata fee ranges and special levy history for comparable Vancouver condos

With this information, I can advise a seller whether they should list slightly below, at, or above recent sales, depending on their timing and risk tolerance. I can also guide buyers on when a strong offer is warranted and when patience may be smarter.

Data also helps calm emotions. When clients see clear numbers, they feel more confident about their decisions, whether that is walking away from a bidding war or stepping up with a sharper offer.

5. Sustainability and long-term efficiency are front of mind

In 2025, energy efficiency and long-term operating costs matter more to Vancouver buyers. This trend shows up across detached homes, townhomes, and strata properties.

Buyers are looking more closely at:

• Newer windows, insulation, and roofs
• Heat pumps and modern heating systems
• EV-charging capability in both detached homes and condo buildings
• Building age and any planned energy upgrades in the strata minutes

In older Vancouver neighbourhoods, many buyers prefer homes that have had major work completed, even if they need cosmetic updates. With strata properties, a solid track record of maintenance and a thoughtful long-term plan carries real weight.

For luxury real estate, energy-efficient design, quality building materials, and discreet technology integrate into the value conversation; they are no longer an afterthought.

Key local rules and costs buyers keep asking about

In every transaction, I am guiding clients through rules and costs that are specific to British Columbia and Vancouver real estate. A few come up in almost every discussion:

• Property transfer tax (BC)
  This is a major closing cost for buyers and needs to be part of the budget from day one. Some buyers may qualify for exemptions or rebates, especially first-time buyers or certain new-build purchases.
• Rescission period
  In BC, most residential buyers now have a short “cooling-off” period after an accepted offer, known as the Home Buyer Rescission Period. It gives buyers limited time to change their mind, with a penalty, and it affects how offers and timelines are structured.
• Strata rules and documents
  For Vancouver condos and townhomes, bylaws, minutes, depreciation reports, and financials all matter. These documents shape lifestyle, costs, and future risk.

Disclaimer: Tax rules, exemptions, and regulations change over time. I always recommend that buyers and sellers confirm details with their accountant, lawyer, or other qualified professional before making decisions.

How I help you move from information to action

Trends only matter if they help you make clear decisions. Whether you are buying your first condo, moving up to a family home, or selling a luxury property in West Vancouver or North Vancouver, you deserve precise advice and strong representation.

If you would like a confidential market update for your home or neighbourhood, or you are planning a move within Greater Vancouver, I invite you to get in touch. I am happy to provide a detailed market evaluation, walk you through current conditions, and help you plan your next step with clarity and confidence.