Buying Property in Vancouver Residential – Vancouver Best Realtor – Morning Lee

This month I’ve put together a game of This or That for you. I’m challenging you to not only pick This or That, but also to think about why it’s the better course of action. After you’ve worked through the scenario, read on for the answer and explanation. And let me know how many you got right!

This or That: Underpricing or Overpricing Your Home?Underpricing is a common strategy in hot markets, since a lower asking price can attract multiple buyers and cause a bidding war. You could end up selling for more than the market value, just because of the demand.Overpricing deters buyers, your home sits on the market for longer, and it transfers the power to the buyer in negotiations.  So, the clear winner is underpricing your home. This or That: Selling in the Spring or Selling in the Fall?Selling in the spring means there are a lot more homes on the market at the same time, and typically an active time in the housing market. The US data shows homes sell for 1.6% more than the monthly average in the spring.Selling in the fall means less competition for sellers, and motivated buyers who want to be in a new place before the snow flies. Your real estate agent will also be less busy and can provide you more attention and better service. So, there’s no wrong answer here! This or That: Professional Staging, Cleaning and Photography or DIY?Hiring a professional for every job takes time, coordination, and money – and gets great results. To determine if it’s the right move for you, consider how much more you’d be able to sell your home for. If the costs outweigh the benefits, it might be best to skip this step.However, don’t forget that pictures of your home are where potential buyers get their first impression of your home. Without good photos and an accessible environment for viewings, a great buyer might not be interested. This one is a toss up – consulting a neutral third party like your agent or neighbour might help you decide elements are needed and what you can do yourself. One pro tip I can offer you is to use ChatGPT (or Copilot, etc.) to help you with staging and décor – just put in the dimensions and ask for the ideal layout with your existing furniture. This or That: Getting an Inspection Before or After Listing?If you get an inspection before you list, you’ll be able to get a full and unbiased review of your home. You can choose to fix any issues, or list as is with a clear picture of your home. You won’t be surprised or blindsided by a buyers’ inspection coming up with issues, you can list the property at the correct price, and you’ll be in the driver’s seat during negotiations.Letting the buyer have an inspection saves money but gives them the power to negotiate. The better course of action here is to inspect pre-listing. This or That: Renovate to Increase Your Home’s Value or Leave As-is?Homeowners often complete expensive renovations before selling their home – but frequently don’t make their money back when selling. The new owners may have different tastes, or other plans for the layout or the home (including demolition!). Not only do renovations take time, but they may also require permits, inspections, or approvals. Overall, renovations before you sell are not financially beneficial.However, some repairs are critical to selling your home. Things like a leaking toilet or a hole in the drywall could easily deter a potential buyer and lower the value of your home. The best course of action here is to complete essential repairs so that the home is ready for immediate occupancy – but not spend money on extra renovations. This or That: Using a Real Estate Agent or Listing For Sale By Owner (FSBO)?If you go the FSBO route, you take on all the stress and legal responsibility of research, showing, legal documentation and more. The main reason people choose this route is to save on the commission costs of selling a home.The benefits of using an agent are plentiful, like getting the pricing, staging and photography right. You can also rely on them for all the paperwork. If a plot twist comes up, they’re there to help. You can also benefit from having your home listed on their website and their social media accounts to get your property more visibility. The winner for the average person is to use an agent. This or That: Requiring Notice in Advance or Showing Anytime?Keeping your home clean, tidy, and free of people and pets so that it’s ready for a showing is a real challenge for sellers if they’re living in the home they’re trying to sell. But for buyers who are already in the neighbourhood, inflexibility to view your home might discourage them from coming back. That means missed opportunities to sell and maybe even a lost sale.There isn’t a clear winner here, but being as flexible as possible with potential buyers creates the most opportunities for a sale. This or That: Emotions and Instinct or Advice and Numbers?This might sound like an easy one – but not so fast! The highest bidder might not be the person you want to sell your home to. Imagine you received a thoughtful letter with an offer explaining how the buyer pictures raising their children in your home – vs more money from a developer who plans to raze the property.However, you need a cool head during important negotiations. A few issues are likely to be uncovered during the home inspection. No home is perfect, so don’t let a request for minor repairs derail the deal. The winner here is a balance of emotions and numbers – and each reader will need to find an equilibrium they can live with.

If you’re looking to sell residential property in Vancouver, the timing may finally be shifting in your favour. After months of hesitation, the national housing market—particularly in key metros like Vancouver and Toronto—is showing signs of a turnaround. According to a July 2025 report from MorningLee.ca, both sales and price activity have begun to stabilize, hinting that we may be entering a more balanced and predictable phase of the market.

Let’s break down what this means for sellers in Vancouver, and why some property types might have a better window to sell than others.

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1. Sell Residential Property inVancouver？Why This Could Be a Turning Point for Sellers

The latest data shows that home sales rose while prices held steady in June 2025. Nationally, sales were up around 3% month-over-month, and the national sales-to-new-listings ratio rose to 50.1%—a shift toward balanced market conditions.

In Vancouver, this means buyer activity is creeping back despite ongoing uncertainty like tariff threats and fluctuating interest rate expectations. As MorningLee.ca notes, market momentum may simply have been delayed by a rocky economic spring—and is now resurfacing into the summer and fall.

