The Greater Vancouver REALTORS® (GVR) has released its October 2025 market report, revealing that slower sales and higher inventory levels are shaping one of the most buyer-friendly markets of the year.

Despite another interest rate cut by the Bank of Canada this October — the fourth in 2025 — buyers remain cautious, and listings continue to rise, creating more opportunities for those looking to purchase this fall.

“October is typically the last month of the year where sales activity sees a seasonal uptick, but sales still fell short of last year’s figures and the ten-year seasonal average,” said Andrew Lis, GVR’s Chief Economist and Vice-President of Data Analytics. “Even the fourth cut this year to the Bank of Canada’s policy rate wasn’t enough to entice more buyers back into the market.”

📊 Market Highlights: October 2025

• 🏠 Total sales: 2,255 homes — down 14.3% from October 2024 and 14.5% below the 10-year seasonal average

• 📈 New listings: 5,438 — relatively stable, down just 0.3% year-over-year

• 🏘️ Active listings: 16,393 — up 13.2% compared to last year and 35.9% above the 10-year average

• 💼 Sales-to-active listings ratio: 14.2% overall

  • Detached homes: 11.3%

  • Townhomes: 17.6%

  • Condos: 15.5%

📉 A sales-to-active listings ratio below 12% typically indicates downward pressure on home prices, while ratios above 20% suggest price increases. With October’s ratio sitting at 14.2%, the market is leaning toward balanced — but clearly in buyers’ favour.

💰 Benchmark Prices

Home prices have eased across all property types as high inventory meets softer demand:

• Detached homes: $1,916,400 ↓ 4.3% year-over-year

• Townhomes: $1,066,700 ↓ 3.8% year-over-year

• Apartments: $718,900 ↓ 5.1% year-over-year

• Composite benchmark: $1,132,500 ↓ 3.4% year-over-year

Prices have also slipped modestly month-over-month, suggesting that the fall market is providing a window of opportunity for well-prepared buyers.

🌟 What This Means for Buyers

With inventory sitting at its highest level in years, buyers now have:

• More selection to find the right property

• Increased negotiating power

• Less competition from multiple offers

While sales have slowed, the long-term fundamentals of the Metro Vancouver market remain strong. For buyers who have been waiting for a more balanced market, this fall could be an ideal time to make a move.

“After peaking in June, inventory levels have edged lower, and prices have eased across all market segments as slower-than-usual sales activity meets the highest inventory levels seen in many years,” Lis added. “With no further reductions to the Bank of Canada’s policy rate expected in 2025, market conditions appear as favorable for buyers as they’ve been all year.”

🗝️ Thinking About Buying or Selling?

If you’re considering entering the market, this is the time to explore your options with confidence. Whether you’re planning to buy your first home, move up, or downsize, understanding the current trends can help you make the most informed decision possible.

📞 Tara Kennedy – REALTOR®
Serving the Tri-Cities and Greater Vancouver Area
📱 236-992-8989
📧 TaraKennedySells@gmail.com
🌐 www.TaraKennedy.ca

#VancouverRealEstate #MarketUpdate #BuyersMarket #TaraKennedyRealtor #MetroVancouverHomes #RealEstateTrends #TriCitiesRealtor #BCRealEstate #HousingMarket #CoquitlamRealtor #PortMoodyRealEstate #HomeBuyingTips

Every year on November 11th, Canadians pause for a moment of silence to honour the men and women who have served—and continue to serve—our country in times of war, conflict, and peacekeeping.

At 11:00 a.m., we stop what we’re doing and remember the exact moment when the guns fell silent on the Western Front in 1918, marking the end of the First World War.

Remembrance Day is not just about remembering history—it’s about appreciating the peace and freedoms we enjoy today, and acknowledging the tremendous sacrifices that made them possible.

🇨🇦 The History of Remembrance Day in Canada

The first Remembrance Day was held in 1919, one year after the end of the First World War. It was originally known as Armistice Day, marking the armistice agreement signed on November 11, 1918, between the Allies and Germany.

In 1921, the Canadian Parliament passed the Armistice Day Act, combining Armistice Day with Thanksgiving and observing it on the Monday of the week in which November 11 fell. However, this date proved confusing and disconnected from the true spirit of remembrance.

