Discover the biggest regrets Vancouver buyers and sellers face when waiting too long—or acting too fast—and how to avoid costly timing mistakes.In Vancouver real estate, people rarely regret buying or selling a home itself. What they regret is WHEN they did it.
I hear it from buyers: “We should have acted six months ago, before rates went up.”
I hear it from sellers: “If only we hadn’t jumped at the first offer so quickly.”
These regrets aren’t about the market itself—they come from timing decisions made without a clear plan. And as I explained in my earlier post, Beyond the Noise: Essential Insights for Today’s Property Market in Vancouver headlines and predictions often distract from what really matters: clarity, local data, and personal goals.
This article explores the most common regrets of buyers and sellers in Vancouver—and, more importantly, how to avoid them.
Buyer Regrets in Vancouver’s Market
The Cost of Waiting Too Long
Many buyers believe waiting will give them leverage. But in a fast-moving city like Vancouver, markets can shift suddenly. Even if prices stay steady or new lending rules can shrink buying power.
Example: A young family in Kitsilano delayed their move, expecting prices to fall. Instead, interest rates rose, reducing their budget by nearly $200,000. The townhouse they once could afford slipped out of reach.
Their regret wasn’t that prices increased—it was waiting for the “perfect moment” that never arrived.
Jumping In Too Quickly
On the flip side, some buyers move too fast, driven by fear of missing out. Without a plan, they sometimes end up in homes that don’t fit long-term needs.
Example: Downsizers leaving Dunbar rushed into a downtown condo. It looked great on paper—modern and central—but they soon realized they missed outdoor space for family visits.
Their regret wasn’t buying—it was buying without aligning their choice to lifestyle priorities.
Seller Regrets in Vancouver’s Market
Holding Out Too Long
Sellers sometimes hold firm, convinced the right offer is just around the corner. But when listings sit too long, buyers wonder, “What’s wrong with this property?” Fresh listings capture attention, while older ones lose momentum.
Example: A homeowner rejected early offers, waiting for more. As competing homes hit the market, interest faded. By the time they adjusted, stronger offers had passed.
Selling Too Quickly
Other sellers do the opposite—accepting the first offer without giving the market a chance to respond.
Example: A Fairview condo owner accepted a full-price offer within two days. A week later, a nearly identical unit upstairs sold in a bidding war for $40,000 more.
In both cases, regret stemmed from making decisions without the right timing strategy.
The Common Thread: Fear and Guesswork
Whether waiting too long or acting too quickly, most regrets come from the same root: fear or guesswork.
Buyers hesitate, fearing prices will fall.
Sellers hold out, fearing they’ll leave money on the table.
Others rush, fearing they’ll miss their chance.
As outlined in Beyond the Noise letting fear—or national headlines—drive your choices is risky. Vancouver is a city of micro-markets, where the right decision depends more on your goals and neighbourhood data than the latest news cycle.
How Buyers and Sellers Can Avoid Regret
Here are four practical steps for move-up buyers and downsizers to avoid these common mistakes:
Define your “why.” Are you upsizing for family space or downsizing for lifestyle freedom? Anchor decisions in your goals.
Think long-term. Ask, “Will this home still fit my life in 5–10 years?”
Use local insights. Sale-to-active ratios, absorption rates, and neighbourhood shifts matter more than national headlines.
Partner with an advisor. An experienced real estate professional can help you see beyond the noise and avoid reactionary decisions.
Your Story Doesn’t Need Regret
The Vancouver market will always change—prices rise, interest rates shift, and headlines stir uncertainty. But regret doesn’t come from the market itself. It comes from making decisions without clarity or strategy.
If you’re planning a move in the next 2–4 months, the best step you can take is to start the conversation early. Together, we can create a plan that ensures your timing is right—and that your story ends without regret.
👉 Contact me today to discuss your goals and map out the right strategy for your move.
I hear it from buyers: “We should have acted six months ago, before rates went up.”
I hear it from sellers: “If only we hadn’t jumped at the first offer so quickly.”
These regrets aren’t about the market itself—they come from timing decisions made without a clear plan. And as I explained in my earlier post, Beyond the Noise: Essential Insights for Today’s Property Market in Vancouver headlines and predictions often distract from what really matters: clarity, local data, and personal goals.
This article explores the most common regrets of buyers and sellers in Vancouver—and, more importantly, how to avoid them.
Buyer Regrets in Vancouver’s Market
The Cost of Waiting Too Long
Many buyers believe waiting will give them leverage. But in a fast-moving city like Vancouver, markets can shift suddenly. Even if prices stay steady or new lending rules can shrink buying power.
Example: A young family in Kitsilano delayed their move, expecting prices to fall. Instead, interest rates rose, reducing their budget by nearly $200,000. The townhouse they once could afford slipped out of reach.
Their regret wasn’t that prices increased—it was waiting for the “perfect moment” that never arrived.
Jumping In Too Quickly
On the flip side, some buyers move too fast, driven by fear of missing out. Without a plan, they sometimes end up in homes that don’t fit long-term needs.
Example: Downsizers leaving Dunbar rushed into a downtown condo. It looked great on paper—modern and central—but they soon realized they missed outdoor space for family visits.
Their regret wasn’t buying—it was buying without aligning their choice to lifestyle priorities.
Seller Regrets in Vancouver’s Market
Holding Out Too Long
Sellers sometimes hold firm, convinced the right offer is just around the corner. But when listings sit too long, buyers wonder, “What’s wrong with this property?” Fresh listings capture attention, while older ones lose momentum.
Example: A homeowner rejected early offers, waiting for more. As competing homes hit the market, interest faded. By the time they adjusted, stronger offers had passed.
Selling Too Quickly
Other sellers do the opposite—accepting the first offer without giving the market a chance to respond.
Example: A Fairview condo owner accepted a full-price offer within two days. A week later, a nearly identical unit upstairs sold in a bidding war for $40,000 more.
In both cases, regret stemmed from making decisions without the right timing strategy.
The Common Thread: Fear and Guesswork
Whether waiting too long or acting too quickly, most regrets come from the same root: fear or guesswork.
Buyers hesitate, fearing prices will fall.
Sellers hold out, fearing they’ll leave money on the table.
Others rush, fearing they’ll miss their chance.
As outlined in Beyond the Noise letting fear—or national headlines—drive your choices is risky. Vancouver is a city of micro-markets, where the right decision depends more on your goals and neighbourhood data than the latest news cycle.
How Buyers and Sellers Can Avoid Regret
Here are four practical steps for move-up buyers and downsizers to avoid these common mistakes:
Define your “why.” Are you upsizing for family space or downsizing for lifestyle freedom? Anchor decisions in your goals.
Think long-term. Ask, “Will this home still fit my life in 5–10 years?”
Use local insights. Sale-to-active ratios, absorption rates, and neighbourhood shifts matter more than national headlines.
Partner with an advisor. An experienced real estate professional can help you see beyond the noise and avoid reactionary decisions.
Your Story Doesn’t Need Regret
The Vancouver market will always change—prices rise, interest rates shift, and headlines stir uncertainty. But regret doesn’t come from the market itself. It comes from making decisions without clarity or strategy.
If you’re planning a move in the next 2–4 months, the best step you can take is to start the conversation early. Together, we can create a plan that ensures your timing is right—and that your story ends without regret.
👉 Contact me today to discuss your goals and map out the right strategy for your move.
