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Urban Living in the Couv

Urban living lifestyle and real estate in Vancouver, Downtown and the Waterfront

06/02/2026

Vancouver Urban Condos Holding up Better than PDX

Take a look at condos on the South Waterfront or the Pearl District and you will find that prices have really softened up. Vancouver's urban Condo market has softened a bit as well, but the Pearl used to fetch 30+ percent more than Vancouver's Downtown and now they are a little less expensive than we are. This is especially true in the entry level condo market where a large selection of those 1990s-2000s converted lofts are now a value, often selling well under $300k for 700-900 square feet of space in a one bedroom unit....

Take a look at condos on the South Waterfront or the Pearl District and you will find that prices have really softened up. Vancouver’s urban Condo market has softened a bit as well, but the P…

05/25/2026

Is Seattle’s Mayor Helping us or Hurting us down here in Vancouver?

Seattle's new mayor has been making waves in the Emerald City with her actions and comments regarding business and wealthy people. She inherited a messed up system and seems content to make it even worse. Seattle suffers from the worst office vacancy rate in the Western US. Nearly 40% of those gleaming skyscrapers downtown are vacant. Seattle had the strongest per-capita GDP of any major city in US for several years running just a decade ago....

Seattle’s new mayor has been making waves in the Emerald City with her actions and comments regarding business and wealthy people. She inherited a messed up system and seems content to make i…

05/18/2026

Qualifying for a Condo Purchase is Different

A typical real estate transaction involves a buyer using a mortgage loan to purchase a home. The buyer gives the lender a series of documents proving income and showing debts, to determine what amount the lender is willing to lend them. The buyer then uses that as a baseline to search for homes. Let's say a lender is willing to lend $500,000 to a buyer and the buyer is required to put down 3.5% (FHA Loan)....

A typical real estate transaction involves a buyer using a mortgage loan to purchase a home. The buyer gives the lender a series of documents proving income and showing debts, to determine what amo…

05/11/2026

Did Anyone Look at Using UP and BNSF tracks from Downtown Vancouver to Union Station?

I never heard anyone in the IBR circles suggest a regional train like the Seattle Sounder. All the track needed is already rated for passenger service as Amtrak runs the Cascades, Coast Starliner, and Empire Builder trains on the tracks. This option could skip the MAX Yellow line at the EXPO altogether and run the trains to Downtown Portland at the Union Station near Chinatown....

I never heard anyone in the IBR circles suggest a regional train like the Seattle Sounder. All the track needed is already rated for passenger service as Amtrak runs the Cascades, Coast Starliner, …

05/05/2026

Some Experts Suggest Light Rail May Be Delayed

The IBR project has cost estimates that have soared well above eleven figures. That is some serious cash with the current estimated range of $11.5 to $13.5 Billion, yes Billion with a B. Take a moment to imagine one million dollars. A measly one million with a M. That is a stack of $100 bills nearly 4 feet tall. It will however fit conveniently and neatly into a typical briefcase....

The IBR project has cost estimates that have soared well above eleven figures. That is some serious cash with the current estimated range of $11.5 to $13.5 Billion, yes Billion with a B. Take a mom…

04/27/2026

Weekly Downtown Videos Now on YouTube

Episode 9 I have been publishing weekly video reports on activity in Downtown Vancouver mostly surrounding condos. These short videos tend to run about 90 seconds or so showing off condos and other cool facts about Downtown Vancouver. Be sure to subscribe to the YouTube channel so you don't miss these weekly updates. I also have a very comprehensive review of all the condominium developments in the Downtown area....

Episode 9 I have been publishing weekly video reports on activity in Downtown Vancouver mostly surrounding condos. These short videos tend to run about 90 seconds or so showing off condos and other…

04/20/2026

Would You Pay $45,000 for a Parking Space?

How much would you pay for a parking space? Would you pay $45,000? Last week I was discussing this very topic with a local developer that builds mid-rise apartments and condominium towers. Let's see if we can find out the value of a residential parking space in an urban area like Downtown Vancouver. There are literally professional commercial appraisers that have to figure this type of valuation out especially in dense urban areas like Downtown Vancouver or Downtown Portland....

How much would you pay for a parking space? Would you pay $45,000? Last week I was discussing this very topic with a local developer that builds mid-rise apartments and condominium towers. Let& #821…

04/13/2026

Interest rates softening up, Will it boost Condo Demand?

Interest rates have been coming down a bit so far this year. We have not only seen some easing from the fed, but the low transaction count maybe part of the equation as well. Recent news reports have shown that the national transaction rate hit a 31 year low. This is based on the volume of transactions rather than the volume in dollars....

Interest rates have been coming down a bit so far this year. We have not only seen some easing from the fed, but the low transaction count maybe part of the equation as well. Recent news reports ha…

04/06/2026

Urban Condos in Vancouver Picking Up Steam

New pending sales and closed transactions across a large price range from under $300k to well over $1 million kept local agents and title companies busy last week. These pending and closed properties far outweighed the new listings. Thats good news for the condo market in the city center. Now that spring is underway, Downtown and the Waterfront will start seeing those fair weather crowds and lot's of attention towards the city lifestyle....

New pending sales and closed transactions across a large price range from under $300k to well over $1 million kept local agents and title companies busy last week. These pending and closed properti…

03/30/2026

Vancouver eliminating SFR Zoning. Is this a bad idea?

Vancouver has effectively eliminated the SFR (Single Family Residence) zoning under the audacious claims that the city cannot meet housing demands otherwise. This is dubious at best. Demand for housing in Vancouver is at least in part due to its excellent traditional neighborhoods across a wide range of pricing from entry-level to the millionaire class. The city is not wrong that more high-density housing is needed, clearly demand for it is pretty intense as every new apartment building that goes up fills quickly....

Vancouver has effectively eliminated the SFR (Single Family Residence) zoning under the audacious claims that the city cannot meet housing demands otherwise. This is dubious at best. Demand for hou…

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