By Sean Phillips, REALTOR®, Strand resident ·
I live at The Strand full-time, so I watch this building's market closely. Right now many units are for sale at the same time, and some have taken months to sell or have come off the market without selling. If yours is one of them, you're not alone, and it's normal to wonder what went wrong. Here's an honest look at why units sit, what you can change, and what your options are.
First: it may not be your agent
It's tempting to blame the person with the sign. Often that isn't where the problem is. This fall there are more homes for sale, buyers are cautious, borrowing costs more and the winter months are slower. A well-run listing can still sit.
Selling now takes everything working at once: the right price, a home that shows well, and marketing that reaches buyers wherever they search, including Google, social media and the AI assistants people now ask for advice. Before you change anything, look at the whole picture.
Why Strand units compete with each other
When several similar two-bedroom units are listed in the same building, buyers line them up side by side: floor, view, updates, parking and price. The unit that looks like the best value usually sells first, and the rest wait. That isn't about any one agent. It's simple supply and choice.
What buyers here compare
- View and floor: lake view, courtyard or road side, and how high up.
- Updates: flooring, kitchen and bathrooms.
- Layout and size: one bedroom or two, apartment or townhome, square footage.
- Strata details: fees, recent levies, the depreciation report, and the rental and pet rules.
- Lifestyle extras: pool, beach, marina access, storage and parking.
- Price per square foot compared with the other units for sale and with recent sales.
Overpriced? The market has already answered
If your unit has been on the market for a month or more with few showings, or showings but no offers, the most likely reason is price. Buyers have seen it, compared it and moved on. The market has already given you its answer.
The fix is to bring the price to where buyers will act, and to do it quickly. Every extra week on the market works against you:
- New listings get the most attention in their first few weeks. After that, interest drops off.
- A high days-on-market count makes buyers wonder what's wrong, and offer less.
- Small price cuts spread over months often end in a lower final price than one well-judged reduction early.
- In a slow or winter market, waiting rarely brings the price back up.
A price reduction isn't a failure. It's how you put your home back in front of buyers while it still feels fresh. A bigger change is also a good moment to re-launch with new photos that show the view and the lifestyle.
What you can change right now
- Ask for a fresh comparison of the units for sale, sold and expired in the building.
- Walk your home as a buyer would, and fix the small things.
- Refresh the photos, video and description. Lead with what makes your unit different.
- Make showings easy to book.
- Talk with your agent about where your listing is being seen beyond MLS®.
More detail: staging a lakeside condo and selling your Strand Lakeside condo.
If your listing expires, or you're thinking of a change
Your listing agreement is a contract with a brokerage, and it has an end date. When it expires you can decide what's next: relist with the same agent, choose a different agent, rent for a season and try again later, take a break, or sell on your own.
If you're unhappy partway through, start with a frank conversation with your agent. If that doesn't resolve it, you can ask to speak with their brokerage's managing broker. Your agreement sets out what happens if you want to end it early, so read it, and get independent legal advice if you're unsure.
Questions sellers ask
How long should it take to sell a condo at The Strand right now?
It depends on the unit, the price and the season, and condos are taking longer this fall. If you've had a month or more with few showings, or no offers, price is usually the first thing to look at.
My unit has had showings but no offers. Why?
Buyers are interested enough to look, but something stops them, usually price compared with the other units for sale, or condition. Ask your agent for the buyer feedback.
Should I lower my price or wait for spring?
Waiting adds days on market, and buyers notice. A well-judged price change now often beats a long wait. Talk it through with your agent with current numbers in front of you.
What happens when my listing expires?
Your home comes off MLS® and the listing agreement ends, subject to its terms. You're then free to relist with the same agent, choose another, wait, or sell privately.
What is a holdover or protection period?
Many listing agreements say that if you sell to a buyer who was introduced during the listing, within a set time after it ends, a commission may still be owed. Check your own agreement for the exact terms.
Can I cancel my listing before it expires?
Your agreement is with the brokerage, and it sets out whether and how it can end early. Start by talking with your agent, then the brokerage's managing broker if needed. For anything you're unsure about, get independent legal advice.
Can I switch to a different agent at the same brokerage?
Often, yes. Because the agreement is with the brokerage, the managing broker may be able to assign a different agent. Ask them.
Can another agent contact me while my unit is listed?
In BC, real estate licensees should not solicit you while you're under an exclusive listing agreement with another brokerage. You're always free to read general information like this page.
Is cancelling and relisting a good idea?
Sometimes a fresh start with a new price, new photos and a new description helps. Days on market and listing history stay visible to agents, so what changes matters more than the reset.
I'm selling on my own and it isn't working. What should I look at?
The same things: price compared with recent sales, photos, presentation and reach. Most buyers search through agents and MLS®-fed sites, so exposure is often the biggest gap.
Who regulates real estate agents in BC?
The BC Financial Services Authority (BCFSA). If you have a concern about a licensee's conduct, their website explains your options.
Neighbour to neighbour
I'm happy to answer general questions about how selling works at The Strand. For general information any time, call Sarah, my AI assistant, at 604-227-4810. If you'd like to talk about selling your unit, text me at 778-363-0542.
If your unit is currently listed for sale, this article is general information only and not a solicitation. Please speak first with your current agent and brokerage.
General information only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Confirm details for your situation with the appropriate professional.
