Real Estate for Sale in Abbotsford

Abbotsford is a municipality in the western province of British Columbia. The city’s southern boundary is the international border between Canada and the United States. This closeness to the U.S. state of Washington means that most real estate in Abbotsford affords southern views of Mount Baker and northern views of B.C.’s Coast Mountains.

In Canada, Abbotsford has the third largest proportion of visible minorities, with the Greater Toronto Area and the Greater Vancouver CMA leading this list. More than a quarter (26.1%) of Abbotsford’s residents were born outside of Canada.

The largest ethnic group is the Europeans, encompassing descendants from Germany, Holland, UK, Ireland and Scandinavia. The next largest ethnic group is South Asians—people from nations like India, Pakistan and Bangladesh.

Nearly two-thirds of the population (62%) are employed within the city. The remaining 38% commute to Mission, Chilliwack, Surrey, Langley or Vancouver. Despite a sizeable commuter population, Abbotsford’s economy is actually quite varied. The city’s principal industries are agriculture, transportation, manufacturing and retail. The city earns the highest dollar per acre, according to the Conference Board of Canada, ahead of other productive farming regions such as the Niagara Region and the North Okanagan.

For nine consecutive years, beginning in 2002, the city held the Statistics Canada designation of “Canada’s most generous city.” The recognition factored in the volume of charitable donations the city’s residents contributed during each calendar year.

As of the latest reporting period, Abbotsford’s median sale price stands at $607,500. This figure is calculated by identifying the mid-point price of all property sold within a specified period of time. To illustrate, if 31 condos changed hands last month and only 21 detached homes sold in the same time frame, then the median price would capture the mid-point between the 31 condos and the 21 detached homes sold during that interval. At present, Abbotsford has 407 houses for sale, 255 townhomes for sale and 297 condos for sale.

For deeper insight into the current state of Abbotsford’s real estate landscape, check out the Market Stats page.

The property market in the Lower Mainland, B.C., has been ablaze in recent years. It’s one of the most competitive Canadian real estate markets. Virtually every week brings a report about scarce affordable homes or bidding wars on properties that barely appear on the local MLS ®. Abbotsford real estate hasn’t been immune to these escalating prices, yet remains relatively attainable. Anticipate paying more for a detached home in Abbotsford and considerably less for condos in Abbotsford compared to surrounding areas.

To be successful in purchasing a home for sale in Abbotsford, you’ll want to engage a local Abbotsford Realtor®. A local real estate agent understands the city and can steer you to a community and property that aligns with your budget and priorities.

To browse the newest homes for sale in Abbotsford check out the city’s MLS® system, which sources its data from the Fraser Valley Real Estate Board. To have the freshest listings delivered directly to your inbox, set up an MLS® listings alert.

There are nine official neighbourhoods in Abbotsford, though locals would likely identify upward of 20 unofficial communities throughout this Lower Mainland city.

The most well-established neighbourhoods, the communities where families tend to settle, include Clearbrook in Central Abbotsford houses, condos and townhouses, Glen Mountain in East Abbotsford and Townline in West Abbotsford houses, condos and townhouses. Homes for sale in East Abbotsford houses, condos and townhouses communities tend to move quickly, with nearly 70% of properties sold changing hands in fewer than 10 days. Almost half the property (42%) that sells in West Abbotsford neighbourhoods will sell for above the list price, while Central Abbotsford presents the most affordable housing options, with homes selling, on average, for roughly $385,000 in 2017.

Part of the reason for Central Abbotsford’s affordability is that substantial portions within this community contain commercial developments. For multifamily residential including rental units and townhouses, explore the McCallum Road area. One appealing zone in Central Abbotsford is the Historic Downtown shopping district and one major attraction is Mill Lake Park.

For purpose-built family-focused subdivisions, investigate Clearbrook, Blueridge and Townline in West Abbotsford. Most houses for sale are modest to mid-range family residences. There are pockets of executive homes, featuring higher-end finishes and additional space, but there are also pockets of rental apartment buildings and townhouse complexes.

Examine the Sumas Prairie houses, condos and townhouses area if you’re interested in land for sale or acreages. There are plenty of farms and acreages featuring notable landmarks that include: Birchwood Dairy, Eco Dairy and the Sumas Sub Station (ultimately converted into a private residence).

