On Tuesday, the federal government announced its 2024 budget, committing to extensive new spending funded by fresh revenue sources. This year's federal budget is centred on three key objectives: increasing the availability of affordable housing, reducing living costs, and fostering economic growth that benefits everyone. James and Denny share their thoughts on the recently released federal budget and plans to make housing more affordable. They also discuss BOC numbers and their effects on the current Vancouver real estate market. This episode will focus on the recently released federal budget ..read more

Unlocking the value of your home or any real estate property you're considering buying or selling is a nuanced process that requires a keen understanding of the market. Denny and Monica share their personal experiences with evaluating homes and whether it's better to buy or sell your home first. This episode will focus on those looking to make a real estate move, upsizing and downsizing conversations, properly evaluating your home, buying or selling first, the importance of timing and what to expect throughout the process. Podcast Videos can be found on the Garbutt + Dumas Real Estate Team You ..read more

Buying an investment property and renting it out can be a great way to earn extra income or help cover the mortgage. However, many investors are unsure of how to best showcase the home and start the rental process. Denny and Monica provide step-by-step instructions on how to rent out your property to great tenants at the best price, starting from the moment you get possession of the home to signing the lease agreement. This episode will cover the advantages and disadvantages of having a property manager, how you can make your rental listing stand out, the importance of professional photography ..read more

During a slower market, buyers have a better opportunity to include a subject to inspection when making an offer. Many potential homeowners wonder if it is worth the investment to hire a home inspector or if they can make a purchase without it. Denny and Monica discuss the pros and limitations of home inspections and share what type of valuable information buyers can expect to get to help them decide if they should purchase a home. This episode will cover which traits separate a great home inspector from an average one, what information you can hope to get out of an inspection for your specifi ..read more

As the market remains slow in most areas of Greater Vancouver, some buyers and sellers are unsure of how to properly navigate the changing value of homes. Many homeowners are emotionally attached to their property and may struggle to accept offers that are below their list price. Buyers are seeking deals and may send offers that are far below what has been listed. Denny and Monica share behind-the-scenes conversations they have with buyers and sellers when it comes to sending and receiving “lowball” offers during a slow real estate market. This episode will cover the difference between fair ma ..read more

People are always looking to jump into the world of real estate but don't know how to begin. It can be overwhelming for many as they try to figure out what kind of property to buy, where they should look, and the questions they should ask. James and Monica walk you through a buyer’s thought process to help bring clarity when purchasing a home by focusing on budget, real estate goals, and lifestyle. This episode will cover how investment properties and rental income can help you qualify for a mortgage, how different real estate goals will determine the property type you should buy, the differen ..read more

At the beginning of January, the Canadian Real Estate Association voted in favor of adding a policy of a “Duty of Cooperation.” This policy requires realtors to put residential listings on its Multiple Listing Service (MLS) within three days of publicly marketing a property. James and Denny dissect the policy, offering insights into its potential impact on the Vancouver real estate market. This episode will cover the new duty of cooperation policy, why the CREA introduced it, what does "public marketing" mean, how this will affect certain selling strategies, and changes to the MLS. Podcast Vid ..read more

2023 was a rollercoaster year for real estate marked by increases in interest rates and the implementation of several legislative adjustments aimed at addressing housing supply issues and promoting long-term rentals. James and Denny review key moments from 2023, shedding light on the latest legislative initiatives designed to boost housing availability and facilitate long-term rentals. This Episode will cover 2023 and what happened in the real estate world, rate increases, FHSA accounts, residential property flipping rules, foreign buyer ban, rental restriction removal, Air BnB bans, new densi ..read more

Recent legislative changes in British Columbia aim to address the soaring cost of housing, reflecting the province's efforts to tackle the persistent issue of affordability in the real estate market. Denny and Monica review the new policy changes and share their thoughts on how they will affect the Vancouver real estate market. This episode will focus on recent real estate policy changes aimed to combat the high prices of homes, the foreign buyer ban extended, first time home buyers program updated, new anti-flipping tax laws, Trudeau's $2 billion pledge to support new homes and what it means ..read more

The current market is marked by high-interest rates and stagnant home sales, indicating a seller's market. Uncertainty looms large amidst these conditions, posing challenges for both buyers and sellers alike. Economic unpredictability adds another layer of complexity to the real estate landscape. Denny and Monica share what they are currently seeing in Vancouver's real estate market, and break down the stats by city and home type. This episode will focus on being in a seller's market, high-interest rates, limited product for sale, uncertainty in the market, misinformation in the news, what is ..read more