May in Victoria felt like the moment people stopped holding their breath. I noticed it when a client mentioned she had spent a whole afternoon visiting three different properties and never once felt rushed. That kind of ease has not been part of the story here for a while. It tells me something real about where we are right now.

Here is what the data is showing, and more importantly, what I think it means for people who are thinking about their next move.

What the Numbers Say

A total of 713 properties sold across the Victoria Real Estate Board region in May 2026. That is 5.9% fewer than May 2025, but 11% more than April 2026, which means momentum is building even if the year-over-year comparison looks soft. Single family home sales came in at 385, down 4 per cent from last May. Condo sales were 188, down 15% from the same time last year. Townhomes were a quieter story, with 98 sales and an 9% increase over last year.

The number that matters most right now is active listings. There were 4,029 properties for sale at the end of May, up 8.6% from April and 8.4% higher than May 2025. That is the most inventory this market has seen in eleven years. If you have been waiting for more options, this is the environment you were waiting for.

What Prices Are Doing

The MLS Home Price Index benchmark for a single family home in the Victoria Core sits at $1,339,000, essentially flat compared to last May and barely changed from April. Condo benchmarks in the Core are at $551,400, down 1.9 per cent from last year. On the Saanich Peninsula, single family benchmarks are up 4% year over year at $1,292,000, which tells a different story than the rest of the region. The Westshore single family benchmark sits at $1,028,100, down almost 3% from last May.

The sales to active listings ratio for the region is sitting at roughly 17%, which puts us right at the edge of balanced market territory. Prices are not under dramatic pressure in either direction, but sellers cannot assume the market will do their pricing work for them anymore.

What This Means If You Are Buying

This is one of the better environments for buyers that we have seen in several years. More inventory means more time to think, more properties to compare, and more room to negotiate. The days of writing offers the same afternoon you viewed a home are largely behind us for now. If you have been sitting on the sidelines waiting for conditions to shift in your favour, this is worth paying attention to. The Peninsula in particular is worth a look if single family homes are your target, since values there have held and even grown modestly while other areas have softened.

What This Means If You Are Selling

Realistic pricing is the whole conversation right now. With more competition on the market and buyers taking their time, homes that are priced thoughtfully for their neighbourhood and condition are still selling. Homes that are not are sitting. The average days on market across the region varies significantly by area, and understanding where your property fits within its specific submarket matters more than broad regional trends. If you are thinking about listing this summer, the window before the seasonal slowdown is still open, but it will not be open indefinitely.

A Note for Anyone Thinking About Downsizing

May's numbers are quietly encouraging for people in the middle of this decision. More inventory means more choices at the other end of the move, whether that is a strata townhome, a ground floor condo, or a smaller detached home in a neighbourhood you have always liked but never quite lived in. If you have been wondering whether now is the right time to find out what your current home is worth and what your next chapter might look like, I am genuinely happy to have that conversation with you. No pressure, no agenda. Just two people thinking it through together.

If you are wondering what May's numbers mean for your specific situation, whether you are thinking about selling, buying, or just starting to explore your options, I am happy to talk it through. Reply to this email, or book a call here. No agenda, just a conversation.

Jacqueline Ross, REALTOR®
Your Van Isle Home
call/text: 250-415-5656
jac@yourvanislehome.com
Instagram | Facebook

Helping you find home, and community, here in Victoria, BC.

See details here

This is one of the few genuinely rare homes in Langford: four bedrooms, four bathrooms, nearly 2,700 square feet, and a large private corner lot in an established, quiet neighbourhood. Originally built as the subdivision builder's own residence, it was designed with more space, more storage, and more flexibility than most homes around it. That still holds true today.

Room to Actually Live
What strikes most people when they walk through is how much this home can hold. There is a large eat-in kitchen, a formal dining room, a living room, a family room, a playroom, and a lower level kitchenette with bar. The true double garage has workshop space. The basement adds even more storage. For families who have outgrown their current home, or buyers coming from a larger market and expecting more for their money, this layout delivers.

Updated Where It Counts
The home has seen thoughtful improvements over the years including a full kitchen renovation, elevated bathroom updates, newer windows, a gas fireplace, a heat pump for year-round comfort, and fresh interior and exterior paint. The backyard is private and ready for use, with a patio, gazebo, gas BBQ hookup, hot tub, and shed.

A Neighbourhood Worth Knowing
The Goldstream area of Langford sits in a sweet spot. It is quiet and established, close to schools, trails, and everyday amenities, and well connected to the rest of the Westshore and Victoria. For families putting down roots, or buyers relocating to Vancouver Island and looking for a genuine community to land in, this neighbourhood tends to feel immediately right.

The Opportunity
Homes offering this combination of square footage, lot size, and layout are genuinely uncommon in Langford at any price. At the new list price of $1,225,000, this is a home worth seeing with fresh eyes.

There is an open house coming up on May 30th, from 11am-1pm, and private showings are available with 24 hours notice.

See full listings details here

Jacqueline Ross, REALTOR®
Your Van Isle Home
250-415-5656
jac@yourvanislehome.com
Instagram | Facebook

Helping you find home — and community — here in Victoria, BC.