There’s an abundance of choices in Abbotsford. To narrow down your options consult a local Realtor. Real estate agents who work and reside in the city can help narrow down a neighbourhood matching your lifestyle and budget. If time permits, attend a few open houses in Abbotsford. Leverage our hot-list as a reference. The list ranks the city’s communities based on average sale price, how many properties are for sale and the number of days properties remain on the housing market in Abbotsford.

Numerous buyers elect to purchase in a neighbouring city and commute to their workplace. These purchasers seek larger homes and lots while maintaining reliable commuter access to Abbotsford’s downtown core. Good options include Langley, Mission and Cultus Lake. Even municipalities requiring a slightly extended commute, such as Surrey, Chilliwack and Delta are good options as they present more affordably priced detached homes.

Prior to purchasing any Canadian real estate, consider researching the municipality. A practical way to gain a general overview is to examine data gathered by Statistics Canada. This snapshot provides a window into a city and helps establish whether a home in Abbotsford is the right fit for you.

For those interested in Abbotsford’s schools, below is a listing of the top five elementary and top five secondary institutions in the city.

Abbotsford is conveniently positioned between the Lower Mainland’s coastal cities and B.C.’s interior. This makes the city an ideal base for commuters who travel outside of the city for employment. Navigating within the city is also quite manageable with bus routes spanning throughout the city and bike lanes that radiate outward from the downtown core.

To gain a clearer picture of how city residents commute, review the data gathered by Statistics Canada.

Abbotsford’s self-proclaimed nickname—City in the Country—reveals a great deal about what you can do here. If you want to explore the rural side of this municipality, visit EcoDairy. The first demonstration farm in Canada, EcoDairy, in partnership with Science World, teaches visitors about where milk originates; the kids can even shovel manure if they’re eager! For a less bovine adventure, check out Applebarn. As the name implies, you can pick apples but there’s a wealth of other activities too. From a Corn Quest Maze to Bunny Town to hayrides and pony rides to a zip-line and the petting barn. There’s a taste of countryside here for everyone. Bear in mind, Applebarn is seasonal, so verify the schedule before you visit.

If you want to delve into the city’s rich immigration heritage, visit the Sikh Gurdwara. It’s the sole surviving North American Sikh temple erected during Canada’s pioneer era. Today, it stands as a symbol of all the dedication the Sikh community invested in helping shape our nation, as well as a wonderful opportunity to peek inside a Sikh temple.

With all the fertile land encircling the city, it would be a shame to miss out on some of the fruits of the labour. You can either head to Lepp Farm Market, a locally owned retail outlet that stocks and sells produce directly from its farm to the customer. Expect to discover locally grown corn, cherries from Okanagan Orchard as well as a variety of non-GMO fruits and vegetables from nearby farmers. On top of that, Lepp Farm Market provides locally sourced meat and seafood along with a calendar of cooking classes and suggested recipes. If you’re not hunting for meal ingredients but still wish to sample the fruits of the land, book an Abby Wine Tour. For as little as $25 per person, the Phantom Party Bus will transport you to area wineries and then return you safely home.

If you’re feeling peckish, check out Duft & Co. Bakehouse. Fresh, homemade cinnamon buns, almond croissants, bread pudding and a variety of other delectable treats are lovingly crafted in this privately owned artisanal bakery. Nestled right in the heart of the city’s historical downtown, it’s the perfect mid-day stop. Another option is to explore Tanglebank Gardens & Brambles Bistro. Tanglebank is a boutique nursery that caters to even the most eclectic gardeners with smart, elegant selections. The Bistro showcases a field-to-table seasonal menu.

On rainy days, bring the kids to Play Abby. This indoor playground and climbing facility features separate zones for toddlers and older children. There’s also Laser Tag for the tweens in your household. You can also check out the Abbotsford Recreation Centre. The public facility includes a 25-metre swimming pool, along with hot tub, sauna and tots pool; it features indoor and outdoor tracks as well as a 10,000 square-foot weight room and, in the winter months, an Olympic-sized ice rink.