🔍 Recent Bank of Canada Announcement: What You Need to Know

The Bank of Canada (BoC) has maintained its overnight rate at 2.75%, marking the second consecutive pause following a total of 2.25% in rate cuts over the past 10 months.

📊 Key Drivers Behind the Decision

While the decision to hold rates steady was widely anticipated, it reflects a nuanced economic landscape. Inflation remains persistent, particularly due to elevated goods and food prices, which has raised concerns that inflationary pressures may prove more stubborn than expected—even as overall economic momentum continues to ease.

At the same time, the broader economy is showing resilience, avoiding a significant downturn. However, ongoing trade uncertainties—especially those stemming from the U.S.—continue to cast a shadow over growth prospects. For the moment, Canada’s economy remains relatively stable.

📉 Implications for Mortgages and Real Estate

📌 Variable-Rate Mortgage Holders:

• With the BoC holding steady, the prime rate remains at 4.95%.

• There’s no immediate change to variable-rate payments, but the Bank continues to monitor the economic situation closely.

• A rate cut could still be on the horizon in the coming months.

📌 Fixed-Rate Mortgages:

• Fixed mortgage rates have edged lower in anticipation of a potential BoC rate cut before year-end.

• Lenders are adjusting proactively, which may offer a favourable opportunity for borrowers coming up for renewal to lock in a competitive rate.

📉 Real Estate Market Sentiment:

• Buyer activity is currently subdued, though not entirely absent.

• When rates begin to fall, a resurgence in market activity is expected.

• Savvy buyers are moving early, taking advantage of quieter competition ahead of any renewed demand surge.

In May 2025, the Fraser Valley housing market experienced a modest yet encouraging uptick, signaling a potential shift towards a more balanced environment for both buyers and sellers. With inventory levels rising—active listings increased by 6% to 10,626 properties—the market is offering more choices for prospective homeowners. This growth in inventory, coupled with a 7% rise in new listings, suggests a move towards equilibrium, where informed decisions can flourish.

Despite a 22% decline in sales compared to May 2024, the 13% increase from April 2025 indicates a cautious optimism among buyers. The current sales-to-active listings ratio stands at 11%, indicating a buyer's market, yet approaching the balanced threshold. Homes priced appropriately for today's market are finding buyers, reflecting a return to thoughtful, value-driven decisions.

For those considering entering the market, whether buying or selling, this period offers an opportunity to approach real estate decisions with wisdom and discernment. Aligning your choices with your values and long-term goals can lead to outcomes that honor both your financial and personal aspirations.

Sometimes they’re dismissed as simply storage space – where your furnace and water heater are located, along with bins of clothes you’ll never wear again. If this is your mindset, you’re missing out on some great opportunities to use your basement with a fresh perspective. Here are a few ways that you can optimize your basement for a better living experience:

Personal gym
Forget paying for a membership. By investing in a few pieces of quality gym equipment, you can bring your workout home. It’s not always easy to stay motivated, but having easy access to your treadmill at home could be one less excuse to skip your run, especially on those cold days. And with a home gym, you can make exercise time a part of your family’s routine.

Playroom
If you have children, you know how quickly their toys can take over a room. By making the basement (or part of it) a dedicated play area, you can keep the clutter out of sight downstairs while giving the kids plenty of room for imaginative games and activities. Add a fresh coat of paint, a few whimsical decals and the toys of course, and you’ll have a playroom that dreams are made of.

Home theatre
With so many movies available on streaming platforms, trips to the cinema have become rare. But, you can recreate the experience at home with a large screen, projector, and theatre-style armchairs. For those with smaller basements, a quality flatscreen TV and a comfortable couch with lots of pillows can be just as enjoyable for family movie nights or entertaining friends.

Library
For all the book lovers out there, imagine having a special place to read, with all the paperbacks you’ve collected over the years at your fingertips. Whether it’s a few bookshelves and some comfy seating, or custom built-ins that showcase your collection in a creative way – a library is a wonderful addition to any home. Coordinating rugs, throws, and cushions can give this space a luxe yet cozy feel. It’s the perfect place to get lost in a good book!

Home office
Maybe the kitchen table isn’t cutting it. For some, working from home is now part of the regular routine but many still don’t have a dedicated home office. A well-designed workspace with an ergonomic desk and chair can not only increase your productivity and help motivate you to check off your daily to-dos faster, it can reduce the physical stress that your body endures during long stretches of sedentary activity. And the best part is, you don’t have to clear away your work day each time you sit down for a meal.

