Buyers Are Taking Their Time. Sellers Need a Game Plan.
A market reality check from Matthew Rufh PREC*, Rufh Real Estate Group, REAL Broker BC Ltd.Right now, buyers are looking at a lot of homes before they choose one. They are not rushing. They know they have options, so they take their time. If you're thinking about selling, this changes how you need to plan.
Here's what the numbers show. In July, the average benchmark price for a Fraser Valley home was $877,600. That's down 7% from a year ago. There are also more than 10,000 homes for sale right now, which is a lot more than normal. Buyers have their pick. That's why they're not rushing to make an offer.
If you want to sell in this market, you need two things: the right price, and a home that shows like a 10 out of 10.
Let's talk about price.
Buyers are paying close attention to what homes near you have sold for. If your neighbor's house just sold for $1.1 million two weeks ago, your home is not worth $1.1 million anymore. It's worth less than that. That's simply how the market is moving right now. Prices are easing down, a little at a time, and there's no sign of that turning around soon.
We know that's not easy to hear. But it's better to hear it from us now than to find out the hard way after your home sits on the market for months with no offers.
If you have to sell, because of a death in the family, a divorce, downsizing, upsizing, or just moving into the right home for your life right now, this is still a good time to act. Yes, prices are down. But that's true across the board. If you're selling here and buying somewhere else, you're not losing that gap. You're carrying it with you to your next purchase, where prices have eased too.
Let's talk about presentation.
Buyers today are picky. They want a home that feels done: clean, fresh, and move-in ready. If your home needs work, buyers will notice. And they'll use it to ask for a lower price.
This is where a lot of sellers get caught off guard. Here's what we're seeing again and again this year: a buyer makes an offer, then their inspector finds a few things wrong, big or small. The buyer comes back asking for money off. We've seen requests for $3,000. We've seen $10,000. We've seen $50,000. Buyers want the home to be perfect when they move in, and right now, they have the leverage to ask for it.
Here's the part that stings the most: it doesn't matter if you spent $200,000 renovating your home back in 2022. That renovation doesn't add the value it used to. The market has shifted. A move-in-ready home and a home that needs work just don't sell as far apart in price as they used to. The gap has shrunk, and the buyer keeps the difference.
The fix: know before they know.
Before you list, get a pre-listing inspection. This means paying an inspector to check your home before the buyer's inspector does. It usually costs around $600.
That might sound like money you don't need to spend. But ask yourself this: would you spend $600 today to avoid losing $50,000 later at the negotiating table? Most people say yes without thinking twice.
A pre-listing inspection lets you fix small problems before they turn into big arguments. No surprises during negotiations means a smoother sale, and a better final price in your pocket.
The bottom line.
Right now, buyers have the advantage. They can shop around, take their time, and ask for concessions the moment a problem turns up. Sellers need to meet that with a plan: a price that matches what's actually selling nearby, and a home that's ready to impress the second a buyer walks through the door.
Buying a home today comes with real advantages. Selling a home today takes a real strategy. If you're thinking about listing and want to talk through your options, we're here to help. A little planning now can save you a lot of stress, and a lot of money, later.
Matthew Rufh PREC*
Personal Real Estate Corporation | Team Lead, Rufh Real Estate Group Real Broker B.C. Ltd.
This article is for general information only and shouldn't be treated as financial, legal, or professional advice for your specific situation. Every property and every seller's circumstances are different, talk to us before making a decision. This article is not intended to solicit properties currently listed for sale, nor to induce or interfere with any existing agency agreement.
Market statistics referenced above are sourced from the Fraser Valley Real Estate Board (FVREB), July 2026 MLS® Summary. REALTOR® and MLS® are trademarks of their respective associations.
