Let’s be honest—nobody likes hearing that the market is cooling. But if you’re a homeowner in Kitsilano thinking of upgrading, now might be the best time in years to make your move. Counterintuitive? Maybe. Smart? Absolutely.
The Kitsilano market is shifting, and with rising inventory, steady interest rates, and more buyer leverage, 2025 could be your golden window to level up—before everyone else catches on.
📊 The Numbers Don’t Lie: Listings Are Rising in Kits
Whether you’re in a cozy Condo or charming character Home, the trend is clear: more listings are hitting the market month over month in 2025.
Detached Houses:
- March: 29
- April: 46
- May: 47
Condos:
- March: 54
- April: 69
- May: 97
Townhouses & Duplexes:
- March: 44
- April: 61
- May: 75
Total inventory is climbing—across all property types. This means buyers (like you!) have more choice, more negotiating power, and less stress when finding the next perfect place to call home.
🏡 Why Upgrade in a Softer Market?
Let’s say you’re in a $1.2M townhouse and have your eye on a $2M detached home.
If the market dips 5%, your current property is now worth $1.14M. Ouch? Not really—because that $2M upgrade is also now worth $1.9M.
Result? You just “saved” $60,000 on the upgrade.
The spread between price points shrinks when the market is soft—and that’s the exact moment when moving up becomes more affordable. If you wait for prices to rise again, you’ll sell for more… but buy for way more.
💰 Interest Rates: Holding Now, But Cuts Are Coming
The Bank of Canada’s current benchmark interest rate sits at 4.75% as of June 2025. After two cuts earlier this year (from 5.0% in March and 5.25% in January), economists predict another potential cut by fall if inflation continues to behave.
Why this matters:
- Variable rates are more attractive again.
- Fixed rates remain stable in the 4.6–5.3% range, depending on term and lender.
- Mortgage qualification may get easier if rates keep dropping.
If you’re moving up the ladder, slightly lower prices + near-peak rates (with likely drops ahead) = a strategic advantage. Buy the property now, and refi into a better rate later.
🧠 Seller? Here’s What to Know
If you’re planning to sell in this more competitive market, you’ll need to bring your A-game:
- Staging: Yes, it works. Especially in Kits where curb appeal and character matter.
- Pricing: Too high, and you’ll sit. Too low, and you’ll leave money on the table. Strategy is everything.
- Presentation: Declutter, repaint, refresh. Buyers have options—make them choose yours.
The goal? Attract serious buyers quickly so you can focus on locking in your next place.
🧾 Buyer? This Market’s for You
Remember the 2021 madness? Bidding wars, bully offers, 10-minute showings, and buyers writing love letters with their offers?
Yeah, we’re not in that market anymore.
Buyers now enjoy:
- More inventory
- More negotiating room
- Fewer bidding wars
- More time to make decisions (and get inspections done!)
In Kitsilano especially, the influx of new listings means you can finally get picky about what you want—and that’s a luxury in Vancouver real estate.
🔄 Trading Up Isn’t Just About Square Footage
Upgrading often means:
- Getting that home office or second bedroom you’ve desperately needed
- Gaining a yard for the dog or kids (or just more garden space for your tomatoes)
- Moving from an older, maintenance-heavy home to a newer build
- Improving walkability, views, layout—or even snagging that Kits beachside address you’ve always wanted
Now is the time to stop settling and start living the way you want. And in this market, that dream might be more attainable than you think.
🏁 Final Thought: Don’t Try to Time the Bottom
We get it—everyone wants to “buy low and sell high.” But markets don’t work like stock charts.
By the time the bottom is obvious, it’s already passed. The best moves are made just before things shift. And in Kits, where inventory is up, interest rates are stabilizing, and prices are softening, we may be in that window right now.
👋 Let’s Talk Strategy
If you’re thinking of moving up in Kitsilano—whether from condo to townhouse, or townhouse to detached—I can help you:
- Assess your current home’s value
- Find great upgrade options that match your lifestyle
- Time your move to minimize financial friction and maximize return
Send me a message [email protected], or visit www.welovekits.ca and let’s see if now is your time to move up while the market’s in your favour.
In short: if you’re upgrading, this is your moment.
You might also like:
Navigating Vancouver’s Luxury Real Estate Market Insights From the Past Year
Cool Oceanfront Properties Outside of Vancouver
About the Author:
Why Now Is Actually a Great Time to Upgrade In Kitsilano was provided by Regan Pyke, a Vancouver Realtor and a leader in the field of sales, marketing, and real estate investing. Regan can be reached via email at [email protected] or by phone at 778-228-2448.
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