Basements are a blank canvas; extra square footage to play with and room to try something new. So, however you decide to use this part of your home, choose something you love and make the space your own!

Maple Ridge is evolving, and as it grows, they vouch to  assure that nature remains at the heart of their development plans. The Maple Ridge Moves initiative, with its Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system, offers a sustainable solution to meet the needs of a growing community while preserving the environment that makes this region so special.

The 22-kilometre BRT corridor will connect 13 stations across Maple Ridge, providing residents with a fast and efficient way to access jobs, education, and essential services. This innovative infrastructure will not only alleviate traffic but also reduce emissions, supporting our efforts to protect the local ecosystem and promote greener living. In a region known for its natural beauty, this is a win-win scenario.

In addition to its environmental benefits, BRT is set to unlock new opportunities for Maple Ridge residents. With improved accessibility, more families will be able to enjoy the advantages of living in our growing community. This increased demand for accessible housing will likely drive up property values, making the area even more desirable for investment.

The Maple Ridge Moves plan represents the future of smart, sustainable development. By prioritizing both the environment and efficient public transportation, they’re setting the stage for a healthier, more prosperous community. As the BRT system moves forward, Maple Ridge will remain a place where nature and progress coexist, offering families the chance to thrive in a connected, eco-friendly environment.

It will be interesting to see how this project plays out. As of January 2025, TransLink announced the locations of the planned Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) stations along the Langley-Haney Place route, which includes Maple Ridge. However, the project is currently unfunded, and no specific completion date has been established. Once funding is secured, the construction phase is estimated to take approximately five years. This could be a good time to think about getting into the Maple Ridge market as a long term investment goal. 

SURREY, BC – Exciting opportunities are emerging for buyers in the Fraser Valley real estate market. For the first time in four months, home sales have experienced a notable uptick as buyers benefit from a broader selection of properties and a softening in prices.

In February, the Fraser Valley Real Estate Board recorded 920 home sales, marking a 13% increase compared to January. However, sales were still 26% lower than those in February 2024. Despite a slight 9% drop in new listings on the Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®), inventory levels remain strong, with 3,121 new homes listed—14% above the 10-year seasonal average. In total, there are 8,070 active listings, which is a significant 45% higher than February 2024 and 55% above the 10-year seasonal average.

The market dynamics indicate a strong position for buyers, with the sales-to-active listings ratio sitting at 11%. A balanced market typically falls between 12% and 20%, suggesting that buyers have an upper hand right now. With inventory accumulating and prices continuing to ease, buyers, especially those looking at single-family detached homes, are experiencing greater leverage.

Why Is This a Great Time for Buyers?

Baldev Gill, CEO of the Fraser Valley Real Estate Board, highlights that this favorable market trend is largely due to the abundance of options and the gradual softening of prices. “Buyers now have more flexibility and time on their side to explore their options—whether it's a family home or an investment property,” Gill says. “If this trend continues, we could see even more opportunities for buyers, especially with the ongoing economic shifts.”

Home buyers will also be pleased to know that properties are selling faster than before. In February, single-family detached homes took an average of 39 days to sell, condos took 36 days, and townhomes sold in an average of 32 days.

Current Market Snapshot:

• Single-Family Detached Homes: The benchmark price is $1,489,100, reflecting a slight increase of 0.5% compared to January 2025 but a modest 0.6% decrease compared to February 2024.

• Townhomes: Priced at $820,600, townhomes saw a small dip of 0.7% compared to January 2025 and a 2.1% decrease compared to last year.

• Apartments/Condos: With a benchmark price of $533,200, condo prices have decreased by 0.3% compared to January 2025 and 2.4% compared to February 2024.

Why Now Is the Time to Act

Whether you’re looking to buy your dream home or make a smart investment, the current market in Fraser Valley offers numerous opportunities. With a variety of properties available and prices still adjusting, now is a prime time to take action.

If you're considering buying or selling in this shifting market, I’m here to guide you through every step of the process. As your dedicated real estate professional, I’ll help you navigate the market with confidence and secure the best deal for your unique needs.

Let's connect and discuss your options today! Reach out to me, and let’s make your real estate goals a reality.