Mastering the Real Estate Marke
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Mastering the Real Estate Market: A Guide for Buyers and Sellers

ByStan S.

Navigating the Canadian real estate market in 2025 is no simple feat. Whether you’re a first-time buyer or a homeowner preparing to sell, this year presents unique challenges and opportunities shaped by economic recovery, technological advancements, and evolving buyer preferences. Here, we break down the key strategies to help you succeed—from securing financing and leveraging tech tools to optimizing your home’s appeal in a competitive market. 

The Current Landscape of the Canadian Housing Market

The real estate market in 2025 is shaped by a recovering post-pandemic economy, steady GDP growth, and rising housing costs. While consumer confidence is improving, affordability remains a critical issue for many Canadians. Stringent mortgage qualifications, coupled with increasing construction costs, make homeownership particularly challenging for first-time buyers.

Meanwhile, sellers are contending with shifting market dynamics. Demographic factors, such as immigration and the growing influence of millennials, are driving demand. At the same time, technological innovations like virtual tours are transforming the way homes are bought and sold, adding new dimensions to an already complex process.

Strategies for First-Time Home Buyers

1. Research and Preparation
  • Use Available Tools and Work with an Experienced Realtor: While there are plenty of tools available to help you research neighborhoods and properties, working with an experienced Realtor is invaluable. Realtors can offer deeper local insights, access additional tools, and provide exclusive data to help you make more informed decisions.
  • Assess Future Developments: Investigate planned infrastructure projects, zoning laws, and community expansions that could impact property values positively or negatively.
2. Securing Financing
  • It’s More Than Just Rates: While securing a good mortgage rate is important, a skilled mortgage broker can recommend strategies that go beyond rates. They can help you afford the home you want, save on taxes, reduce interest costs, and improve cash flow, ultimately lowering the overall cost of homeownership.
  • Leverage Programs for First-Time Buyers: Programs like the First Home Savings Account (FHSA) and the Home Buyers’ Plan (HBP) offer great benefits. A knowledgeable broker can guide you on how to use these programs to maximize tax refunds and increase your available down payment resources. For more insights, check out our article on turning $150K into a $200K down payment.
3. Budgeting and Credit Tips
  • Save Strategically: Automate transfers to a high-interest savings account to build your down payment.
  • Maintain Strong Credit: Aim for a credit score above 700 to secure favorable rates. Regularly review your credit report for accuracy and pay down debts on time.

Selling Your Home in 2025

1. Preparation for Sale
  • Enhance Curb Appeal: First impressions matter. Invest in landscaping, clean driveways, and repair fences. Small details, like a freshly painted front door, can significantly boost your home’s attractiveness.
  • Declutter and Depersonalize: Remove personal items and excess belongings to create an open, welcoming environment where buyers can envision themselves.
  • Professional Photography: High-quality images are essential. A professional photographer can showcase your home’s best features, ensuring it stands out online.
2. Marketing Strategies
  • Leverage Technology: Use virtual tours, interactive floor plans, and online platforms to reach a broader audience. These tools are especially appealing to tech-savvy buyers.
  • Competitive Pricing: Collaborate with your real estate agent to price your home strategically, balancing market conditions with your financial goals.
3. Navigating Showings
  • Flexible Accessibility: Accommodate potential buyers’ schedules by allowing flexible viewing times.
  • Create a Welcoming Atmosphere: Keep your home clean and staged. Soft lighting and neutral décor can make spaces feel more inviting.

Technology continues to revolutionize the real estate sector. In 2025, virtual tours and AI-driven tools are helping buyers explore properties and make informed decisions remotely. Sellers can also benefit by using predictive analytics to determine optimal listing times and pricing strategies. Meanwhile, demographic trends—such as increased immigration and the influx of millennial buyers—are reshaping demand for affordable and sustainable housing options.

Your Roadmap to Real Estate Success

Navigating the complexities of buying or selling a home in 2025 requires preparation, market awareness, and a willingness to embrace new tools and strategies. First-time buyers should focus on financial readiness and leveraging available programs, while sellers must prioritize presentation and adaptability to changing market conditions.

For more personalized guidance, consult a mortgage broker, connect with a trusted real estate agent, or explore online resources to stay ahead in this dynamic market. Success in real estate isn’t just about timing—it’s about being informed and prepared.

Call Stan Stanchev at 1-604-202-1412

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    The Truth About Real Estate in the News

    ByStan S.

