Spring may be getting closer, but the Fraser Valley real estate market is not moving at full speed just yet.

According to the Fraser Valley Real Estate Board, February 2026 brought a noticeable jump in sales compared with January. The board recorded 843 sales, up 36 per cent month over month. Still, that number was 38 per cent below the 10-year seasonal average. At the same time, active inventory climbed to 8,344 listings, which is 51 per cent above the 10-year seasonal norm. The sales-to-active listings ratio sat at 10 per cent, keeping the region in buyer’s market territory. what does that mean if you own a farm in Abbotsford, a nursery in Langley, or an acreage in Chilliwack?

It means the market is waking up, but buyers still have options. And when buyers have options, strategy matters more than ever.

A Small Lift in Sales Does Not Mean the Market Has Turned

This is the kind of headline that can confuse people.

You hear that sales are up, and it sounds like the market is heating up. But the full story matters. Yes, February improved over January. That is encouraging. But prices remained soft, inventory stayed high, and overall activity was still well below what is typical for this time of year. Benchmark prices across the Fraser Valley dipped again in February, with the composite benchmark at $895,100, down 0.2 per cent from January. Detached homes, townhomes, and apartments all posted small monthly declines as well. plain terms, this is not a market that rewards guesswork.

It is more like walking into a field after a long winter. You can see signs of growth, but you would not call it harvest season yet.

That matters even more in the farm and acreage space, where properties are larger, more complex, and often tied to business value, land use rules, water access, and long-term family decisions.

Why Farm and Acreage Owners Need to Read This Market Differently

Farm real estate is not the same as residential real estate.

That sounds obvious, but many sellers still make the mistake of looking at general housing headlines and applying them directly to agricultural land. The problem is that farmland value is not shaped by curb appeal alone. It can depend on soil quality, parcel layout, infrastructure, crop potential, water access, ALR rules, and the type of buyer the property attracts.

A standard market update may tell you homes are taking longer to sell. In February, detached homes in the Fraser Valley took an average of 47 days to sell, condos 45 days, and townhomes 39 days. for a farm or acreage, days on market only tell part of the story. The real question is this: are you reaching the right buyers?

That is where specialized farm marketing makes a difference.

A residential buyer may scroll past a 20-acre property because they do not understand its income potential, zoning, or operational value. An agricultural buyer sees something very different. They look at access, drainage, buildings, crop use, and long-term upside.

That gap is huge.

Buyers Have More Power Right Now, but Sellers Still Have Opportunity

A buyer’s market does not mean sellers are stuck.

It means sellers need to be sharper.

Right now, many buyers are cautious. The Fraser Valley Real Estate Board noted that economic uncertainty continues to keep some households in a holding pattern, even as inventory remains high and prices soften. hesitation can create opportunity for well-prepared sellers, especially in the farm and acreage market.

Why? Because serious agricultural buyers are not always waiting for perfect headlines. They are watching for the right land.

If a blueberry grower needs expansion ground, or a nursery operator is looking for a better setup, or a family wants a rural property with room to build a long-term home, they will move when the property fits their goals. They are not just shopping for a house. They are making a business or lifestyle decision.

That is why presentation, pricing, and buyer targeting matter so much.

Overpricing based on a neighbour’s sale can hurt. So can marketing a farm like a suburban home. In this kind of market, sellers need to know exactly how their property fits into the bigger picture.

What This Means in Abbotsford, Chilliwack, Langley, and Surrey

Across the Fraser Valley, local differences matter.

Langley and Surrey sellers may still be sitting on very valuable land, but buyers in those markets are watching carefully and comparing every opportunity. Abbotsford and Chilliwack continue to attract buyers looking for more workable agricultural value, more functional parcel sizes, and, in some cases, a better balance between land utility and price point.

That creates an important pattern in the market.

Some owners are selling in higher-priced areas and moving east, where they may be able to buy comparable or even more usable agricultural property while freeing up equity. Others are expanding their operations by targeting land that fits their crop type or business plan.

This is one reason farm real estate needs a local, agriculture-first lens. A broad market average does not tell you how a specific parcel on Dixon Road, Bradner Road, or South Langley should be positioned.

The Best Moves in This Market Start With Clear Advice

In a market like this, people often ask the same question:

Should we sell now, or wait?

The honest answer is that it depends less on the headline and more on your next move.

If you are downsizing, retiring, restructuring, or expanding, timing is only one piece of the puzzle. Pricing correctly, understanding your buyer pool, and planning the next purchase or transition often matter more than trying to call the exact bottom or top of the market.

That is especially true when inventory is high. More competition means buyers can afford to be selective. But it also means strong properties, well-positioned and marketed to the right audience, can stand out.

Think of it like selling equipment. If you list a specialized machine to the wrong crowd, you get noise. If you put it in front of people who understand exactly what it does, the conversation changes fast.

The same applies to farmland.

Final Thoughts

February 2026 gave the Fraser Valley a small boost in activity, but the bigger picture remains clear: this is still a buyer-friendly market with high inventory, soft pricing, and selective demand. farm and acreage owners, that is not bad news. It is a reminder that success comes from smart positioning, local knowledge, and specialized execution.

In markets like Abbotsford, Chilliwack, Langley, and Surrey, farm real estate is not just about selling land. It is about protecting value, understanding the operation behind the property, and making decisions that support long-term goals.

And in a market that is only starting to bloom, the right strategy can make all the difference.