The Bank of Canada has held its policy rate at 2.25%, bringing some stability as we head into the fall real estate market. But interest rates are only one part of the picture.

September often brings a little more energy back to the market as summer holidays wind down and people return to their regular routines. More activity, however, does not necessarily mean a dramatically different market.

For sellers: More buyers may return this fall, but they remain selective. Preparation, presentation and accurate pricing will continue to matter. Buyers need to see the value.

For buyers: Greater selection and less urgency can work in your favour. You may have more time to compare homes, complete your due diligence and negotiate thoughtfully. If the right property appears, waiting for rates or the market to change may not necessarily produce a better opportunity.

For homeowners thinking about moving: You don’t need to know exactly when you’ll make a move to start preparing. Understanding what your current home may be worth, what your next home could cost and what needs to happen before selling can make the eventual transition much easier.

Here in North Vancouver and across the North Shore, conditions can vary considerably by property type, price range and neighbourhood. A condo in Lower Lonsdale may be experiencing a very different market from a detached home in Lynn Valley, Edgemont Village or Deep Cove.

Rather than trying to predict the next interest rate move or the perfect time to buy or sell, we encourage clients to focus on the market we actually have and make decisions based on their own timing and goals.

September feels like a fresh start. Whether you’re planning to buy, sell or simply keeping an eye on the market, it’s a good time to get informed, get prepared and be ready when the right opportunity presents itself.

Wondering what today’s North Vancouver or North Shore market means for you? The Botto Team is always happy to help you look at the numbers and understand your options.

When there’s broader uncertainty—economic, political, interest rates, global events—it doesn’t eliminate demand. It recalibrates confidence.

On the ground, that shows up as:

· More cautious buyers
They take longer, analyze more and feel less urgency.

· Fewer impulsive decisions
The “I need to win this at any cost” mindset (2021–2022) fades.

· Greater price sensitivity
Buyers become more disciplined about value and comparables.

· Longer days on market
Not because homes aren’t desirable—but because decisions take longer.

Why the North Shore Still Holds Strong

The North Shore isn’t a speculative market—it’s a lifestyle-driven market.

People still want:

· Access to nature

· Strong schools

· Community feel

· Proximity to the city

That underlying demand doesn’t disappear. It pauses, reshapes and re-enters more thoughtfully.

So yes—homes are still selling every day. But they’re selling under different conditions:

· Well-priced homes → still move

· Well-presented homes → still attract attention

· Unique or scarce product → still performs strongest

The Post-COVID Hangover (2021–2022 Effect)

This is one of the biggest psychological factors right now.

That market was:

· Ultra-low rates

· Extremely limited inventory

· Emotion-driven bidding wars

· Speed over analysis

Today’s market is:

· Rate-aware

· Data-driven

· Choice-heavy (and growing)

· More balanced—or even buyer-leaning at times

The gap between expectation and reality is where friction lives.

Sellers remember peak pricing.
Buyers remember overpaying fears.
And both are trying to recalibrate.

What Actually Works in This Market

This is where your philosophy is spot on—and worth reinforcing:

A successful transaction today comes down to alignment:

· Timing: Does the move make sense for your life?

· Financial comfort: Can you carry it confidently?

· Product quality: Is the home desirable in today’s lens?

· Strategy: Is pricing and presentation grounded in today’s market—not yesterday’s?

When those line up, the market becomes far less intimidating.

The Long-Term Lens

Real estate—especially on the North Shore—is not a short-term trade.

If someone is:

· Buying and holding

· Making a lifestyle move

· Improving their day-to-day living

· Stepping into the right property for their needs

Then short-term market fluctuations matter far less.

Uncertainty creates hesitation—but it also creates opportunity for thoughtful decisions.

Bottom Line:

People still want to live on the North Shore—and that hasn’t changed. What has changed is how they’re making decisions.

We’ve moved from a fast, emotional market to a more thoughtful, measured one. Homes are still selling every day—but pricing, presentation and timing matter more than ever.

If a move makes sense for your life, your goals and your finances—and you’re focused on the long term—it’s still a very good time to buy or sell. The strategy just needs to match the moment.

Posted 5-year Mortgage Rates:

January 2025: 6.79%
January 2026: 4.56%

Savings per $100K per month: $130.69

2025 Year-End Market Insights

Bottom Line

For many buyers, especially financially qualified ones, the North Shore is currently a favourable market to buy because:

• Inventory is elevated and sales are below historical norms, creating buyer leverage.

• Prices have softened or stabilized compared with recent highs.

• Mortgage rates are more predictable and lower than in the past year.

• Forecasts suggest modest market improvement ahead, so buying before broad demand re-emerges may be advantageous.