In 1931, Member of Parliament Allan Neill introduced a bill to move the observance back to November 11 and rename it Remembrance Day. Parliament agreed, and since then, Canadians have observed it on November 11 every year.

While the day was first intended to honour those who served in the First World War, it now recognizes all Canadians who have served in every conflict since.

🌺 The Symbol of the Poppy

The red poppy has become the universal symbol of remembrance. It was inspired by the resilience of the poppy flowers that grew on the battlefields of Belgium and northern France, even amid the devastation of war.

The symbol was made famous by the poem In Flanders Fields, written by Canadian Lieutenant-Colonel John McCrae in 1915. After witnessing the loss of a close friend during the Second Battle of Ypres, McCrae was moved by the sight of poppies growing between soldiers’ graves—and penned the words that have endured for generations.

✒️ In Flanders Fields

By Lieutenant-Colonel John McCrae (1915)

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

This haunting and powerful poem became one of the most famous literary pieces of the First World War and helped inspire the poppy as a lasting emblem of remembrance.

🎖️ Traditions and Observances

Across Canada, Remembrance Day ceremonies are held at cenotaphs, war memorials, schools, and community halls. The National Remembrance Day Ceremony takes place at the National War Memorial in Ottawa, attended by veterans, serving military members, government officials, and thousands of Canadians.

Common traditions include:

• Wearing a poppy on the left lapel, close to the heart

• Two minutes of silence at 11:00 a.m. to honour fallen soldiers

• Wreath-laying ceremonies by veterans, families, and dignitaries

• The playing of “The Last Post”, followed by “Reveille”

• The reading of poems and names of those who gave their lives

Many Canadians also participate in classroom lessons, watch documentaries, or visit war museums and memorials to reflect on Canada’s military history.

💬 Why Remembrance Day Still Matters

More than 2.3 million Canadians have served in uniform since Confederation, and over 118,000 have died in service.

Remembrance Day is not only about honouring those who made the ultimate sacrifice - it’s about recognizing the ongoing contributions of veterans, peacekeepers, and active service members.

It’s also a time to reflect on the cost of war, the value of peace, and the importance of understanding our history.

As generations pass, the responsibility to remember grows stronger. The freedoms we enjoy today are built upon the courage and selflessness of those who came before us.

🌹 How You Can Honour Remembrance Day

Even simple acts of remembrance carry meaning. Here are a few ways to participate:

• Wear a red poppy from the last Friday of October until November 11.

• Observe the two minutes of silence at 11 a.m. on November 11.

• Attend or watch a ceremony—in person or virtually.

• Talk with veterans and thank them for their service.

• Teach younger generations about the importance of remembrance.

• Support veterans’ organizations, such as the Royal Canadian Legion.

🕊️ A Moment to Reflect

Remembrance Day is not about glorifying war, it’s about recognizing the deep human cost of conflict and the value of peace. It’s a time to come together as a nation to honour courage, compassion, and sacrifice.

So on November 11th, take a moment whether in silence, reflection, or conversation to remember those who gave everything, and to carry their torch forward.

Lest we forget.

#RemembranceDay #LestWeForget #CanadaRemembers #InFlandersFields #PoppyDay #HonourAndRemember #VeteransCanada #WeRemember #FreedomIsntFree #PeaceAndRespect #CanadianHistory #FlandersField

In Port Coquitlam, the City is preparing to rezone a cluster of single-family residential lots in the 2200-blocks of Manning Avenue, Fraser Avenue, and Shaughnessy Street for higher-density residential use. A total of 31 properties are affected by the proposed zoning changes.

What We Know So Far

The properties in question:
31 single-family parcels located in the 2200-blocks of Manning and Fraser Avenues and along Shaughnessy Street are being considered for apartment zoning.

The impetus:
The Province of British Columbia recently passed legislation permitting four to six units of housing on parcels previously zoned for single-family homes. In response, Port Coquitlam granted a temporary “grace period” to pause smaller-scale developments while the City assessed local infrastructure and planned for higher-density housing.

Grace period expiry:
That grace period is set to expire at the end of 2025, meaning Council must now proceed with rezoning the affected properties to align with provincial requirements.

