Good day everyone, I'm Heather Clifford with eXp Realty bringing you your May 2026 market update for the Comox Valley and Campbell River. Based on what I'm seeing every day, one word describes this market: Cautious. Sales across the Vancouver Island Real Estate Board were down approximately 12% compared to last year, and while activity improved later in the month, buyers remain very selective. The interesting part? Buyers are still out there. My open houses continue to attract strong attendance. People are looking, asking questions, and comparing options. What they're not doing is rushing into decisions. In the Comox Valley, benchmark prices remain relatively stable at approximately $869,800, while Campbell River sits around $687,800. Prices haven't collapsed. What we're seeing is a market searching for confidence. Interest rate uncertainty, economic concerns, and ongoing discussions around property rights and land title issues are causing many buyers to pause before making major decisions. As a result, inventory has grown and buyers have more choice than they've had in several years. This means strategy matters more than ever. Some homes are receiving multiple showings and selling quickly. Others are sitting with very little activity. The difference is almost always pricing, presentation, and marketing. One trend that really caught my attention is the townhouse market in the Comox Valley. Pending sales have surged, suggesting there is strong demand from buyers looking for more affordable housing options. My message to sellers is simple: the market is still workable, but the days of testing the market with an unrealistic price are behind us. And for buyers, don't spend so much time trying to perfectly time the market that you miss the right property. Today, we're not in a buyer's market or a seller's market. We're in a balanced market where preparation, pricing, and patience are winning. As always, if you'd like to discuss your home, downsizing, an estate sale, relocation to Vancouver Island, or simply understand what's happening in your neighbourhood, I'd be happy to help. I'm Heather Clifford. Thanks for watching, and I'll see you next month. 📲 Let’s connect and bring your Vancouver Island lifestyle to life. Phone • Guidance • Expertise — from someone who’s proud to call the Valley home. Heather Clifford heatherclifford.com Facebook facebook.com/HeatherCliffordRealtor Instagram instagram.com/HeatherCliffordeXpRealty #vancouverisland #mountainliving #outdoorlifestyle #skiing #snowboarding #hiking #biking #zipline #familyfun #naturelovers #islandlife #canadaliving #adventure #fourseasonliving #mountainviews #outdoorfun #lifestyle #travelinspiration #resortlife #explore