In this week’s Vancouver real estate update, we dive into the latest data and indicators painting a complex picture of the market. We start with the Housing Affordability Index, a measure of median household income against mortgage payments, taxes, and utilities. According to this index, Canadian homes have never actually been considered affordable—not once in the last 40 years. The most affordable period came in the late 1990s, when the metric dipped to 34%, just shy of the “ideal” target of 33...
Jul 05, 2025•22 min•Ep. 284
In this week’s episode, we’re diving deep into one of the most dramatic real estate stories in Canadian history — the Fraser Valley housing boom and bust. During the COVID-era market frenzy, the Fraser Valley became a magnet for buyers looking to escape the city. Between 2020 and 2022, prices in cities like Abbotsford skyrocketed, with the average home price doubling from $500,000 to over $1 million in just two years. Fueled by low interest rates, remote work freedom, and the desire for more spa...
Jun 28, 2025•32 min•Ep. 283
Canada is entering a new and unfamiliar chapter—one defined not by explosive population growth, but by a dramatic slowdown that could rewrite the country’s real estate narrative. In fact, Canada just recorded one of the lowest levels of population growth seen in over 70 years. Only two other quarters in modern history have posted weaker numbers: the height of pandemic lockdowns in 2020 and the global energy downturn of 2015. But now, for the first time outside of a crisis, population growth is g...
Jun 21, 2025•20 min•Ep. 282
Since the 1980s, Canadian real estate prices have increased 700% faster than wages, and the consequences of that imbalance are starting to surface across the country. In this episode, we unpack a dramatic shift in the housing market that could signal the end of a four-decade bull run. We begin with new data showing that real wages have barely moved in 43 years—up just 24%—while real estate values, even after recent declines, are still up over 160% after inflation. That divergence has fuelled ine...
Jun 14, 2025•21 min•Ep. 281
Sales volumes have collapsed across Canada, and Vancouver is no exception. May 2025 saw just 2,228 sales—down 18.5% from an already slow May last year, and a staggering 30.5% below the 10-year average. This marks the slowest May on record in over 20 years, highlighting just how extreme the slowdown has become. In the pre-sale market, the picture is even bleaker. Vancouver saw only 816 new condo sales in the first quarter of 2025, an 84% drop from the 5,250 sold during the same period in 2022. Me...
Jun 07, 2025•36 min•Ep. 280
This week in Canadian real estate, we saw a rare move toward improving housing affordability—but is it too little, too late? The federal government has announced a GST rebate for first-time home buyers purchasing new homes valued up to $1.5 million. Homes under $1 million will be eligible for a full GST rebate—as much as $50,000—while homes between $1 million and $1.5 million receive a partial rebate. The government claims this will help reduce upfront costs for young Canadians and spur new hous...
May 31, 2025•24 min•Ep. 279
Affordable housing continues to dominate the national conversation—and yet, no level of government seems to have cracked the code. In today’s episode of The Vancouver Life, we’re taking this issue into our own hands. Following our most-commented video ever, where we introduced a series of bold ideas to bring truly affordable, ownership -based housing to Canadians, we’re back with more. Many responded with sharp criticism, valid points, and even better ideas. It inspired us to expand on the origi...
May 24, 2025•27 min•Ep. 278
The average home price in Canada has officially dropped 18% since the 2022 peak—but that’s only half the story. In this week’s episode, we unpack April 2025’s national real estate data, and explore a far more revealing trend: What prices looked like 5 years ago versus today. Because while home values are down nearly 20% from peak levels, they’re still up 31% over 5 years. We also take a closer look at the man now in charge of Canadian housing—former Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson, newly appoin...
May 17, 2025•28 min•Ep. 277
For the first time in 2025, Vancouver home prices have declined—and combined with multi-year lows in sales activity, have we finally reached the bottom of this market cycle? In this week’s episode, we dive into the May market update for Vancouver, examining why—after four consecutive years of declining home sales—we may be approaching a cyclical turning point. Vancouver just posted its lowest April sales figures since 2019, and for context, this is now the longest recorded slowdown in the GVRD s...
May 10, 2025•36 min•Ep. 276
When is the right time to buy a home? For many, it's when they feel ready—personally and financially. But even then, timing the market, understanding future price direction, and interpreting shifting economic signals can complicate the decision. In this episode, we break down everything you need to know to make a confident, informed choice about buying a home in 2025. First, we examine the all-powerful & predominant force of interest rates. The Bank of Canada held steady in April, but with t...