Ownership mix:
Of the 31 parcels, 20 are owned by the City and 11 are privately held.

Infrastructure caveat:
City staff have noted that while higher density in the area is achievable, significant road and service infrastructure improvements will be required before redevelopment can move forward.

Lot consolidation required:
Because the parcels are separately owned, Council members have acknowledged that substantial consolidation will be necessary before redevelopment can begin. This process could take considerable time.

Formal rezoning vote pending:
Although Council has indicated support for rezoning, a formal vote on the bylaw is still required before any changes take effect.

Broader Context

Provincial Housing Legislation

This initiative forms part of a broader provincial effort to increase housing supply across British Columbia. Under the new small-scale multi-unit housing legislation, municipalities must allow additional housing units on land historically zoned for single-family homes. Port Coquitlam was among several cities granted extra time to implement these changes, primarily to evaluate infrastructure capacity.

Local Planning and Land-Use History

The City’s Zoning Bylaw already identifies portions of Manning, Fraser, and Shaughnessy as potential redevelopment areas, with some lots subject to specific zoning notes and exemptions. Over the past several years, the City has actively acquired strategic parcels as part of its downtown revitalization and redevelopment vision.

At the same time, smaller infill developments—such as townhouse proposals along Manning Avenue—have demonstrated a gradual move toward increased density. This proposed rezoning marks a more significant step in that evolution.

Why This Matters

Housing Supply and Density

Rezoning these 31 lots could pave the way for higher-density housing in an area currently dominated by single-family homes. The shift would increase the housing supply, support population growth, and make more efficient use of valuable urban land.

Infrastructure and Servicing

While redevelopment offers opportunity, it also brings challenges. The City has acknowledged that major upgrades to utilities, roads, and servicing infrastructure will be necessary to accommodate higher density. Without these improvements, rapid growth could strain existing systems and negatively impact surrounding neighbourhoods.

Land Ownership and Consolidation

Because many of the lots are individually owned, coordination between property owners and developers will be crucial. Lot consolidation, infrastructure planning, and financing could take several years to finalize before construction begins.

Neighbourhood Impacts

The area’s character is expected to evolve from a single-family environment to one featuring multi-unit buildings. Residents may have questions and concerns regarding traffic, parking, green space, and community identity. Balancing growth with livability will be a key consideration for both Council and staff.

Timing and Process

Even after rezoning approval, development will not occur immediately. The process will involve detailed planning, infrastructure design, permitting, and property consolidation. City officials have cautioned that progress will likely take time.

Potential Next Steps and What to Watch

• Council vote: The formal rezoning bylaw must still be introduced and approved.

• Infrastructure planning: Detailed servicing plans will be developed to address road, sewer, and utility upgrades.

• Land consolidation: Coordination between the City and private landowners will determine how redevelopment proceeds.

• Design and density: Future projects will clarify building height, unit count, and design standards.

• Public consultation: The City may engage with residents for feedback and input on redevelopment plans.

• Development timeline: After rezoning, further approvals, designs, and construction could take several years.

• Housing affordability: It remains to be seen whether future developments will include affordable or rental housing components.

• Alignment with city vision: The rezoning area sits near major transit routes and complements Port Coquitlam’s long-term vision for infill and transit-oriented growth.

What This Means for Stakeholders

For Residents

Residents living in the 2200-blocks of Manning, Fraser, and Shaughnessy can expect long-term change. Construction activity, infrastructure work, and increased density will gradually reshape the area. At the same time, redevelopment could bring new amenities, improved roads, and more housing options.

For Property Owners and Investors

Property values may shift as the zoning changes. Privately owned lots could attract developer interest for consolidation or sale. While opportunities exist, owners should be aware of potential delays, market fluctuations, and evolving development requirements.

For City Planners and Government

Rezoning these lots supports provincial housing goals and helps address the region’s housing shortage. Managing infrastructure upgrades, community engagement, and design quality will be critical to successful implementation. The City’s significant land ownership in the area gives it leverage to guide development outcomes.

For Developers

The area presents new opportunities for apartment and mixed-use projects, but also challenges. Separate ownership, infrastructure requirements, and long timelines may make projects complex to deliver. Developers will need to collaborate closely with both the City and local residents.

