Why Some Homes Are Taking Longer to Sell

If you’ve been watching homes for sale in Burnaby, New Westminster or Coquitlam, you may have noticed that some properties are taking longer to sell.

That doesn’t necessarily mean buyers have disappeared. It means buyers have more options—and when there’s more choice, pricing, presentation and strategy matter more.

Here are a few reasons some homes are sitting on the market longer and what sellers should consider before making a move.

More Homes for Sale Means Buyers Have More Choice

Across Metro Vancouver, inventory remains higher than historical averages. According to Greater Vancouver REALTORS®, there were 15,798 properties listed for sale at the end of August 2026—26.2% above the 10-year seasonal average.

For sellers in Burnaby, New Westminster and Coquitlam, that means your home may be competing against more properties for the same buyers.

Instead of feeling pressure to make an immediate offer, buyers can compare price, condition, location, layout and overall value.

Pricing Your Home to Sell Matters From the Beginning

One of the most common strategies we see is listing high with the idea that you can always reduce the price later.

The problem is that a new listing typically receives some of its strongest attention when it first hits the market.

If buyers immediately feel the price is too high compared with similar homes, they may simply move on.

That doesn’t mean you need to underprice your home. It means the asking price should make sense based on recent sales, current competition and what’s happening in your specific neighbourhood.

A condo in Brentwood isn’t competing in exactly the same market as a detached home in New Westminster or a townhouse in Coquitlam.

Today’s Buyers Are Looking for Value

Buyers aren’t just comparing asking prices.

They’re considering renovations, layout, strata fees, parking, storage, outdoor space, future maintenance and how much work a property might need after possession.

When several similar homes are available, small differences can have a bigger impact.

That’s also why presentation matters. Professional photography, decluttering, minor repairs and thoughtful staging can help a property stand out without requiring a major renovation.

Should You Reduce Your Price if Your Home Isn’t Selling?

Not necessarily.

Before recommending a price adjustment, we look at what the market is actually telling us.

Are buyers booking showings? What feedback are they giving? Have competing properties sold? Have new listings come onto the market? Are similar homes receiving offers?

A property receiving plenty of showings,, but no offers may be telling us something different from a property receiving almost no showings.

The important thing is having a strategy and being willing to adjust when the market gives you new information.

Final Thoughts

Broad Metro Vancouver statistics are useful, but real estate is local.

Market conditions can vary significantly between Burnaby, New Westminster and Coquitlam—and even between neighbourhoods within those cities.

That’s why determining your home’s value requires more than looking at an average price online.

At the Adam Lloyd Home Selling Team, we look at recent sales, current competition, buyer activity and the individual features of your property to determine where your home fits in today’s market.

Contact The Adam Lloyd Home Selling Team, we can help you understand what’s currently available, where the best value is and how to compete in this price range. Reach out anytime for a no-pressure conversation.

Thinking about a move in Burnaby or New Westminster?

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