MLA Intel 2026: What the Presale Condo Market Means for Buyers & Investors in BC

The MLA Intel 2026 Report reveals one of the weakest years for presale activity in over a decade. But within the data, there are clear signals about where the market is headed—and where the opportunities lie. What Buyers & Investors Are Feeling Right Now The presale condo market /presale-projects feels slow, confusing, and uncertain — and that's not just sentiment. According to MLA, 2025 was one of the weakest years for presale activity in over a decade. Total presale unit releases declined 64% year-over-year , and project launches fell 49% compared to 2024 , placing activity well below the 10-year average. This is no longer a hype-driven market. It's a reset. --- First-Time Buyers: Why the Market Still Feels Unaffordable Presale vs Resale Pricing One of the biggest frustrations for first-time buyers is realizing that presale condos /vancouver-presale-condos are still priced higher than resale units /properties . MLA reports: - Concrete presale pricing averaged ~21% higher than comparable resale units - Wood-frame presales carried an average ~12% premium While this gap narrowed compared to 2024 due to developer price adjustments and incentives, it remains a major consideration. What this means for buyers: Presales today are less about short-term appreciation and more about locking in future housing with controlled deposit structures . Use our presale investment calculator /calculator to model your specific scenario. --- Incentives: Real Value vs Marketing Noise In 2025, incentives became more aggressive — but not always more effective. MLA observed that many incentives were designed to attract attention rather than materially improve affordability. Examples included: - Free vehicles - Large realtor bonuses - One-day discount events Some projects did offer real affordability-driven incentives such as GST credits, reduced deposits, or pricing adjustments — but buyers still need to evaluate the true net cost . Buyer takeaway: Focus on net pricing, deposit structure, and livability — not promotional headlines. Read our presale buyer's guide /presale-guide for a complete checklist. --- Why First-Time Buyers Are a Smaller Group Today MLA's buyer profile data shows a clear shift in who is purchasing presales: - First-time buyers declined from 48% in 2024 to 26% in 2025 - Buyers aged 40 and older now represent 60% of purchasers - 32% of buyers reported household incomes over $250,000 Presales are increasingly being absorbed…

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.