Why More Vancouverites Are Moving to Calgary in 2025

(A eal Estate Reality Check That Might Just Save Your Wallet)

 

1. The View Is Lovely — But the Cost? Not So Much

Picture this: it's a crisp spring morning in Vancouver. You're sipping coffee, watching clouds slide past the North Shore mountains. Stunning, right? Then the weight of your mortgage sinks in. Again.

You’re not imagining it—living in Vancouver has become a financial grind. And more and more people are quietly asking the same question:
“Is it time to move to Calgary?”

Turns out, a lot of folks already are.

2. Vancouver's Housing Prices Are Pushing People Out

Vancouver's real estate prices are among the highest in North America. As of this year, the average detached…

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Big News for First-Time Home Buyers: Full GST Rebate on New Homes Under $1M

If you're a first-time home buyer looking at new homes in North Vancouver, there's good news. On May 27, 2025, the Federal Government announced a major update that could make homeownership more attainable for many Canadians.

What’s Changing?

As part of amendments to the Excise Tax Act, first-time home buyers purchasing new homes or co-operative housing units may now qualify for a full GST rebate—up to $50,000—on homes priced under $1 million. Homes priced between $1 million and $1.5 million will still be eligible for a partial rebate, which phases out on a sliding scale.

Example:

If you're buying a new home in North Vancouver priced at $1.4 million, you'd still…

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Simplified, what does the new budget mean for our real estate market?

It is important to note that the First Time Home Buyer PTT exemption for RESALE properties remains unchanged and capped at 475K (sliding scale to 500k).

Property Transfer Tax (PTT)

• a New Housing exemption will apply to newly built homes or newly subdivided units priced up to $750,000, saving buyers up to $13,000; and

• a partial exemption will apply on newly built homes priced $750,000 to $800,000.

• a new 3% PTT rate will apply to the portion of a home sale that exceeds $2 million. For homes that sell for below $2 million, the PTT will continue to apply at a rate of 1% on the first $200,000 and 2% on the balance.

These changes take effect today February 17, 2016. A…

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Decade low inventory levels across all property types ignites an aggressive real estate market in Vancouver. Whether you're looking for a detached home, townhouse or a condo, chances are you'll find yourself in multiple offers so be prepared.

After a record setting 2015 where home sales were the highest in REBGV history, we're headed for a strong 2016. January sales are up by almost 32% compared to January 2015 and new listing inventory is down by 6%.

“Fundamental economics are driving today’s market. Home buyer demand is at near record heights and home seller supply is as low as we’ve seen in many years,” Darcy McLeod, REBGV president said.

If you’re contemplating a purchase this spring/summer it might be a good idea to start looking now to…

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Wow... the highest number of detached sales in North Vancouver for February since 2002. Yep, I said 2002. There were 124 detached sales in February 2015 compared to 94 in 2014 and 137 in 2002. The least number was 46 in 2009. Coupled with low inventory, relative to the level of demand, multiple offers are commonplace in both North and West Van for detached homes, now trickling into the townhouse and condo markets as well.

However, not EVERYTHING is selling for higher than the asking price. The detached market saw 57 out of 124 homes selling at or over list price (from 3k to 160k); townhouses 25 out of 53; and apartment condos saw 31 out of 94. 

“It’s an active and competitive marketplace today. Buyers are motivated and homes that are priced…

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Multiple offers are back in play as the North Vancouver real estate market experiences low detached inventory. There were 134 sales in March, which is up by about 19% over the previous year while listings are down by 21%. Due to the shift in supply and demand, 41 of those properties sold for asking price or, more commonly, over asking price. The busiest neighbourhoods being Lynn Valley with 8 and Blueridge with 5. Canyon Heights, Forest Hills, Central Lonsdale and Westlynn were also popular.

The West Vancouver market had a very different experience where only 9 of 62 detached sales resulted in multiple offers however, prices continue to rebound and are up by 6.8% over last year and 1.7% over last month. While condos prices are down by -1.6% over last…

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In North Vancouver prices are up across all property types this February compared to last. Detached by 2.6%, townhouses by 0.6% and condos by 1.3%. West Vancouver notably experienced a 7.2% increase in detached pricing.

Sales in North Vancouver are up considerably as well with the most significant being townhouses by 47%, condos by 36% and detached by 26%. In saying that, we've noticed a large number of sales being posted over the last few weeks for single family homes so I would expect this number to bump up for March. 

Supply is generally down... buyers in the detached market don't have as much to choose from which is unfortunate. If this trend continues as more purchasers enter the real estate market this spring, we will see an upward pressure…

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Property Transfer Tax BC

First-time home buyers received long awaited and welcome news yesterday when the provincial government released the new budget. Effective for properties registered on or after February 19th, under the First-Time Home Buyers Program, you can now purchase a home worth up to $475,000 without incurring PPT (Property Transfer Tax). They have also continued the partial exemption which now applies to homes valued between $475,000 to $500,000. 

What could this mean for you? Up to $7500 that you can put back in your pocket. Or maybe instead of buying a condo, you can now qualify to purchase a townhouse, or instead of an attached property... you can qualify for a detached home. 

The Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver along with the BC Real Estate…

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In North Vancouver prices are up by approximately 4% across all property types this January compared to last. While detached sales remain relatively unchanged, North Vancouver attached sales have increased. Apartment sales are up 32% and townhouse sales are up 12% over January 2012. We've also noticed in these early weeks of February that sales on new listings are happening more quickly... and that even 60 - 120 day old listings are starting to move. 

Now let's talk inventory. The total number of detached listings is down by 23.4% compared to last January and townhouse listings are also down (by 17%). This would be why those 'older' listings are starting to sell as more buyers enter the real estate market in these early stages of spring. On the flip…

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Throughout 2013, the North Shore housing market maintained a consistent balance between supply and demand. This resulted in modest price and sales increases. While we didn't see record-breaking sales months as we have in past years, it was definitely a stronger market in 2013 compared to 2012 where the market peaked in April and ended on a less than stellar note. This year, however, North Vancouver prices are up over last December and so are sales, with the exception of townhouses.

We didn't really see too much of a slow-down in December and were still showing properties as late as Christmas Eve! Buyers definitely remain on the lookout. 

North Vancouver detached home prices are up 4% over last December, condos are up by 3% and townhouses by…

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