Sales activity picked up in a big way this August

August closed with 591 properties sold across Greater Victoria, up 12.6% compared to August of last year. Single family homes led the charge, up 15.3% year over year with 309 sold, while condo sales climbed just as strongly, up 15.1% with 175 units sold. Townhome sales were the one softer spot, down 4.5% with 63 sold.

There were 3,662 active listings at month end, down 4.8% from July but up 1.7% from this time last year, giving buyers real choice heading into fall.

Home prices are holding steady, with some variation by area
The benchmark price for a single family home in the Victoria Core sits at $1,301,800, down 1.2% from last year. The Westshore single family benchmark is $1,031,900, up 0.5% year over year, one of the steadiest corners of the market right now. The Peninsula benchmark is $1,266,000, down 1.9% from last year.

Condos found some footing this month.
The Core condo benchmark is $553,600, up 0.9% from August 2025, and the Peninsula condo benchmark climbed to $630,300, up 3.3% year over year, the strongest gain we're tracking anywhere. The Westshore condo benchmark eased to $485,400, down 3.8% year over year.

Townhomes stayed steady overall, with the Core benchmark at $856,300, up 1.7% year over year. Even with fewer townhomes changing hands, the ones that sold held their value well.

Buyers are engaged and moving with confidence
The sales to active listings ratio sits comfortably around 20%, right in the balanced range. What's standing out in my conversations lately isn't hesitation, it's buyers who've done their homework and are ready to act when the right home comes along.

Inflation and mortgage rates
The Bank of Canada held its overnight rate steady at 2.25% through to September 2nd, unchanged since October of last year. Most economists expect mortgage rates to remain relatively stable through the rest of 2026. If you want to better understand how this rate hold would affect you and your mortgage options, I’m happy to connect you with a great mortgage broker. Looking beyond rates at your whole financial situation will provide a clearer picture.

Population growth remains slow
BC's population growth has continued to slow, and federal policy changes reducing non-permanent residents continue to weigh on demand in the condo and rental markets, even as permanent immigration holds relatively strong.

Financial pressures are real
Mortgage renewals continue to land at rates well above what many homeowners locked in a few years ago, and delinquencies in BC remain above year ago levels. For homeowners approaching a renewal, getting ahead of your options continues to matter.

Looking ahead
The rest of 2026 continues to shape up as a balanced market with strong inventory and buyer choice, steady prices overall, and mortgage rates likely to hold near current levels through year end. Well priced, well prepared sellers, particularly of single family homes and townhomes, are still achieving strong results.

Thinking about making a move?
Every neighbourhood and property type is performing differently in today's market. Whether you are buying, selling, downsizing, or curious about what your home is worth right now, I'm happy to walk you through what this market means for your unique situation.

Jacqueline Ross, REALTOR®
Your Van Isle Home
call/text: 250-415-5656
jac@yourvanislehome.com
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There’s nothing quite like the feeling of handing someone the keys to their very first home. It’s a mix of pride, relief, and a little bit of disbelief that all adds up to one of my favourite moments in this job, and that’s exactly the moment I got to share with this client.

This was his very first home, and from our first conversation to the final signature, it was a genuine joy to work through together. He told me afterward that he felt supported the whole way through, and honestly, that’s the kind of feedback that means more to me than almost anything else. Buying your first home can feel like a lot, and my job is to make sure it never feels like too much.

He’s getting the keys to a new build in Esquimalt, just a short walk from the ocean and close to Saxe Point Park, one of my favourite spots on this side of town for a morning walk or an evening sit with a coffee. He’s also just minutes from the Archie Browning Sports Centre and the local farmers markets, which makes settling into a new neighbourhood so much easier. There is something about already knowing where you will go for a swim or a Saturday morning stroll through fresh produce that turns a new address into an actual home a lot faster.

Deals like this one do not come together without good people on both sides. A big thank you to the listing agent and her team for such easy, collaborative work throughout. And on the financing side, our mortgage partner made everything seamless. Having a mortgage broker I trust in a client's corner makes all the difference, especially for a first time buyer navigating the process for the first time.

If you are thinking about your first home and the whole idea feels overwhelming, I’d love to talk it through with you. That is exactly the kind of conversation I’m here for.

Jacqueline Ross, REALTOR®
Your Van Isle Home
call/text: 250-415-5656
jac@yourvanislehome.com
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There's a shift that happens every year around this time. The evenings start cooling off a little earlier, the light gets softer, and even though summer isn't quite over, you can feel fall coming. It's also when I start hearing from a lot of people who've been thinking about selling and want to know what they should be doing right now to get ready.

If that's you, you're not alone, and you're not behind. Late summer is actually one of the best times to start preparing, because it gives you a few quiet weeks to get things in order before the fall market picks up. Here's where I'd start.

