Newsletter

If you are deferring your property taxes, or are thinking about it, you need to be aware of the changes being made to the program by the Government of British Columbia. Starting in 2026 and for subsequent tax years, the interest will now be compounded. This means that every month you will be charged interest, and the next month that interest will have interest charged on it. Please look carefully at the information provided on gov.bc.ca using the link provided here .

Here are the top 5 hot neighborhoods on Vancouver Island in 2026, with a focus on growth, family-friendliness, and investment potential:

1. Nanaimo – Northfield / Bowen Road Corridor

Why it’s hot: Close to schools, shopping, and hospitals; still more affordable than downtown Nanaimo.

Price trends: Steady appreciation; single-family homes $650K–$900K, townhomes $450K–$600K.

Family-friendly: Excellent — parks, schools, and quiet streets.

Investment potential: Medium; strong rental demand and potential for long-term growth.

2. Nanaimo – Downtown & Harbourfront

Why it’s hot: Waterfront living, amenities, and urban lifestyle. Attracts retirees, professionals, and remote workers.

Price trends: Waterfront condos $650K–$1.2M; apartments $450K–$700K.

Family-friendly: Moderate — urban environment, fewer backyards, but great access to activities.

Investment potential: High — strong short-term rental market and steady appreciation.

3. Nanoose Bay

Why it’s hot: Coastal lifestyle with lower prices than Parksville/Qualicum Beach; quiet and scenic.

Price trends: Single-family homes $800K–$1.3M; acreage $1M+.

Family-friendly: Excellent — safe, peaceful, good schools nearby.

Investment potential: Medium-high; attractive for retirees and remote workers.

4. Parksville / Qualicum Beach

Why it’s hot: Popular retirement and family-friendly area with beaches, golf courses, and good schools.

Price trends: Single-family homes $750K–$1.2M; townhomes $500K–$650K.

Family-friendly: Excellent — top-rated schools, parks, low crime.

Investment potential: Medium — strong seasonal market, slower appreciation than Nanaimo but steady.

5. Courtenay / Comox Valley

Why it’s hot: Rapid growth due to affordability, remote work lifestyle, and amenities.

Price trends: Single-family homes $650K–$900K; condos $400K–$600K.

Family-friendly: Excellent — schools, recreation, safe neighborhoods.

Investment potential: High — increasing demand, especially for rentals and first-time buyers.

💡 Quick insight:

Nanaimo is the hub for both urban and suburban opportunities.

Nanoose Bay & Parksville are lifestyle-driven buys (retirees, families, remote workers).

Courtenay/Comox is catching up fast for affordability and growth.

On February 2, 2026, the Vancouver Island Real Estate Board released a report on the current real estate market. Read the report here .

1. Pricing Correctly Is Critical in a Neighbourhood-by-Neighbourhood Market

On Vancouver Island, the market is no longer moving as one. Buyer activity varies significantly between communities such as Victoria, Nanaimo, Parksville–Qualicum, and the Gulf Islands, and even street-by-street within the same area.

Buyers are well-informed and cautious. Homes priced accurately for their specific micro-market are seeing early activity, while those priced optimistically are more likely to sit and require adjustments.

Local insight: Listings that attract interest in the first 2–3 weeks tend to achieve stronger results than those that need multiple price reductions.

Sources:

• Vancouver Island Real Estate Board (VIREB), Market Statistics
• British Columbia Real Estate Association (BCREA), BC Housing Forecast

2. What Still Sells Well on Vancouver Island

Despite a more balanced market, certain property types continue to perform strongly:

• Well-maintained homes with functional layouts
• Properties with outdoor space, privacy, or views
• Homes that feel move-in ready rather than “project-based”

Island buyers are placing a premium on lifestyle, location, and condition over size alone.

Sources:

• VIREB, Monthly Housing Reports
• Realtor.ca, Canadian Buyer Trends

3. Smart Pre-Sale Improvements (and What to Skip)

On Vancouver Island, buyers are particularly sensitive to:

• Deferred maintenance
• Roofing, drainage, and moisture-related issues
• Older mechanical systems

Sellers are generally better served by addressing visible maintenance items and cosmetic updates rather than undertaking major renovations that may not align with buyer preferences.

Best returns locally: fresh paint, lighting updates, minor repairs, landscaping, and professional cleaning.

Sources:

• Realtor.ca, Renovation ROI in Canada
• Remodeling Magazine, Cost vs. Value Report 2024 (regional trends)

4. Staging Matters—Especially for Lifestyle Properties

Whether it’s an ocean-view home, acreage, or in-town residence, staging helps buyers emotionally connect with the property and understand how the space lives.

On Vancouver Island, staging is especially effective in:

• Showcasing indoor–outdoor flow
• Highlighting views and natural light
• Helping downsizers and out-of-area buyers visualize scale and use

Sources:

• National Association of Realtors (NAR), Profile of Home Staging
• Real Estate Staging Association (RESA), Consumer Impact Statistics

5. Online Presentation Drives Showings

A high percentage of Vancouver Island buyers—particularly those relocating from other regions—begin their search online. Professional photography, video, and thoughtful listing presentation are essential to standing out.

Strong digital marketing increases:

• Showing requests
• Time-on-market performance
• Perceived value before a buyer ever steps inside

Sources:

• CREA, Real Estate in a Digital Age
• BCREA, Technology & Consumer Behaviour Reports

Final Takeaway for Island Sellers

The Vancouver Island market is rewarding sellers who are well-prepared,
well-advised, and realistic. Strategic pricing, thoughtful presentation, and understanding local buyer behaviour can significantly influence both timing
and outcome.

Even with the Real Estate market slowing down over the winter months, the demand for luxury waterfront properties remains high. We have broken the waterfront market down into the five top markets on Vancouver Island.

Click here for Luxury Waterfront Markets

The Vancouver Island Real Estate Board is reporting a balanced market this fall. For the full article, click here .

The Bank of Canada dropped the overnight rate by 25 basis points to 2.5%. Assessments of economic uncertainty and ongoing inflation pressures were sighted as contributing factors for the cut.

With the drop in rates and the fall season upon us, buyer confidence has improved. Even with economic uncertainty being on everyone’s mind, the market is showing increased stability and consistent demand. Some areas of the Island have showed year-over-year increases in sales and inventory, suggesting a balanced market.

Given that wildfire season is upon us and the close proximity of the Wesley Ridge wildfire, it is prudent to be prepared if a wildfire sparks near you. The BC Wildfire Service website has information on how to fire smart your home, how to create an Emergency Preparedness Plan and how to stay informed. Their website can be found here .

Currently we have 510 listings in Zone 5 (Parksville/Qualicum Beach) indicating a neutral market and just above that of a Seller’s market. Buyers are buying, and Sellers are selling. Don’t let media hype discourage you from making offers!

Are you wondering what is happening in the Real Estate market in 2025? The Vancouver Island Real Estate Board has all the stats and a summary to let you know what has been going on. See the media release and stats here.