Downtown and the West End form Vancouver's densest residential core, a skyline of glass towers where almost every sale is a condominium rather than a house. That ties the area's fortunes to the apartment segment rather than to detached property, and the two can move in very different directions. With hundreds of comparable units competing, sometimes in the same building, buying or selling here demands a broker who can read strata documents, building reputations and floor-by-floor value, not just a headline benchmark. Views, exposure, age of the building and the health of its reserve fund often matter more than square footage. We list one verified professional per trade.
Sector professionals
Every expert is scored out of 100 — Google reviews (35), experience (30), active provincial licence (15), local presence (15), bonus (5). No placement can be bought. Our methodology
Real estate market data
Figures for Metro Vancouver (the Greater Vancouver REALTORS area) as a whole, which includes Downtown–West End. In August 2026, the MLS® benchmark price across Metro Vancouver (the Greater Vancouver REALTORS area) stood at $1,081,900, down 5.6% year over year. The average price, all property types combined, was $1,213,418. By property type: detached $1,842,900, townhouse $1,046,200, and apartment $695,200. There were 1,869 sales during the month, 4.6% fewer than a year earlier. With 8.5 months of inventory, it is a buyer's market by the standard board convention (under 4 months: sellers; 4 to 6: balanced; over 6: buyers).
Source: Greater Vancouver REALTORS (GVR), August 2026
Frequently asked questions
What do condos cost compared with houses across Metro Vancouver in 2026?
In August 2026, across Metro Vancouver (the Greater Vancouver REALTORS area), by property type: detached $1,842,900, townhouse $1,046,200, and apartment $695,200. Source: Greater Vancouver REALTORS (GVR), August 2026.
What should I review before buying a Downtown or West End condo?
In BC, condos are governed by the Strata Property Act, so review the strata's depreciation report, recent meeting minutes, the Form B information certificate, the contingency reserve fund and any pending special levies. A weak reserve or looming levy can cost far more than any savings on price. (BC Strata Property Act.)
Is Metro Vancouver a buyer's or seller's market in 2026?
With 8.5 months of inventory across Metro Vancouver (the Greater Vancouver REALTORS area), it is a buyer's market by the standard board convention (under 4 months: sellers; 4 to 6: balanced; over 6: buyers). Source: Greater Vancouver REALTORS (GVR), August 2026.