May Market Update

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.