The BC Real Estate Discussion Thread

[-DLC-]

Just now, Realtor Rod said:

If the problem is affordability, that has been going on for a decade.

The problem's much more complex than that.

 

And I think you know that, but are trying to grasp at straws to find SOMETHING to convince the rest of us that there aren't huge and glaring issues that need action.  So to stand pat is the way?  Because it's all or nothing?

 

Nope.  It's time to start grinding the brakes.

[Realtor Rod]

4 minutes ago, debluvscanucks said:

Here's what money can't buy ... and why I feel as strongly as I do.  (Mostly directed to gurn's comment):

 

I was born/raised in Steveston.  A hole in the corner that smelled like fish all summer and had nothing to do in the winter.   People who would get lost and drive in/quickly back out saw nothing there, and that was fine.  For it was our little secret.

 

We didn't need fancy shops or anything to hook us in because it was the beauty and simplicity of it all.

 

Every single person knew and, for the most part (except cranky ol' man Ebbett), looked out for everyone else.  We had a little gathering on Canada Day (known as the Salmon Festival), a 3 car parade at Christmas (where all the participants stopped for drinks at my parent's place along the route) and a hotel/bar that was the happening place.  The hub.  Bikers and locals.

 

But it extended outward....and Richmond'ers knew others.  Large bonfires at the beach(es) were gathering places for teenagers and parents had parties and barbecues where everyone was invited.  It was a community spirit that connected us all.

 

Now, I know that things don't stay the same and it's unrealistic to demand they do....but to have things start to change in a rapid and drastic fashion as they have recently?  So you can no longer recognize "home" as such as millionaires and mansions sprout up...most vacant in both occupancy and a desire to connect with locals.  Because we are the lower class and don't count?

 

Money can't buy what we had.  And there's something seriously lacking in commercialism and the rat race.  It's an empty focus in the grand scale of it all.  Because having gates and walls up in place of driveways and lawns where neighbours once gathered?  It separates and divides us.

 

Those here for decades shared ... ideas, dreams, goals....as well as hamburgers that we cooked on Sundays. 

 

I ALREADY find it painful, as I feel like we're losing what made this place beautiful.  Sure, the backdrop and scenery (which I've always absorbed, admired and appreciated...my Dad actually is the reason we have Garry Point and the west dyke trail), but it's deeper than that.

 

So those focusing on monetary gain/profit - sure.  We will lose as things are addressed.  But for those (like me), who want - no, PLAN, on staying, we've everything to gain to fight for this.  To keep some of this for what it was.  The farmland is next in the sites...and, thankfully, this bone headed lawyer Mayor is finally putting his foot down.   We have a real gem here (Richmond in particular)...it's something that needs protecting.  Balance is nice and, right now, the scales are tipped totally to paving over everything.  "Investing" here vs "living" here.

 

People counting dollar bills instead of counting their blessings.  That's the problem.

 

/rant (for now)

 

Where to even begin. Deb, you will never be able to get in the way of progress. You can stand in front of the bulldozers but it wont stop. 

 

You are selfish in your request (and there is nothing wrong with that) but if you are the only neighbour left there you are not fighting for anyone but yourself. 

 

For many of the sellers, the money is their blessings. The world changes Deb. No more dirt roads, white picket  fences etc. You are trying to catch a shooting star. While that is your prerogative, it wont stop progress. 

[-DLC-]

I still ain't buying that bridge you're selling, Rod.

 

Not sorry.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Realtor Rod]

8 minutes ago, debluvscanucks said:

The problem's much more complex than that.

 

And I think you know that, but are trying to grasp at straws to find SOMETHING to convince the rest of us that there aren't huge and glaring issues that need action.  So to stand pat is the way?  Because it's all or nothing?

 

Nope.  It's time to start grinding the brakes.

If its more complex, than enlighten us. I dont have to convince anyone. However, I am in it everyday. Having sold a 1,000+ houses gives me a pretty good grasp at the straws that are here. Honestly, what happens here (and in every other major metropolis in the world) is when the price of real estate gets too high, people travel east, north, south and west to live. That is the real world.

[-DLC-]

6 minutes ago, Realtor Rod said:

 

 

 

For many of the sellers, the money is their blessings. The world changes Deb. No more dirt roads, white picket  fences etc. You are trying to catch a shooting star. While that is your prerogative, it wont stop progress. 

The real Rod is showing now. 

 

What about all those nice families you're selling to who just want all that?  The dirt road/picket fence stuff?  Remember?  That's who you're selling to?  

 

Should we go back and quote it?  Because that was what you were rallying for?  So you're selling them false hopes and dreams?

 

Progress comes in many forms.  If money is a blessing to some, they may be missing the point in this life.  I have little (money), but feel rich in what I have.  Which is what I'm fighting for.

 

Again, don't condescend and patronize me.  It makes you look bad, not me.

