Fraser Valley Real Estate Market Update April 2026: Are Sellers Gaining Ground?

The April 2026 Fraser Valley real estate statistics tell a more interesting story than we have seen in recent months.

Not dramatic. Not overheated. Not a sudden return to the fast-moving seller’s markets of a few years ago.

But there are signs that the market may be starting to find firmer footing.

Across the Fraser Valley, sales increased in April, prices showed small month-over-month gains in some categories, and buyer activity picked up as we moved further into the spring market. At the same time, inventory remains elevated, the sales-to-active listings ratio is still below balanced-market territory, and buyers continue to have more choice than they did during the peak years.

So the simple summary is this: the Fraser Valley real estate market is still favouring buyers, but it may be getting slightly better for sellers who are priced properly and positioned well.

Fraser Valley Sales Improved in April

According to the Fraser Valley Real Estate Board, there were 1,118 MLS® sales in April 2026. That was an 11% increase from March and a 7.2% increase compared with April 2025. This is notable because it was the first year-over-year sales increase in more than a year.

That does not mean the market has suddenly turned hot. It simply means more buyers are stepping off the sidelines than they were earlier in the year.

This matters because confidence is a major part of the real estate market. Buyers may still be cautious, but when sales start improving month over month and year over year, it often suggests that some buyers are becoming more comfortable with current prices, current borrowing costs, and the inventory available to them.

The stronger April sales were especially noticeable in detached homes. Across the Fraser Valley, detached sales were up 25% compared with April 2025 and up 13.8% compared with March 2026. Townhouse sales were also up 3.7% year over year and 6.8% month over month. Apartments were the softer category, with sales down 13.7% year over year, although they still improved 6.5% from March.

That split is important. It suggests the market is not moving evenly. Detached homes showed the clearest improvement, townhomes were relatively steady, and condos remained more cautious.

Inventory Is Still Giving Buyers Leverage

Even with improving sales, inventory remains the biggest reason buyers still have the upper hand.

The Fraser Valley had 9,816 active listings in April. That was up 6.7% from March and 45% above the 10-year seasonal average.

That is a lot of choice.

When buyers have more properties to compare, they tend to move more carefully. They look at condition. They compare price per square foot. They watch days on market. They are less likely to rush into offers unless a property is clearly well-priced or uniquely appealing.

This is why sellers need to be careful about reading the April numbers too aggressively. Yes, sales improved. Yes, there are some signs of price stability. But elevated inventory means buyers are not under the same pressure they were during the peak market years.

The sales-to-active listings ratio across the Fraser Valley was 11% in April. A balanced market is typically considered to be between 12% and 20%, meaning April still sat just below balanced territory and remained in buyer’s market conditions.

That one number tells a lot of the story.

The market is improving, but buyers still have options.

Prices Are Showing Some Stability, But Year-Over-Year Values Are Still Lower

The composite benchmark price for a typical Fraser Valley home was $899,200 in April, up 0.1% from March. That was the second month in a row where the composite benchmark price increased.

A 0.1% increase is not huge, but the direction matters. After a period of softer pricing, even modest monthly increases can suggest the market is trying to stabilize.

That said, year-over-year prices remain lower across all major property types.

Detached homes had a Fraser Valley benchmark price of $1,374,800, down 8.8% from April 2025. Townhomes were at $771,600, down 7.4% year over year. Apartments were at $491,000, down 8.3% year over year.

This is why I would not describe April as a seller’s market. Prices are not running away. Buyers are not generally competing in the way they were a few years ago. The market is still digesting higher borrowing costs, affordability concerns, and a larger pool of available listings.

But compared with the beginning of the year, the tone does appear a little more stable.

What This Means for Fraser Valley Sellers

For sellers, April’s numbers are encouraging, but they come with an important condition: pricing still matters.

A home that is priced based on 2021 or early 2022 expectations may struggle. Buyers today are better informed, more patient, and more willing to wait. They can see what else is available. They are comparing recent sales carefully.

But a home that is priced according to today’s market, presented well, and marketed properly can still attract serious attention.

The average days on market in April were 37 days for detached homes, 32 days for townhomes, and 42 days for condos across the Fraser Valley.

That is not painfully slow, but it is also not instant. Sellers should expect a more thoughtful process. The first week still matters, but the right buyer may take longer to come through.

What This Means for Fraser Valley Buyers

For buyers, this remains a much more favourable environment than the market we saw during the peak years.

There is more inventory. There is more time to compare. There is more room for due diligence. In many cases, buyers may still have the ability to negotiate on price, subjects, dates, or terms.

However, the improving sales numbers are worth paying attention to. If the market continues to firm up through spring and into summer, the best-priced homes may not sit as long as they did earlier in the year.

The opportunity for buyers is still there, but the window may not feel quite as wide open in every segment.

South Surrey / White Rock: A Closer Look

Now let’s narrow the focus to South Surrey and White Rock.

This local market showed some of the more interesting numbers in the April report.

For detached homes in South Surrey / White Rock, sales rose to 72 in April. That was up 38.5% from March and also up 38.5% compared with April 2025. New detached listings increased to 265, up 32.5% from March and 13.7% year over year. Active detached listings reached 634, up 9.5% from March and 3.3% from last year.

The detached benchmark price in South Surrey / White Rock was $1,740,600. That was up 1.3% from March, but still down 8.2% from April 2025.

This is a good example of the broader market story. Month over month, detached homes showed strength. But compared with last year, prices are still lower.

For townhomes, South Surrey / White Rock had 44 sales in April, up 4.8% from last year but down 4.3% from March. The benchmark townhome price was $878,200, up 1.1% from March but down 8.2% year over year.

For apartments, the story was mixed but notable. Apartment sales were down 27.8% year over year, but up 18.2% from March. The benchmark apartment price was $588,200, up 3.0% from March and down 4.8% year over year.

That 3.0% monthly increase in apartment benchmark pricing stands out. It does not mean every condo suddenly gained value, but it does suggest that the condo segment in South Surrey / White Rock may have found some support in April.

Is South Surrey / White Rock Getting Better for Sellers?

In my opinion, yes — but carefully.

The numbers suggest South Surrey / White Rock may be showing early signs of a more constructive market for sellers, particularly in detached homes and some apartment segments. Detached sales improved significantly, benchmark prices rose month over month, and apartment benchmark prices also moved higher.

But inventory is still meaningful, and year-over-year benchmark prices are still down across detached, townhouse, and apartment categories.

So I would not call this a strong seller’s market. I would call it a market where good listings are starting to matter more.

In South Surrey and White Rock, buyers are often lifestyle-driven. They may be looking for a walkable condo near the town centre, a downsizer-friendly home close to shops and services, an ocean-view property, a family home near schools, or a quieter neighbourhood like Ocean Park, Sunnyside, Crescent Beach, or East Beach.

Those buyers are still selective. But when the right property comes up at the right price, the market appears more willing to respond than it did earlier in the year.

The April 2026 Fraser Valley real estate statistics show a market that is improving, but still cautious.

Sales are up. Some prices are stabilizing. South Surrey / White Rock posted several encouraging month-over-month gains. For sellers, that is good news.

But buyers still have leverage. Inventory remains elevated, the sales-to-active listings ratio is still below balanced-market territory, and year-over-year prices are still lower in most categories.

For sellers, this is not a market to overprice and hope. It is a market to prepare properly, price intelligently, and understand where your property fits.

For buyers, this is still a market with opportunity, but the best homes may start to attract more attention if confidence continues to improve.

In other words, the market is not hot — but it may be getting healthier.