April 2026 Newsletter

by John Cooper

April 2026

Critical Observations for Nanaimo Stakeholders

A New Sales High: With 27 Sold/Pending units, April Week 1 is now the highest-performing week for sales in this dataset, surpassing the previous peaks of 23 in March and December. This indicates that the "Spring Market" has moved from a crawl to a sprint.
The Inventory Influx: 60 new listings in a single week is nearly double the average we saw in January. Nanaimo homeowners are clearly timing their listings for the spring bloom.
The "Washout" Factor: Interestingly, while sales hit a record, Cancelled/Expired listings also jumped to 22. This is a classic sign of a "two-tier" market: homes that are priced correctly and show well are being snapped up instantly, while those that miss the mark are being pulled or expiring just as quickly as the new inventory arrives.

Synopsis for the Nanaimo Resident

For Nanaimo homeowners and buyers, April Week 1 marks the most aggressive market shift we’ve seen in 2026. We’ve just hit a record 27 sales in a single week, proving that buyer demand is at a six-month high. However, with 60 new listings hitting the streets simultaneously, the 'curb appeal competition' has never been stiffer. If you are selling, you can't just rely on the spring buzz; the jump in cancellations to 22 shows that buyers are becoming ruthless; they have plenty of options and are walking away from anything that feels overpriced. If you are an aspiring homeowner, this is your moment of maximum choice, but be prepared to move fast on the 'best-in-class' properties, as the 45% absorption rate proves the best homes are still leaving the market almost as fast as they arrive.

- John Cooper

Most Recent Market Statistics (March 2026)*

Vancouver Island (not including Victoria)

302 single-family homes sold. Average price: $829,303 (up 1.5% from 12 months to date, this year over last). Single-family unit sales volume is up 2.5%. Average days on market has seen no change at 49 days. The average condo sold for $421,379. Condo unit sales are down 8%, 12 months to date. Condos have seen a increase of 12% in days on market. Average days to sell is 64 days. The average row/townhouse sold for $575,399. Row/townhouse unit sales are down 7%, 12 months to date. Row/townhouses have seen a increase of 5.5% in days on market. Average days to sell is 57 days. Lot sales volume is down 2%. Lot prices have increased by 2%, 12 months to date. Average lot sale price: $482,903.

FULL REPORT HERE.

Nanaimo

85 single-family homes sold. Average price: $852,489 (up 1.25% from 12 months to date, this year over last). Single-family unit sales volume is up 11%. Average days on market increased by 2.5% to 42 days. The average condo sold for $447,879. Condo unit sales are down 4.5%, 12 months to date. Condos have seen no change in days on market. Average days to sell is 52 days. The average row/townhouse sold for $554,872. Row/townhouse unit sales have decreased by 12.5%, 12 months to date. Row/townhouses have seen a increase of 7% in days on market. Average days to sell is 44 days. Lot sales volume is down 22.5%. Lot prices have decreased by 22%, 12 months to date. Average lot sale price: $468,230.

FULL REPORT HERE.

Parksville/Qualicum

55 single-family homes sold. Average price: $961,720 (up 0.5% from 12 months to date, this year over last). Single-family unit sales volume is down 6%. Average days on market decrease by 2.5% to 39 days. The average condo sold for $457,078. Condo unit sales have decreased by 25%, 12 months to date. Condos have seen an increase of 19% in days on market. Average days to sell is 62 days. The average row/townhouse sold for $689,283. Row/townhouse unit sales are down 7.5%, 12 months to date. Row/townhouses have seen a increase of 20% in days on market. Average days to sell is 60 days. Lot sales volume is up 39%. Lot prices have decreased by 9.5%, 12 months to date. Average lot sale price: $529,078.

FULL REPORT HERE.

Cowichan Valley

54 single-family homes sold. Average price: $820,701 (up 3.5% from 12 months to date, this year over last). Single-family unit sales volume is down 8%. Average days on market decreased by 4% to 50 days. The average condo sold for $342,145. Condo unit sales are up 3%, 12 months to date. Condos have seen a increase of 27% in days on market. Average days to sell is 61 days. The average row/townhouse sold for $563,281. Row/townhouse unit sales have decreased 3%, 12 months to date. Row/townhouses have seen an increase of 12.5% in days on market. Average days to sell is 63 days. Lot sales volume is down 31.5%. Lot prices have increased by 21.5%, 12 months to date. Average lot sale price: $567,544.

FULL REPORT HERE.

Notable New Listings

I like to start by outlining the best value based on $/sqft. The 3 best value homes listed this week are 7810 Aats Rd a 5 bed, 5 bath, 5,670 sqft Lower Lantzville home listed for $1,049,000 ($185/sqft), 736 Terminal Ave N a 3 bed, 3 bath, 2,553 sqft Central Nanaimo home listed for $549,900 ($215/sqft), 5735 Malibu Terr a 3 bed, 3 bath, 3,322 sqft North Nanaimo home listed for $934,500 ($281/sqft).

