Why Smart Investors Are Buying Presale Condos at 15–25% Below Peak Right Now

If you spend any time on Reddit or reading local real estate news, you have probably seen the headlines: "Condos crashing in BC," "Presale sales down 50%," and "Developers turning to bulk sales." The sentiment is undeniably negative. But while retail buyers are sitting on the sidelines waiting for interest rates to drop further, experienced investors are quietly moving in. They are looking at the data, analyzing the supply pipeline, and buying presale condos at 15% to 25% below peak market values. Here is a breakdown of exactly what is happening in the BC presale market in 2026, why the math makes sense for investors right now, and how you can execute this strategy. The Current State of the Market Let's be direct: the Metro Vancouver and Fraser Valley condo markets are currently in a buyer's market. Active condo listings are 37% above the 10-year average , and the sales-to-active ratio is hovering around 14%. Q1 2026 saw only 124 presale units sold in all of BC, a staggering drop from the almost 6,000 units sold in Q1 2021. Developers are feeling the pressure. Projects that started construction years ago are now completing, and there are an estimated 7,000 unsold new condos sitting empty across the region. To move this inventory, developers are offering massive incentives: rate buy-downs, decorating allowances, and significant price cuts. Some are even turning to bulk sales, selling multiple units to single buyers at 15% to 20% below current asking prices. The Supply Gap Thesis So, why buy now when prices are soft and rents are declining? The answer lies in the future supply pipeline. Because sales are so slow right now, developers are not launching new projects. In early 2026, presale launches in the Lower Mainland plunged to just 64 units—about 6% of a normal month. If developers are not launching projects today, there will be no new buildings completing in 2028 or 2029. As one commercial real estate expert noted, "If you're a betting man, there's going to be a lack of supply in two to three years." The real estate market is cyclical. When interest rates eventually stabilize and buyer confidence returns, that demand will hit a market with virtually no new supply. This is the exact scenario that drives rapid price appreciation.…

This article is part of the PresaleProperties.com BC real estate guide library. It is intended for buyers comparing presale condos, townhomes, assignments, deposits, completion timelines, neighbourhoods and developer incentives across Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley.

Because presale information changes quickly, readers should verify current project pricing, floor plans, incentives and availability before signing contracts or submitting deposits. For direct help, call 672 258-1100 or request VIP access on the relevant project page.