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Residential real estate activity in Kamloops is showing early signs of a seasonal pickup heading into spring, with both sales and new listings increasing year over year, according to new regional data and a local market observer.
A report released by the Association of Interior REALTORS® on April 7, 2026, shows that residential markets across the Interior saw improving activity in March, even as overall sales continue to sit below long-term averages.
Across the broader region, a total of 1,154 residential unit sales were recorded in March, up from 838 in February and up 1.3% compared to March 2025. New listings fell 4.8% year over year to 3,059 but rose significantly from February’s 2,235 listings. Active listings across the region totalled 8,112, a 3.1% decline compared to the same time last year.
Association president Kadin Rainville said the increase in activity is consistent with seasonal patterns, though broader economic uncertainty continues to influence buyer behaviour.
“Although sales are still trailing the 10-year average, recent sales activity is a positive sign as we head into the typically busy spring market,” Rainville said in the report. “We’re seeing improvement from earlier in the year, even as inventory edges down slightly compared to the same time last year.”
He added that “strategic pricing is essential to capture buyer attention and maximize results.”
Kamloops sees higher sales and rising inventory
Within the Kamloops and District region, 202 residential unit sales were recorded in March, up from 152 in February and up 9.2% compared to March 2025.
New listings reached 486 in March, a 2.1% increase year over year and a notable jump from 370 listings the month prior. Active listings also rose 4% year over year to 1,186 units, reflecting a continued shift toward more balanced supply conditions.
Rainville said the increase in both listings and sales suggests momentum is building.
“We’re seeing the Kamloops real estate market activity picking up, with more homes coming onto the market and sales increasing as well,” he said. “It’s a great sign heading into spring that will provide buyers more options and possibly set the stage for an active spring market.”
Local agent sees seasonal lift but longer-term balance
Kamloops real estate agent Brendan Shaw said the local market is behaving in line with typical spring seasonality, with more buyers attending open houses and previously stagnant listings beginning to attract interest.
“Open houses are starting to get busier, and listings that were relatively stale are starting to get more interest,” Shaw said.
He noted that while short-term activity is improving, the market remains broadly stable compared to earlier volatility.
Shaw pointed out that although monthly sales have increased, Kamloops remains below its 10-year average for unit sales when trends are measured over a longer period.
At the same time, he said inventory levels remain elevated compared to the tight conditions seen several years ago, when limited supply drove intense competition among buyers.
“There still is an abundant supply in the market,” Shaw said. “Depending on what you’re looking for, there are some pretty great deals out there.”
Shift away from investor-driven demand
Shaw said one of the biggest changes in recent years has been the reduction in investor-driven activity, which previously contributed to rapid absorption of new developments.
“We’re just not seeing the same level of demand that we were three or four years ago,” he said. “A lot of that investment market is all but gone from the current marketplace.”
However, he added that investor participation may gradually return as confidence improves.
Price trends show mixed movement across housing types
According to the Association of Interior REALTORS® data, benchmark prices in March showed mixed performance across housing categories:
- Single-family homes rose 2.1% year over year to $675,400
- Townhomes fell 1.9% to $498,100
- Condominiums dropped 5.4% to $360,100
The benchmark price reflects a “typical” home in each category, rather than averages or medians.
Supply growth led by multi-unit construction
Shaw said new housing supply in Kamloops continues to be driven primarily by multi-unit and apartment developments, supported by provincial and municipal policies encouraging densification.
He noted large-scale development activity, including roughly 1,000 units under construction in the city’s North Shore area and several thousand more units in various stages of approval or permitting.
However, he raised concern about the pace of single-family home construction, citing very limited new building permits issued in early 2026.
“To me, that’s quite alarming for a city of about 100,000 people,” Shaw said, adding that housing diversity is important for long-term stability.
Call for balanced housing mix
Shaw said cities should aim to maintain a mix of housing types — including apartments, townhomes, and single-family homes — to meet varied demand across demographics.
He also pointed to other Interior and major Canadian markets, including Kelowna, Vancouver, and Toronto, where rapid densification has in some cases been linked to rising vacancy rates in newer rental stock.
“There are benefits to higher vacancy, but the last thing any community wants is a vacancy rate so high that negative effects start to accumulate,” he said.
Outlook
With spring momentum building, both industry data and local agents suggest Kamloops is entering a more active phase of its housing cycle — though not the overheated conditions seen in previous years.
While sales and listings are both rising, Shaw said the market’s longer-term direction will depend on how supply, demand, and construction trends continue to evolve.
“The market is still fundamentally about supply and demand,” he said.
