52 articles from June 2022
When I first helped a client list their East Vancouver bungalow back in 2003, they were convinced they'd get top dollar within weeks. The home had been in their family for decades, and they'd heard all the stories about Vancouver's red-hot market. But after 47 days on the market with only three show
Vancouver is generally considered a safe city, but a few things should be considered, especially if you are a female traveler. Though crimes and scams do happen, Vancouver is not particularly dangerous, and you are unlikely to experience pickpocketing or a scam. Nonetheless, you should use common se
It's clear that the British Columbia real estate market has been booming over the past year. We've seen significant increases in home sales and prices since the pandemic started in March 2020. As a growing percentage of the population is vaccinated and more people are being tested positive for COVID
When I first stepped into Vancouver's real estate investment scene back in 2003, I thought the market was already at its peak. Fast forward to today, and I've watched countless clients build substantial wealth portfolios in this dynamic city—despite initial skepticism about affordability and market
Home staging is the process of enhancing the appearance of a property to make it more appealing to prospective buyers. BCREA suggests that you focus on the appearance of the living room, kitchen, and master bedroom and outside curb appeal. I have personally helped hundreds of clients to stage their
Are Hong Kong Residents Moving To Vancouver & Buying Real Estate? Are Hong Kong residents moving to Vancouver and buying real estate? It's a question that has been on the minds of many, as more people are leaving Hong Kong in search of a better life. As an experienced Realtor, I'm here to provide in
Life is full of tradeoffs. If you want a bigger home and ownership in a great neighbourhood, it will cost more. But if you buy leasehold prepaid nonstrata property or a leasehold strata lot, you can save big and get the house or condo of your dreams! Read More: Guide to buying a condo . […]
I have lived in Vancouver for over 30 years and I have experienced many of these events myself. Its a pleasure to showcase them here for you. Vancouver is a vibrant and exciting city, with plenty of activities to keep locals and visitors alike busy throughout the year. With so many annual events tak
When I first started advising clients about the short-term rental market in Vancouver back in 2003, the landscape looked completely different. Property owners could list spare rooms, secondary suites, or entire investment properties with relative ease. But after witnessing the dramatic shift in shor
When I first helped a young couple navigate their first property purchase in Vancouver, they thought they'd saved enough for the down payment. But after we tallied up everything—from notary expenses to insurance premiums to unexpected levies—they realized they'd underestimated their total budget by
The housing market in the Greater Vancouver area is notoriously difficult to navigate. Prices have skyrocketed since the housing pandemic hit BC and are not promising for those who want to purchase a home in the city. It is generally assumed that you should be a millionaire to buy a house in Vancouv
Vancouver is a visual marvel, and it’s nestled between waters clear as glass and snow-topped mountains. If you can never decide between the ocean and the mountains, then this might be somewhere you want to live. Nearly everyone worldwide knows about Vancouver homes for sale and that they sell for
When I first started looking at condos in Vancouver, I thought strata fees were just a simple monthly payment for building upkeep. But after diving deep into BC's strata property market and talking with dozens of condo owners, I realized the truth about these fees is far more nuanced than most peopl
When I first started helping clients navigate Vancouver's real estate market, I thought commission rates were set in stone. But after working with hundreds of buyers and sellers across British Columbia, I realized the truth about realtor fees is far more nuanced than most homeowners imagine. If you'
Are you considering buying a condo in BC Canada? After helping hundreds of buyers navigate Metro Vancouver's real estate market over the past decade, I can tell you that condos represent one of the most attractive entry points into homeownership—especially for first-time buyers facing Vancouver's no
Do you want to buy an old house? Old homes have character and advantages. As a real estate expert , I'll explain the advantages of buying an older home. Buying an old home has many benefits, from cost savings to historic preservation. Let's examine their benefits! From my personal experience, cost s
Selling a house to a friend is difficult. Selling your home to a friend involves many factors beyond money. Selling your house to a friend in Canada can be easy with some planning and knowledge of Canadian laws and regulations! I'll explain how to sell your house to a Canadian friend in this article
