A stronger month, but still a selective market
There were 4 detached-home sales in August, compared with 3 in August 2025 and 4 in August 2024. Dollar volume reached $8.535 million, considerably higher than the $5.785 million recorded last August. The average sale price for the month was $2.134 million, but, as always on Bowen, a four-sale sample is far too small to draw much of a conclusion from the monthly average alone.
The year-to-date numbers give us a better sense of the market. Through the end of August, Bowen recorded 40 sales, exactly the same number as at this point in 2025 and ahead of the 35 recorded in 2024. There have been 130 new listings, slightly below last year’s 135 but well above the 105 recorded in 2024. Year-to-date dollar volume has risen to $81.449 million, compared with $66.467 million last year, while the average sale price is $1.694 million, up modestly from $1.662 million in 2025.
The last-twelve-month numbers are somewhat more encouraging. There were 67 sales during the past twelve months, up from 56 a year earlier, while new listings declined from 168 to 152. Dollar volume increased to $110.937 million, compared with $89.734 million a year ago. The average sale price rose to $1.656 million and the median to $1.475 million. Median days on market also improved, falling from 48 days to 40. There is, however, an important counterpoint. Bowen’s MLS® Home Price Index benchmark fell 3.9% over the past twelve months, from $1.463 million in August 2025 to $1.405 million this August. The benchmark has been drifting downward fairly steadily since late last year and fell another 0.4% from July to August.
That apparent contradiction — more sales, higher average and median prices, but a declining benchmark — is worth paying attention to. Average and median prices are strongly affected by the mix of properties that happen to sell, particularly in a market as small as Bowen. The HPI attempts to measure changes in the value of a typical home and therefore suggests that underlying property values remain under some pressure.
My reading at the end of August is that activity has improved, but buyers remain price conscious. More homes are selling and inventory flow has eased somewhat, which is positive. At the same time, the declining benchmark tells us this is not a market in which sellers can assume that stronger sales numbers automatically translate into higher values. Well priced, appealing properties can sell; properties that are positioned ahead of the market are likely to face a much tougher time.
MONTH OF AUGUST 2026 DETACHED HOMES
SALE PRICE vs LIST PRICE
Low $1,700,000 $1,747,000
High $2,815,000 $2,850,000
Average Sale in August $2,060,600
Median Sale in August $1,920,000
STATS ON BOWEN is published monthly.
Timothy Rhodes REALTOR®
MLS® / SALES DATA DISCLAIMER: Based on Greater Vancouver REALTORS® MLS® data for Metro Vancouver, August 2026.
LIMITATION DISCLAIMER: Historical data is for informational purposes only and does not guarantee future results.
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