How to Read BC Real Estate Market Statistics: A Realtor's Guide (2026)
Monthly market stats from REBGV, FVREB, and VIREB are packed with signals — but only if you know how to interpret them. This guide explains the key metrics, how to use them in client conversations, and what they actually tell you about where the market is headed.
Key market statistics explained
| Metric | Formula | What it signals |
|---|---|---|
| Benchmark price (HPI) | Statistical model (typical property) | True underlying price trend, free of mix effects |
| Average sale price | Total $ ÷ # sales | Skewed by outliers; use benchmark for trend |
| Months of inventory | Active listings ÷ monthly sales | Under 3 = seller's; 3–6 = balanced; 6+ = buyer's |
| Sales-to-active ratio | Monthly sales ÷ active listings × 100% | Over 20% = seller's; 12–20% = balanced; under 12% = buyer's |
| Days on market (DOM) | List date to accepted offer date | Under 14 = competitive; 30+ = buyer has time |
| Sale price / list price ratio | Sale price ÷ list price × 100% | Over 100% = overbids common; under 98% = negotiating room |
| Price per sq ft (PPSF) | Sale price ÷ measured area | Normalizes for size differences; use for CMA comps |
| New listings vs. sales | New listings ÷ sales (ratio) | Under 1.5 = supply constrained; over 3 = supply building |
How to identify market conditions
No single metric defines market conditions — look at the combination to build an accurate picture. Here's how the metrics align across market types:
| Metric | Seller's market | Balanced | Buyer's market |
|---|---|---|---|
| Months of inventory | <3 months | 3–6 months | >6 months |
| Sales/active ratio | >20% | 12–20% | <12% |
| Days on market | <14 days | 14–30 days | >30 days |
| Sale/list ratio | >100% | 98–100% | <97% |
| Benchmark price trend | Rising MoM | Flat | Declining |
| New listings ratio | <1.5 | 1.5–2.5 | >3.0 |
Communicating market conditions to clients
Statistics mean nothing to clients unless translated into plain language they can act on. Here are effective ways to communicate each condition:
Seller's market (to a buyer)
"In your target area right now, well-priced homes are selling in under 2 weeks and often getting multiple offers above asking. That means you need financing pre-approval confirmed, a clear plan on how much you're willing to pay, and the ability to make decisions quickly. Waiting a month to get more comfortable could mean paying more or losing out."
Buyer's market (to a seller)
"Right now there are 8 months of supply in your neighbourhood — meaning if nothing new comes to market, it would take 8 months to sell everything listed. Buyers have time and choice, so price and presentation have to be compelling from day one. Overpricing to test the market will cost you more time and likely a lower final price than if we price it right from the start."
Balanced market (to either)
"The market is pretty balanced right now — well-priced homes in good condition sell in 3–4 weeks at roughly asking price. You have time to do your due diligence and there's room for some negotiation, but we shouldn't be too aggressive or expect too much discount."
Where to find BC market statistics
REBGV (Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver)
Monthly — Metro Vancouver detached, attached, apartments by subarea
FVREB (Fraser Valley Real Estate Board)
Monthly — Surrey, Langley, Abbotsford, Chilliwack by property type
VIREB (Vancouver Island Real Estate Board)
Monthly — Victoria, Nanaimo, Comox, Campbell River
BCREA (BC Real Estate Association)
Monthly — Province-wide summary, economic commentary
Pulse360 (magnate360.com)
Daily/weekly — 19 BC regions, benchmark prices, months supply, cron-updated
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between average price and benchmark price in BC?
The average price is the total dollar value of all sales divided by the number of sales in a period. It is heavily influenced by outliers — a few very expensive luxury sales can significantly inflate the average, making the market appear stronger than it is for typical buyers. The benchmark price (also called the MLS Home Price Index or HPI) uses a statistical model to track the price of a 'typical' property of a specific type in a specific area, adjusted for changes in the mix of properties sold. The benchmark is generally a more reliable indicator of true market movement because it controls for changes in the type of properties selling — if more luxury homes sold this month vs. last month, the average goes up but the benchmark stays flat. REBGV and FVREB publish monthly benchmark prices by property type and region.
What does 'months of inventory' mean and how do you use it?
Months of inventory (also called months of supply) measures how long it would take to sell all currently active listings at the current pace of sales if no new listings were added. It is calculated as: active listings ÷ monthly sales. A market with 1,000 active listings and 200 monthly sales has 5 months of inventory. The standard interpretation: under 3 months = seller's market (upward price pressure); 3–6 months = balanced market; over 6 months = buyer's market (downward price pressure or flat prices). However, these thresholds vary by market segment — luxury properties in Metro Vancouver often have 12+ months of inventory even in seller's markets, because the pool of qualified buyers is smaller.
What is the sales-to-active listings ratio?
The sales-to-active listings ratio (also called the sales-to-listings ratio) divides monthly sales by active listings and expresses it as a percentage. REBGV uses this metric to characterize market conditions: above 20% indicates seller's market conditions; 12–20% balanced; below 12% buyer's market. For example, if there are 3,000 active listings and 600 sales in a month, the ratio is 20% — right at the seller/balanced boundary. This metric is published monthly by REBGV and is useful for explaining to clients why prices are rising or flat in their target area.
How should realtors use days-on-market data with clients?
Days on market (DOM) measures how long properties took to sell — from list date to accepted offer date. It is one of the most tangible metrics for clients because it translates directly to their experience: 'In this area right now, homes are selling in an average of 14 days.' Low DOM (under 14 days) signals competitive conditions — buyers need to be pre-approved and ready to offer quickly. High DOM (30+ days) signals more negotiating power and time to do due diligence. Median DOM is more useful than average DOM because outliers (homes that sat for 200+ days due to pricing or condition) skew the average. When counselling sellers, use area DOM to set realistic timeline expectations and explain the relationship between pricing and speed of sale.
How do you calculate price per square foot and why does it matter?
Price per square foot (PPSF) is calculated by dividing the sale price by the measured floor area: $850,000 ÷ 1,100 sq ft = $773/sq ft. It provides a normalized basis for comparing properties of different sizes and is especially useful in condo markets where unit sizes vary significantly. Limitations: PPSF varies enormously by floor level, view, layout, finishes, and building quality — so a blanket PPSF figure for 'downtown Vancouver condos' has wide variance. BC Assessment uses a different measurement standard than RMS (Residential Measurement Standard) — always clarify which square footage is being used. When using PPSF in CMA analysis, compare only properties with the same measurement standard and adjust for material differences in finishes and layout.
Free BC market intelligence for every realtor
Pulse360 by Magnate360 gives you daily-updated market stats for 19 BC regions — months of inventory, benchmark prices, and economic data — free, no account required.