 

(Seriously am done with you...you're not worth the argument here as your stance is clear...if ever floundering from the start of the thread to the finish)

[Realtor Rod]

1 minute ago, debluvscanucks said:

I still ain't buying that bridge you're selling, Rod.

 

Not sorry.

 

 

 

 

 

 

I sell homes, never sold a bridge. There is affordable real estate just over that bridge owned by the government near you though. That is where all your neighbours have moved. Honestly though, good luck in your fight. I hope you get what you want in the end. 

 

Curious, what does your end game look like? How do you see the neighnourhood you are in being perfect from today going forward? 

[Realtor Rod]

Just now, debluvscanucks said:

The real Rod is showing now. 

 

What about all those nice families you're selling to who just want all that?  The dirt road/picket fence stuff? 

 

Should we go back and quote it?  Because that was what you were rallying for?  So you're selling them false hopes and dreams?

 

Progress comes in many forms.  If money is a blessing to some, they may be missing the point in this life.  I have little (money), but feel rich in what I have.  Which is what I'm fighting for.

 

Again, don't condescend and patronize me.  It makes you look bad, not me.

 

(Seriously am done with you...you're not worth the argument here as your stance is clear...if ever floundering from the start of the thread to the finish)

And the real Deb comes out as well. I dont sell dreams, I sell homes. No one wants anything you are talking about. They want the biggest place for the least money in general. I dont look bad Deb, ai just tell it like it is. You are one person clinging to a fantasy that long evaporated and cant accept that the world is moving on without her. Sorry Deb, that is just the truth. I appreciate that you are fighting for that and good luck in your fight. 

[-DLC-]

Selfish?

 

Progress?  That comes in many forms

 

Scrap what I said about not addressing you...I am SO pissed at how you've responded to me that I am late for a 10:30 work out, but will go kick some butt at the gym to vent BEFORE I address the nonsense you spew.

 

You are boasting about being a Dad in another thread...is this what you'll forcefeed your children?  That the dream is dead?  That progress and money are more important than communities, the environment and other things that we need to think progressively about?

 

I get it, you're a realtor, but you've crossed the line with me.  And we will continue this discussion.

 

And there's no shame in standing in front of bulldozers...I will stand right alongside those who dare to do so.  Vs those warriors who sit behind a keyboard in the comfort of their home.

 

SO pissed.

[Realtor Rod]

5 minutes ago, debluvscanucks said:

Selfish?

 

Progress?  That comes in many forms

 

Scrap what I said about not addressing you...I am SO pissed at how you've responded to me that I am late for a 10:30 work out, but will go kick some butt at the gym to vent BEFORE I address the nonsense you spew.

 

You are boasting about being a Dad in another thread...is this what you'll forcefeed your children?  That the dream is dead?  That progress and money are more important than communities, the environment and other things that we need to think progressively about?

 

I get it, you're a realtor, but you've crossed the line with me.  And we will continue this discussion.

 

And there's no shame in standing in front of bulldozers...I will stand right alongside those who dare to do so.  Vs those warriors who sit behind a keyboard in the comfort of their home.

 

SO pissed.

Get as pissed as you like Deb.

Questioning my parenting skills, thats a nice touch. Force feed? Boasting? Dont put words in my mouth Deb. I never mentioned the environment. You are making yourself look bad.

 

If I crossed a line with you, I am okay with that. We can agree to disagree, or at least I can. It isnt nonsense its the truth, you just dont want to admit it.

 

The truth hurts some times. Look around you. Old houses are being torn down so that new homes, free of asbestos, vermiculite, poly b, urea formaldehyde etc can be replaced with new and modern homes that people want. That is progress. 

 

If I buy and old rancher on a large lot and want to build a large home to house my family and parents and/or grandparents and it falls in line with by laws, good luck standing in front of the bulldozer. 

 

When you attend the rezoning application hearings in your community, are they getting voted down left, right and center by all those around you? The ones I have been attending (both for and against) they seem to get approved unless they are detrimental to the community. Again, more progress. 

 

Comfort of their home, the things we are all talking about. You see that as one way, most others see it a different way. 

 

I am off to work. People buying and selling homes. Happy people with not a lot to look at because supply is down. Lawyers from Vancouver looking in white rock. Insurance company owner looking in Surrey.  I will make sure I ask them if they think neghbourhoods are changing around where they are selling. Spoiler alert, they are, in fact the one house is very likely to be torn down to have new, large home built.

 

I really do hope your home and neighbourhood remain exactly how you want it. I think it probably has changed a lot in the past 10 years already though. 

[-DLC-]

I want to set the bar here so have made use of my ignore button (which is what I direct others to do when they're being reeled in).  I only state this because it's a double standard if I continue by reacting (in anger) as I may have if I didn't step away.

