In today's Vancouver real estate market, strategic renovations can make the difference between sitting on the market and selling with confidence. This episode breaks down how sellers should approach upgrades, pricing, and preparation to maximize value without over-improving in a shifting market.

James and Denny break down the renovation do's and don'ts that actually matter when getting your home ready for sale, drawing from their on-the-ground experience with buyers and sellers across Vancouver. They share where to spend, where to save, and the common mistakes that can cost you thousands in today's market.

This episode will focus on how to get the most out of renovating before selling, how to prepare the home for a sale, taking advantage of spring and fall markets, decluttering and simple preparations.

Podcast Videos can be found on the Garbutt + Dumas Real Estate Team YouTube channel

Email us at [email protected]

James Garbutt [email protected] Instagram: /jamesgarbutt Facebook: /jamesgarbutt

Denny Dumas [email protected] Instagram: /denny.dumas Facebook: /denny.dumas.5

Garbutt + Dumas Real Estate Instagram: /gdrealestateteam Facebook: /gdrealestateteam Website: garbuttdumas.ca

Rates are on hold, but the market isn't moving. We unpack why 2025 was one of the slowest years for Vancouver real estate and what this stalemate means for 2026.

James and Denny share what they're seeing as Vancouver realtors in a stalled market. With rates on hold and sales at 2025 lows, they break down what's actually happening at showings.

This episode will focus on the BoC rate Hold, 2025 having the lowest number of sales in a long time, rents keep coming down, investor struggles, fixed or variable mortgages, people are still looking to make moves, and future market predictions.

Podcast Videos can be found on the Garbutt + Dumas Real Estate Team YouTube channel.

Email us at [email protected]

James Garbutt [email protected] Instagram: /jamesgarbutt Facebook: /jamesgarbutt

Denny Dumas [email protected] Instagram: /denny.dumas Facebook: /denny.dumas.5

Garbutt + Dumas Real Estate Instagram: /gdrealestateteam Facebook: /gdrealestateteam Website: garbuttdumas.ca

Being a landlord in Vancouver has never been more challenging. With rising operating costs, tightening regulations, and softening rental returns, many investors are questioning whether holding residential property still makes financial sense in today's market. What was once considered a safe, long-term wealth strategy now comes with more uncertainty, more risks, and fewer rewards.

James and Denny break down the current landlord dilemma from the front lines of Vancouver real estate. They also explore what the future could look like—and whether being a landlord in Vancouver can still be worth it.

This episode will focus on being a landlord in today's current real estate market, being impossible to be cash flow positive, developers struggling and less homes being built, when tenanted properties sell, very few people take over the tenancies, investors not buying, wrongful evictions and future predictions.

Podcast Videos can be found on the Garbutt + Dumas Real Estate Team YouTube channel.

Email us at [email protected]

James Garbutt [email protected] Instagram: /jamesgarbutt Facebook: /jamesgarbutt

Denny Dumas [email protected] Instagram: /denny.dumas Facebook: /denny.dumas.5

Garbutt + Dumas Real Estate Instagram: /gdrealestateteam Facebook: /gdrealestateteam Website: garbuttdumas.ca

In this episode, we dive into a major strata decision, a proposed $9 million building-envelope upgrade that would cost many homeowners over $200k each. Supporters say it's essential long-term maintenance; others argue it's unnecessary, fear-driven, and financially overwhelming for many residents.

Drawing from recent strata minutes, engineering reports, and council discussions, we look at how this decision unfolded, why some owners feel pressured to vote yes, and whether the scope of work matches what's really needed.

This episode will focus on how to spot bias or persuasion in strata communication, what engineering reports actually say versus how they're interpreted, the financial and emotional impact of large-scale special assessments, and why these situations are becoming more common across B.C. condos.

Whether you're a homeowner, strata council member, or future buyer, this episode offers insight into the complex balance between maintaining value and managing affordability in today's aging buildings.

Podcast Videos can be found on the Garbutt + Dumas Real Estate Team YouTube channel.

Email us at [email protected]

James Garbutt [email protected] Instagram: /jamesgarbutt Facebook: /jamesgarbutt

Denny Dumas [email protected] Instagram: /denny.dumas Facebook: /denny.dumas.5

Garbutt + Dumas Real Estate Instagram: /gdrealestateteam Facebook: /gdrealestateteam Website: garbuttdumas.ca

The Bank of Canada's latest rate cut has buyers hopeful, but the Vancouver market tells a different story. Despite lower borrowing costs, inventory continues to climb, and many homes are still sitting as we move deeper into a true buyer's market.

James and Denny share what they're seeing firsthand as realtors in today's shifting market — listings sitting longer, price reductions becoming common, and buyers taking their time. They discuss how this new phase is changing strategies for both buyers and sellers as confidence slowly rebuilds after the BoC's latest rate cut.

This episode will focus on the most recent BoC rate cut, how lower rates are (and aren't) impacting buyer activity in Vancouver and surrounding areas, rising inventory levels, buyer and seller psychology, and market outlook for the next few months.