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2. Sell Residential Property inVancouver？What It Means by Property Type: Not All Homes Are Equal

If you’re planning to sell residential property in Vancouver, it’s essential to understand how different home types are performing:

• Single-family homes: Typically more sensitive to interest rate shifts and economic headlines, these properties may attract buyers looking for long-term stability—especially as price declines have moderated.
• Townhouses and duplexes: Often appealing to move-up buyers or downsizers, these mid-density homes could benefit from stabilizing price expectations and a tighter sales-to-listings ratio.
• Condos and apartments: While not explicitly broken down in the June report, condos tend to recover later in a cycle. Sellers should monitor interest rate moves closely, as affordability is a key factor for this segment.

If you’re unsure where your property stands in the cycle, now’s a good time to assess—not just emotionally, but strategically.

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3.Sell Residential Property inVancouver？Should You List Now or Wait? A Seller’s Dilemma

The report points to cautious optimism, but also underlines continued risk: the Bank of Canada held rates steady, and bond yields have risen, suggesting fixed mortgage rates may go up again. These macro factors influence how quickly deals close, or if buyers even enter the market.

So who should act now?

• Sellers of well-located, mid-priced homes in balanced neighborhoods may benefit from limited competition, as new listings fell 2.9% in June.
• Sellers who’ve been holding off since early 2024 might consider testing the market before interest rate changes swing again.

But if your property type tends to lag in recovery cycles, or if buyer traffic is light in your area, patience may still be the better strategy. Either way, strategic timing is key—and understanding where the market cycle is headed will help you plan smarter.

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The Bottom Line: Watch the Data, Move with Purpose

In a shifting market, data is your best friend. From price stabilization to listing trends, the latest report from MorningLee.ca offers a detailed pulse check on what’s real, what’s emerging, and what risks are still looming. Whether you’re a homeowner considering selling, a buyer looking to enter before rates rise, or someone navigating mortgage financing in a bumpy cycle—understanding these signals can make all the difference.

And before you make any move, make sure your property has no hidden red flags. Visit https://estatedetect.com to get an in-depth risk review before you buy or sell. Peace of mind is the best market strategy.

When homeowners plan to sell residential property in Vancouver, their focus often falls on big-picture items—pricing, staging, and timing. But the reality? Overlooking just a few small details can quietly drain your final sale price or even kill the deal entirely.

In today’s stabilizing market, where buyers are cautious and inventory is tightening, every detail counts. Below, we break down five surprisingly common missteps sellers make—especially in the Greater Vancouver area—and how to avoid them.

👉 Read: Home Sales Rose As Prices Stabilized – Housing Market is Turning a Corner

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1. Planning to Sell Residential Property in Vancouver? Don’t List with a Dirty Home

First impressions matter. And in Vancouver’s competitive market, buyers walk into an open house already comparing your home to the next five on their list. A cluttered kitchen, dusty blinds, or unkempt yard doesn’t just create bad vibes—it leads to lowball offers or buyers walking away.

Professional deep cleaning before listing isn’t a luxury—it’s part of the selling strategy. It affects perceived value and, by extension, final sale price.

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2.Sell Residential Property in Vancouver Smoothly by Preparing Your Property Disclosure Statement

In B.C., the Property Disclosure Statement (PDS) isn’t legally mandatory—but buyers and agents expect it. It’s a red flag when missing. Forget to disclose past water damage or unresolved plumbing issues, and your deal may fall apart during due diligence.

To sell residential property in Vancouver successfully, your paperwork needs to be clear, transparent, and ready before listing. This is especially important when mortgage lenders get involved—missing disclosures can delay financing approvals.

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3. To Sell Residential Property in Vancouver at Top Dollar, Choose Professional Photography Over Phone Pics

Think your smartphone is “good enough”? Data says otherwise. Listings with professional photos attract more clicks, more showings, and often sell for higher prices.

According to REDFIN, professionally photographed homes sold for $3,400 to $11,200 more on average than those with amateur photos. In Vancouver, where a 1% pricing shift can mean tens of thousands, this isn’t a detail—it’s strategy.

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4.Sell Residential Property in Vancouver with a Suite? Know BC’s New Landlord Rules to Avoid Closing Delays

Planning to sell a home with a secondary suite (basement rental, laneway house, etc.)? B.C. has recently updated its tenancy and property-use regulations. Not understanding your obligations as a seller—especially regarding notice periods or compliance with rental bylaws—can lead to legal trouble or buyer hesitation.

If you’re listing a home with tenants, make sure you’re aligned with the Residential Tenancy Act, or you risk unexpected delays.

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5. Want to Sell Residential Property in Vancouver? Understand How Empty Homes and Speculation Taxes Impact Buyer Decisions

Sellers often forget that buyers factor future taxes into their offers. The Empty Homes Tax (EHT) in Vancouver and Speculation and Vacancy Tax (SVT) in B.C. can significantly impact how appealing your property is to out-of-town or investor buyers.

Properties flagged as “vacant” or subject to speculative taxes often sit longer on the market or fetch lower bids. Transparency about current tax status is crucial.

To explore whether a property has hidden risks, we recommend tools like EstateDetect.com—a smart way for buyers to investigate before they commit.

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Final Thoughts

To sell residential property in Vancouver without leaving money on the table, sellers need more than just a “For Sale” sign—they need a solid understanding of paperwork, presentation, and market trends.

Need help navigating the details? Visit MorningLee.ca to work with professionals who know how to position your home—and your loan—for success.