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June 2025 Presale Pulse

June 20, 2025

June 2025 Real Estate Market Insights

Step into the June edition of Presale Pulse, where hosts Suzana Goncalves and Brittany Reimer deliver expert analysis on the forces shaping real estate today. Watch the video to understand the latest macroeconomics, presale, and resale trends over the last 30 days affecting the local real estate market across Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley. 

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Macroeconomic: What the First-Time Buyer GST Rebate Means for the Market

In late May, the federal government introduced a significant policy shift: a GST rebate for first-time home buyers on newly built homes. Homes priced up to $1 million will now be exempt from GST while those between $1 million and $1.5 million will see a reduced rate, potentially saving buyers up to $50,000. Even with this huge change, industry experts note it likely won’t bring in a wave of new buyers into the market. Instead, it’s expected to motivate those already exploring homeownership, and could make presale homes more appealing compared to resale by helping offset the typical GST premium.

However, the rebate comes with limitations. Only contracts signed after May 27 qualify, leaving earlier buyers—many of whom acted proactively—excluded from the benefit. Assignments also don’t qualify if the original agreement was signed before the cutoff date, even if the resale occurs now. This has left some buyers feeling frustrated and potentially discouraged. While the rebate helps close the affordability gap for some, further policy adjustments may be needed to create a more inclusive and impactful shift in the market.

Presale: Navigating a Changing Real Estate Landscape from Presale to Rental

The presale market in May remained quiet, with only 7 project launches totaling 656 units—a stark contrast to the 19 launches and 3,000+ units from the same time last year. The slowdown continues to be driven by a lack of concrete high-rise activity and a heavier focus on wood-frame and townhome product. The lone concrete launch, Kwasen Village by Aquilini, stood out as a leasehold offering with more competitive pricing. Despite limited activity, the market saw a slight bright spot with 119 units sold, marking an 18% same-month absorption rate—the highest of the year so far. Looking ahead, June is forecasted to deliver just four new project launches and 420 units, well below the five-year average, suggesting a continued cautious approach from developers amid economic uncertainty.

While the presale market cools, the rental market is heating up with a historic surge in new purpose-built supply. Over 15 buildings have already completed this year, and another 30 are expected by year-end, adding more than 4,000 new rental homes—most in Greater Vancouver. This influx, combined with investor-owned condo completions, is driving down rents and encouraging incentive-heavy leasing strategies. Rental developments like Red Sol in Coquitlam, One Fifty Braid in New Westminster, and Broadview in Metrotown showcase smart layouts, wellness-focused design, and tenant-focused ownership programs that help bridge the gap to future homeownership. While these projects meet growing demand for affordability, flexibility, and quality, developers continue to navigate complex policies like below-market housing and tenant relocation requirements, shaping the next phase of rental growth.

Resale: Muted Momentum in Resale Market as Summer Approaches

Sales activity in the resale market remained subdued through May, with Greater Vancouver recording 2,228 sales (up 3% month-over-month) and the Fraser Valley seeing 1,183 sales (up 13%). However, both regions remain well below the 10-year seasonal average, with sales down 18–22% compared to last year. Inventory continues to build, reaching over 17,000 active listings in Greater Vancouver and more than 10,000 in the Fraser Valley—levels not seen since 2008. While some well-priced homes are attracting multiple offers, most listings are experiencing slower traffic and extended days on market, signalling a cautious and competitive buyer landscape.

Benchmark prices softened slightly, with the Home Price Index showing modest month-over-month declines of 0.6% in Greater Vancouver and 1.0% in the Fraser Valley. Year-over-year, prices have fallen 2.9% and 4.3% respectively. Despite growing inventory and market pressure, many sellers remain firm on pricing, opting to rent if they don’t achieve their asking price. Buyers, on the other hand, are negotiating hard and taking their time. This making summer a potential sweet spot for those ready to act decisively in a buyer-friendly market.

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