In Chapter 4 of my new book "Along for the Ride", we move into buying your first investment property. By this time you have purchased your principal residence, you're contributing to both your RRSP and your TFSA and you're now looking at diversifying your assets further and creating another source of passive income. In this chapter I walk you thru the steps and qualifications you're going to need in order to purchase an investment property. I also talk about how to properly find and screen good tenants and how to reinvest the cash flows.

I just finished uploading this Condo for sale, 402 2028 3RD AVENUE, Vancouver West, BCKitsilano 2 level penthouse with stunning skyline, mountain and water views from the private 250 sq ft rooftop deck. Bright 2 bedroom, 2 bath plus bonus loft space with huge storage area. Large open living and dining area that flows out to the expansive private roof deck - perfect for entertaining. This home has unique designs including vaulted ceilings and an eye-catching wood burning fireplace. Located on a quiet tree lined street, just steps away from the shops and restaurants on West 4th, and a quick walk to the beach. Bonus 2 full size parking in gated garage. Unit is clean and in original condition, ready for your renovating ideas. This is a mus ...

Time for an update on the current state of the Vancouver condo market now that Summer has arrived.  Also wanted to set the record straight and give you my unbiased opinion on several real estate topics that have been in the news recently.

When you have a strong Sellers Market like we currently have in Vancouver Condos, you're going to see multiple offers on most units. You're also going to see listing Realtors like myself use holdbacks on offers to create a multiple offer situation. Buyers will often have to write a subject free offer when their in competition with other buyers for the same unit. In this video I will explain ways that you can minimize your uncertainty and risk over having to write subject free. And how a listing and marketing specialist like myself handles the sales process.

One of the only statistics that tells the real story about what a market is doing is the active sales to listings ratio.  Anything below 12% is considered a Buyers Market.  From 12-20% it’s a Balanced Market and over 20% it’s a Sellers Market. Right now in Vancouver we are at just over 70% so an extremely strong sellers market.   

I just finished uploading this House for sale, 11060 4TH AVENUE, Richmond, BCOne of the most affordable homes that you will find in Steveston Village! Well maintained, bright 4 bedroom charmer just a 10 minute walk to shops, restaurants and Garry Point Park! Features radiant heating, double car garage, 2.5 baths and an open area at the top of the stairs, perfect for an office! Open Sat, June 10th, 2-4 PM.

I have clients ask me on a regular basis if it makes sense these days to try and pay off their mortgage early. I guess for some people it might make sense. It’s certainly better than spending any excess money you have every month. However, with today's historically low, rock bottom interest rates it really makes very little sense to try and pay more than your regular monthly, or what I recommend bi-weekly mortgage payment. Keep in mind by switching to a simple bi-weekly payment schedule you will already be reducing the standard amortization from 25 years down to about 23 years. Trying to accelerate it more by making extra payments makes very little sense when you have a 2.3% mortgage rate. You would be much better off investing that ...

I have done blogs before on land assemblies now we have unit assemblies on condos. Last year the BC Strata Act was amended to make it much easier to sell an entire Strata in the province of BC. In the past, if the owners of a Strata wanted to sell the entire complex to a developer it required a 100% vote. Now it only takes an 80% vote in favour of selling. What I’m starting to see is small investors and developers starting to buy and accumulate multiple units in older Strata’s with the goal of eventually having enough units and influence to move forward with a vote to sell.

Time for another blog on the importance of choosing a quality location when buying a Vancouver condo. With the ultra hot Sellers' Market we have seen over the past 4 years, and the lack of grade A & B locations left to develop in the city - many new developments are being built on what are known as remnant lots (C & D locations). These lots are generally in poor locations on busy streets or shoe horned beside busy bridges and off ramps and with poor accessibility. My advice would be to avoid these poor location units. Often for the same money or possibly 5 to 10% more you can buy a unit in a superior location and neighbourhood that will appreciate at a much better rate over time.

I just finished uploading this Condo for sale, 209 1311 BEACH AVENUE, Vancouver West, BCTUDOR MANOR on Beach Ave. Waterfront 995 sf one bedroom & 1.5 bathroom suite with lovely unobstructed views of English Bay, water & Sunset Beach Park. professionally renovated with top of the line European appliances,24 hr concierge, guest suite, hobby room, 1 parking, storage & pet friendly. Steps to the beach, seawall, Stanley Park and West End.