Victoria’s real estate market is known for its year-round activity, but summer brings a unique rhythm—and a lot of opportunity for both buyers and sellers. With longer days, lush landscapes, and balanced market conditions, this season can offer some of the smoothest and most strategic timing for making a move.

☀️ Why Summer is a Smart Time to Sell

Your Home Looks Its Best
Landscaping is in full bloom, patios and decks feel like extra living space, and natural light floods every room. These details make for beautiful listing photos and strong first impressions during showings.

Buyers Are Motivated
Many buyers aim to move before the fall, especially families trying to settle in before the new school year. That sense of urgency can work in your favour.

More Eyes on Your Listing
With longer days, open houses and evening showings are easier to schedule. People are also more likely to browse online listings during the relaxed pace of summer holidays.

Balanced Market Conditions
This year, we’re seeing a healthy supply of new listings, giving buyers more choice—and sellers a real shot at finding serious, qualified buyers without the chaos of bidding wars.

🏡 Why Summer Works for Buyers Too

Inventory Is High
According to the May 2025 stats, we’ve seen the highest number of new listings since May 2008. That’s a big deal—it means more options, less pressure, and a greater chance of finding your ideal match.

Interest Rates Are Holding Steady
With rate hikes off the table (for now), buyers have a clearer picture of what they can afford—and more predictability when budgeting for the long term.

Less Competition in Some Areas
While popular family neighbourhoods may still see strong demand, other micro-markets—like downtown condos or rural properties—may have softer activity, which could create room to negotiate.

You Can Take Your Time
More daylight, fewer weather-related delays, and flexible summer schedules make it easier to book showings, walk the neighbourhood, and really feel into a home before you buy.

🛠 Pro Tip: Know Your Micro-Market

Whether you’re buying or selling, it's important to remember: Victoria isn’t one market—it’s many. Your experience in Fairfield will be different than in Langford, and a downtown condo plays by different rules than a family home in Cordova Bay.

As I’m a REALTOR® who lives and works here, I can help you understand your exact slice of the market, and build a strategy that makes sense for your goals.

🌿 Thinking of Making a Move This Summer?

I’d love to help you navigate this season with confidence and clarity. Whether you’re planning to list soon, casually exploring what’s out there, or just want to stay informed, let’s chat about what makes sense for you.

📩 Reach out anytime for a personalized summer market snapshot.

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

I know you are curious about what's been happening in Victoria's real estate market, so I'm here to give you a clear picture of the latest trends. This post dives into the December 2024 sales activity and shares some important insights from the Victoria Real Estate Board Chair, Laurie Lidstone, on what we can expect in 2025.

December 2024 Market Highlights:

Let's look at the numbers:

• We saw a total of 421 properties sold in the Victoria Real Estate Board region this December.

• That's a 28% jump from the 329 properties sold in December 2023! That's great news!

• However, it's a 23.6% decrease from November 2024, showing the market is always dynamic.

• Condominium sales were up 25% from December 2023, with 135 units sold.

• Sales of single-family homes also increased by 20.9% from December 2023, with 191 sold.

• Over the entire year of 2024, a grand total of 6,893 properties changed hands—an 11% increase from the 6,207 sold in 2023.

What This Means for You (Buyers & Sellers):

I want to break down what these numbers mean for you, whether you're looking to buy or sell:

For Buyers:

• The increased sales activity tells me the market is active. This is great for choice, but be prepared to act fast on properties you love.

• Inventory is still relatively low, which can mean more competition for desirable homes. Let's work together to make your offer stand out.

• Recent government changes, like extended amortization periods for first-time buyers and adjustments to property transfer tax thresholds, are aimed at making homes more attainable. Let's explore how these can benefit you.

For Sellers:

• The good news is that prices have been relatively stable for the past two years, providing a more predictable market for you.

• The low inventory could work in your favour if demand picks up, which could put upward pressure on prices.

My Take on 2025 (and What the VREB Says):

Laurie Lidstone, the 2024 Victoria Real Estate Board Chair, summed it up well: "2024 was a fairly calm year for local real estate...a year of stability and predictability." This is exactly what we want for a healthy market! The VREB also mentioned that consistent interest rates will help people make moves. I agree – stability is key.

The VREB is also advocating for gentle density development, which will help with our long-term inventory challenges.

My Advice:

The market is influenced by many factors, and predicting the future is impossible. But with consistent interest rates and the possibility of increased demand against limited inventory, it is key to be prepared.

Call to Action:

Whether you're thinking about buying or selling in 2025, I'm here to help you navigate this complex market. As your local expert, I can create a personalized strategy for you and your property.

Contact me today for a free consultation!

A Few More Numbers:

• At the end of December 2024, there were 2,290 active listings. This is down 19.3% from November but up 7.4% from December 2023.

• The benchmark price for a single-family home in the Victoria Core in December 2024 was $1,306,400, a 2.7% increase from December 2023 ($1,272,000) and a slight 0.3% increase from November.

• The benchmark price for a condo in the Victoria Core in December 2024 was $547,800, a 1.6% decrease from December 2023 ($556,500) but a slight 0.6% increase from November.

Stay in the loop! Subscribe to my newsletter for more market updates and local insights!

I'm here to help you achieve your real estate goals in Victoria!

– Jacqueline Ross

Jacqueline Ross
REALTOR®
Coldwell Banker Oceanside
250.415.5656
jac@yourvanislehome.com 
YourVanIsleHome.com
Instagram | Facebook  Get the newsletter!