 

But I will close with this, because I can.  Because I DO feel so strongly about this topic.  I will continue to be involved and do things aside from being a keyboard warrior.  I'll stand with the real warriors out there trying to protect some of what we have here.   And a realtor cashing in on what's going on isn't about to throw me off that.

 

"Progress".   Let's look at that, shall we?  How it is defined is as much about who defines it as anything.

 

If it's a realtor whose obvious interests lie in...real estate, it may differ from others' ideas.  Be slanted toward that.  Personally,  I don't measure progress by "development" (in the form of buildings)  that's construction.  Progress is about moving forward and, as part of that, becoming "better" as a society in whole.  (Shoddy) buildings going up at a dime a dozen rate to be gobbled up by overseas millionaires to flip a dozen times before no one can afford them don't measure "progress" to me.  Knocking down perfectly good homes so developers can profit doesn't measure progress to me.  Unless you're a real estate agent waiting to close the deals on them, it likely isn't.   Profit.  Not progress.

 

Standing in front of bulldozers was mentioned.  But is progress really the incessant building of stuff?  On burial grounds and in places that people hold sacred? Or is progress learning from the past and growing into better human beings as part of that?  I know which one I'm for.

 

I don't consider replacing greenery with concrete progressive.  Putting up 20 room fortresses where bungalows were.

 

Just because people can make more from mansions and hotels, doesn't mean it's the best plan.  How about assessing needs vs wants?  People want more money...but people NEED affordable housing.  So is it progressive to plow over one for the sake of the other?  So a millionaire from overseas can make a buck if they knock it down, glam it up then flip it?  Again and again until it's unattainable for the average Joe?  And it sits empty until the next flip (which is the prevailing theme here at the moment).  That's not progress to some of us.

 

Real estate offers an easy in for those wanting to play the get rich quick game of Monopoly.   So to disguise it as something different?  And the realtor jumped from trying to convince us that his overseas buyers are good families wanting a better life here to scoffing at ideas of dirt roads and picket fences in a more transparent voice.

 

Just because you "can" doesn't always mean you "should".  Stuffing your pockets full of the proceeds from something doesn't measure progress.  Progress is about moving forward but, if during that, people are being displaced and finding it difficult, it's more of a step backward.

 

Progress comes in many forms:  nature and the environment; comfort and livability; community and resources in place in support of that; values and integrity.  So development for real estate and speculation purposes is far from the be all to end all or progress. 

 

Ensuring we have a viable and sustainable food source?  Pretty important.  Clean air and water?  Those matter too.  Community safety and resources?  Check.  So let's not just hone in on "we should build it because they will come" progress because it makes some rich (and others poor).   The real estate industry has been blinded by it. 

 

 

 

 

I almost got sucked into this...it was starting to rile me up.  Then I realized "it's a realtor defending real estate".   Not even going to waste any more time...

 

So thank you, Rod, for pushing me to the brink.  Had the best workout I've had in a week because I channeled it there and kicked some butt.  Worked it through vs telling you how I really feel then having to ban myself.  Not worth it. 

 

 

This is such an extremely important topic and those who try to scoff at, belittle and undermine (pave over?)  the feelings of others are the same ones who got us here in the first place.  But they'll try to sell us something different.

 

Selfish.

[Realtor Rod]

3 minutes ago, debluvscanucks said:

I want to set the bar here so have made use of my ignore button (which is what I direct others to do when they're being reeled in).  I only state this because it's a double standard if I continue by reacting (in anger) as I may have if I didn't step away.

 

But I will close with this, because I can.  Because I DO feel so strongly about this topic.  I will continue to be involved and do things aside from being a keyboard warrior.  I'll stand with the real warriors out there trying to protect some of what we have here.   And a realtor cashing in on what's going on isn't about to throw me off that.

 

"Progress".   Let's look at that, shall we?  How it is defined is as much about who defines it as anything.

 

If it's a realtor whose obvious interests lie in...real estate, it may differ from others' ideas.  Be slanted toward that.  Personally,  I don't measure progress by "development" (in the form of buildings)  that's construction.  Progress is about moving forward and, as part of that, becoming "better" as a society in whole.  (Shoddy) buildings going up at a dime a dozen rate to be gobbled up by overseas millionaires to flip a dozen times before no one can afford them don't measure "progress" to me.  Knocking down perfectly good homes so developers can profit doesn't measure progress to me.  Unless you're a real estate agent waiting to close the deals on them, it likely isn't.   Profit.  Not progress.

 

Standing in front of bulldozers was mentioned.  But is progress really the incessant building of stuff?  On burial grounds and in places that people hold sacred? Or is progress learning from the past and growing into better human beings as part of that?  I know which one I'm for.

 

I don't consider replacing greenery with concrete progressive.  Putting up 20 room fortresses where bungalows were.

