Life changes, and your home needs can change right along with it. Maybe your condo was perfect when

you bought it, but now you need more room for a growing family, a home office, visiting relatives, outdoor

space, or simply a layout that better supports your day-to-day life.

Moving from your first condo to a family home in Victoria, BC is an exciting milestone, but it can also feel

like a big step. You may be wondering: Should I sell first or buy first? How much equity do I have? What

neighbourhoods should I consider? Is now the right time to move?

The good news is that you do not have to figure it all out alone. With the right plan, the right information,

and the right guidance, your next move can feel much more manageable.

Victoria’s 2026 Real Estate Market: More Choice, More Strategy

The Victoria real estate market in 2026 is giving buyers and sellers something they have not always had in

recent years: more breathing room.

According to the Victoria Real Estate Board, Greater Victoria recorded 719 property sales in June 2026, down

5.5% from June 2025. Single-family home sales were down 3.5% year over year, while condo sales were

down 26.9%. At the same time, benchmark prices in the Victoria Core softened slightly, with the single-

family home benchmark at $1,326,500 and the condo benchmark at $549,200 in June 2026.

For move-up buyers, this matters. If you are selling a condo and buying a family home, a more balanced

Victoria real estate market can create opportunities, but it also requires a clear strategy. Buyers may have

more options, but sellers still need strong pricing, presentation, and marketing to stand out.

Knowing When You Are Ready to Upsize

Upsizing is not just about square footage. It is about finding a home that supports the next stage of your

life.

You may be ready to move from your condo to a family home if you are looking for:

More bedrooms or flexible living space

A yard for children, pets, gardening, or outdoor entertaining

A quieter street or more family-oriented neighbourhood

Better storage, parking, or workspace

Proximity to schools, parks, transit, or community amenities

A long-term home that can grow with you

1Before you start looking at detached homes, townhomes, or larger properties in Greater Victoria, it is

important to understand your current financial position. That includes your condo’s estimated market value,

your remaining mortgage, your available equity, your buying budget, and the costs connected to selling

and purchasing.

This is where having a guided real estate plan makes a big difference. Instead of guessing, you can move

forward with numbers, timelines, and options that make sense for your life.

Selling Your Condo: How to Set Yourself Up for Success

If your first home is a condo in Victoria, Saanich, Esquimalt, View Royal, Langford, Colwood, or another

Greater Victoria community, preparing it properly can help you attract the right buyers.

Condo buyers are often comparing multiple listings, so presentation matters. Clean, bright, well-staged

spaces tend to photograph better and feel more inviting during showings. Small improvements like

decluttering, fresh paint, minor repairs, updated lighting, and professional photography can help your

condo make a stronger first impression.

Pricing is also important. In a more balanced market, buyers are informed and selective. If your condo is

priced too high, it may sit longer. If it is priced strategically, it can attract more attention and create stronger

opportunities.

A strong condo-selling strategy should include:

A clear pricing plan based on recent comparable sales

Professional photos and compelling listing copy

Preparation advice before going live

Targeted marketing to qualified buyers

A plan for showings, offers, subjects, and closing dates

Coordination with your next purchase timeline

The goal is not just to sell. The goal is to sell in a way that supports your next move.

Buying the Right Family Home in Victoria

Once you are moving into the next stage of homeownership, the search becomes about more than

bedrooms and bathrooms. It becomes about lifestyle.

Victoria and the surrounding communities offer a wide range of options. You might be drawn to the

character homes and walkable streets of Fairfield, Fernwood, or James Bay. You may prefer the family-

friendly neighbourhoods of Saanich, Oak Bay, Colwood, Langford, or View Royal. Or you may be looking for

more space, newer construction, or better value outside the Victoria Core.

When choosing your next home, think carefully about:

2School catchments and childcare options

Commute times and transportation routes

Neighbourhood parks, trails, and recreation

Future resale potential

Home maintenance requirements

Renovation possibilities

Yard size, storage, parking, and layout

Long-term affordability

For first-time move-up buyers, it can be easy to focus only on the excitement of a bigger home. But the

right home should fit both your current needs and your future goals.

Should You Sell First or Buy First?

This is one of the biggest questions for Victoria homeowners who are upsizing.

There is no one-size-fits-all answer. The right approach depends on your finances, your risk comfort, your

current home, the type of property you want to buy, and what is happening in your specific segment of the

Victoria real estate market.

Selling first may give you more certainty about your budget. You will know exactly how much equity you

have available, which can make your next purchase feel clearer. The challenge is that you may need

temporary housing or a flexible closing date.

Buying first can help you secure the right family home before selling your condo. However, it may require

bridge financing, strong mortgage approval, or comfort carrying two properties for a short period.

A guided plan can help you compare both options before making a decision. The goal is to reduce stress,

protect your finances, and create a timeline that works for you.

First-Time Home Buyers: Learning From the Condo-to-Family-Home

Journey

This topic is also helpful for first-time home buyers in Victoria because your first purchase is often the

foundation for your future move.

Many buyers start with a condo or townhome because it can be a more accessible way to enter the Victoria

housing market. Over time, that first property may help build equity, giving you more options when you are

ready to move into a larger home.

First-time buyers should also be aware of available programs and savings tools. In BC, eligible first-time

buyers may qualify for a Property Transfer Tax exemption or reduction through the First Time Home Buyers’

Program. Federally, the First Home Savings Account allows eligible first-time buyers to save for a qualifying

first home tax-free, with annual participation room beginning at $8,000. Canada also offers information on

federal homebuyer incentives, rebates, credits, and registered savings plans through CMHC.

3For first-time buyers, the key is to start with education. Understanding your budget, mortgage options,

neighbourhoods, strata documents, closing costs, and long-term goals can help you make a confident first

purchase.

Why Guidance Matters in Your Next Move

Whether you are buying your first condo or moving from that condo into a family home, real estate

decisions can feel overwhelming when you are trying to manage everything at once.

My goal is to make the real estate journey as simple as possible. That means helping you understand each

step, answering your questions clearly, explaining your options, and guiding you from the first conversation

to the final keys.

When you work with the right real estate professional, you should never feel like you are being rushed or

left to figure things out alone. You should feel informed, supported, and confident.

Final Thoughts: Your Next Chapter Starts With a Plan

Moving from your first condo to a family home in Victoria is more than a real estate transaction. It is a life

transition.

Maybe you are growing your family. Maybe you need more space to work from home. Maybe you are ready

for a backyard, a quieter street, or a neighbourhood that feels like the right fit for your future.

Whatever your reason, your next move starts with a plan.

If you are thinking about upsizing in Victoria, BC, or you are a first-time home buyer wondering where to

begin, I would be happy to guide you every step of the way. Let’s make your real estate journey simple,

informed, and focused on what matters most to you.