As I prepare my business plan for 2009 and beyond, I can’t help but think what a waste to lose talented people who have sacrificed so much to become a REALTOR®. This past June the number of licensees with the Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver (REBGV) hit a high at 9,818. As a result … Read more
This week I returned from Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. While home sales might have slowed down slightly, asset appreciation is still happening in PV, and it is clear that those with money continue to buy there including many Canadians. I suspect that as paper portfolios diminish in North America, hard assets such as homes offer an … Read more
With all the responsibilities of buying and selling real estate, the need for risk management is crucial. Whether pre-sale or resale, the onus for property evaluation is always on the buyer, although it is becoming more popular with sellers to have their own pre-sale inspection done to ensure that they are disclosing what needs to be … Read more
A personal tribute to “My Hero”… Today is Monday, July 14, 2008. Twenty eight years ago quite early in the morning of Monday, July 14, 1980, I sat on the south of Lakeshore Blvd at the base of Walkers Line in Burlington, Ontario. In full view was an image now indelibly cast in my memory … Read more
Over the weekend I read in the Vancouver Sun how a retired Richmond homeowner lost title to his bungalow to con artists. The fraudsters also got away with a mortgage scam worth $400,000. The failure of the banks, lawyers, land title office, etc., to verify both parties to the transaction is scandalous in itself. Since … Read more
Letter to the Editor: Homebuyer beware – Coquitlam NOW – Friday, June 06, 2008 Re: “MLA wants regulations for home inspectors” Friday, May 30. The “neglect in protecting homebuyers” is widespread, and Coquitlam-Maillardville MLA Diane Thorne’s concern is shared by many. Home buying is fraught with risk and claims far too many victims; whether resale … Read more