Successful people all share many common traits and characteristics. In this video I set out what separates most multi-millionaires from the average person who is struggling financially.

Here are some highlights from a recent seminar I attended put on by BFL Canada regarding the recent spike in strata insurance costs. Some of the topics discussed include: Why have strata premiums gone up by as much as 200-300%? Why have they been raising the water claim deductibles? What are the major causes of claims for strata’s? What can strata’s and owners do to reduce claims and insurance costs moving forward?

Wanted to discuss some of the fantastic things that occur on a regular basis as an investor both in Real Estate and Equities. Special dividends, Stock splits, Company spin-offs. Dividend increases on the Real Estate side are things like rental increases, interest rate reductions land and unit assemblies. Most of these things you will never hear much about in the main stream media but they are happening on a daily weekly and monthly basis to investors who simply buy high quality assets and hold them for long periods of time.

The NDP is at it again. Two years ago they reduced the allowable rent increase a landlord could request from CPI + 2% to only the CPI. Earlier this year they reduced that even further and announced an endemic 1.4 % increase for 2021. Last week they took that off the table and have announced a ZERO rent increases until at least Summer 2021. The NDP says we are all in this together. Looks to me like they are asking landlords to be in this far more than anyone else. Especially when you consider that property taxes are going up on average by over 10%. Insurance by over 100% and Strata fees by over 10%.

In this video I’m going to discuss the difference between cash flow and income on an investment property, and the power of tax deferred capital gains. Buying an investment property with 20 % down, putting a tenant in and keeping it for 20-30-40 years or more in what I call "The Ghost Ship to Wealth".

The current status of the Downtown Vancouver condo market is quite segregated and really is a tale of two markets. Quality 1 and 2 bedroom units in good well run strata’s and in good locations are still in a sellers market. Inventory is extremely limited and prices are at or near all time highs. I’m also seeing new luxury units selling for well over $1600 to over $2000 a sq.ft. On the other side of the market.. run of the mill units in less desirable locations or older strata’s that might have maintenance issues, are starting to reduce prices and are starting to fall into a more balanced market. One area where I am starting to see good value is in the junior 1 bedroom and studio units in higher end luxury buildings. The rental market ...

Buying and holding quality Vancouver Real Estate and large cap dividend growing equities is the only real advantage most investors have. Forget about timing markets..the taxes and friction costs will kill any capital gains you might be lucky enough to achieve. Instead, buy, hold and focus on the things you have control over.

The detached market has been incredibly strong over the past 5 months. Easily outpacing the condo market. There are many many advantages to detached living if you have the 1.5 to 2.5 million dollars to buy one. Keep in mind there are also many advantages to Vancouver condo living provided you buy the right home in a quality well run strata. In this blog I’m going to discuss all the pros and cons to strata vs detached living.

The latest market statistics were just released from the Greater Vancouver Real Estate board. The overall market continues to be strong with condos, townhomes and detached homes all firmly in a sellers market. That said some homes and condos are not selling and have been languishing on the market. In this blog i will talk about the main reasons why some homes are not getting offers and selling. I also discuss the current status of the land assembly market.

I have done at least 15 blogs on this topic over the past decade so please go back and watch some of my more detailed videos on why Vancouver home prices are so high and why they will remain high compared to other parts of the country. I continue to see people blame our high prices on money laundering, speculation and foreign buyers. Here are the real reasons. 1. Equity Driven Market. These are home owners who have been in the market for 10-15-20+ years and have ridden the market up. 2. Vancouver Is An Aspirational City. Unlike Edmonton, in Vancouver you are competing against buyers from other parts of Canada, N. America and the world. 3. Vancouver is Becoming a Major N. American Tech Hub. With high paying computer engineering salari ...