 

Just because people can make more from mansions and hotels, doesn't mean it's the best plan.  How about assessing needs vs wants?  People want more money...but people NEED affordable housing.  So is it progressive to plow over one for the sake of the other?  So a millionaire from overseas can make a buck if they knock it down, glam it up then flip it?  Again and again until it's unattainable for the average Joe?  And it sits empty until the next flip (which is the prevailing theme here at the moment).  That's not progress to some of us.

 

Real estate offers an easy in for those wanting to play the get rich quick game of Monopoly.   So to disguise it as something different?  And the realtor jumped from trying to convince us that his overseas buyers are good families wanting a better life here to scoffing at ideas of dirt roads and picket fences in a more transparent voice.

 

Just because you "can" doesn't always mean you "should".  Stuffing your pockets full of the proceeds from something doesn't measure progress.  Progress is about moving forward but, if during that, people are being displaced and finding it difficult, it's more of a step backward.

 

Progress comes in many forms:  nature and the environment; comfort and livability; community and resources in place in support of that; values and integrity.  So development for real estate and speculation purposes is far from the be all to end all or progress. 

 

Ensuring we have a viable and sustainable food source?  Pretty important.  Clean air and water?  Those matter too.  Community safety and resources?  Check.  So let's not just hone in on "we should build it because they will come" progress because it makes some rich (and others poor).   The real estate industry has been blinded by it. 

 

 

 

 

I almost got sucked into this...it was starting to rile me up.

 

So thank you, Rod, for pushing me to the brink.  Had the best workout I've had in a week because I channeled it there and kicked some butt.  Worked it through vs telling you how I really feel then having to ban myself.  Not worth it. 

 

 

This is such an extremely important topic and those who try to scoff at, belittle and undermine (pave over?)  the feelings of others are the same ones who got us here in the first place.

 

Selfish.

Thanks for not telling us how you really feel and having to ban yourself. Deb, I come across clients like you from time to time. I call them old school. They are great clients, they are just confused by what is happening around them. They are scared of the future. They like the little house on the prairie lifestyle.

 

That lifestyle still exists, its in a few prairie towns. However, where we choose to live is a growing and changing hub. You can try to stop the progress, but you wont. Many cities can grow in 4 directions, Vancouver can grow in 2, and really, only 1. 

 

I am all for the environment  (I work with an award winning green builder) and I love the idea of affordable housing, although the government, developers and builder's tend not to. So really, your beef is a whole range of people. I just get to be the fortunate one to hear you express those feelings in here. I hope you really do go out and stand in front of bulldozers etc. and aren't just a keyboard warrior.

 

However, after 20 years  of watching real estate in the area, it is highly, highly unlikely that you will change anything. The govt makes too much money from real estate to listen to people like yourself. Its unfortunate, but true. 

 

If this isnt true, ask yourself why they dont abolish the PPT.

 

A tax paid every time a buyer and seller transact except for a select few. 

 

I know you will read this deb, because I have you blocked and still read all your posts.

[peaches5]

On 9/10/2016 at 2:07 PM, Harvey Spector said:

Shady Realtors being exposed for shadow flipping and coercing locals into selling for below market value. 

 

People from China somehow getting millions of dollars through our banking system even though by law a foreigner can only bring in $50,000 per year in offshore funds. 

 

Shady lawyers and accountants who are helping these foreigners bring in the illegal money and turning it clean while helping these foreigners to evade declaring the income and paying their taxes. 

 

CRA turning their back and allowing all of this to happen right under their noses without any repurcussions to the foreigners. 

 

Foreigners allowed to buy and flip homes at massive profits without paying any taxes and declaring they are BC residents with no repurcussions. 

 

The big banks of Canada allowing all of this money to come in illegally and doing nothing about it all in the name of making big profits for themselves. 

 

Our local government knowing that there is an affordability crisis on our hands from years ago and does nothing about it up until a month ago, largely to pander to the masses for extra votes in the next election. 

 

Did I miss anything?  Well it certainly looks like the local BC residents and the hard working Canadian citizens of Vancouver have been getting screwed over by EVERYONE. All in the name of money. Sickening really. 

 

Bernie Madoff had nothing on these guys really. He was a lightweight. This "Ponzi Scheme" that has been happening in Vancouver over the last 15 years or so is MUCH bigger than Bernie's. And everyone including the government, the taxman and the big banks are complicit. 

 

And we are supposed to trust these people to do what's best for us?  Certainly not. We have been trusting governments, banks and the taxman with our future and they have all failed us. One big Ponzi scheme to put all Ponzi schemes to shame. And people take issue with the right of Americans to bear arms. Well this is why they have that right in "their" Constitution. So they can protect themselves against their own government and corporations. 

 

I truly hope for everyone's sake that there is major changes and reform to the way BC does business in regards to the Real Esate industry moving forward. Unfortunately, when you have billions of dollars at stake, changes don't usually happen overnight. 

