Selling a home in Surrey in late 2026 means selling in a market where buyers have choice. In September 2026, the Fraser Valley Real Estate Board recorded 404 sales in Surrey against 4,293 active listings, and benchmark prices were lower than a year earlier: down 8.2% for detached homes, 5.3% for townhouses and 9.9% for apartments. In a market like this, the homes that sell are priced from current sales, prepared well and marketed with a clear plan. This guide covers the numbers, timing, pricing, preparation and how to choose the agent who will handle it.
What is the Surrey market doing right now?
The Fraser Valley Real Estate Board's figures for Surrey in September 2026:
- Sales: 404, down 13.4% from August and up 0.7% from September 2025.
- New listings: 1,124, down 15.6% from August and 17.8% from a year earlier.
- Active listings: 4,293, down 2.6% from August and 9.4% from a year earlier.
- Benchmark price, detached: $1,386,200, down 1.5% from August and 8.2% from September 2025.
- Benchmark price, townhouse: $758,600, down 0.8% from August and 5.3% from a year earlier.
- Benchmark price, apartment: $447,600, down 0.7% from August and 9.9% from a year earlier.
Dividing sales by active listings gives a sales-to-active ratio of about 9.4%. Real estate boards in the region generally read a ratio below about 12% as a buyer's market, where prices face downward pressure. The board's own headline for September described more choice and lower prices for buyers across the Fraser Valley.
Two things work in sellers' favour. Fewer new listings came on the market than a year ago, so competition is easing, and the Bank of Canada has held its policy rate steady at 2.25% since late 2025, which gives buyers more certainty about borrowing costs. For a wider view of the city, see our Surrey real estate market page.
When is the best time to list?
In the Lower Mainland, more buyers are usually active in spring, from about March to June, and again in early fall. Late November through early January is typically quieter, though the buyers who are looking then are often serious.
Timing matters less than these questions:
- When do you need to move? Your next home, a job or a school year often decides the timeline.
- How much competition is there for your type of home? If many similar homes are listed nearby, waiting a few weeks for some to sell can help.
- Is the home ready? A home listed in good condition in November often beats a tired one listed in April.
If you are also buying, decide which comes first. Our guide on whether to buy or sell first covers the trade-offs.
How should you price your home?
In a buyer's market, the first two weeks matter most. That is when your listing gets the most attention from buyers who have been watching the market. An overpriced home misses that window, sits, and usually sells for less after price reductions than it would have at the right price on day one.
- Start with recent sales, not active listings. Asking prices are hopes; sold prices are the market.
- Compare like with like: same area, similar size, age, lot and condition. A benchmark price is a guide to direction, not a price for your home.
- Adjust for what makes your home different: a suite, a renovated kitchen, a busy road, a view.
- Price where buyers search. Buyers filter by price bands online. A home at $1,299,000 appears in more searches than one at $1,315,000.
Your BC Assessment value is not a market price. It estimates value as of July 1 of the previous year, and the market has moved since then.
Prep checklist before you list
- Declutter and depersonalize every room. Buyers need to picture their own things.
- Fix small problems: dripping taps, loose handles, burnt-out bulbs, scuffed paint.
- Clean everything, including windows, carpets and the garage.
- Tidy the yard and the entrance. First impressions start at the curb.
- Gather documents: permits for renovations, receipts for major work, and for a townhouse or condo, your strata documents.
- Consider a pre-listing inspection, so there are no surprises when a buyer inspects.
- Book professional photos and a floor plan. Most buyers see your home online first.
Our earlier guide to selling your home fast in Surrey and our list of easy upgrades before you sell have more ideas.
How do you choose the right agent?
Interview at least two or three. Ask each one to show you recent sales near your home, explain how they arrived at a price, and walk you through their marketing plan. Ask how they will handle offers with conditions in a slower market, what the commission is and how long the listing agreement runs. Check their licence on the BC Financial Services Authority website.
Our guide on how to choose the best realtor in Surrey lists ten questions to ask before you sign.
Sell with our team
The Oberoi Group is led by Jas Oberoi and Maria Hussain from our office in White Rock, serving Surrey, South Surrey, Langley and the Fraser Valley. Our team has more than $900M in career sales across residential and commercial real estate. Learn more about Jas Oberoi, or start with a free Surrey home valuation. We will show you recent sales near your home and a realistic price range, with no obligation to list.
Frequently asked questions
Is it a buyer's or seller's market in Surrey?
In September 2026 Surrey had 404 sales and 4,293 active listings, a sales-to-active ratio of about 9.4%, which boards in the region generally read as a buyer's market.
What is the benchmark price of a house in Surrey?
The Fraser Valley Real Estate Board put Surrey's detached benchmark at $1,386,200 in September 2026, down 8.2% from a year earlier.
When is the best time to sell a house in Surrey?
More buyers are usually active in spring and early fall, but your own timeline, the competition for your type of home and the home's condition matter more.
Is my BC Assessment value what my home will sell for?
No. It estimates value as of July 1 of the previous year. Recent sales of similar homes are a better guide.
How do I choose a realtor to sell my Surrey home?
Interview two or three, compare their recent nearby sales, pricing method, marketing plan, commission and agreement terms, and check their licence with BCFSA.
Sources
Rates, thresholds and program rules in this article were checked against these official pages on October 16, 2026. Rules change, so confirm current details before you act.