    Myth #2: Put Less Than 20% Down So Banks Will Give You Better Rates Some mortgage brokers and lenders have perpetrated an enormous lie. They have suggested that if buyers purposefully use a smaller-than-average down payment and pay for CMHC mortgage insurance (which is mandatory for down payments under 20%), banks will perceive these loans as “safer” and offer these buyers a much lower interest rate on larger loan-to-value ratios. This is wrong. Banks are not solely looking at down payment sizes to determine the lending rate they will offer you. They look at your income, credit history, and debt-to-income ratio, getting a comprehensive view of your financial status and ability to repay your loan over time. Any “risk” they face of you being unable to pay your loan is offset by the home value itself, not by CMHC insurance. If you don’t pay your mortgage, they have the right to sell your property under a power of sale and recoup their losses. In this way, the bank is always protected from default risk. If you do not need to pay for CMHC insurance, avoid it because it will add to your monthly costs and provide no additional benefit to you. You can do the math: if you were to put less than 20% down, you would have to pay CMCH insurance, which ranges from 0.60% to 4.5% plus tax, which adds thousands of dollars to your housing costs. The only reason someone would push you to put less than 20% down when you have the funds to put 20% down is that they are getting some sort of benefit from it, not you. Mortgage brokers are paid based on the loan size you sign up for, so if you request a 90% loan instead of an 80% loan on a $500,000 property, they will get paid more. The lender, too, will gain more over time as you pay them more interest on your larger loan. Despite this misinformation controversy, the CMHC does offer a great program to help buyers who have less than a 20% down payment break into the market earlier. However, you should use it with a full understanding of the long-term costs. Ultimately, if you have more money to put down, you should definitely do it instead of paying extra fees like CMHC insurance. However, there is one important exception to note. You can get lower rates for investing in multifamily homes (with 5 units or more) that are insured by the CMHC. Typically, for buildings with more than 5 units, you would need a commercial mortgage and a larger down payment, like 25% down, but the CMHC offers preferred rates for eligible multifamily home projects. One specific program, the CMHC MLI Select Program, allows you to receive a lower interest rate than regular residential and commercial rates with less money down while still giving you the power of leverage. This program is available to help build the type of multifamily housing Canada needs the most: affordable rentals, student housing, and retirement housing. The CMHC MLI Select Program allows you to invest in multifamily buildings with only 5% down and offers extended amortizations for up to 50 years and reduced interest rates.

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    Renovate or Relocate? How to Decide When Your Home No Longer Fits

    ByStan S.

    Your home once checked all the boxes. But now, something’s changed. Maybe you’ve outgrown the space. Maybe it’s just too much to maintain. Or maybe your needs have simply evolved. That raises a big question: should you renovate your current home, or is it time to move on? The answer isn’t the same for everyone. But weighing the right factors can help you avoid costly regrets and make a move or a makeover that fits your future. Let’s break it down. 1. Renovations Can Cost More and Take Longer Than You Expect On paper, renovating might seem cheaper than buying a new home. But once you start opening walls or chasing permits, costs can escalate quickly. Surprise expenses, delays, and expanding project scopes are common. What starts as a simple kitchen update can turn into six months of living in a construction zone with a budget that’s gone up by 30 percent. Even with upgrades, you’re still limited by things like layout, lot size, or local bylaws. New finishes won’t fix structural constraints. Renovating makes sense if you love your location and the home has good bones. But if you’re trying to squeeze a major lifestyle change into a space that can’t support it, moving may be the better choice. 2. Relocating Lets You Reset the Layout, Location, and Lifestyle Buying a new home gives you more than just different square footage. It can also solve problems that a renovation can’t. Maybe you need a home office and a guest room. Or a bigger backyard. Or a shorter commute. Relocating gives you the chance to find a property that already meets those needs instead of trying to force them into your current home. It’s also a chance to move into a newer build with modern features, better energy efficiency, or access to a preferred school district. You get a fresh start without the hassle of construction. Selling and buying can also unlock the equity in your home, giving you more flexibility in how you fund your next move. 3. Renovations Don’t Always Boost Resale Value Not every renovation will increase your home’s market value. While kitchens and bathrooms often pay off, projects like finishing a basement or adding a sunroom might not return what you put in. If your upgrades make your home the most expensive one in the neighborhood, it could actually hurt your resale potential down the line. Ask yourself if you’re renovating to improve your quality of life or just trying to justify staying put. If your goal is long-term comfort, the investment might make sense. But if you’re spending big to patch short-term frustrations, moving could be the smarter long-term play. 4. Moving Comes with Costs, but It Might Be Simpler Yes, there are expenses involved in relocating. Realtor commissions, closing fees, land transfer taxes, and the cost of the move all add up. But unlike a renovation, moving comes with a clear timeline and a defined outcome. You know what you’re buying, when you’ll get it, and what it will cost. That kind of certainty can make a big difference, especially if you’re juggling kids, remote work, or planning for retirement. Another bonus: many newer homes need fewer immediate fixes. You may not have to lift a hammer for years after moving in. Final Word If your home no longer suits your needs, you have two solid options—but very different outcomes. Choose to renovate if you love your neighbourhood, your home has real potential, and you’re ready for the temporary disruption. Consider relocating if you want a better fit, a cleaner slate, or a stronger financial position. Either way, speak with a mortgage advisor and a realtor before making a final decision. They can help you understand your options, crunch the numbers, and figure out what makes the most sense for your situation. With the right guidance, your next move can do more than just solve today’s problems. It can help shape the life you want moving forward.