Buying a house is a major life choice. It involves complex legal processes, financial commitments, and other factors. So if you’re both Canadian, buying a house with your parents is even more complicated! We have all the information you need to navigate this tricky process. This article discusses t
When Sarah walked into my office last spring, her hands were trembling slightly as she clutched a folder of paperwork. "I found the perfect house for me and the kids," she said quietly. "But I'm still legally married. Can I even do this?" It's a question I've heard dozens of times throughout my 15+
If you’re thinking about buying a condo in Vancouver, you should know how much the monthly maintenance fee will be. Quick Takeaway: The fee can vary widely from one hundred to thousands dollars a month depending on the size of the unit, or 0.40ish cents per square foot. Condo maintenance fees (strat
Hi there! Are you buying or selling property? What is a "non-length arm's transaction"? Don't worry—I'll help. I'll explain how non-length arm's transactions could affect your real estate deal in this article. Quick Takeaway: A non-arm’s length transaction in real estate occurs when buyers and selle
Good day, dear readers! We are sure you are here because you are looking for a step-by-step guide on how to buy a house for your beloved parents. Buying a house for your parents is such a touching and meaningful gesture – why not give them the stability of owning their own home? You […]
When my client Sarah told me she was buying a house with three of her college roommates in Vancouver, I thought she was crazy. "You're going to co-own property with three other people?" But six months later, after helping her navigate the process successfully, I realized something important: buying
Purchasing a home from a relative can be an excellent way to climb onto the property ladder. But navigating the legal and financial complexity requires preparation. Key Takeaways Let's start with an overview of the key steps and considerations: This may seem daunting, but being informed at every st
When I first started working with sellers in Metro Vancouver's competitive real estate market, I watched countless homeowners leave tens of thousands of dollars on the table. Not because their homes weren't valuable, but because they didn't understand the art of negotiation. After helping hundreds o
You’ve found the perfect house and you can already imagine yourself living there. But, when you check out the listing, it says “pending sale.” Is all hope lost? Not necessarily! Making an offer on a pending sale can be tricky but if done correctly, you could find yourself in your dream home sooner t
Buying a house is never easy, especially when you're juggling multiple property interests. In British Columbia (BC), it's legally possible for homebuyers to place an offer on more than one house simultaneously. Yes, you can put offers on more than one property in BC, Canada, but it carries legal
When I first started helping buyers navigate real estate transactions in BC, I thought dates were just administrative details: pick a day, sign the paperwork, move in. Simple, right? But after witnessing dozens of deals fall apart over misunderstood timelines and watching first-time home buyers scra
Buying a house or travelling the world has been debated for centuries. Like standing at a crossroads and not knowing which way to go. Roots and stability versus adventure, freedom, and exploration. Both paths are uncertain but can lead to amazing experiences if chosen correctly. Buy a house or trave
Homebuying can be thrilling and terrifying. You may have many questions if you're considering using multiple real estate agents . Is it legal? Is that wise? How would it work? I'll answer all your questions from my experience and expertise! This article describes using multiple real estate agents wh
Are you in the process of buying a house and not sure if the title is in your name? Or perhaps you are curious about how to know whether or not the title of a property has been transferred into your name? Well, understanding real estate titles can be confusing, but it doesn't have to […]
Buying a house is one of the most exciting moments in life! You can’t wait to move in and make it your own, but do you really know what you’re getting? When you buy a house, do you actually own everything that comes with it? It's worth taking some time to get clued up on […]
Title fraud is a growing threat to Canadian homeowners. This type of fraud involves stealing the legal ownership of a property through identity theft and fraudulent documentation. The criminals then sell or remortgage the home without the real owner's knowledge or consent. Victims often don't realiz
