How developers can sell unsold condo inventory in Metro Vancouver

Completed but unsold homes are piling up in Metro Vancouver, and the developers who move them fastest treat the problem as a sales project, not a waiting game. This guide sets out what is happening and the steps that work.

How much is unsold

British Columbia had 6,687 completed but unsold homes in the second quarter of 2026, including 5,511 condominium units, according to Real Property Data figures analysed by The Realist and reported in September 2026. The largest counts were in Burnaby (1,208), Vancouver (1,017), Surrey (798) and Coquitlam (620).

Demand has not caught up. Greater Vancouver REALTORS® reported 777 apartment sales in September 2026, down 18.6% from a year earlier, with the apartment benchmark price at $682,500, down 6.2%. Only 11.4% of listed apartments sold that month.

Why completed units stall

• Pricing set at launch no longer matches resale benchmarks nearby
• Marketing built for presale buyers (deposits, completion dates) instead of move-in buyers
• Little co-operating agent outreach once the sales centre winds down
• The units left are the hardest ones: north-facing, small, or priced above comparable resale

A playbook for selling remaining inventory

1. Audit what is left and why. List every unsold unit with its price, exposure, size, showings and feedback. Patterns usually point to two or three causes.
2. Price each unit against today’s resale market. Compare with current benchmark prices and recent sales in the area, not with the original price list. Set a release order so the best value sells first and builds momentum.
3. Check lender and contract limits before cutting prices. Construction lenders often have to approve discounts, and earlier buyers’ contracts may matter. Agree the room you have before you advertise anything.
4. Market move-in, not presale. Furnished show suites, real photos instead of renderings, possession dates measured in weeks, and occupancy cost comparisons with renting.
5. Bring co-operating agents back. Clear commissions, agent previews and a simple booking process. Many buyers arrive through their own REALTOR®.
6. Use incentives with conditions spelled out. Closing-cost credits, parking or storage included, or rate buy-downs can work better than headline price cuts; every condition must be stated clearly in the advertising.
7. Follow up every lead and report weekly. A CRM that logs every enquiry, plus a weekly report to the developer: units firm, pipeline, feedback, next steps.

Compliance notes

For presales still under a disclosure statement, material changes generally require an amendment under the Real Estate Development Marketing Act. Advertising must name the brokerage clearly and must not mislead on price, incentives or availability. Get your lawyer’s advice on contract and disclosure questions.

How Niche Realty Group helps

We plan, market and sell new developments across the North Shore and the Lower Mainland, from boutique buildings to medical strata. See project marketing for developers and recent work like the 1331 Ambleside Residences and the Cascadia Health Pavilion.

Sources

• Canadian Inquirer: B.C. has nearly 6,700 completed but unsold homes as condo market cools (September 15, 2026; Real Property Data via The Realist)
• Greater Vancouver REALTORS® statistics package, September 2026

General information, not legal, tax or financial advice.