The Sunshine Coast real estate market in May was similar to the real estate market in April. Sales, New Listings, and Days on the Market were virtually the same month over month while inventory increased. The MLS HPI Price, which is down 4% year over year, crept up for detached homes and overall, however this is likely representative of what sold versus suggesting there has been a change in the market. 

Sunshine Coast

• New Listings* - Up 158 in May vs 155 in April 

• Sales - Up 47 vs 46

• Days on Market - Down 30 vs. 32

• Total Inventory - Up  566 vs. 517 

• MLS HPI Price Overall - $787,600 in May vs $768,000 in April

• Detached - $841,500 vs $820,700

• Townhouse - $744,200 vs $724,800

• Apartment - $391,600 vs from $389,600

Many buyers on the Sunshine Coast are from Greater Vancouver,  often moving for retirement, to raise families and for a slower pace of life, all at a lower cost of living than in the city as well as for recreational properties. Because of this, the Coast real estate market is closely tied to the Greater Vancouver market, and when the market is down in Greater Vancouver, this is often reflected in lower sales on the Coast as well. 

In May, sales in Greater Vancouver totalled 2,150, a 3.5 per cent decrease from May 2025, and 26.6 per cent below the 10-year seasonal average.  On a month over month basis, detached home sales were down less than 1% (660 vs 654) while townhouse sales increased from 335 to 354, with apartment sales flat (down from 1,015 to 1,012). This differs from the year over year statistics, where house sales are up 1.1%, apartment sales are down 7.4% and townhouse sales are down 5.1%.

GVR Overall

• New Listings - Down 6,129 in May vs 6,707 in April

• Sales -  Up 2,139 vs. vs 2,106

• Days on Market - Up 21  vs. 19

• Total Inventory - Up 16,354 vs.15,955

• MLS HPI Price All - $1,100,700 in May vs $1,098,000 in April

• Detached - 1,847,900  vs 1,840,700

• Townhouse - $1,048,200 vs $1,043,000

• Apartment - $697,800 vs $703,000

What Does This Mean?

If you are in the market to buy, growing inventory, declining prices and a sales to active listings ratio on the Coast at 8.3%, which is firmly in a buyers market, there is opportunity that didn’t exist a few years ago.

For sellers, the key to a successful transaction is to price the property appropriately (and with the average price down 20% from the peak in May 2022, sale prices are generally less than most sellers expect), in addition to marketing and positioning. In a competitive market, this is not only key a sale, but to getting buyers to view your home 

Over the past few months, well-priced and well-located family homes and updated ranchers have been the most popular homes with a recent increase in homes selling over $1.5M, mainly waterfront and panoramic view homes. 

While the market statistics in May doesn’t show an increase in activity, agents are reporting more calls from prospective buyers and sellers. Whether these discussions will lead to an increase in transactions remains to be seen. If you are curious about the market, or are considering making a move, please reach out any time for a casual, no pressure, conversation.

* All data and statistics sourced from GVR Realtors.

Whether you’re a Coast local, or planning your a coastal vacation, summer on the Sunshine Coast has no shortage of events that showcase our community and it’s musicians, artisans, and food. While by no means an exhaustive list, I’ll be highlighting local events throughout the year, many of which I will be attending.

Music

• Pender Harbour Blues Festival June 5th to 7th. Back for its 21st year, the festival includes both free and ticketed events around Pender Harbour.

• Gibsons Jazz Fest  June 5th to 14th. This year marks the 30th anniversary of the Gibsons Jazz Fest with events across Gibsons, Sechelt, and Roberts Creek. The festival features a lineup of local and guest musicians, including both indoor and outdoor concerts and kids' activities.

• In addition to festivals, live performances can be seen all over the coast, including at Gibsons Public Market on Saturdays, Persephone Brewing on Friday, Saturday and Sundays and at Sunday Cider on Fridays throughout June (and beyond!). Enjoy good music, good food & drinks and a great coastal atmosphere. 

Markets 

• Gibsons Summer Night Market  June 26th. Food, music, and local shopping to kick off the summer series. 

• Weekly Farmers' Markets: Local weekend markets including the Sechelt Farmers' & Artisans' Market with many of the Coast’s top vendors and the Davis Bay Farmers' Market with fresh farm produce and handcrafted goods. 

Culture 

• June is Pride Month and the Sunshine Coast Pride Society is hosting Pride Festival 2026 on Sunday, June 7th, starting with the Pride March at noon at David Bay Pier, followed by the Festival at Mission Point Park.  

• Sunshine Coast Ocean Festival  June 8th - 14th With over 180km of coastline, the Sunshine Coast is uniquely connected to the ocean. The Sunshine Coast Ocean Festival offers a series of educational, family-friendly events, and festivities focused on coastal conservation and marine life, culminating on World Ocean Day on June 14th.

Planning the rest of your summer? Here are some of the local highlights in July and August.

GPC Keats Chop - Saturday, July 11, 2026 - Paddling races with multiple distances including 5km, 10km, and Around Keats.

Sechelt Summer Music Festival - Saturdays in July & August

Sunshine Coast Festival of the Written Arts - August 13-16, 2026

BACKWOODZ JAM 2026 + Live Music - August 14th & 15th, 2026 Top freeride and slopestyle mountain bike athletes from around the world showing their skills on the jumps with live music all weekend.