As Vancouver densifies to tackle housing shortages, is it unintentionally displacing the very communities that give the city its character? A deeper look at how rezoning, redevelopment, and rising land values could be eroding cultural and economic diversity. Walk through Mount Pleasant, Commercial Drive, or even parts of East Vancouver today, and it’s impossible not to notice the transformation....

Has Canada’s foreign buyer ban actually cooled Vancouver’s housing market—or is it more political symbolism than substance? We examine the data, the loopholes, and what it really means for affordability in 2025. In January 2023, Canada rolled out the Prohibition on the Purchase of Residential Property by Non-Canadians Act, better known as the foreign buyer ban, with the stated goal of curbing...

How do global tariffs, U.S.-China tensions, and disrupted trade routes impact the price of lumber and housing affordability in Vancouver? A look at the hidden costs of geopolitical conflict on local real estate. When people think about housing prices in Greater Vancouver, their minds go straight to demand: foreign buyers, interest rates, immigration, or investor speculation. Rarely do we pause to...

Trump, Populism & Cross-Border Capital: Will U.S. Political Turbulence Drive More American Investment into Vancouver Real Estate? Politics Doesn’t Stop at the Border In real estate, location is everything—but lately, politics is proving to be just as critical. With the 2024 U.S. election looming large and Donald Trump leading in many Republican polls, investors across North America...

Vancouver is renowned for its breathtaking skyline and commitment to sustainability, but behind the polished exterior lies a reality that’s frustrating developers to no end. Building new homes in Vancouver has become an uphill battle, thanks to an ever-evolving maze of city bylaws, environmental mandates, and stringent building codes. While these changes are meant to align with progressive goals like...

The city of Vancouver is known for its thriving real estate market and world-class urban design. However, behind the scenes, developers and homeowners alike are grappling with a significant challenge: the building permit process. Long wait times, excessive bureaucracy, and inconsistent regulations are delaying projects, increasing costs, and exacerbating the city’s housing supply crisis. With calls for...

British Columbia’s real estate market is one of the most dynamic in Canada, but its vibrancy has also made it a target for unethical practices. Among the most concerning issues is mortgage fraud—an under-discussed but pervasive problem that threatens the integrity of the market and places consumers, lenders, and honest professionals at risk. With mounting evidence of fraudulent activity, there is a...

In British Columbia’s real estate market, the comparison between resale and pre-sale property values has historically been a straightforward equation. Buyers have often turned to pre-sales for the promise of future value appreciation, locking in prices years ahead of project completion. However, in today’s shifting market landscape, the gap between resale and pre-sale prices has narrowed—or even...

As the new year unfolds, Metro Vancouver’s housing market is already showing signs of heightened activity. The latest market statistics from January 2025 reveal a significant shift in seller momentum, creating new opportunities and considerations for buyers and investors across the region. Surge in New Listings Sets the Tone Home sellers have hit the ground running in 2025, with new listings on...

A Growing List of Taxes In recent years, a variety of taxes have been implemented or increased in BC’s real estate sector, including: 1. Foreign Buyer Tax: Introduced in 2016, this 20% tax on non-resident home purchases in specific regions was intended to deter foreign speculation. While it targets a niche market, its indirect effects often influence overall home prices. 2. Speculation and...