The 15% tax did literally nothing the market was already falling in July and actually fell more in July than it did in August when the tax was implemented. The market always cools off in the summer and on top of that the Chinese dollar is falling and the Canadian dollar strengthened which impacted the purchase of homes even more. The 15% tax only hurt the middle class foreigners or canadians here that didn't have enough to pay the 15% and had to back out of sales losing their deposits. The Liberals are trying to pretend like they've done something when really they have just fracked over the less wealthy/poor once again.

[TheOgRook]

5 hours ago, Realtor Rod said:

 

Where to even begin. Deb, you will never be able to get in the way of progress. You can stand in front of the bulldozers but it wont stop. 

 

You are selfish in your request (and there is nothing wrong with that) but if you are the only neighbour left there you are not fighting for anyone but yourself. 

 

For many of the sellers, the money is their blessings. The world changes Deb. No more dirt roads, white picket  fences etc. You are trying to catch a shooting star. While that is your prerogative, it wont stop progress. 

First off rod, I wish you would read what your typing while thinking about how the person reading it will perceive it.  There's a reason real estate agents and lawyers have such "snake in the grass" 

 

As for the highlighted part... No this market is NOT a blessing for sellers.. Unless those sellers are moving to Nova Scotia!  Because to repurachase something local they have to pay the ridiculous prices we are paying now.  My home value went up 160,000 last year.  Does me no good as everything else overpriced.  

 

This is is where you need to get things clear.  The only people making any money on this are people like you and the investors.  So no wonder you will sit there on your horse and tell @debluvscanucks.. Times change, blah blah blah.. But Deb and folks like myself care about the future generations of British Columbians being able to have acces to affordable housing. 

 

I love over how you perceive sky rocketing housing prices as progress lol we understand communities will grow, but housing prices climbing over 30% per year is unstastainable and when it crashes the only people who will hurt are those families that you "help"  you will have all your commission and the investors will have pocketed enough not to feel a thing.  

 

[TheOgRook]

2 hours ago, debluvscanucks said:

I want to set the bar here so have made use of my ignore button (which is what I direct others to do when they're being reeled in).  I only state this because it's a double standard if I continue by reacting (in anger) as I may have if I didn't step away.

 

But I will close with this, because I can.  Because I DO feel so strongly about this topic.  I will continue to be involved and do things aside from being a keyboard warrior.  I'll stand with the real warriors out there trying to protect some of what we have here.   And a realtor cashing in on what's going on isn't about to throw me off that.

 

"Progress".   Let's look at that, shall we?  How it is defined is as much about who defines it as anything.

 

If it's a realtor whose obvious interests lie in...real estate, it may differ from others' ideas.  Be slanted toward that.  Personally,  I don't measure progress by "development" (in the form of buildings)  that's construction.  Progress is about moving forward and, as part of that, becoming "better" as a society in whole.  (Shoddy) buildings going up at a dime a dozen rate to be gobbled up by overseas millionaires to flip a dozen times before no one can afford them don't measure "progress" to me.  Knocking down perfectly good homes so developers can profit doesn't measure progress to me.  Unless you're a real estate agent waiting to close the deals on them, it likely isn't.   Profit.  Not progress.

 

Standing in front of bulldozers was mentioned.  But is progress really the incessant building of stuff?  On burial grounds and in places that people hold sacred? Or is progress learning from the past and growing into better human beings as part of that?  I know which one I'm for.

 

I don't consider replacing greenery with concrete progressive.  Putting up 20 room fortresses where bungalows were.

 

Just because people can make more from mansions and hotels, doesn't mean it's the best plan.  How about assessing needs vs wants?  People want more money...but people NEED affordable housing.  So is it progressive to plow over one for the sake of the other?  So a millionaire from overseas can make a buck if they knock it down, glam it up then flip it?  Again and again until it's unattainable for the average Joe?  And it sits empty until the next flip (which is the prevailing theme here at the moment).  That's not progress to some of us.

 

Real estate offers an easy in for those wanting to play the get rich quick game of Monopoly.   So to disguise it as something different?  And the realtor jumped from trying to convince us that his overseas buyers are good families wanting a better life here to scoffing at ideas of dirt roads and picket fences in a more transparent voice.

 

Just because you "can" doesn't always mean you "should".  Stuffing your pockets full of the proceeds from something doesn't measure progress.  Progress is about moving forward but, if during that, people are being displaced and finding it difficult, it's more of a step backward.

 

Progress comes in many forms:  nature and the environment; comfort and livability; community and resources in place in support of that; values and integrity.  So development for real estate and speculation purposes is far from the be all to end all or progress. 

 

Ensuring we have a viable and sustainable food source?  Pretty important.  Clean air and water?  Those matter too.  Community safety and resources?  Check.  So let's not just hone in on "we should build it because they will come" progress because it makes some rich (and others poor).   The real estate industry has been blinded by it. 

