December Market Update: Festive Spirit & Real Estate Insights
December arrives with its festive spirit. Traditions, including the reason for this season of Christmas, annually welcome us. During this darkest time of year, we have lights and celebrations to give us heart.
Craft fairs are showcasing special gift options, seasonal music and theatre opportunities add to the enjoyment, special menus invite us to our great restaurants, and the community light-up and decorated sailboats in the Harbour welcome us in this month of celebrations.
Year-End Real Estate Activity
Real estate activity can be buoyant at this year-end time. The cautious buyers who had been inactive in sales during 2022 and 2023 did make some tentative movements forward between October 2024 and January 2025. Then the many global changes erupted in February, and hesitation ruled once more.
Since 2016, the buyers for Salt Spring, Gulf Islands, Vancouver Island have been mainly from Vancouver…there is no local buyer. Action in that city/primary home marketplace drives activity in the rural/secondary home markets…approximately 30 days later. Vancouver activity in September 2025 saw action begin here in October.
It takes time to sell a property in a secondary home/recreational region as the buyer first has to discover an area and a listing, then turn up to check out the area, and then return for second and even third viewings before making the decision as to destination.
Real Estate Market Update
Time Lags
One to two years typical for secondary home region sales
Inventory
Remained low despite societal changes in 2025
Pricing
Quite stable through disruption
Time lags (could be one to two years) are a part of every secondary home region sale. Add to this typical scenario our current shift into immense societal change, and that “pause time” can expand dramatically.
The Buyer’s Mindset
There is always opportunity, and as a buyer it’s important to remember:
- Perfection is not the goal
- Practice periphery and not tunnel vision
- When the reaction goes “ping”, then act
- There is only one direction…forward
“Pundit people” are now forecasting good outcomes for real estate in a projected buoyant first two quarters of 2026, particularly in rural/recreational areas. Reluctant buyers due to fear and caution may have digested uncertainty and now be planning action. Continuing low inventory may bring price increases forward.
Whatever the outcomes that emerge, change wrought by AI will continue to bring significant options forward that are not even being thought about right now. Yes…in change lies opportunity.
December Traditions
- Holland: St Nicholas on December 5
- Sweden: St Lucia celebration on December 14
- England: Twelve Days of Christmas (Dec 24 – Jan 6)
- France: Reveillon on December 24
- Scotland: Hogmanay New Year celebration
Looking Ahead: Gratitude & New Beginnings
December invites us to contemplate gratitude and kindness. To share with those who might be experiencing loss and loneliness. It is a time to give. Sometimes, it’s illuminating to try on other traditions.
Special meals, baking treats, traditional music and carols. If it seems a quiet year, then it makes sense to let all traditions speak to us.
The Asian Lunar New Year welcomes in the Year of the Fire Horse on February 17, 2026. Ready to gallop? Let’s go!