Are you building a new home or investment property? If so, it’s important to understand the importance of owner’s title insurance. In Short: Yes, you should get owner’s title insurance for new construction in BC. Even with a new build, title insurance protects against title defects, fraud, survey er
Are you considering buying a townhouse? The pros of buying a townhouse in BC, Canada include affordability compared to detached homes, lower maintenance since exterior upkeep is typically covered, and access to shared amenities. The cons include limited privacy due to shared walls, potential strata
Buying a pre-rental property can be an exciting and profitable endeavor for many people. After all, it’s the perfect opportunity to move into your own home or get some extra income from rent payments. But what are the pros and cons of buying a pre-rental property? Before making a decision, it's cruc
When I first started working with buyers interested in brand-new developments in Vancouver, I thought the appeal was obvious – pristine finishes, modern layouts, and that new-home smell. But after guiding dozens of clients through pre-construction purchases in British Columbia, I realized the truth
You've just received your home inspection report, and your stomach drops. What looked like your dream home now has found`ation issues, electrical problems, or hidden water damage that'll cost tens of thousands to fix. The big question racing through your mind: can you actually walk away from this de
Hey there! Are you planning to buy a new house? Congratulations, that's an exciting endeavor. Buying a home is no small investment In short, a contractor can do a home inspection in BC only if they are a licensed home inspector under BC’s regulatory requirements. Most contractors are not certified,
When Sarah and Michael put in an offer on their dream home in Kelowna last spring, they thought they'd found the perfect property. But after hiring what turned out to be an inexperienced home inspector, they discovered—six months after moving in—that the "minor moisture issue" mentioned in passing w
When I first stood in front of my client's aging 1970s bungalow twenty years ago, I faced the same gut-wrenching question that thousands of homeowners wrestle with every year: should they pour money into renovating this place, or tear it down and start fresh? After consulting with contractors, archi
Tax sales occur annually in cities across British Columbia when property owners fall delinquent on their property taxes. After three years of unpaid taxes, municipalities can auction these properties to recoup the unpaid taxes. Tax sales represent an opportunity for new homebuyers or real estate inv
When I first started helping clients navigate the Metro Vancouver housing market, I thought the answer to this question was obvious: wait for lower rates. But after working with hundreds of homebuyers through multiple interest rate cycles—and watching some clients miss out on their dream homes while
When I first started tracking monetary policy shifts back in 2008, I thought interest rate movements were just another financial metric that didn't really move the needle for everyday homebuyers. But after witnessing three complete rate cycles and helping hundreds of clients navigate Vancouver's not
Are log homes in BC Canada more expensive to insure? Log cabins are becoming an increasingly popular choice for Canadians looking for a beautiful, rustic home. But is the cost of insurance worth it? In this article, we'll explore the pros and cons of insuring a log cabin in Canada. I'll look at how
Have you ever stood at the edge of a lake at sunset and thought, "What if I could wake up to this every single day?" You're not imagining something impossible. You are imangining possibilities. The main difference between the pros and cons of buying waterfront property is lifestyle value versus risk
The main difference between the pros and cons of buying a mansion is cost versus benefit. A mansion offers large living space, premium amenities, and strong privacy, but it also requires high maintenance costs, elevated property taxes, and increased utility expenses that can exceed several thousand
When I first helped my client navigate the Vancouver real estate market, she thought the process would be straightforward. But after three months of house hunting, multiple offer situations, and unexpected closing costs totaling over $30,000, she realized buying a home in Vancouver is far more compl
Buying a single-family home in British Columbia offers privacy, land ownership, and long-term appreciation potential. However, high purchase prices, property taxes, and maintenance costs increase financial risk. Market volatility and stricter mortgage qualification rules in BC further affect afforda
When I first started working with clients struggling to break into BC's housing market, I thought rent-to-own arrangements were just a creative financing gimmick. But after helping dozens of families navigate these agreements over the past decade, I realized the truth about rent-to-own homes is far