Thinking about selling in Greater Vancouver? September’s numbers show why strategy matters more than ever.

The market is giving sellers a very clear message: there are still buyers out there, but they are being selective.

September saw 1,717 residential sales, down 8.4% from last year and about 25% below the 10-year seasonal average. At the same time, there were 16,394 active listings, which is 24.3% above the 10-year average.

That means buyers have more choice — and sellers have more competition.

The overall sales-to-active listings ratio was 10.9%, putting the market in buyer-favouring territory. The benchmark residential price was $1,075,900, down 5.5% from one year ago.

And one of the biggest stories this month is the apartment market. Greater Vancouver Realtors notes that apartments have been a particular area of weakness, accounting for much of the slowdown in overall sales.

So what does this mean if you’re thinking about selling?

This is not a market where you can simply put a sign up, pick an ambitious price and wait.

Homes that are priced correctly, presented well and marketed properly have a much better chance of getting buyers’ attention. With more inventory available, buyers can compare properties closely — and listings that miss the mark on price or presentation can get overlooked.

If you’re considering selling in Burnaby, New Westminster or Greater Vancouver, I’d be happy to give you a realistic look at your home’s current value, the competition in your area, and what it would take to position your property successfully in today’s market.

Thinking of selling? Let’s talk before you list.