 

 

 

 

I almost got sucked into this...it was starting to rile me up.  Then I realized "it's a realtor defending real estate".   Not even going to waste any more time...

 

So thank you, Rod, for pushing me to the brink.  Had the best workout I've had in a week because I channeled it there and kicked some butt.  Worked it through vs telling you how I really feel then having to ban myself.  Not worth it. 

 

 

This is such an extremely important topic and those who try to scoff at, belittle and undermine (pave over?)  the feelings of others are the same ones who got us here in the first place.  But they'll try to sell us something different.

 

Selfish.

Well said Deb. I'm one that believes real estate agents only care about the green that lines their pockets. The most overplayed job in the world.  No skills needed, just an active market.  

[Realtor Rod]

30 minutes ago, TheOgRook said:

Well said Deb. I'm one that believes real estate agents only care about the green that lines their pockets. The most overplayed job in the world.  No skills needed, just an active market.  

If its so easy, join us. We hear it all the time. The average realtor in bc makes $30,000 per year. Realtors are leaving the industry at a record pace. I can send you a dozen or so clients and friends who thought "Hey, that looks easy" only to finish up in a hurry.    

 

I have many skills - therapist, psychologist, marriage counsellor, bouncer, security, locksmith, garbage man, plumber, home cleaner, accountant, father, husband, mover, volunteer, taxi driver, expert negotiator, appraiser, professional witness etc...

[sameer666]

2 hours ago, Realtor Rod said:

If its so easy, join us. We hear it all the time. The average realtor in bc makes $30,000 per year. Realtors are leaving the industry at a record pace. I can send you a dozen or so clients and friends who thought "Hey, that looks easy" only to finish up in a hurry.    

 

I have many skills - therapist, psychologist, marriage counsellor, bouncer, security, locksmith, garbage man, plumber, home cleaner, accountant, father, husband, mover, volunteer, taxi driver, expert negotiator, appraiser, professional witness etc...

I'm a mortgage broker in this city, and I see both sides of the ledger on this.

 

Rod, a lot of Realtors that do make quite the income are honestly quite horrible at their job beyond looking and talking good. As a broker I can't count on my two hands and toes the times I have been given a 3 day window to work on a subject removal, and the selling realtor decided not to order the Strata form B in advanced and had to place the order on the first of 3 days I have to get the deal approved. Being on the purchasing side, I'm sure you've come across that to Rod.

 

But just like Rod said, some people don't realize and appreciate the realtors that actually are good at their job. Buying a home is a very emotional experience for many people, and a lot of the time realtors are forced to wear other hats.

 

What I suggest to anyone here who ever has to work with a realtor is to really do your due diligence and find one of those realtors. They are definitely not in the majority, but after working with one of them, I think your opinion will change on how deserving they are of their income. Rod, I suggest not taking it to heart when people rant about how realtors are, as it sounds like you are in the minority.

 

To everyone else, realtors are not the problem. They didn't all get together and decide to make it hard on everyone here. They aren't the regulators of the market. They aren't the government. They are the storefront for housing. The rage guided at realtors (and sometimes even my case as a mortgage broker) is very misguided rage. Our job is to act on behalf of our clients. Our job isn't to regulate the market. We don't write government policies, nor would they even really listen to us if we tried to contribute to that conversation. 

 

Realistically what we are seeing in this market is quite simple. Vancouver is a relatively young city, and up until not too long ago was pretty low key. As it has gotten more exposure, the demand to live here has skyrocketed. We are seeing the birth of a global world-class city. Unfortunately there are a number of challenges which were not addressed by the government in time to get ahead of this.

 

(1) The federal government didn't cap out their investor program appropriately, which lead to a sizeable influx of outside foreign money coming into this market.

 

(2) The supply side is limited as the growth wasn't anticipated well enough, and land is very finite in Vancouver compared to most cities. This is because as Rod mentioned, there is really only one direction to develop, opposed to most cities having the ability to expand in all directions.

 

(3) A severe lack of community and social housing development in Vancouver.

 

(4) A lack of a local economy beyond real estate. This hurts my generation the most (millenials), as they come out of university/college with no appealing job prospects. A great indicator of this is statistics showing the average income of someone with a bachelor's degree in Toronto is over 20k higher than that of a Vancouverite with the same level of education.

 

As Rod has said, we are where we are. It's not likely the place the majority of people want us to be as a city, but we can only move forward. For those who are angry about how things are, you should be. Heck, I am angry. I see first hand how hard it is for my friends to get into their first home. But misguided anger will only lead to misguided results. Be active politically. Shout your anger and concerns to those who actually can make changes, not us. Organize, grow and fight. Demand policies of our local and provincial government to start creating more opportunity for young people here. Demand incentives to be given to developers who assist with social and community housing initiatives. Keep the government on their toes, and make sure they know you are watching their every move and have them hear it loudly when they misstep. This is the only way you can really make a difference. 

