Market stats Fraser Valley Real Estate

Sales rise year-over-year for the first time in over a year -- here is what the numbers mean for buyers and sellers in South Surrey, White Rock, and the Fraser Valley.

Spring has arrived in the Fraser Valley real estate market -- and for the first time in more than a year, sales are tracking above where they were at this time last year. That is a meaningful shift, even if conditions overall remain firmly in buyers' favour.

Here is what the Fraser Valley Real Estate Board reported for April 2026, and more importantly, what it means for you.

The Numbers at a Glance

The FVREB recorded 1,118 sales on the MLS in April. That is up 11 per cent from March and seven per cent above April 2025 -- the first year-over-year increase in sales in more than 12 months.

New listings came in at 3,549, up six per cent from March. Sellers are entering the market as expected for spring, though the number is lower than this time last year.

Active inventory sits at 9,816 listings -- up seven per cent from March and 45 per cent above the 10-year seasonal average. There is a lot of supply out there relative to historical norms.

Total Sales: 1,118 -- up 11% vs. March, up 7% vs. April 2025 New Listings: 3,549 -- up 6% vs. March Active Listings: 9,816 -- up 7% vs. March, up 45% vs. 10-year average Sales-to-Active Ratio: 11% -- buyer's market (balanced = 12-20%) Detached Days on Market: 37 days Townhome Days on Market: 32 days Condo Days on Market: 42 days

Benchmark Prices: April 2026

The composite benchmark price for a typical Fraser Valley home edged up 0.1 per cent in April to $899,200. That is the second consecutive month of modest price gains -- though prices remain well below where they were a year ago.

Single Family Detached: $1,374,800 -- down 0.1% vs. March, down 8.8% vs. April 2025 Townhome: $771,600 -- down 0.1% vs. March, down 7.4% vs. April 2025 Apartment/Condo: $491,000 -- up 0.4% vs. March, down 8.3% vs. April 2025 Composite: $899,200 -- up 0.1% vs. March

What This Means for Buyers

Here is the reality. This is one of the better buying environments the Fraser Valley has seen in several years. Prices are down eight to nine per cent compared to a year ago across most property types. Inventory is high, giving you real choice. And the sales-to-active ratio of 11 per cent means supply is outpacing demand -- which keeps negotiating power firmly on the buyer's side.

The challenge with that is, this kind of environment does not last indefinitely. When sales start climbing -- and April's numbers suggest that momentum is building -- inventory tends to tighten and prices follow. If you have been sitting on the sidelines waiting for the right time, the data right now is telling you something.

Let's break this down simply: lower prices than last year, more selection than average, and borrowing costs that have come down from their peak. That is a combination worth paying attention to.

What This Means for Sellers

Sellers need to go into this market with clear eyes. More inventory means more competition. Homes are taking 32 to 42 days to sell depending on the property type, and pricing strategy matters more than ever.

Here is what that means for you as a seller: if your home is priced right and shows well, it will sell. But buyers have options, and they know it. Overpricing in this market does not lead to negotiation -- it leads to sitting.

The good news is that the market is moving. Sales are up month-over-month and year-over-year, which signals that motivated, qualified buyers are out there. The sellers who are succeeding right now are the ones who price accurately from day one and present their homes well.

A Local Perspective: South Surrey, White Rock, and the Fraser Valley

These board-wide numbers tell the broader story, but every neighbourhood has its own rhythm. In South Surrey and White Rock, we are seeing similar dynamics -- healthy inventory, buyers with leverage, and properties that are priced well moving at a reasonable pace.

If you are curious how these numbers apply specifically to your street, your building, or the area you are looking to buy into, that is exactly the conversation I am here for. The board numbers are the starting point -- the local data is where the real insight is.

The Bottom Line

April's numbers show a market that is starting to find its footing after a long stretch of uncertainty. Sales are rising, prices are stabilizing, and buyers have a real window right now. Sellers who are prepared and realistic are still getting deals done.

If you are looking for a local real estate expert in South Surrey, White Rock, or the Fraser Valley to help you get ahead in the market, feel free to reach out. I am here to help.