Challenges and Considerations

• Infrastructure readiness: Upgrading utilities and roads will be costly and time-intensive.

• Fragmented ownership: Consolidating properties may prove difficult if owners are unwilling to sell.

• Market factors: Construction costs, interest rates, and housing demand could affect project viability.

• Community response: Concerns about density, parking, and neighbourhood character may arise.

• Timing: Rezoning approval does not immediately translate into construction; multiple stages remain.

• Affordability: There is no guarantee new developments will include affordable or rental units.

• Service demand: Growth will increase pressure on local amenities, schools, and transit systems.

Why This May Be a Turning Point

This rezoning initiative represents a major step toward higher-density living in Port Coquitlam. With many of the affected parcels under City ownership, local government can play an active role in shaping how redevelopment unfolds. The move aligns with provincial policies designed to boost housing supply and could serve as a model for future redevelopment in other parts of the Tri-Cities.

If successful, the project may demonstrate how municipalities can balance housing growth, infrastructure readiness, and community character while addressing one of British Columbia’s most pressing challenges—housing availability.

Summary

The proposed rezoning of 31 lots in the Manning, Fraser, and Shaughnessy area marks a shift toward a more compact and sustainable urban form in Port Coquitlam. While the plan opens the door to future apartment developments, it will also require careful coordination, infrastructure investment, and public engagement.

As the grace period expires at the end of 2025, Council’s upcoming vote will set the stage for how this important neighbourhood evolves in the years to come.

https://www.portcoquitlam.ca/our-government/media-centre/strategic-redevelopment-keeps-downtown-vision-track?

#PortCoquitlam #PoCo #TriCitiesBC #HousingDevelopment #UrbanPlanning #Rezoning #BCHousing #AffordableHousing #CommunityGrowth #BCRealEstate #LocalNews #FutureOfHousing

November is Radon Action Month, and here in British Columbia, there’s an important message making headlines again: radon testing saves lives.

The BC Real Estate Association (BCREA), BC Lung Foundation, and Real Estate Foundation of BC have teamed up once again to launch a province-wide awareness campaign encouraging homeowners to test their homes for radon — a naturally occurring gas that can silently build up inside homes and increase the risk of lung cancer.

You may not hear about radon often, but this is one home-safety topic every homeowner should pay attention to.

❓ What Exactly Is Radon?

Radon is a colourless, odourless, and tasteless radioactive gas that forms naturally in the ground as uranium breaks down in soil and rock.

It seeps into homes through:

• Cracks in foundations

• Gaps around pipes and vents

• Sump pumps or unfinished floors

• Crawl spaces

And here’s why it matters:
When radon builds up indoors and is breathed over time, it can damage lung tissue — making it the #2 cause of lung cancer in Canada, second only to smoking.

Many people assume radon affects only certain regions — but it can be found in homes anywhere in BC. In fact, Interior BC has been identified as one of the higher-risk regions in the country.

👀 Why Is This a Big Deal in BC?

While radon exists everywhere, certain geological areas naturally have higher levels. Parts of Interior BC — including Kamloops, Kelowna, the Kootenays, and surrounding communities — have consistently shown elevated radon concentrations in homes.

But location alone doesn’t tell the whole story…
Two houses on the same street can have very different radon levels.

And because radon increases when homes are sealed tightly for winter, fall and winter are the ideal time to test.

🧪 How Do You Test for Radon?

Testing is simple, affordable, and homeowner-friendly.

✅ 3 Easy Steps

1. Order a long-term radon test kit
   A 90-day test provides the most accurate results.

2. Place the device on the lowest lived-in level of your home
   (basement living space, rec room, or ground floor)

3. Send it to the lab at the end of the testing period
   You’ll get an official reading to see if action is needed.

👉 BC’s public awareness campaign directs residents to RadonKills.ca/BC for information, testing tools, and support.

🆘 What if Your Radon Level Is High?

Don’t panic — radon can be fixed, and often more easily than people think.

A certified radon mitigation professional can usually reduce levels significantly by installing a system that vents radon safely outdoors. In most cases, homeowners see dramatic improvements after installation.

This is not a DIY situation — always work with a qualified radon contractor.