The 3 homes listed this week with the highest $/sqft are 2780 Ritten Rd a 2 bed, 3 bath, 1,566 sqft Cedar home listed for $1,575,000 ($1006/sqft), 2118 Buttle Lake Way a 1 bed, 1 bath, 504 sqft South Jingle Pot home listed for $390,000 ($774/sqft), 659 Lambert Ave a 2 bed, 1 bath, 897 sqft South Nanaimo home listed for $599,900 ($669/sqft).

The 3 homes priced the most below their assessed value are 2013 Mountain Vista Dr a 4 bed, 3 bath, 1,927 sqft Diver Lake home listed for $819,900 (10% below its tax-assessed value), 2780 Ritten Rd a 2 bed, 3 bath, 1,566 sqft Cedar home listed for $1,575,000 (8% below its tax-assessed value), 7810 Aats Rd a 5 bed, 5 bath, 5,670 sqft Lower Lantzville home listed for $1,049,000 (7% below its tax-assessed value).

The 3 least expensive new listings this week are 2118 Buttle Lake Way a 1 bed, 1 bath, 504 sqft South Jingle Pot home listed for $390,000. 736 Terminal Ave N a 3 bed, 3 bath, 2,553 sqft Central Nanaimo home listed for $549,900. 734 Railway Ave a 2 bed, 2 bath, 1,290 sqft South Nanaimo home listed for $569,000.

The 3 most expensive new listings this week are 4978 Fillinger Cres a 6 bed, 4 bath, 3,577 sqft North Nanaimo home listed for $1,769,000. 8225 Southwind Dr a 4 bed, 3 bath, 3,262 sqft Upper Lantzville home listed for $1,690,000. 2535 Elk Trails Way a 6 bed, 5 bath, 4,120 sqft Extension home listed for $1,650,000.

Notable New Sales

The 3 buyers that secured the largest discounts this week are the buyers of 1777 Eglington Ave who secured a 9% discount off the $1,099,000 asking price (sale price $1,005,000). The buyers of 591 Sarum Rise Way who secured a 7% discount off the $799,900 asking price (sale price $745,000). The buyers of 463 Eighth St who secured a 7% discount off the $680,000 asking price (sale price $635,000).

The 3 highest cost per sqft sales this week were 3237 Ridgeview Pl a 5 bed, 6 bath, 3,911 sqft North Jingle Pot home sold for $2,450,000 ($626/sqft), 150 Columbia St a 3 bed, 1 bath, 1,055 sqft South Nanaimo home sold for $615,000 ($583/sqft), 6243 Sechelt Dr a 3 bed, 2 bath, 1,508 sqft North Nanaimo home sold for $815,000 ($540/sqft).

The 3 highest sales this week were 3237 Ridgeview Pl a 5 bed, 6 bath, 3,911 sqft North Jingle Pot home sold for $2,450,000. 7255 Aulds Rd a 6 bed, 6 bath, 4,906 sqft Upper Lantzville home sold for $2,410,000. 7046 Leland Rd a 4 bed, 4 bath, 3,278 sqft Lower Lantzville home sold for $1,750,000.

If you are looking for details on a recent sale not mentioned here, email me and I will send you the sale price.

This Week in John’s Life

Wow, what an incredible week! I’ve had an unreal number of seller consultations over the last few days, and it’s been so energizing. I truly believe I can offer Nanaimo homeowners a distinct advantage in this market, and I love having the opportunity to show exactly how we do that.

We’ve been busy recording some epic new media for a fresh listing on Harvey St launching tomorrow, so keep an eye out for that! I also had a great time hosting two RBC Estate Planning seminars; one at Woodgrove and one in Downtown Nanaimo. It’s clear that many local homeowners are currently looking to downsize, both physically and financially, and I’m honored to help navigate those big life transitions.

We’re also onboarding two new suited properties in South Jinglepot and South Nanaimo, plus a stunning 2.5-acre estate within walking distance to the river.

On a personal note, I enjoyed a wonderful Easter with Avery and June. We spent the weekend catching some fresh air with Lucille the dachshund and, of course, indulging in plenty of chocolate. It was the perfect way to recharge for the busy season ahead!

Interested in Your Home's Value?

Just like monitoring the value of your investment portfolio, it is important to monitor the value of your real estate holdings. Your BC Assessment Value should never be relied upon for financial decisions. Email me for a personalized market assessment. I respond to every inquiry personally and prioritize open communication with my clients. I'm here to help!

John Cooper
250.619.9207
john@johncooper.ca

April 2026 Newsletter

by John Cooper

Most Recent Market Statistics (March 2026)*

Leave a Reply