Podcast Videos can be found on the Garbutt + Dumas Real Estate Team YouTube channel

Email us at [email protected]

James Garbutt [email protected] Instagram: /jamesgarbutt Facebook: /jamesgarbutt

Denny Dumas [email protected] Instagram: /denny.dumas Facebook: /denny.dumas.5

Garbutt + Dumas Real Estate Instagram: /gdrealestateteam Facebook: /gdrealestateteam Website: garbuttdumas.ca

Depreciation reports are one of the most important — and misunderstood — tools in strata real estate. These reports reveal the true condition of a building, outline upcoming repair costs, and can significantly influence a property's value and long-term investment potential.

James and Denny break down how depreciation reports influence strata health, budgeting, and property values, helping buyers and owners understand the real story behind the numbers.

This episode will focus on depreciation reports and why they're required in B.C., how often depreciation reports should be updated, the connection between depreciation reports and strata fees or special levies, common red flags to look for in aging buildings and a call back to episode 40 on depreciation reports.

Podcast Videos can be found on the Garbutt + Dumas Real Estate Team YouTube channel

Email us at [email protected]

James Garbutt [email protected] Instagram: /jamesgarbutt Facebook: /jamesgarbutt

Denny Dumas [email protected] Instagram: /denny.dumas Facebook: /denny.dumas.5

Garbutt + Dumas Real Estate Instagram: /gdrealestateteam Facebook: /gdrealestateteam Website: garbuttdumas.ca

The Bank of Canada's 0.25% rate cut has done little to heat up Vancouver's sluggish real estate market, leaving buyers and sellers cautious in an increasingly volatile environment. Developers are feeling the squeeze as high costs, weak demand, and policy shifts make it harder than ever to bring projects to life.

James and Denny talk about supporting clients as they adapt to the realities of a slower housing market, sharing insights on shifting buyer expectations, seller strategies, and how to stay prepared in today's uncertain landscape.

This episode will focus on the BoC rate cut, the realities of a slower market, fixed rate changes as bonds go down, the uncertainty of everything, very low sales volumes, and selling stats covering Burnaby, Coquitlam, New West, East Van and North Van.

Email us at [email protected]

James Garbutt [email protected] Instagram: /jamesgarbutt Facebook: /jamesgarbutt

Denny Dumas [email protected] Instagram: /denny.dumas Facebook: /denny.dumas.5

Garbutt + Dumas Real Estate Instagram: /gdrealestateteam Facebook: /gdrealestateteam Website: garbuttdumas.ca

A swell of condo inventory is reshaping the resale landscape, giving buyers unprecedented choice and bargaining power. We'll unpack where the numbers sit now and spotlight the savvy moves that can turn this surplus into opportunity.

James and Denny share how they're approaching the condo market's high-inventory landscape with both buyers and sellers, unpacking the tactics that help clients stand out and capitalize on surplus supply.

This episode will focus on the current condo resale market in Vancouver, high levels of inventory, conversations with buyers and sellers, the New West condo market, sales ratios, and the difficulty in selling.

Email us at [email protected]

James Garbutt [email protected] Instagram: /jamesgarbutt Facebook: /jamesgarbutt

Denny Dumas [email protected] Instagram: /denny.dumas Facebook: /denny.dumas.5

Garbutt + Dumas Real Estate Instagram: /gdrealestateteam Facebook: /gdrealestateteam Website: garbuttdumas.ca

The shifting buyers' market is rewriting Vancouver real estate playbooks, demanding frank conversations that sometimes include tough truths on pricing and timelines. This episode unpacks how to deliver bad news gracefully while setting rock-solid expectations that keep both buyers and sellers confident and on track.

James and Denny share real-life conversations with clients and discuss how important it is to set expectations early on.

This episode will focus on tough conversations with buyers and sellers, delivering bad news, setting expectations, buyers taking their time, people dealing with FOMO, dealing with low ball offers, bringing clarity to the situation and predictions for the future.

Podcast Videos can be found on the Garbutt + Dumas Real Estate Team YouTube channel

Email us at [email protected]

James Garbutt [email protected] Instagram: /jamesgarbutt Facebook: /jamesgarbutt

Denny Dumas [email protected] Instagram: /denny.dumas Facebook: /denny.dumas.5

Garbutt + Dumas Real Estate Instagram: /gdrealestateteam Facebook: /gdrealestateteam Website: garbuttdumas.ca

Metro Vancouver is experiencing a deceptively quiet spring with inventory climbing even as the Bank of Canada holds rates steady. We unpack how that rising supply and the new GST changes could reshape strategies for buyers, sellers, and investors alike.

James and Denny discuss how they're navigating today's buyer-seller dynamics and the real-world scenarios unfolding in the market.

This episode will focus on the Bank of Canada rate hold decision, climbing inventories, low sales volume across all markets, first-time buyers' GST changes, economic woes, tough time to list, great time for buyers, and fall market predictions.

Email us at [email protected]

James Garbutt [email protected] Instagram: /jamesgarbutt Facebook: /jamesgarbutt

Denny Dumas [email protected] Instagram: /denny.dumas Facebook: /denny.dumas.5

Garbutt + Dumas Real Estate Instagram: /gdrealestateteam Facebook: /gdrealestateteam Website: garbuttdumas.ca