 

[Realtor Rod]

1 hour ago, sameer666 said:

I'm a mortgage broker in this city, and I see both sides of the ledger on this.

 

Rod, a lot of Realtors that do make quite the income are honestly quite horrible at their job beyond looking and talking good. As a broker I can't count on my two hands and toes the times I have been given a 3 day window to work on a subject removal, and the selling realtor decided not to order the Strata form B in advanced and had to place the order on the first of 3 days I have to get the deal approved. Being on the purchasing side, I'm sure you've come across that to Rod.

 

But just like Rod said, some people don't realize and appreciate the realtors that actually are good at their job. Buying a home is a very emotional experience for many people, and a lot of the time realtors are forced to wear other hats.

 

What I suggest to anyone here who ever has to work with a realtor is to really do your due diligence and find one of those realtors. They are definitely not in the majority, but after working with one of them, I think your opinion will change on how deserving they are of their income. Rod, I suggest not taking it to heart when people rant about how realtors are, as it sounds like you are in the minority.

 

To everyone else, realtors are not the problem. They didn't all get together and decide to make it hard on everyone here. They aren't the regulators of the market. They aren't the government. They are the storefront for housing. The rage guided at realtors (and sometimes even my case as a mortgage broker) is very misguided rage. Our job is to act on behalf of our clients. Our job isn't to regulate the market. We don't write government policies, nor would they even really listen to us if we tried to contribute to that conversation. 

 

Realistically what we are seeing in this market is quite simple. Vancouver is a relatively young city, and up until not too long ago was pretty low key. As it has gotten more exposure, the demand to live here has skyrocketed. We are seeing the birth of a global world-class city. Unfortunately there are a number of challenges which were not addressed by the government in time to get ahead of this.

 

(1) The federal government didn't cap out their investor program appropriately, which lead to a sizeable influx of outside foreign money coming into this market.

 

(2) The supply side is limited as the growth wasn't anticipated well enough, and land is very finite in Vancouver compared to most cities. This is because as Rod mentioned, there is really only one direction to develop, opposed to most cities having the ability to expand in all directions.

 

(3) A severe lack of community and social housing development in Vancouver.

 

(4) A lack of a local economy beyond real estate. This hurts my generation the most (millenials), as they come out of university/college with no appealing job prospects. A great indicator of this is statistics showing the average income of someone with a bachelor's degree in Toronto is over 20k higher than that of a Vancouverite with the same level of education.

 

As Rod has said, we are where we are. It's not likely the place the majority of people want us to be as a city, but we can only move forward. For those who are angry about how things are, you should be. Heck, I am angry. I see first hand how hard it is for my friends to get into their first home. But misguided anger will only lead to misguided results. Be active politically. Shout your anger and concerns to those who actually can make changes, not us. Organize, grow and fight. Demand policies of our local and provincial government to start creating more opportunity for young people here. Demand incentives to be given to developers who assist with social and community housing initiatives. Keep the government on their toes, and make sure they know you are watching their every move and have them hear it loudly when they misstep. This is the only way you can really make a difference. 

 

Well said, but it will fall on the deaf ears of many. Ive been doing this too long to listen to those that say we are the worst etc. I, and my clients, know different. You cant make everyone happy and those that have formed opinions are often shaped (and fueled) by thr media. 

 

Until people realize the government loves real estate and the transactions within and that it will continue long after we are gone, we will continue to have these angey discussions. 

[Harvey Spector]

2 hours ago, sameer666 said:

I'm a mortgage broker in this city, and I see both sides of the ledger on this.

 

Rod, a lot of Realtors that do make quite the income are honestly quite horrible at their job beyond looking and talking good. As a broker I can't count on my two hands and toes the times I have been given a 3 day window to work on a subject removal, and the selling realtor decided not to order the Strata form B in advanced and had to place the order on the first of 3 days I have to get the deal approved. Being on the purchasing side, I'm sure you've come across that to Rod.

 

But just like Rod said, some people don't realize and appreciate the realtors that actually are good at their job. Buying a home is a very emotional experience for many people, and a lot of the time realtors are forced to wear other hats.

 

What I suggest to anyone here who ever has to work with a realtor is to really do your due diligence and find one of those realtors. They are definitely not in the majority, but after working with one of them, I think your opinion will change on how deserving they are of their income. Rod, I suggest not taking it to heart when people rant about how realtors are, as it sounds like you are in the minority.

 

To everyone else, realtors are not the problem. They didn't all get together and decide to make it hard on everyone here. They aren't the regulators of the market. They aren't the government. They are the storefront for housing. The rage guided at realtors (and sometimes even my case as a mortgage broker) is very misguided rage. Our job is to act on behalf of our clients. Our job isn't to regulate the market. We don't write government policies, nor would they even really listen to us if we tried to contribute to that conversation. 

