Buying a home is an exciting milestone, but it can also feel overwhelming. With so many houses on the market, how do you know if a home is the right fit for your needs? Every buyer – whether a first-time homebuyer, a family looking to upgrade, or an individual relocating for work – wants to find that just right house that feels like home. This house hunting guide will walk you through key factors to evaluate, helping you focus on what to look for when buying a house so you can be confident you're buying the right home for your situation. We’ll cover practical home buyer tips – from making a needs checklist to assessing location, size, features, and more – to answer the big question: "Does this home fit my needs?"

Identify Your Needs vs. Wants

The…

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Discover a stunning Ambleside home in West Vancouver that perfectly blends modern luxury with West Coast charm. Recently renovated and substantially reconstructed, this residence features 4 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms across approximately 3,085 sq ft on three levels. Perched to capture ocean views and downtown city skyline vistas, the home offers a truly breathtaking backdrop for daily living. From a custom kitchen to a private garden oasis, every detail has been thoughtfully designed to enhance comfort and style while taking full advantage of the superb location in Ambleside.

Key Features at a Glance

  • Panoramic Ocean & City Views: Enjoy brilliant views of the ocean and Vancouver city skyline from the main and upper levels of the home, including…

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Selling your home and want to impress buyers from the curb? A few smart DIY garden upgrades can instantly elevate your property’s appeal. Real estate experts often stress the importance of curb appeal – it’s one of the best ways to make a positive first impression on buyers. Nearly half of buyers in one survey said they’d be discouraged from even looking at a house if the exterior is neglected. The good news is that you don’t need a huge budget to spruce up your yard. Here are seven backyard and garden improvements that can boost your home’s value right away, especially for homeowners looking to sell.

1. Refresh Your Landscaping and Lawn for Instant Curb Appeal

Trimming and shaping shrubs, refreshing garden beds with mulch, and keeping the lawn neat…

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Garages often end up as cluttered catch-all spaces for tools, sports gear, seasonal decorations, and random household items. Whether you have a roomy two-car garage or a tiny apartment garage, you probably wish you had more room and better organization. The good news is you don't need a major renovation or professional help to maximize your garage storage space and improve its functionality. With a few clever hacks and a bit of DIY spirit, you can create more space for your car, hobbies, and projects while keeping everything tidy and accessible.

Before diving into the solutions, it's smart to declutter and sort what you have. Decide what to keep, donate, or toss. Once you've cleared out the unnecessary items, you can implement these five simple garage…

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Earthquakes can strike without warning, and if you live in a seismic zone like Vancouver, you know “the Big One” is a real concern. Protecting your home against earthquake damage isn’t just about personal safety—it’s about protecting your investment. Whether you're a homeowner or a real estate investor, earthquake-proofing your house can save lives and money. This guide walks you through practical steps—ranging from affordable improvements to advanced engineering solutions—to help you make your home more resilient when the ground starts shaking.

Understanding Earthquake Risk in Vancouver

Vancouver sits close to the Cascadia Subduction Zone, an area capable of producing large earthquakes. Many older homes built before modern seismic codes are at…

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Owning a luxury home in Vancouver is a point of pride and a significant investment. Between the stunning ocean views and vibrant city life, Vancouver offers an incredible backdrop for luxury living. However, preserving the value of a multi-million-dollar estate requires more than admiring the scenery – it demands proactive and knowledgeable maintenance. The good news is that taking care of your high-end property not only keeps it beautiful for your family’s enjoyment, but also safeguards its long-term market value. Every bit of care you invest now pays off when it comes time to sell or simply enjoy worry-free luxury living.

In this guide, we’ll walk through expert maintenance tips – from the exterior facade to the kitchen appliances – to help you…

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Knowing your home’s value is crucial—whether you’re thinking about selling, refinancing, or just curious. In a market like Vancouver, where prices shift with demand, interest rates, and seasonal trends, you don’t want to guess. You want real, useful data.

Good news? There are several easy ways to find out what your property is worth without needing to be a real estate expert. Let’s break it down—method by method.

1. Use Online Home Value Estimator Tools

Let’s start with the quickest method: online estimators. These tools use recent sales, market trends, and public data to give you a fast, no-cost estimate of your home’s current worth.

You simply type in your address, confirm some details, and in seconds, you get a rough valuation. These…

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In Vancouver’s high-stakes real estate market, it’s tempting to think you can handle buying or selling a home on your own. There are plenty of listings online, videos on how to sell your house, and forums full of advice. But while it might seem like a smart way to save on commission, going without a real estate agent can cost you much more in the end.

Let’s break down why having an experienced realtor is one of the smartest moves you can make—whether you’re a first-time buyer, investor, or seller.

Vancouver’s Market Isn’t Simple

Vancouver consistently ranks as one of the most expensive cities in Canada. Detached homes often cost well over $2 million, and even a basic condo can be close to three-quarters of a million dollars. With so much on the…

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Buying your first home in Vancouver is an exciting milestone, but it’s also a process that requires careful preparation. Vancouver’s housing market is among the most expensive in Canada. Before you jump into this competitive market, make sure you meet these seven must-have requirements. This guide will walk you through each step to ensure you’re truly ready to purchase a property and turn the keys on your first Vancouver house.

1. Sufficient Down Payment and Savings

Buying a home in Canada means you’ll need to have a down payment saved. The minimum down payment depends on the purchase price of the home:

  • 5% for homes up to $500,000

  • 10% on the portion above $500,000 up to $999,999

  • 20% for homes priced at $1 million or more

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July 16, 2025

Canadian housing starts were largely flat from the previous month, totalling 283,734 units in June at a seasonally adjusted annual rate (SAAR). Starts were up 18 per cent from the same month last year. Single-detached housing starts increased by 1 per cent from last month to 56,645 units, while multi-family and other starts were flat at 227,086 units (SAAR).

In British Columbia, starts rose by 72 per cent from last month to 67,029 units (SAAR) in all areas of the province. In areas of the province with 10,000 or more residents, single-detached starts increased by 1 per cent to 3,880 units, while multi-family starts rose by 85 per cent to 60,314 units month-over-month. Starts in the province were 64 per cent above the levels from June…

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