Back to School, Back to Balance: Buyers and Sellers Sharpen Their Pencils

September brings the return of routine—and the Columbia Valley real estate market is settling into its own rhythm, too. With balanced sales activity, slight price adjustments, and steady buyer interest, the post-summer season is shaping up to be a smart time to move, whether you're buying your first home or making a strategic sale.

Here’s your September market recap to help you plan your next move wisely:

📊 September 2025 Market Snapshot (Year-over-Year)

🍂 Key Market Takeaways – Sharpen Those Fall Strategies

📉 Inventory Tightens
New listings dropped nearly 14% while sales held steady, tightening the market and creating more balanced conditions. The current Months of Inventory sits at 7.86, slightly leaning toward a seller’s market.

📈 Prices Nudge Up
The average sale price rose 4.43% year-over-year, and sellers are achieving 95.5% of their list price on average. It’s a subtle signal of growing buyer confidence heading into fall.

⏱️ Homes Selling Faster
Days on market dropped by over 17%, showing that well-priced and well-marketed homes are moving quicker than they did this time last year.

🧠 What This Means for You

🎯 Buyers:

• The fall market offers less competition than spring or summer.

• With inventory slightly down, being pre-approved and offer-ready gives you an edge.

• Many listings priced earlier in the season may now be open to negotiation.

🏡 Sellers:

• September’s stats show a healthier list-to-sale price ratio and quicker turnaround—a good sign for motivated sellers.

• With fewer new listings entering the market, your property has a better chance to stand out.

• Back-to-school buyers are often serious buyers. Strike while motivation is high!

📚 Final Thoughts: Class is in Session

As we flip the calendar into fall, the Columbia Valley market is neither overheated nor cooling—it’s smart and steady. Whether you're upgrading, downsizing, or buying your first home, the current conditions offer clarity and opportunity.

Need help navigating your next real estate decision with confidence? Let’s chat.

📞 Geoff Sherlock
📧 geoff@remaxinvermere.com
🧭 Sherlock Homes Real Estate Team | RE/MAX Invermere

📞 Lindsey Sherlock
📧 lindsey@remaxinvermere.com
🧭 Sherlock Homes Real Estate Team | RE/MAX Invermere

Savoring Summer’s End: A Balanced Market with a Competitive Edge

As August winds down and we trade lake days for light jackets, the Columbia Valley real estate market is showing signs of balance—but not without its own late-summer momentum. With strong sales volume and an uptick in prices, August brought just enough heat to keep things interesting for both buyers and sellers across Invermere, Windermere, Radium Hot Springs, Fairmont, and the surrounding communities.

Here’s your warm-weather wrap-up before we roll into fall:

🏡 August 2025 Market Snapshot (Year-over-Year)

🌻 Summer Ends with a Bang, Not a Whimper

🔥 Sales Surge
Sales jumped over 40% compared to last August—a clear sign that buyers are still active, even with back-to-school on the horizon. With 45 homes sold and only 73 new listings entering the market, buyer demand is outpacing supply.

💰 Prices Are Climbing
Average sale prices rose 6.23% year-over-year, and homes are now selling for 95.41% of their asking price—up nearly 2.5%. This shows buyers are willing to pay closer to list price, especially when inventory is tight and options are limited.

⏱️ Days on Market Drop
Homes sold faster in August, with average DOM dropping from 105 days to just over 80. That’s a nearly 24% reduction—proving that well-presented and well-priced homes are moving swiftly.

📉 Shrinking Inventory = Opportunity for Sellers
Active listings are down 12.5%, and MOI dropped from 10.19 months to 6.33—a shift from a slow summer 2024 to a balanced, and slightly seller-favourable, market in August 2025.

🧭 What This Means for Buyers & Sellers

📦 Buyers:

• The end of summer offers less competition than the spring peak, but good listings are moving quickly.

• Be ready to act fast and lean on local insights to make your offer competitive.

• Consider looking at listings that have been on the market a bit longer—there may be hidden gems with negotiation room.

🏠 Sellers:

• It’s still a great time to list. With DOM decreasing and prices increasing, late-summer sellers are reaping strong results.

• If your home shows well and is priced right, chances are it won’t sit for long.

• September is often a second wind in the market—get ahead of the fall rush.

🛶 Final Thoughts: Paddle Out While the Water’s Still Warm

Whether you're selling a mountain-view retreat or looking for your lake-access getaway, August 2025’s numbers show a market that still has life left in it before the leaves start to fall. With balanced conditions and plenty of motivated buyers and sellers, now is a great time to make a move.

Reach out today and let’s plan your strategy for September and beyond.

📞 Geoff Sherlock (250) 688 5151
📧 geoff@remaxinvermere.com

📞 Lindsey Sherlock (250) 409 6464
📧 lindsey@remaxinvermere.com

🧭 Sherlock Homes Real Estate Team | RE/MAX Invermere

Summer Holidays, Hot Sales, and Cool Negotiations

July in the Columbia Valley means sunshine, lake days, and family vacations—but it also brought a healthy surge of real estate activity. While many people were floating on paddleboards or roasting marshmallows, the local market was quietly heating up. With more listings, stronger sale prices, and steady buyer activity, July 2025 showed us that summer fun and smart moves can go hand in hand.

Here’s your local market snapshot across Invermere, Windermere, Radium Hot Springs, Fairmont, Panorama, and beyond:

🏡 July 2025 Market Snapshot (Year-over-Year)

🏖️ What the July Numbers Are Telling Us

🌞 More Listings, More Sales, Higher Prices
July brought a 25% bump in new listings and a nearly 7% increase in sales, signaling strong activity even as locals and visitors hit the lake. Buyers are still shopping, and sellers are feeling confident listing at higher price points—with average list prices jumping to $779,634.

💰 Prices Continue to Rise
Average sale price climbed to $716,973, a 10.19% YoY increase. This shows buyer demand remains solid, particularly in desirable areas and properties offering summer appeal—like outdoor living spaces, lake access, or mountain views.

⏳ Longer Days on Market, But Steady Demand
Homes are taking longer to sell (105 days on average), but with fewer listings overall, the market remains competitive. Buyers are being more methodical, but they’re still writing offers—especially when properties are priced right and summer-ready.

📉 Tightening Inventory = Stronger Position for Sellers
With a 15.74% drop in end-of-month inventory and MOI falling below 8 months, sellers are in a stronger negotiating position, particularly in the sub-$700K range. If this pace continues, August could bring even firmer pricing.

🧭 What This Means for You

For Buyers:

• Summer is still a great time to buy, but inventory is tightening.

• Expect competition on well-priced, well-presented properties.

• Be ready to move quickly, and lean on expert advice to avoid overpaying.

For Sellers:

• If you’ve been considering listing, now is the time.

• Buyer demand is strong, especially for homes with outdoor appeal.

• Homes that are staged, priced competitively, and marketed well are still moving.

🌴 Summer Isn’t Over Yet — Let’s Make Your Move

With warm weather, longer days, and a still-active buyer pool, July’s market offers strong opportunity whether you’re buying, selling, or just exploring your options. The Sherlock Homes Real Estate Team is here to help you make the most of the season.

📞 Geoff Sherlock – 250-688-5151
📧 geoff@remaxinvermere.com
🏡 RE/MAX Invermere

📞 Lindsey Sherlock – 250-409-6464
📧 lindsey@remaxinvermere.com
🏡 RE/MAX Invermere

🏡 RE/MAX Invermere to make a move before summer fades? Let’s get started while the market—and weather—is still hot! 🔑☀️