TL;DR: Surrey entered 2026 with the highest level of detached home inventory seen in over a decade. While headlines continue to talk about uncertainty, the reality for prepared buyers is more practical. The gap between asking prices and real market value has widened, creating a rare opportunity, especially for high-quality land in South Surrey. Many people are still waiting for a “bottom” that, in practical terms, has already arrived.

In January 2026, waiting for the market to clearly signal a bottom often costs serious buyers their best options.

By the time prices feel “confirmed” in the news, many of the most desirable homes in South Surrey have already sold. Not because buyers rushed, but because they paid attention to inventory instead of headlines.

Right now, Surrey is carrying roughly seventeen months of detached home supply. That amount of choice shifts negotiating power toward the buyer. This is not a market collapse. It’s a reset. One that rewards patience, preparation, and the ability to move without needing public reassurance.

In a market like this, the real luxury is not the house itself. It’s the ability to be selective about the land.

Recent assessment values show only modest declines, but those numbers lag behind what’s happening in real conversations. Many sellers are still anchored to prices from stronger years. That gap creates opportunity. When a multi-million-dollar property has been sitting for weeks, the discussion is no longer just about price. It becomes about timing, flexibility, and helping a seller move forward.

This is where inventory quietly becomes leverage.

Another shift in 2026 is the effect of the BC Home Flipping Tax. Short-term speculators have largely stepped away, leaving behind owners who have lived in and cared for their homes. For families looking long-term, this has actually improved the quality of what’s available. Fewer quick flips. More real homes.

At the same time, the value gap between Vancouver congestion and Surrey space is near its widest point in years. For buyers thinking beyond the next cycle, that difference matters. Land, privacy, and stability are not evenly distributed, and they tend to hold value over time.

South Surrey continues to stand out for families who want space, consistency, and long-term confidence. While other areas absorb more density and noise, these established pockets offer a different pace of life. What you’re buying is not just square footage, but position.

True wealth decisions are rarely about perfect timing. They’re about recognizing when waiting quietly carries more risk than acting thoughtfully.

Spring activity will return, as it always does. But many of the best opportunities of 2026 are being decided quietly, well before that noise arrives.

If you’re evaluating a move this year and want clarity beyond headlines, a short conversation often answers more than months of watching the market. Connect