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

As summer winds down, the Victoria real estate market followed a familiar seasonal trend—slowing slightly in August but maintaining overall stability. A total of 525 properties sold across the region, down 3.7% compared to August 2024 and 22.8% fewer than July 2025.

Condominium sales dipped by 16% year-over-year, with 152 units sold, while single-family homes saw a modest increase of 6.3%, with 268 sales.

The number of active listings at the end of August sat at 3,600, down slightly from July but up 12.8% compared to the same time last year. This boost in available inventory gives buyers more choice than they’ve had in years.

Price trends were relatively steady:

• Single-family home benchmark (Victoria Core): $1,308,100, up 1.6% year-over-year but down a bit from July.

• Condominium benchmark (Victoria Core): $551,300, down 1.4% year-over-year and from July’s value.

What This Means for Buyers

For buyers, this is a more balanced and less pressurized market than what we saw several years ago. With more inventory and stable interest rates, you have time to carefully evaluate homes, negotiate, and make decisions without the intense bidding wars of the past. Fall could bring fresh listings as sellers who prepared over summer enter the market, giving you new opportunities to explore.

What This Means for Sellers

If you’re selling, pricing strategically is key. While demand remains steady, buyers have more options and more time to compare. Homes that are well-prepared and marketed properly are still moving, but expectations around timelines should be realistic. With fall historically being a busier season than late summer, now is an excellent time to list if you’ve been waiting.

The Bottom Line

Victoria’s market is steady, balanced, and entering a season that traditionally sees more activity. Whether you’re considering buying or selling this fall, the conditions are favourable for making thoughtful, well-planned moves.

✨ Thinking about making a move this fall? Let’s connect—I’ll walk you through the numbers, help you understand where opportunities lie, and guide you toward your next home or sale.

👉 Start your fall home search or request a market evaluation here.

Jacqueline Ross, REALTOR® 
Coldwell Banker Oceanside
(250) 415-5656
jac@yourvanislehome.com
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Victoria Real Estate Market Update – July 2025

The Victoria real estate market continued to show stability and opportunity this July, with moderate activity and steady pricing that offered both buyers and sellers a chance to make smart moves.

According to the Victoria Real Estate Board (VREB), 680 properties sold in July, which is up 4.6% from July 2024 but down from the busier spring pace in June 2025. Condo sales rose by 5.6% year-over-year, while single-family home sales dipped slightly by 0.3%.

So what does this mean if you’re planning a move?

For Buyers: A Stable Summer with Solid Choice

July’s numbers signal a great environment for buyers who are looking for selection and time to decide. With 3,703 active listings on the market, inventory has increased by over 10% compared to this time last year, giving buyers more breathing room and less urgency than in a competitive spring market.

Although some homes are still seeing multiple offers, the overall pace allows you to shop smarter, particularly if you're a first-time buyer or downsizing into a condo. Plus, condo prices remain slightly lower than last year—great news for affordability seekers.

For Sellers: Balanced Conditions, Motivated Buyers

While the spring rush has passed, summer buyers are still active—especially those relocating, upsizing, or timing a move around the school year. With stable pricing and solid demand, this is still a strong time to list, particularly if your home shows well in warm weather.

Benchmark prices in the Victoria Core reflect steady growth:

• Single-family homes are up 3.3% year-over-year to $1,338,800

• Condos saw a slight dip, down 0.8% to $563,300

If you're planning to sell, this market offers you the advantage of active buyers combined with predictable pricing—a recipe for realistic expectations and solid outcomes.

What’s Next for Late Summer and Fall?

The VREB notes that while the spring market has officially wrapped, we often see a pickup in sales as we move into the fall. With inventory levels remaining higher than in past years, and economic conditions settling, both buyers and sellers can enter the next season with confidence.

If you’re considering a move before the end of 2025, now is the time to get a strategy in place—before fall momentum builds and competition heats up again.

🔎 Thinking of buying or selling soon?
Let’s connect for a quick consult to review your goals and explore what makes sense based on today’s numbers.

Jacqueline Ross, REALTOR® 
Coldwell Banker Oceanside
(250) 415-5656
jac@yourvanislehome.com
Instagram | Facebook  
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