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    Surprising new indicator of B.C.s sluggish real estate market

    ByStan S.

    Call it a sign of the times? “There are so many listings right now in the Metro Vancouver area that there’s not enough signposts,” Kaitlyn Herbst, realtor with MRKT Real Estate Group said. “The company is actually offering, if we take down the signpost, if it’s already sold property and give them their signpost back so that they can use it for a new client, they will give us money back on our next signpost.” Herbst said in April there were more than 15,000 listings in the Greater Vancouver area. “That’s a lot of signs,” she said. “I mean, condos don’t always have signs and stuff, but buyers, they’re just not showing up. They’re a little bit uncertain with everything that’s going on and kind of taking a little more time to look.” Story continues below advertisement 2:07 Metro Vancouver condos sitting empty amid housing crisis Real estate experts say it has been an interesting start to the year in Greater Vancouver. “What we expected to happen was the market to be a little more active than what we’ve seen so far,” Andrew Lis, director of economics and data analytics at Greater Vancouver Realtors, told Global News. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. “Our forecast called for some growth in sales for the year, but sales have come in pretty slow since the beginning of the year.” Lis said it could partially be due to the uncertainty brought about by U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariffs, the political uncertainty around the Canadian election and the federal government’s overall housing strategy plan. “So it could be a number of factors keeping buyers on the sidelines, but things have been sort of quiet on the buy side,” Lis said. Story continues below advertisement “On the sell side, we have a lot of people coming to market with their property. So we’re actually at a point right now where we have some of the highest levels of inventory we’ve seen in almost over a decade. So a really interesting time right now for the market.” Lis said that sales are down about 24 per cent year-over-year. “They’re hanging below our 10-year seasonal averages, you know, around 20, 30 per cent. They’ve kind of been around those levels for some time.” Lis said that the market started to pick up late last year but has been slower in the first part of 2025. “On the inventory side, however, what we’ve seen is a pretty significant increase in inventory levels in our region,” he added. “Our inventory level in the Greater Vancouver region that we track at our board has surpassed the 16,000 mark, which we have not seen in over about a decade.” Trending Now 4:55 New cabinet role puts former Vancouver mayor back in the spotlight Lis said that for buyers, it’s a good thing as there is finally some choice across the board — condos, detached houses and townhouses. Story continues below advertisement However, they have seen more sales of detached homes than attached or apartments. “Generally, price trends have been fairly flat over the past few months and even actually over the last couple of years,” Lis said. “There’s some very small minor ups and downs — a per cent here, up, down a per cent there — but generally the price trend has been flat and that’s been pretty much true across all product types.” Herbst said she has never seen a market like this. “When a couple years ago there was no subjects, you were buying places, sight unseen,” she said. “I had clients buy homes I had never actually seen. Subject free, all that. Now we’ve got, ‘Okay, we’ll come back and see you a second time’.” Herbst said there are even sellers adding incentives to lure in prospective buyers. “There is one home (in Langley) that is for sale that the realtor is offering a Disney Cruise to the buyers of this family home. A four-person Disney cruise,” she said. “It’s not cheap, but it’s a way to make it stand out. It’s a way to get those families through the door. And there’s a lot of options for those buyers. So it’s comparing apples to apples, but this one I get to go on a trip with my family.” &copy 2025 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.

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    Two rental housing towers eyed for Kingsway near Fraser Street in Vancouver

    ByStan S.