 

Realistically what we are seeing in this market is quite simple. Vancouver is a relatively young city, and up until not too long ago was pretty low key. As it has gotten more exposure, the demand to live here has skyrocketed. We are seeing the birth of a global world-class city. Unfortunately there are a number of challenges which were not addressed by the government in time to get ahead of this.

 

(1) The federal government didn't cap out their investor program appropriately, which lead to a sizeable influx of outside foreign money coming into this market.

 

(2) The supply side is limited as the growth wasn't anticipated well enough, and land is very finite in Vancouver compared to most cities. This is because as Rod mentioned, there is really only one direction to develop, opposed to most cities having the ability to expand in all directions.

 

(3) A severe lack of community and social housing development in Vancouver.

 

(4) A lack of a local economy beyond real estate. This hurts my generation the most (millenials), as they come out of university/college with no appealing job prospects. A great indicator of this is statistics showing the average income of someone with a bachelor's degree in Toronto is over 20k higher than that of a Vancouverite with the same level of education.

 

As Rod has said, we are where we are. It's not likely the place the majority of people want us to be as a city, but we can only move forward. For those who are angry about how things are, you should be. Heck, I am angry. I see first hand how hard it is for my friends to get into their first home. But misguided anger will only lead to misguided results. Be active politically. Shout your anger and concerns to those who actually can make changes, not us. Organize, grow and fight. Demand policies of our local and provincial government to start creating more opportunity for young people here. Demand incentives to be given to developers who assist with social and community housing initiatives. Keep the government on their toes, and make sure they know you are watching their every move and have them hear it loudly when they misstep. This is the only way you can really make a difference. 

 

Well said!!

[Harvey Spector]

There are many Realtors out there who are a bunch of donkeys. I know them well. But there are some of us like myself and Rod who have been in the business a long time and work 7 days a week. I come on this forum as a form of stress relief and to share my expertise in the real estate market. I also use this forum as a form of entertainment. 

 

I also have heard from a lot of people on how easy my job is and any donkey can do it. I will admit some of my deals are a lot easier than others, but what people don't understand is that a busy Realtor has to do a lot more than just be a Realtor. I have many hats, not just advising people on real estate. Heck I probably have enough expertise from my years dealing with crazy clients to become a registered psychologist. Realtors also have a lot of deals fall through the cracks. So I can be working on several deals for weeks and then they all fall through, people change their minds, they can't get financing, etc.  So as a person who only gets paid a commission on a closed sale, I do a lot of "free" work. This doesn't happen for someone who has a 9 to 5 job on a salary who would get paid regardless of whether your clients bought your product or service or not. 

 

Like Rod said the average Realtor makes $30-$40k a year. And a lot of new Realtors come in and think it is easy money and then quit after 6 months or a year because they are making less money than their friends who have a salaried job.  Plus all of the expenses add up. Realtors basically run their own business so we are responsible for all of our expenses. I know Realtors who spend up to $15k a month in expenses so they need to close a couple deals a month just to break even. 

 

Being a Realtor, one who actually makes money, is a tough gig.  Your weekends are basically shot and if you have a family and kids you are screwed in terms of your weekend time with them. If you don't believe me try it out for a few months and let me know how it goes. 

[sameer666]

6 hours ago, Harvey Spector said:

There are many Realtors out there who are a bunch of donkeys. I know them well. But there are some of us like myself and Rod who have been in the business a long time and work 7 days a week. I come on this forum as a form of stress relief and to share my expertise in the real estate market. I also use this forum as a form of entertainment. 

 

I also have heard from a lot of people on how easy my job is and any donkey can do it. I will admit some of my deals are a lot easier than others, but what people don't understand is that a busy Realtor has to do a lot more than just be a Realtor. I have many hats, not just advising people on real estate. Heck I probably have enough expertise from my years dealing with crazy clients to become a registered psychologist. Realtors also have a lot of deals fall through the cracks. So I can be working on several deals for weeks and then they all fall through, people change their minds, they can't get financing, etc.  So as a person who only gets paid a commission on a closed sale, I do a lot of "free" work. This doesn't happen for someone who has a 9 to 5 job on a salary who would get paid regardless of whether your clients bought your product or service or not. 

 

Like Rod said the average Realtor makes $30-$40k a year. And a lot of new Realtors come in and think it is easy money and then quit after 6 months or a year because they are making less money than their friends who have a salaried job.  Plus all of the expenses add up. Realtors basically run their own business so we are responsible for all of our expenses. I know Realtors who spend up to $15k a month in expenses so they need to close a couple deals a month just to break even. 

 

Being a Realtor, one who actually makes money, is a tough gig.  Your weekends are basically shot and if you have a family and kids you are screwed in terms of your weekend time with them. If you don't believe me try it out for a few months and let me know how it goes. 

We also both don't get medical benefits unless we purchase an independent plan, and I don't think people realize the expenses we incur just to do business day-to-day.