The North Shore Real Estate Market Pulse is intended to keep readers apprised of what’s going on in local real estate markets and in the global financial markets that affect real estate via inflation, interest rates, capital flows and public policy. It is best suited for those not able to keep up with all the news every day but still wanting to be informed.
The North Shore Real Estate Market Pulse – Pounding the Table, March 17th, 2026
March is typically the first month where we begin to see a noticeable uptick in listings and sales ahead of the spring market in North and West Vancouver. For 2026, listing counts are still trending above average and sales are only matching last year’s pace. The mismatch here is resulting in many stagnant listings that are overpriced. The average “Days on Market” is very high for this time of year. This will be resolved in one of a few ways: they will adjust price expectations lower to find the market, buyers will eventually come up to the prices sellers are expecting, or the sellers will either give up and remove from the market altogether. Many sellers are targeting the first week after Easter for listing. Between now and then is Spring Break and a long weekend, so activity is expected to be low.
North Vancouver Entry-Level Houses ($1.4-2.1M) | West Vancouver Houses Under $2.4M
Where activity is not low is in the geopolitical arena. Since our last update, war has erupted in the Middle East, with supply disruptions to oil and many byproducts sending prices higher for gas, fertilizers and other products. While geopolitical shocks have a tendency to fizzle and reverse just as quickly as they arrived, there’s a sense of permanence to this conflict – betting markets are only pricing in a 29% chance of a ceasefire in the next month.
Bond yields, which were easing nicely and just in time for the many homeowners refinancing mortgages in 2026, have moved sharply higher. This has led to mortgage professionals begging and pleading with people to obtain a pre-approval if purchasing in the near future, to call their bank and start negotiating a refinance if renewing, and to lock in to fixed rates if on a variable. The balance of risks has shifted toward higher rates soon.
North Vancouver Move-Up Houses ($2.1-2.8M) | West Vancouver Move-Up Houses ($2.4-3.2M)
North Vancouver Townhomes Under $1.3M | North Vancouver 2BR Condos Under $800K
Stock markets took a very minor tumble on news of the war, higher rate outlook and oil price shock. Large tech companies are continuing their relative under performance that dates to the fall. Energy producers have rotated into the lead as everyone scrambles to secure production capacity from anywhere but the Gulf. For investors, there are few “safe” places to put money in this kind of environment.
Perhaps that sentiment is what has bitcoin prices comfortably back above $70,000. When uncertainty is everywhere, spreading capital around to different types of assets feels like a safer alternative. Gold also remains strong above $5000/oz as it continues to find buyers at lofty prices. The consolidation in price has affected the miners worse than the metal itself. Oil is the talk of the town with prices near $100. Nobody knows what a prolonged crisis would do to energy costs, but hedging for that possibility might be an unfortunate necessity.
Worthwhile Reads:
Supersonic Tsunami: The Next 6 Months
The Generational Prisoner’s Dilemma: Three Certain Truths and The Exit Liquidity Trap
