A recent Financial Post column by mortgage strategist Robert McLister caught my attention this month, and I wanted to share what it means for buyers, homeowners and sellers here in Langley and the Fraser Valley. You can read the original article here. Below is my take, along with the local numbers I am watching.
The headline
McLister reports, using data from Zealty.ca, that Greater Vancouver and the Fraser Valley had 946 court-ordered residential listings through September. The record in Zealty's data is 1,174, set in 2012, and the site is forecasting that this year could challenge it. More than 80% of these listings are foreclosures.
The part buyers should pay attention to
These properties are not moving quickly. Zealty says only 38% have sold so far this year, compared with a typical year where about 60% sell and half are gone by September. They are taking a median of about 70 days to sell versus about 23 for regular listings.
Discounts exist but are modest. Court-ordered homes are selling about 14% below assessed value this year, compared with roughly 5% for a regular sale. That is better than a typical purchase, but it is not the 30 to 40% off that many people expect, because the court's job is to get close to fair market value.
What the buying process involves
The process is the main trade-off. Based on Zealty's outline in the article, the court only approves unconditional offers, there is a court hearing where other buyers can submit sealed bids, and the whole thing typically takes two to three months from offer to keys. You can do all of that work and still lose the home on hearing day. If you are curious about the step-by-step timeline, it is laid out in the original article.
What I am seeing locally
The September numbers from the Fraser Valley Real Estate Board give some useful context: 922 sales, 9,763 active listings (about 31% above the 10-year seasonal average), and a sales-to-active-listings ratio of roughly 9%. That is a buyer's market, which means buyers have more choice and more room to negotiate on all types of listings, not only court-ordered ones.
One thing to keep in mind is that the court-ordered sale process takes quite a long time. A lot of the listings we are seeing on the market today have been in the process for the last year or so. It will be interesting to see how this trend continues as economic uncertainty stays elevated.
What this means for you
If you are buying: a court-ordered sale can offer a bigger discount, but expect a longer timeline, no conditions, and the chance of being outbid. Talk to a lawyer and your lender early, and set aside a budget for repairs, since a home inspection condition is not an option.
If you are a homeowner with a renewal coming up: the article notes that some owners are struggling to renew at higher rates. If that worries you, speak with your lender or a mortgage professional well before your renewal date so you have options.
If you are thinking of selling: more distressed inventory is one more thing buyers are weighing, so pricing and presentation matter. A no-obligation home evaluation will show you where your home sits in today's market.
Have questions about how this applies to you? Call or text 604-789-2140 or email info@garryvoigt.com.
This post is general information only and is not financial, legal or investment advice. Court-ordered sales have their own legal requirements, so speak with a lawyer before making an offer.
Sources
Robert McLister, "Vancouver's court-ordered property listings are nearing a 20-year high — and they're not selling," Financial Post, October 9, 2026 (updated October 16, 2026): https://financialpost.com/real-estate/mortgages/vancouver-property-listings-20-year-high-not-selling
Court-ordered listing data cited in the article is from Zealty.ca: https://www.zealty.ca
Fraser Valley Real Estate Board, September 2026 monthly market statistics.
The data relating to real estate on this website comes in part from the MLS® Reciprocity program of either the Greater Vancouver REALTORS® (GVR), the Fraser Valley Real Estate Board (FVREB) or the Chilliwack and District Real Estate Board (CADREB). Real estate listings held by participating real estate firms are marked with the MLS® logo and detailed information about the listing includes the name of the listing agent. This representation is based in whole or part on data generated by either the GVR, the FVREB or the CADREB which assumes no responsibility for its accuracy. The materials contained on this page may not be reproduced without the express written consent of either the GVR, the FVREB or the CADREB.