Trade Tariffs and Taxes – Spring Market Update

There is plenty in the media currently forecasting the tariff effects on many areas of the economy so we wanted to give you a look at what this might mean for local real estate.

The Vancouver Island Real Estate Board (VIREB) reported that sales of all property types in February were unchanged from last year. While some buyers are holding back due to the current economic uncertainty; Central Vancouver Island has a buffer from mortgage rate unpredictability due to a high percentage of retirees, many who don’t require mortgages.

The benchmark prices in our local area are still showing good results. Nanaimo’s year-over-year benchmark price rose by 1% to $810,600 while the Parksville-Qualicum area saw its benchmark price increase by 2% to $879,400.

Earlier this year the federal government deferred the effective date for the proposed capital gains inclusion rate increase to 66.67% from 50% to 1st January 2026.

The real estate market is very busy on the Central Island with the active listings of single-family homes on Vancouver Island up 6.49% last month compared to the same time last year. Open Houses are busy and the phones are ringing which is starting to translate to strong sales as the current economic uncertainty settles.

Land sales could be impacted negatively by the tariffs as homebuilders will incur higher expenses on steel and aluminium. Again economic uncertainty in this area could mean buyers are more reluctant to commit to homebuilding projects where forecast costs and budgets are unclear.

While there is a lot going on globally and in the media our local real estate market is robust and it is shaping into a growing spring market on Central Vancouver Island.

If you are thinking about listing your home or looking for a home in beautiful Central Vancouver Island give us a call 250-607-1757 or if you are researching our area you can find local community information on our website. https://www.vancouverislanddreamhomes.ca/neighbourhoods