The first half of 2026 saw higher detached home-buying activity in the Vancouver region but there hasn’t yet been an upswing in values, says a new report.

The Metro Vancouver region reported strong sales growth, with 59% of the 17 communities analyzed posting an increase in transactions, said a Tuesday, July 14 report by Re/Max Canada.

Year-over-year sales growth was led by New Westminster (up 58.1%), Vancouver West (23.3%) and Whistler and Pemberton (20.8%), said the report.

In the Fraser Valley, the top-performing markets were Delta North (up 21.4%), White Rock and South Surrey (20.5%) and Langley (12%).

Overall, 70% of markets in the Lower Mainland saw elevated sales activity in the detached segment.

But values tell a different story, said Re/Max.

Nationally, just 5 out of 83 markets reported year-over-year price growth, with four of them in Greater Toronto. In BC, only Port Moody saw an increase in median price, and it was modest at 3.3%.

“With most markets reporting prices below year-ago levels, opportunity exists, and those who can are taking advantage of some of the best values in years,” said the report.

This is creating trade-up opportunities, said the report. Lower values have narrowed the gap, helping some buyers transition into larger homes.

“In Vancouver, trade-up buyers are willing to lose on the sale on their existing home because the home that they’re purchasing has seen a greater loss,” the report said.

Detached inventory levels are dwindling as more product is absorbed, which could place upward pressure on values in the future, especially at more affordable price points, said Re/Max.

Poised to benefit are markets with the lowest median values, led by Sunshine Coast ($820,000 in the first five months of 2026), Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows ($1,190,000), Port Coquitlam ($1,310,000), Bowen Island ($1,501,000) and New Westminster ($1,415,000).

The most affordable communities in the Fraser Valley, meanwhile, were Mission ($963,879) and Abbotsford ($1,158,197).

But it’s not all about affordability, Re/Max said.

There has been substantial movement at higher price points in Vancouver West, where the median price exceeds $3 million. Recreational markets like Whistler and Pemberton, where the median price is $2.5 million, are also seeing buyers take advantage of depressed prices, said the report.

Re/Max : Detached Sales Up but Prices Stagnant in Metro Vancouver by Jami Makan | BIV