The most common question Real Estate Agents hear (and the most misunderstood)

“Should we buy now… or wait?”

This question comes up daily — from first-time buyers, relocators, downsizers, and seasoned homeowners alike. And it’s asked just as often in Campbell River as it is across the Comox Valley.

Here’s the honest answer:

There is no universally “right” time.
There is a right strategy.

And those are very different things...

Why Vancouver Island timing works differently

Vancouver Island doesn’t behave like big urban markets — and that’s a good thing.

Across communities like Campbell River, Comox, Courtenay, and Cumberland, the market is more lifestyle-driven than speculative.

People aren’t just buying houses.
They’re buying:

• proximity to the ocean or trails

• calmer daily rhythms

• community connection

• long-term livability

That means decisions are less about chasing headlines — and more about aligning timing with real life.

The “wait and see” myth

Waiting feels safe. It feels logical. It feels like control.

But here’s what waiting often really means:

• waiting for rates to drop perfectly

• waiting for prices to dip just enough

• waiting for certainty that doesn’t actually exist

Meanwhile, life keeps moving... while you aren't building any equity.

In Vancouver Island markets, waiting without a plan can quietly cost buyers:

• good-fit homes that don’t come up often

• negotiation leverage during quieter periods

• months (or years) of lifestyle that they actually want now

When buying now makes sense

Buying sooner rather than later often works well if:

Your lifestyle is already pulling you here

If you’re actively drawn to Campbell River’s oceanfront energy, Courtenay’s convenience, or Cumberland’s trail-town vibe, that clarity matters more than short-term fluctuations.

You can’t “time” lifestyle... you're ready to live it now.

You’re planning to stay

Real estate rewards time in the market — especially in places where land, location, and livability matter. Buyers planning to stay 5+ years are often better served by buying well than waiting perfectly. If you don't plan to leave, or upsize/downsize in the next 5-10 years, the best time is usually yesterday. The next best time? Today.

You want choice, not pressure

In many Island communities, calmer market periods actually offer more breathing room:

• time to reflect

• time to inspect

• space to negotiate

• fewer emotional bidding scenarios

That’s not just a small advantage.

When waiting can be the right move

Waiting isn’t wrong — it just needs intention.

Waiting may make sense if:

• your finances need time to strengthen

• your plans are still genuinely uncertain

• you’re not clear on location or lifestyle priorities

• you’d be buying out of pressure rather than readiness

• you are selling in a market lower than when you purchased, and are not in a rush at all

The key difference?
Waiting as a strategy vs. waiting as a reflex.

The Island reality buyers discover later

Here’s something many buyers only realize after they’ve already purchased:

The right home in the right location rarely feels wrong — regardless of the exact timing.

Buyers who choose:

• a neighbourhood that fits their daily life

• a home that functions well year-round

• a community they actually enjoy being part of

tend to worry far less about whether they bought at the “perfect” moment... they focus on their new life in their new oasis.

That’s true whether you’re buying in Campbell River, exploring rural pockets like Black Creek and Oyster River, or narrowing in on Comox Valley neighbourhoods.

A smarter question to ask yourself

Instead of asking “Should I buy now or wait?” try this:

“If I owned the right home here already, would I be happy living in it today?”

If the answer is yes — timing becomes far less intimidating.

Because real estate on Vancouver Island isn’t just about investment opportunity.
It’s about quality of life.

What strong buyers do differently

The most successful buyers I work with:

• get clear on their non-negotiables

• understand micro-neighbourhood differences

• stay flexible on details, firm on lifestyle

• make decisions with information, not urgency

• get pre-approved before getting ahead of themselves.

They don’t rush.
They don’t freeze.
They move intentionally... with a plan.

Buying now versus waiting isn’t about predicting the future.

It’s about choosing alignment.

When your finances, lifestyle goals, and location clarity line up — that is usually your signal. And on Vancouver Island, where homes are deeply tied to how life feels day-to-day, that alignment matters more than almost anything else.

It is never too early to call your favourite Realtor to chat about your next move.
Give me a call, maybe that will be me!

Contact Ashley Wilson, Real Estate Agent – Real Broker Campbell River
250.288.1236 | hi@campbellriver.life