Journal Category
31 articles on market insights from Rain City Properties.
Canada went from record population growth to near-zero in under two years. The impact on Vancouver's rental and purchase markets is already measurable, from a 30-year high in vacancy rates to softening condo prices. Here's what the data says and what it means for buyers, sellers, and investors.
The federal government just introduced legislation to turn Build Canada Homes into a permanent Crown corporation with $13 billion and the power to build directly on public land. Here's what it actually means for Vancouver's housing pipeline — and what the track record suggests about delivery.
Inventory is at multi-year highs, prices are falling, and rates have dropped 275 basis points. So where are all the buyers? A look at the psychology, economics, and math behind the paradox.
Metro Vancouver recorded 2,128 residential transactions in February — a 46% increase from January. But sales remain below last year and well below the 10-year average. Here is why it is too early to call this a recovery.
Metro Vancouver's rental vacancy rate has hit 3.7% -- the highest since 1988. Rents are falling across the region, landlords are offering free months, and the rental market has flipped in favour of tenants. Here's what's driving the shift and what it means for renters, landlords, and condo investors.
February 2026 brought 1,648 home sales across Metro Vancouver, down 9.8% year-over-year, while the composite benchmark slipped to $1,100,300. With active listings sitting 37% above the 10-year average, here is what the numbers mean heading into spring.
The Musqueam Rights Recognition Agreement has sparked questions about Vancouver property ownership. Here's what the agreement actually says, what it doesn't change, and what real estate owners and investors should watch for.
Steel tariffs at 50%, softwood lumber duties near 45%, and a CMHC recession warning. Here's how the US-Canada trade war is hitting Vancouver construction costs, mortgage rate decisions, and buyer confidence heading into spring 2026.
The BC government dropped its 2026 budget with school tax hikes on $3M+ homes, a bumped-up speculation tax, costlier property tax deferments, and expanded PTT exemptions for rental builders. Here's a plain-language breakdown of what actually changes and what it costs you.
The Bank of Canada is almost certainly holding at 2.25% again on March 18. After seven cuts and now three straight pauses, here's what the rate plateau means for Vancouver mortgage rates, buying power, and your next move.
September 2025 benchmark prices dropped 3.2% year-over-year while active listings surged 36% above the 10-year average. With the sales-to-active ratio at 11.3%, Vancouver is firmly in buyer territory. Here is what the numbers actually mean for your next purchase.
October 2025 saw Metro Vancouver sales drop 14.3% year-over-year while inventory climbed to levels we haven't seen in years. Here's what the fall numbers tell us about where the market is heading.
Sales are down, listings are up, and presale condos are gathering dust. After years of seller dominance, Vancouver's housing market has tilted decisively toward balance. Here is what I am seeing on the ground and where I think it goes from here.
Prices are down 5% across the board, inventory is at a 12-year high, and sales have dropped to levels not seen in a generation. Vancouver is in the middle of a real price correction. Here is what the data actually says and how buyers should think about it.
After seven cuts brought the overnight rate from 5.0% to 2.25%, the Bank of Canada has hit pause twice in a row. Here's what the rate hold means for Vancouver buyers, sellers, and the presale market heading into spring 2026.
BC Assessment's 2026 notices show values declining across the Lower Mainland, with detached homes down 5% in Vancouver and condos softening everywhere. What the numbers mean for buyers ready to act.
With the fewest home sales in over two decades, record-high inventory, and prices down across every property type, Vancouver buyers have more leverage than they've had since 2019. Here's what the numbers say.
Vancouver's Broadway Plan is reshaping the corridor from Vine to Clark. With the subway extension nearing completion, here's what the density changes mean for homeowners and investors.
After the Bank of Canada's rate-cutting cycle, Vancouver's market is adjusting. Here's what current rates mean for your buying power, monthly payments, and the best strategy going forward.
After 20 years in Vancouver real estate, people ask me why I still get excited about this work. The honest answer involves architecture, puzzles, and a lot of other people's kitchen tables.
Two years after Bill 44 passed, Vancouver's first wave of multiplexes is hitting the ground. Here's what's actually been built, who's buying, and what living in one is really like.
The Vancouver market flipped to buyers' territory in early 2026. Here's what the data says about prices, rates, inventory, and where things go from here.
A data-driven comparison of Metro Vancouver's three largest cities for home buyers. Compare prices, transit access, schools, amenities, and investment potential to find your ideal location.
BC's home flipping tax significantly impacts multiplex development timelines and builder math. Learn the tax rates, exemptions, and strategies for developers and sellers navigating Vancouver's multiplex boom.
Vancouver has received 517 multiplex applications under Bill 44. Only 122 building permits have been issued. Where are the other 395 projects stuck—and what does this pipeline problem mean for homeowners waiting to sell or build?
BC Assessment just released 2026 numbers showing Vancouver single-family values down 5% on average. But for multiplex-eligible lots, the picture is more complex—and the deadline to file an assessment complaint is February 2, 2026.
Development cost levies, permit fees, and carrying costs add up to over $200,000 before construction even begins. As missing middle housing starts drop 56% from 2018 levels, here's where the money actually goes—and why 16 Metro mayors are demanding change.
An analysis of multiplex permit data reveals a stark geographic disparity in Bill 44 development. West side neighbourhoods are seeing three times more sixplex applications than the east side—and the reasons go deeper than lot sizes.
From Calgary's blanket upzoning repeal to Metro Vancouver mayors demanding changes, the backlash against 'boxy' multiplexes is growing. Here's what's driving the debate—and what it means for homeowners considering development.
Eighteen months after BC launched Bill 44, Burnaby's restrictive bylaw amendments reveal the tension between provincial housing goals and municipal control. An analysis of what's working, what isn't, and how recent changes could reshape the next decade of housing supply.
Navigating the 2026 Vancouver housing market requires a new strategy. From interest rate shifts to the impact of new zoning laws, here is your essential briefing for buying a home this year.