    Nearly four years ago, a rezoning application was approved to redevelop the southeast corner of the intersection of Kingsway and Carolina Street — situated on the southernmost border of the Mount Pleasant neighbourhood of Vancouver — into a six-storey, mixed-use building with 80 secured purpose-built market rental homes. But the project — which was one of the larger rental housing proposals in Metro Vancouver at the time, prior to the current wave of proposals — did not proceed as planned. As it turns out, this is because the project was being redesigned for a much larger mixed-use rental housing concept under the prescriptions and stipulations of the City’s Broadway Plan. A new rezoning application has been submitted to redevelop 602-644 Kingsway and 603-617 East 16th Ave., which entails a larger development site than the original concept — growing the available footprint by 50 per cent to over 30,000 sq. ft. The project is just west of the prominent intersection of Kingsway and Fraser Street. The original north site entails old low-rise commercial buildings, including a former funeral home building, while the addition of a south site includes a surface vehicle parking lot and low-rise residential and commercial buildings. Site of 602-644 Kingsway and 603-617 East 16th Ave., Vancouver. (Perkins&Will/Bonnis Properties) Site of 602-644 Kingsway and 603-617 East 16th Ave., Vancouver. (Google Maps) Site of 602-644 Kingsway and 603-617 East 16th Ave., Vancouver. (Perkins&Will/Bonnis Properties) Cancelled 2020/2021 concept: Current condition (top) and 2020/2021 cancelled concept (bottom) of 602-644 Kingsway, Vancouver. (Studio One Architecture) 2025 revised concept: 2025 concept of 602-644 Kingsway and 603-617 East 16th Ave., Vancouver. (Perkins&Will/Bonnis Properties) 2025 concept of 602-644 Kingsway and 603-617 East 16th Ave., Vancouver. (Perkins&Will/Bonnis Properties) Under the new application, local developer Bonnis Properties has partnered with architectural firm Perkins&Will to pursue a 167-ft-tall, 14-storey north tower and a 276-ft-tall, 25-storey south tower. The proponents are pursuing a new concept with two high-rise towers, after determining that a project with three towers would not meet the minimum tower separation requirements from an adjacent lot on Kingsway. There will be a total of 327 secured purpose-built rental homes, including 120 units in the north tower and 207 units in the south tower. Based on the Broadway Plan’s requirement of setting aside at least 20 per cent of the residential rental floor area for below-market units, there will be 66 below-market rental homes and 261 market rental homes. The unit size mix is established as 152 studios, 47 one-bedroom units, 105 two-bedroom units, and 23 three-bedroom units. 2025 concept of 602-644 Kingsway and 603-617 East 16th Ave., Vancouver. (Perkins&Will/Bonnis Properties) 2025 concept of 602-644 Kingsway and 603-617 East 16th Ave., Vancouver. (Perkins&Will/Bonnis Properties) 2025 concept of 602-644 Kingsway and 603-617 East 16th Ave., Vancouver. (Perkins&Will/Bonnis Properties) 2025 concept of 602-644 Kingsway and 603-617 East 16th Ave., Vancouver. (Perkins&Will/Bonnis Properties) 2025 concept of 602-644 Kingsway and 603-617 East 16th Ave., Vancouver. (Perkins&Will/Bonnis Properties) 2025 concept of 602-644 Kingsway and 603-617 East 16th Ave., Vancouver. (Perkins&Will/Bonnis Properties) The north and south towers will be physically connected on the second level by a pedestrian bridge over the laneway that separates the two sites, enabling continuous shared amenity spaces between both buildings. Expansive indoor and outdoor amenity spaces will be found on the second level — including landscaped outdoor areas on the base podium rooftops — along with outdoor amenity spaces on the rooftops of both towers. The rooftop of the north tower’s podium also features a 2,900 sq. ft. childcare facility for up to 20 kids, plus outdoor play space. Down below, about 19,400 sq. ft. of retail/restaurant space spread across the ground levels of both buildings will activate the street frontages and a new public plaza. This triangular-shaped plaza space — a public space element passed down from the original concept — will be achieved by repurposing a 70-ft-long segment of East 15th Avenue and median that parallels Kingsway. 2025 concept of 602-644 Kingsway and 603-617 East 16th Ave., Vancouver. (Perkins&Will/Bonnis Properties) 2025 concept of 602-644 Kingsway and 603-617 East 16th Ave., Vancouver. (Perkins&Will/Bonnis Properties) 2025 concept of 602-644 Kingsway and 603-617 East 16th Ave., Vancouver. (Perkins&Will/Bonnis Properties) 2025 concept of 602-644 Kingsway and 603-617 East 16th Ave., Vancouver. (Perkins&Will/Bonnis Properties) 2025 concept of 602-644 Kingsway and 603-617 East 16th Ave., Vancouver. (Perkins&Will/Bonnis Properties) 2025 concept of 602-644 Kingsway and 603-617 East 16th Ave., Vancouver. (Perkins&Will/Bonnis Properties) The floor plates of both towers rising above the podium are curved to strategically place the structural columns along the perimeter of the floor plates, which serves to optimize the views from the residential units and enable a more efficient unit layout. The exterior design is defined by a 40-60 window-to-wall ratio, with protruding balconies protected by steel picket guard railings. Four underground levels at the north tower site will accommodate 141 vehicle parking stalls, while two underground levels at the south tower site will provide over 600 secured bike parking spaces. 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