As we wrap up 2025 and step into 2026, one of the questions I hear most often is simple: “What’s going to happen with the Sunshine Coast real estate market this year?” While no one has a crystal ball, there are some very clear patterns emerging that buyers and sellers should be paying attention to.
Move-In Ready Homes Will Lead the Market
If there’s one theme that’s been consistent over the past year-and-a-half, it’s this: nice, move-in ready homes that are priced properly will sell quickly. That hasn’t changed, and I expect it to continue into 2026. Buyers are willing to move fast when a home checks their boxes and doesn’t require immediate work.
On the flip side, fixer-uppers, dated homes, and overpriced properties are taking longer to sell. Sellers are slowly coming around to this reality. Even homes that have been lovingly maintained for decades can feel like time capsules to today’s buyers. In 2026, finishes matter. Buyers may appreciate that everything “works,” but they’re still mentally calculating renovation costs, and those numbers add up fast.
What to Expect This Spring
Will spring 2026 be busy? The answer is yes… and no.
I expect a wave of listings early in the year. Homes that were pulled off the market during the holidays will return, and as soon as we get a few decent days for photos and video, new listings will follow. There’s also a sense of economic uncertainty right now, both in Canada and globally. Some sellers are watching prices soften and deciding they’d rather list sooner than later, even if that means adjusting their price.
That means more choice for buyers, but not necessarily in every category.
Buyers Are Selective, but Ready
There are plenty of buyers who’ve been sitting on the sidelines, watching prices edge down. Many of them are ready to act, but only for the right home. The challenge is that the Sunshine Coast lacks a deep supply of move-in ready properties, especially smaller homes and bungalows.
When those homes do hit the market and they’re priced correctly, buyers move quickly. I continue to see strong competition in that segment simply because there isn’t much inventory.
Fixer-Uppers and Investors Are Slower
One big shift in the market is the lack of investors. Fixer-uppers and sweat-equity homes now need to be exceptional deals to attract interest. Renovation costs are high, and for many buyers (especially younger families) there just isn’t enough extra capital available after qualifying for a mortgage.
Renovating an older two-storey home can easily mean $150,000 or more, especially if the new owners are going to be dealing with something like asbestos remediation. That reality has taken many buyers, and almost all investors, out of that segment of the market.
Younger Buyers vs. Retirees
Both younger buyers and retirees are often looking for the same thing: smaller, move-in ready homes. Younger buyers don’t necessarily want large houses, and retirees are typically focused on single-level living.
This creates pressure in a market like Gibsons, where we don’t have many small bungalows, especially ones with ocean views. While there are options in areas without views, many people moving to the Sunshine Coast are drawn here specifically for the coastal lifestyle, and that expectation plays into buying decisions.
Townhouses work well for younger families, but they’re often less appealing to retirees due to stairs and layouts. Strata fees can also make it harder for younger buyers to qualify, as lenders factor those costs into mortgage approvals.
Condos and Townhouses: A Reset, Not a Crash
Over the past couple of years, prices for condos and townhouses dropped more than I expected. Some of that may have come from headlines out of Vancouver and Toronto about condo oversupply. While that narrative may have spilled over psychologically, the reality is that we don’t have an oversupply here on the Sunshine Coast.
As we move through 2026, I expect condo and townhouse prices to level off rather than continue declining. The fundamentals here are different, and supply remains limited.
Advice for Sellers in 2026
For sellers, pricing is everything. Homes need to be priced according to true market value, not past expectations. Fixer-uppers must reflect the cost and effort required for a buyer to make them livable by today’s standards. Move-in ready homes still do well, but only if they’re priced right.
Timing matters too, especially for retiree sellers. If you’re planning to move closer to family, downsize, or transition into assisted living, ask yourself whether holding out for an extra $10,000 or $20,000 is worth delaying the next chapter of your life.
Work with your REALTOR® and test the market (but not too aggressively or for too long). Prices are slowly trending downward, and while I don’t expect a dramatic drop, I also don’t see a hyped-up spring market ahead.
The Bottom Line
Going into 2026, buyers will remain selective and price-conscious. They won’t overpay, no matter their age or stage of life. Sellers who understand the realities of today’s market (and price accordingly )will be in the best position to succeed.
As always, the sooner you align expectations with what the market is actually doing, the smoother the process will be.
Call Val
If you’re not already working with a REALTOR®, I’d love to guide you through 2026!
Call or text Val: 604-399-8935
Email Val: info@vallabrecque.ca
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