May 03, 2025•44 min•Ep. 275
Building major housing projects in Canada is a deeply complex and often misunderstood process — one that requires more than just permits and plans. It’s about aligning the vision, values, and needs of developers, cities, and the communities they aim to serve. And at the centre of that delicate balance is Gary Pooni, President of Pooni Group, a renowned Urban Planning and Land Development consultancy based in Vancouver. With nearly 30 years of experience, Gary has played a critical role in shapin...
Apr 26, 2025•52 min•Ep. 274
In this week we cover some of the most consequential turning points in Canada’s housing narrative to date including the breakdown of the Federal Conservative and Liberal housing plans. New home construction is collapsing at a national level—plummeting in cities like Vancouver by as much as 36% year-over-year—just as Canadians are being asked to decide who should lead the country through the next era of growth, or decline. We begin with the Bank of Canada’s latest rate decision: after seven cuts ...
Apr 19, 2025•41 min•Ep. 273
The spring market is all but dead in 2025. That much is clear. The traditional seasonal surge in home sales that typically arrives in March and April has simply failed to show up. Home sales across Canada remain at multi-decade lows, with April currently trending a shocking 33% below last year—an already sluggish benchmark in itself. The market remains paralyzed under the weight of higher interest rates and high home prices, both of which are now colliding with a wave of mortgage renewals, Trump...
Apr 12, 2025•27 min•Ep. 272
ome sales in Vancouver just hit their lowest point in six years, marking yet another painful milestone in what’s quickly becoming one of the most uncertain and volatile real estate markets in decades. And if you’re wondering why this is happening, just look at the bigger picture—consumer confidence in Canada just hit an all-time low. That’s right—lower than the depths of the Great Financial Crisis, and worse than the early pandemic panic. Business confidence is in the same horrific state, and th...
Apr 05, 2025•42 min•Ep. 271
Just over a year ago, Vancouver’s rental market was on fire. Rents were rising at record pace, showings were fully booked within hours, and competition was fierce. Fast forward to today, and it’s a very different story. Properties that used to rent in a single day are now sitting on the market for months. Rents are softening, vacancy is creeping up, and investors—especially small-scale landlords—are starting to feel the pressure. In this episode, we explore the major shift in Vancouver’s rental ...
Mar 29, 2025•37 min•Ep. 270
Welcome to The Vancouver Life Podcast! In this episode, we dive into the forces shaping the future of Vancouver’s real estate market with Josh White, the General Manager of Planning, Urban Design, and Sustainability for the City of Vancouver. Josh brings a wealth of experience from his time as Director of City and Regional Planning and Co-Chief Planner at the City of Calgary, and now leads Vancouver’s planning efforts at a time when housing supply, affordability, and urban development are more c...
Mar 22, 2025•59 min•Ep. 269
The Bank of Canada cut interest rates this week for the 7th consecutive time, lowering the overnight rate to 2.75%—a level we haven’t seen since August 2022. But what really caught our attention wasn’t just the cut itself—it was what Governor Tiff Macklem said at the press conference. Macklem explicitly stated that tariffs are restraining household spending intentions, and in response, the BOC is acting to stimulate the economy. That’s right—he’s openly admitting that the Bank is working to revi...
Mar 15, 2025•27 min•Ep. 268
The impact of tariffs on the housing market is already being felt. Even before they were implemented, just the threat of tariffs was enough to put buyers on the sidelines. Now that they are in place, the effects are hitting fast. Toronto, often viewed as a key indicator of the condo market, saw sales drop 28% month-over-month in February—a month that typically sees an increase from January. Vancouver’s numbers reveal similar trends, with sales momentum reversing sharply after months of steady gr...
Mar 08, 2025•31 min•Ep. 267
The Toronto real estate market is making national headlines, with growing concerns about a condo crisis that has both buyers and developers feeling the pressure. In this episode, we sit down with renowned Toronto Realtor Tom Storey to break down what’s really happening on the ground. With reports of buyers failing to close on pre-sale units and developers facing insolvency, we discuss how these issues are playing out in real-time and whether they’re as severe as they sound. Are condos the only s...
Mar 01, 2025•49 min•Ep. 266
The Canadian housing market is experiencing one of its most dramatic shifts in recent history, as the gap between government promises and market realities continues to widen. While policymakers have focused on demand-side measures like home-flipping taxes, actual housing starts have declined significantly. Meanwhile, an unprecedented number of rental units are entering the market, leading to falling rental prices. Despite political rhetoric about increasing housing supply, overall housing starts...