A simple, under-$100 step could save you from losing your home -- and most people have never heard of it.

Imagine waking up one day to discover that someone has posed as you, listed your home for sale, and pocketed the proceeds. It sounds like something out of a thriller, but it is a very real risk facing BC property owners right now -- and a recent court case brought it back into the spotlight in a big way.

The Big White Wake-Up Call

A recent article in the Vancouver Sun detailed a shocking fraud case involving a condo at Big White ski resort in BC. Fraudsters impersonated the property owners, found a buyer, and nearly completed the transaction before the scam was uncovered. While the true homeowners were spared from losing their property, the buyers were not so lucky -- they walked away with losses of approximately $75,000.

The BC Supreme Court judge who reviewed the case called it the 'stuff of nightmares' -- and that description fits. This was not a sophisticated hack or a data breach at a financial institution. It was someone pretending to be a homeowner, and it nearly worked.

As your realtor, this case hit close to home. I want to make sure you know about a straightforward protection that most BC homeowners have never heard of.

What Is Title Fraud -- and How Does It Happen?

Title fraud (sometimes called mortgage fraud) happens when a criminal uses stolen or forged identity documents to impersonate a property owner. From there, they can:

•       Sell your home without your knowledge and disappear with the sale proceeds

•       Take out a mortgage or home equity loan against your property and pocket the funds

•       Transfer ownership entirely, leaving you to fight a legal battle to reclaim what is rightfully yours

Properties that are most at risk are those that are free and clear -- meaning there is no mortgage registered against them. Why? Because there is no lender in the picture watching for red flags or verifying identity on an ongoing basis. The title stands alone, and if a fraudster can impersonate you convincingly, there is little standing between them and a fraudulent transaction.

The Simple Protection: Pull Your Duplicate Title

Here is the good news: there is a low-cost, highly effective way to protect yourself, and it does not require a lawyer or any ongoing fees.

If your property is mortgage-free, you can apply to obtain the duplicate certificate of title through the BC Land Title and Survey Authority (LTSA). This is a physical document that acts as an extra layer of proof of ownership. The key protection it provides: in most cases, a property cannot be sold or have a new mortgage registered against it without the duplicate title being surrendered. A fraudster who does not have this document faces a major roadblock.

The cost? Under $100. You can apply for it yourself, or have your lawyer handle it for you.

Once you have it, store it somewhere safe -- a home safe, a safety deposit box, or leave it with your lawyer for safekeeping. The one thing you must not do: lose it. A lost duplicate title can be replaced, but it is a process, and in the meantime your protection is reduced.

What About Investment Properties?

This protection is especially important for investment properties -- rental properties, recreational properties like cabins or ski condos (yes, like Big White), or any real estate that you do not live in full-time. Why? Because you are less likely to notice something suspicious right away. Absentee owners are a favourite target for title fraudsters precisely because there is less day-to-day oversight.

If any of your properties are free and clear, please take this seriously. The protection is affordable and the peace of mind is priceless.

Title Insurance: A Second Layer of Defence

If you have not already, it is also worth reviewing whether you have title insurance on your BC properties. Unlike a home insurance policy, title insurance protects you against losses arising from title-related issues -- including fraud. It is typically a one-time premium paid at the time of purchase, and it can be purchased retroactively in some cases.

Title insurance alone will not stop fraud from happening, but it can make you whole financially if you become a victim. Think of the duplicate title as your lock on the front door, and title insurance as your alarm system.

Take Action Today

You have worked hard to own real estate in BC. Do not let a fraudster take that away from you. Here is a quick checklist to get you started:

•       Check if any of your BC properties are mortgage-free (free and clear of financial charges)

•       If they are, apply for the duplicate certificate of title through the LTSA -- or ask your lawyer to do it for you

•       Store the duplicate title securely and do not lose it

•       Review your title insurance coverage -- or ask your lawyer or realtor whether you have it and whether it is up to date

If you are looking for a local real estate expert in South Surrey, White Rock, or the Fraser Valley to help you get ahead in the market, feel free to reach out. I am here to help.