Give Yourself Time to Declutter, Not Just Clean

Decluttering isn't the same as tidying up for a weekend. It's about walking through your home room by room and being honest about what you actually want to bring with you to your next chapter. This part often takes longer than people expect, especially if you've been in your home for years, so starting now instead of the week before your listing goes live makes a real difference. It doesn't need to happen all at once either. A little bit each week adds up faster than you'd think.

Handle the Small Repairs You've Been Putting Off

Every home has that list. A dripping faucet, a door that sticks, a spot of paint that's been touched up one too many times. None of these are dealbreakers on their own, but buyers notice them, and they add up to an impression. Fall is a great time to work through that list while the weather still cooperates for anything outdoors, like touching up trim or clearing gutters before the rain really sets in. Need a recommendation for a great tradesperson? I’ve got you, just reach out.

Think About Curb Appeal Before the Days Get Shorter

As the light changes, so does the way your home looks from the street. A few simple things go a long way here. Clearing fallen leaves, adding a warm light by the entryway, and making sure walkways are clear and well lit all help your home feel welcoming even as the season shifts. First impressions still happen at the curb, fall or not.

Get a Clear Picture of Where You Stand

Before you do anything else, it's worth having an honest conversation about where your home sits in today's market. That's not about pressure or a hard sell. It's about giving you real information so you can make a decision that actually fits your timeline, whether that's this fall or further down the road. A home evaluation is a good place to start, and it costs you nothing but a conversation. Let me know if you’d like an honest valuation.

You Don't Have to Figure This Out Alone

If you're downsizing, there's an emotional side to this too, and I don't think that ever gets talked about enough. Letting go of a home is rarely just about square footage. If any of this feels like a lot to carry on your own, that's exactly where I come in. I'd rather slow things down and walk through it with you than have you feel rushed into decisions that don't feel right.

If you've been quietly thinking about what's next, I'd love to talk it through, no pressure and no script. You can also grab a copy of my smart downsizing guide any time at yourvanislehome.com if you want a starting point before we chat.

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

There is a particular kind of morning that happens in Belmont. Coffee in hand, a short walk to the market, maybe a stop along the Galloping Goose Trail before the day gets going. It is the kind of everyday rhythm that made me excited to list this home, and I think it might be exactly what a lot of buyers out there are looking for right now.

I am thrilled to share that 236-920 Reunion Ave, a bright two bedroom, two bathroom condo at Reunion at Belmont. View here: https://yourvanislehome.com/officelistings.html/listing.1046848-236-920-reunion-ave-langford-v9b-0w8.109571637

This home sits steps from Belmont Market and the Galloping Goose Trail, in one of the most walkable pockets of the Westshore. The kitchen features quartz countertops, stainless steel appliances, under cabinet lighting, and a spacious island that makes room for both quick mornings and slower evenings. Wide plank flooring runs throughout, and the smart split bed layout keeps the primary suite private while the second bedroom stays close by, ready to become a nursery, a guest room, or a home office as life shifts and changes.

The primary suite includes a double sided closet and a full ensuite, and since the current owner purchased the home, they have added a heat pump, so heating and cooling stays effortless through every season. Along with in suite laundry, extra storage, and a private balcony, the unit comes with a dedicated parking stall with EV charger roughed-in.

As a resident, you will also have access to the building's full range of amenities, including a fitness centre, a resident lounge and outdoor relaxation area, a BBQ terrace, a pet wash and off leash dog park, and bike storage with a repair station. And when the weekend rolls around, Glen Lake, Thetis Lake, and Goldstream Park are all just minutes away, whether you are looking for a quiet paddle or a longer hike.

I have spent the last three years getting to know the Westshore, the Peninsula, and everything in between, and buildings like Reunion at Belmont are a great example of why so many people are choosing to put down roots here. It is a community that feels connected, walkable, and genuinely easy to live in, whether you are just starting out, growing a family, or simply looking for a home that fits your day to day life a little better.

If this feels like it could be your next chapter, I would love to show you around in person. You can find full photos, floor plans, and details on the listing page, and I am always just a call or message away.

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

There is a particular kind of trust that only comes with time. It is the trust a client places in you not because you have convinced them of anything, but because they already know, from experience, what it feels like to work with you. That is the story behind this latest sale in Starlight Village, and it is one I do not take lightly.

Last year, I had the privilege of helping this client sell her own home and find her next one. It was a big transition, and like most big transitions, it came with a mix of excitement and uncertainty. We worked through it together, and she landed somewhere that felt right for her next chapter.

This year, she came back. This time, it was to help sell a property in Starlight Village, a small manufactured home community on the Saanich Peninsula that offers one of the more genuinely affordable paths to ownership in this market. She trusted me again, and that meant everything.

I think a lot about why repeat clients matter so much in this business. Anyone can make a good first impression. Anyone can talk a good game during a single transaction. But being asked back, being the person someone thinks of again when another need arises, that only happens when the first experience actually held up under real scrutiny. It is proof that the relationship was never about the sale. It was about showing up, listening well, and doing right by the person in front of me.