Feb 22, 2025•25 min•Ep. 265
Housing inventory is surging across Canada, with cities like Vancouver and Toronto seeing multi-year highs in new listings—Vancouver up 33% YoY (a 13-year high) and Toronto spiking 49% YoY (a 16-year high). This sudden jump in supply is driven by a mix of record completions, stricter tenancy laws, and struggling investors selling off properties due to rising mortgage costs and softening rental markets. Buyers, however, are staying on the sidelines, hesitant amid economic uncertainty, high borrow...
Feb 15, 2025•27 min•Ep. 264
Vancouver home prices took a sharp dive in January, hitting a two-year low, while Canada’s GDP shrank in November, signaling potential economic trouble ahead. Adding to the uncertainty, looming tariffs could push housing costs even higher, leaving both buyers and sellers wondering what’s next. If you’re planning to enter the market in 2025, this episode is essential as we break down the data and what it means for you. The market is facing some serious headwinds and the threat of Tariffs is ever ...
Feb 08, 2025•25 min•Ep. 263
In this special episode of the Vancouver Life Real Estate Podcast, we welcome Doug Porter, Chief Economist at BMO Financial Group, to provide unparalleled insights into Canada’s economic landscape. With over 30 years of experience and a proven track record as one of the top economic forecasters in North America, Doug shares his expert analysis on the Bank of Canada’s recent rate cut and its potential ripple effects across the economy, financial markets, and the Canadian housing sector. We dive i...
Feb 01, 2025•44 min•Ep. 262
The final numbers for Canada’s housing market in 2024 are in, and they've revealed some unexpected trends. Despite challenges such as high interest rates and declining housing starts, national home prices rose by 2.5% last year, bringing the average home price to $676,640. Every province and territory saw price increases except for Ontario, which experienced a modest 1.7% decline. The Northwest Territories led the nation with a remarkable 34.8% price increase, followed by New Brunswick at 15.5% ...
Jan 25, 2025•17 min•Ep. 261
This week’s episode is packed with crucial updates and insights that could directly affect your real estate decisions in 2025. A much stronger-than-expected jobs report has thrown a wrench into predictions for interest rate cuts, potentially keeping the Bank of Canada on hold this January. With Canada adding 91,000 jobs last month, (far exceeding expectations) compounded by labour market strength is complicating the case for lower rates. However, not all is as it seems: 62,000 of those jobs went...
Jan 18, 2025•21 min•Ep. 260
In this episode, we explore our predictions for the 2025 Vancouver Real Estate Market, diving deep into the economic and financial trends that will shape the year ahead. With Canada’s GDP growth expected to remain moderate, driven by immigration and resource exports, the potential for a mild recession looms if elevated interest rates continue to slow consumer spending and business investment. We analyze the possibility of economic turbulence while discussing key signals in sectors like housing, ...
Jan 11, 2025•42 min•Ep. 259
Welcome to the first episode of The Vancouver Life Real Estate Podcast for 2025! As we kick off the new year, we start this year by reflecting on an intriguing 2024 in Greater Vancouver real estate. Today, we’re unpacking December’s freshly released market stats, analyzing how 2024 wrapped up, and exploring what’s on the horizon for 2025. This is a special double-header episode where we’ll revisit our 2024 real estate predictions to see where we were right, where we missed the mark, and what new...
Jan 04, 2025•33 min•Ep. 258
Welcome to a special holiday edition of The Vancouver Real Estate Podcast! As we wrap up 2024, we’re thrilled to celebrate a major milestone—our channel hitting 5,000 subscribers on Christmas Day, doubling in size over the past year! This achievement means the world to us, especially for such a niche channel, and it’s all thanks to you—our viewers who have tuned in, shared our videos, and subscribed. As we move into 2025, we’re committed to improving the channel, fostering open conversations abo...
Dec 28, 2024•25 min•Ep. 257
You’d think the housing world would quiet down by mid-December, but this week has been packed with significant developments. Inflation data showed a continued cooling trend, with November’s rate at 1.9%, marking four consecutive months below 2%. The shelter component also eased, but rents defied expectations, rising 7.7% year-over-year nationally despite sharp declines in major cities like Vancouver, where rents are down 10%. Rate cuts are back on the table, with the Bank of Canada expected to l...
Dec 21, 2024•36 min•Ep. 256
The Bank of Canada (BoC) lowered its policy rate by 50 basis points this week, bringing it to 3.25%, the lowest level in over two years. This significant cut, which follows weaker-than-expected GDP growth and rising unemployment, has increased buying power for borrowers by 21%, enabling higher mortgage affordability. However, questions remain about whether these rate cuts are sufficient to revive the economy and ease challenges for mortgage holders renewing at higher rates in 2025. Despite the B...
Dec 14, 2024•24 min•Ep. 255
