Home sales on Vancouver Island are off to a slow start in 2026, with buyer activity subdued as uncertainty mounts on multiple fronts. Rising interest rates, US tariffs on Canadian exports, a broader economic slowdown, unresolved Aboriginal title questions under DRIPA, and ongoing conflict in the Middle East have all contributed to hesitation in the market, making Q1 2026 the second slowest first quarter for sales since 2009. In total, 1,392 residential properties changed hands in Q1 2026, worth $1.1 billion, a 4.0% decline in the number of transactions and a 4.7% decrease in total value compared to the same period last year.
You’ll find more at Q1 2026 Market Overview. For local market information, please contact a REALTOR® in your area.
