I was fortunate to be recently interviewed by Angela Jung of Global News on housing affordability in Canada. A recent RBC report highlights Vancouver’s alarming housing affordability crisis, depicting a city grappling with soaring prices and dwindling options for its residents. The study, conducted by the Housing Research Collaborative, sheds light on the dire situation faced by many Vancouverites, where owning a home has become an increasingly distant dream. In the interview, I underscored the severity of the crisis, emphasizing the acute challenges facing prospective buyers particularly fi ..read more

 Increased seller activity is giving buyers more choice this Spring – March 2024 Greater Vancouver Realtors Statistics VANCOUVER, BC – April 3, 2024 – The number of Metro Vancouver1 homes listed for sale on the MLS® rose nearly 23 per cent year-over-year, providing more opportunity for buyers looking for a home this spring. The Greater Vancouver REALTORS® (GVR) reports that residential sales in the region totalled 2,415 in March 2024, a 4.7 per cent decrease from the 2,535 sales recorded in March 2023. This was 31.2 per cent below the 10-year seasonal average (3,512). “If you’re finding th ..read more

 Home sellers active, bring much-needed inventory to housing market – February 2024 Greater Vancouver Realtors Statistics VANCOUVER, BC – March 4, 2024 – While Metro Vancouver home sellers appeared somewhat hesitant in January, new listings rose 31 per cent year-over-year in February, bringing a significant number of newly listed properties to the market. Greater Vancouver REALTORS® (GVR) reports that residential sales in the region totalled 2,070 in February 2024, a 13.5 per cent increase from the 1,824 sales recorded in February 2023. This was 23.3 per cent below the 10-year seasonal ave ..read more

 Home sales across Metro Vancouver’s housing market off to strong start in 2024 – January 2024 Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver Statistics VANCOUVER, BC – February 2, 2024 – While the Metro Vancouver market ended 2023 in balanced market territory, conditions in January began shifting back in favour of sellers as the pace of newly listed properties did not keep up with the jump in home sales. The Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver (REBGV) reports that residential sales in the region totalled 1,427 in January 2024, a 38.5 per cent increase from the 1,030 sales recorded in January ..read more

2-5-10 Warranty BC Explained When buying presale condos and new construction homes in British Columbia, the BC New Home Warranty from BC Housing stands as a beacon of trust and assurance for homeowners. This program is emblematic of BC’s dedication to quality housing and consumer protection. This article will delve deep into the BC New Home Warranty, elucidating its features, benefits for presale condo buyers, and why it’s a pivotal aspect of new home ownership in the province. What is the BC New Home Warranty? The BC New Home Warranty is a mandatory insurance program tailo ..read more

 December 2023 Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver Statistics – Housing market resilient in 2023, ends year in balanced territory VANCOUVER, BC – January 3, 2024– Metro Vancouver’s housing market closed out 2023 with balanced market conditions, but the year-end totals mask a story of surprising resilience in the face of the highest borrowing costs seen in over a decade. The Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver (REBGV) reports that residential sales in the region totalled 26,249 in 2023, a 10.3 per cent decrease from the 29,261 sales recorded in 2022, and a 41.5 per cent decrease from ..read more

 November 2023 Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver Statistics – Balanced conditions come to the Metro Vancouver housing market for the holiday season VANCOUVER, BC – December 4, 2023– With one month left in 2023, a steady increase in housing inventory is offering home buyers across Metro Vancouver among the largest selection to choose from since 2021. The Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver (REBGV) reports that residential sales in the region totalled 1,702 in November 2023, a 4.7 per cent increase from the 1,625 sales recorded in November 2022. This was 33 per cent below the 10-y ..read more

 October 2023 Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver Statistics – Metro Vancouver housing market holds steady in October VANCOUVER, BC – November 2, 2023 – An increase in newly listed properties is providing more choice to home buyers across Metro Vancouver , but sales remain below long-term averages. The Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver (REBGV) reports that residential sales2 in the region totalled 1,996 in October 2023, a 3.7 per cent increase from the 1,924 sales recorded in October 2022. This total is 29.5 per cent below the 10-year seasonal average (2,832) for October. “With proper ..read more

Strata Fees in British Columbia: A Comprehensive Examination Written by Mike Stewart Vancouver Realtor on October 12, 2023 Strata living in condos and townhouses is a popular choice among many British Columbians which offers a blend of community living with shared responsibilities. One of the primary shared responsibilities is the payment of strata fees. But what exactly are these fees, and how are they regulated? What are Strata Fees? At their core, strata fees are contributions made by each owner within a strata corporation. They are also often referred to as maintenance fees or condo fees a ..read more

 July 2023 Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver Statistics – Strong sales push Metro Vancouver home prices past the rate hike in July VANCOUVER, BC – August 2, 2023 – Home prices across all home types in Metro Vancouver rose again in July, as strong sales figures continue to push up against low levels of housing inventory in the region. The Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver (REBGV) reports that residential home sales in the region totalled 2,455 in July 2023, a 28.9 per cent increase from the 1,904 sales recorded in July 2022. This was 15.6 per cent below the 10-year seasonal average ..read more