This particular home was completely renovated down to the studs, with all brand new floors, paint, appliances, and features throughout. It is the kind of fresh, move in ready space that tends to appeal to first time buyers and anyone looking for a simpler, more affordable way onto the Peninsula. Watching it go from listing to sold, with conditions now removed, has been genuinely satisfying to be part of.

If there is one thing I hope people take from this story, it is that real estate does not have to be transactional. It can be relational. It can be the kind of thing where someone trusts you with one of the biggest decisions of their life, and then trusts you again when life asks something different of them. That is the work I want to keep doing here on the Peninsula, one relationship at a time.

If you are thinking about your own next chapter, whether that means buying, selling, or simply understanding what your options are, I would love to help you figure out what that looks like.

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

July brought a familiar rhythm to Greater Victoria real estate. Sales activity stayed close to where it has been all summer, inventory continued to build, and buyers kept taking their time with the growing number of options in front of them. If June's numbers pointed toward a market finding its footing, July confirms it.

What sold in July

A total of 673 properties sold across the region in July, down just 1% from July 2025 and down 6.4% from June's 719 sales, a typical seasonal slowdown as summer settles in. Single family home sales actually rose, up 4.1% year over year with 331 sold. Condominium sales told a different story, down 7.1% year over year at 209 units, and townhome sales softened further, down 15.5% year over year with 82 sold. Victoria Real Estate Board Chair Fergus Kyne called it a solid month, noting that sales came in above the five year average for a typical July.

What inventory is doing

There were 3,847 active listings at the end of July, down 5.1% from June but still up 3.9% from this time last year. That gives buyers meaningfully more to choose from than they had a year ago and something worth sitting with. With this much choice available, some buyers are taking longer to decide, and a few are even feeling a little overwhelmed by the options in front of them. That is exactly where having someone in your corner who knows the market makes a real difference, helping you focus on what actually matters for your situation instead of getting lost in the noise.

Single family home prices by area

Single family benchmarks eased slightly across most of the region. The Victoria Core benchmark sits at $1,311,000, down 2.8% from July 2025 and down 1.2% from June's $1,326,500. The Westshore single family benchmark is $1,034,200, essentially flat year over year at down 0.3%, and up 1.1% from last month, making it one of the more stable pockets of the region right now. The Peninsula benchmark is $1,275,100, down 1.1% from last year. Across Greater Victoria as a whole, the single family benchmark is $1,170,200, down 1.6% year over year.

Condo prices by area

The condo market continues to see the most softening. The Core condo benchmark is $548,600, down 2.2% from July 2025. The Westshore condo benchmark sits at $493,600, down 1.8% year over year and down 2% from June alone. The Peninsula remains the outlier in the best possible way, with a condo benchmark of $618,900, up 1.2% from last year, the only area still moving in a positive direction. For anyone considering a condo purchase in the Core or Westshore, there is genuine room to negotiate right now.

Townhome prices by area

Townhomes are the one segment holding steady and even gaining ground. The Greater Victoria townhome benchmark is $795,900, up 0.8% year over year. The Core benchmark sits at $857,300, up 1.9% from last year. The Westshore townhome benchmark is $721,000, flat year over year. The Peninsula townhome benchmark is $842,100, up 0.7% from last year. Even with fewer townhomes changing hands this month, the ones that are selling are holding their value well.

What this means if you are buying

With inventory up nearly 4% from a year ago and condo sales down significantly, buyers have room to be selective, especially in the condo segment. That said, more choice can cut both ways. If you have been feeling a little overwhelmed scrolling through listings, that is normal, and it is exactly the kind of moment where a second set of eyes helps you separate what is genuinely a good fit from what just looks good in photos.

What this means if you are selling

Single family homes and townhomes are still performing well, particularly on the Peninsula, while condos are facing more competition for buyer attention. Pricing accurately from the start matters more in a market like this one, where buyers have the luxury of comparison. A home that is priced right and presented well is still finding a buyer, often quickly.

The market in plain terms

Greater Victoria remains in balanced territory, where neither buyers nor sellers hold a significant advantage overall. What is more useful than that headline number is understanding your specific segment. Single family and townhome sellers are in a healthier position than condo sellers right now, and buyers across every category have more time and more options than they have had in years.

Whether you are buying, selling, or your mortgage is coming up for renewal

Market shifts like these do not just affect people actively house hunting. If your mortgage is coming up for renewal in the months ahead, it is worth understanding how today's rates and your options compare to when you first signed. I work closely with Paul Macara, a mortgage broker I trust completely, and I am always happy to make that introduction, whether you are buying your first home, selling and moving on to the next one, or simply want to know where you stand before a renewal date arrives. There is no pressure and no obligation, just a clear picture of your options.

If you would like to talk through what any of this means for you specifically, reach out any time.

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