🧠 Key Takeaways for BC Homeowners

• Radon is real, common, and preventable

• You can’t see or smell radon — testing is the only way to know

• BC Interior homes are especially at risk

• Testing is simple and affordable

• Mitigation, if needed, is effective and worthwhile

• Fall & winter are the best time to test

🏠 Protect Your Home and Family

As homeowners, we invest in smoke detectors, carbon monoxide alarms, and regular maintenance — radon testing belongs right beside those essentials.

Taking action now means peace of mind, a healthier home, and a safer environment for your family.

To learn more or order a radon test kit, visit:
👉 RadonKills.ca/BC 

#RadonActionMonth #RadonAwareness #HomeSafety #HealthyHomes #BCHomes #RealEstateBC #IndoorAirQuality #ProtectYourFamily #TestYourHome #Radon #SilentKiller #LungCancer #RadonKills

🔥 SHOCKING: BC Voted to STOP Changing Clocks 5 YEARS AGO... So Why Are We Still Doing It?! 🔥

It’s a ritual we all dread: the annual “fall back” and “spring forward” that throws off our sleep, our schedules, and our sanity. In the dark of a November evening, every British Columbian has likely asked the same question: “Didn’t we vote to end this?”

The answer is a resounding YES. And that’s what makes the situation so frustrating.

Back in 2019, the province held a mail-in referendum with a simple question: "Are you in favour of ending the practice of changing clocks twice a year by adopting year-round Daylight Saving Time?"

The will of the people was clear. 54.8% of voters said YES. The referendum passed. The decision was made.

So, why did we still change our clocks this past November? The story of why your vote seems to have vanished into thin air is a tale of political caution, cross-border complications, and a broken promise.

The Fine Print: The Condition That Stalled Everything

In the wake of the referendum, the BC NDP government, then led by John Horgan, accepted the result but immediately attached a major condition. The government stated that BC would only adopt permanent Daylight Time if and when the U.S. states of Washington, Oregon, and California did the same.

The reasoning was logical on the surface: to avoid a "time warp" that would misalign BC's clock from its biggest trading partners for half the year, potentially disrupting business, travel, and communication in the Pacific Northwest.

The American Roadblock: A Law That Can't Be Broken

Here’s where the plan hit a wall it was never able to scale. While Washington, Oregon, and California have all passed bills expressing their desire to move to permanent Daylight Time, they are all bound by a federal law: the U.S. Uniform Time Act of 1966.

This act is the crux of the problem. It allows states to opt-out of Daylight Saving Time and stay on Standard Time permanently (as Arizona and Hawaii do), but it does not allow states to permanently adopt Daylight Saving Time.

The key to unlocking BC’s time change, therefore, lies not in our legislature in Victoria, but in the halls of the U.S. Congress in Washington, D.C. For years, bills like the "Sunshine Protection Act" have been introduced to change this, but they have repeatedly stalled in a gridlock of political inertia. The American political system, for all its desire at the state level, has failed to deliver.

The Bottom Line: Your Vote is in Political Purgatory

The BC government’s well-intentioned condition has created a perfect stalemate. We are held hostage by a political process in another country over which we have zero control. The promise made to British Columbians—that our vote would end the time change—has been effectively nullified by a clause that is indefinitely on hold.

It's Time for BC to Lead, Not Follow

This is more than just an issue of sleep; it's an issue of leadership. True leadership means taking responsibility and forging a solution—not hiding behind American politics as a permanent excuse for inaction.

It is time for BC to break free, to take a stand for Canada, and to stop waiting for American permission to manage our own clocks and our own lives.

The government had other choices. They could have led a coordinated, high-pressure push with our neighbouring states. They could have championed a bold, BC-first solution and developed a contingency plan. Instead, the response for half a decade has been a collective shrug, telling an entire province to just keep waiting.

The time for waiting is over. Now is the time for leadership.

The people of BC spoke. It’s long past time for our government to listen.

#BCPoli #DaylightSavingTime #BC #Referendum #StopTheClockChange #PacificTime #BCNews #WaitOnWashington #BCTimeChange #EndDaylightSaving #BCPolitics #ReferendumFail #BrokenPromise #YVR #NDPBrokenPromise #DavidEby #TimeForActionBC #BCNDP