Victoria Real Estate Podcast

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Is a short-term rental better than a long-term rental in Victoria? Adrian talks with Kristopher Montanini and Robert Sauter, co-founders of Rest Coast, about what it really looks like to own and operate a short-term rental on the West Coast.

Kris has been a landlord for 20 years. Rob spent 20+ years in tech and now applies his customer-service and photography background to Rest Coast owners.

In this episode:

• Is long-term renting still worth it after 20 years as a landlord?
• Do short-term rentals really cause less wear and tear?
• What kind of property makes the best short-term rental?
• Can STR income projections change a buyer's decision, and how can Realtors use them?
• What separates a 5-star Airbnb from an average one?
• How do listing photos affect bookings?
• How does a turnover portal and documentation system protect owners?
• Who is a great fit for short-term rentals, and who should skip it?
• How should investors think about BC and Victoria regulations?
• Where is the short-term rental market heading?
• What's the first step, and the biggest mistake, for new investors?

Plus a rapid fire round to close things out.

Guests: Kristopher Montanini and Robert Sauter, Rest Coast

https://www.restcoast.homes/

 Host: Adrian Maclaren, CityNest Team, RE/MAX Camosun
Instagram: @adrianrealestatevictoria | Call or text: 250-464-4122

If you enjoy the show, a review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts goes a long way.

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Victoria needs more housing, and the way we build it is changing fast. This week, Vince sits down with Matt, Chief Operating Officer of RAS Ltd, a Victoria-based company reshaping construction through off-site prefabrication, 3D modelling and panelized wall systems.

In this episode:

• How RAS got started and what a COO actually does day to day
• What actually happens inside a prefab facility, from architect drawings to finished wall panels
• Why 3D modelling before construction cuts waste, mistakes and delays
• Where prefab can make the biggest dent in Victoria's housing shortage
• The biggest misconceptions about prefab construction
• Whether AI is already changing how homes get built
• Where homebuilding might be in 10 years, and whether homes will eventually be assembled like cars
• Quick fire: wood or steel, Matt's favourite building in Victoria, and the biggest myth about prefab

If you've ever wondered what happens before a house is even framed, this one's worth the listen.

Learn more about RAS Ltd and get in touch about your project through the links below.

https://www.rasltd.ca/

Produced by: The CityNest Real Estate Group
Citynest.ca

Adrian Maclaren
[email protected]
📸 Instagram: @adrianrealestatevictoria
📞 250-464-4122

Vincent Baart
https://www.linkedin.com/in/vincentbaart/

Connect with us:
 🔗 yyjrealestatepodcast.com

Enjoying the show? Leave us a review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts — it helps more than you know.

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Is overpricing still costing sellers the sale? A conversation on AI, pricing strategy, and what it really takes to win a listing.

In this episode of the Victoria Real Estate Podcast, hosts Adrian Maclaren and Vincent Baart of the CityNest Team at RE/MAX Camosun sit down with Danielle Moreau — Realtor at RE/MAX and founder of Listli, an AI-powered CMA app built for agents.

The conversation covers:

• How Danielle got started in real estate and why she focused on listings
• Is real estate actually harder today than it was 13 years ago?
• How often do agents overprice a listing just to win it — and what happens next?
• What separates a strong CMA from a weak one
• Why traditional CMA tools often leave clients more confused, not less
• The story behind building Listli, and the challenges of running a tech company while selling real estate full-time
• Where AI in real estate is headed — and whether it replaces agents or makes the good ones better
• Has Victoria's market shifted from ego pricing to data pricing?
• Rapid-fire: book recs, guilty pleasures, and Danielle's dream BC property

📍 Learn more: https://listli.ca/
 📸 Instagram: @listli.ai

Produced by: The CityNest Real Estate Group
Citynest.ca

Adrian Maclaren
[email protected]
📸 Instagram: @adrianrealestatevictoria
📞 250-464-4122

Vincent Baart
https://www.linkedin.com/in/vincentbaart/

Connect with us:
 🔗 yyjrealestatepodcast.com

Enjoying the show? Leave us a review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts — it helps more than you know.

Send us Fan Mail

Is Victoria's real estate market actually splitting into two different stories right now? On this episode of the Victoria Real Estate Podcast, Adrian and Vince break down what's really happening with single family homes versus condos — and why one is stabilizing while the other keeps sliding.

David from Olympic Mortgage joins with an economic and mortgage rate update to round out the picture.

In this episode:

• Why single family homes are showing signs of recovery while condos remain stuck in a slump
• What's actually driving condo demand right now — and why investor buyers have mostly disappeared from that market
• A new grant from the City of Victoria aimed at preserving existing affordable housing stock — who qualifies and how to apply
• David's take on where mortgage rates and the broader economy are heading
• A major condo tower approved for downtown Victoria — including some genuinely unique design choices (hint: no balconies, but "sky gardens" instead)
• This week's trivia: how well do Vince and Adrian actually know Victoria real estate history?

Whether you're buying, selling, or just like staying plugged into what's happening in Victoria real estate, this one's worth a listen.

Produced by: The CityNest Real Estate Group
Citynest.ca

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Have a question or want to be a guest on the show? 

Adrian Maclaren
250-464-4122
[email protected]
https://www.instagram.com/adrianrealestatevictoria/

Vincent Baart
https://www.linkedin.com/in/vincentbaart/

David Steinberg
[email protected]
778.401.4712

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Is now a good time to buy commercial property in Victoria — or a good time to wait? On this episode, Vincent Baart and Cole Swetlikoe sit down with John MacDonald, one of Vancouver Island's busiest commercial real estate brokers, to unpack where the market actually stands.

They dig into which property types are holding strong, which are struggling, and whether vendors are finally coming around on price. John also shares his read on development land and Missing Middle housing — including what most homeowners get wrong about their property's redevelopment potential.

In this episode:

• John's path into commercial real estate and what's changed since he started
• Where transaction activity and investor confidence stand today
• Industrial, retail, office & multifamily — what's performing, what's not
• Land assemblies and Missing Middle: who's buying, who's waiting
• The difference between a good investment and a great one
• Common mistakes newer investors make
• Where AI and technology fit into real estate's future
• John's outlook for Victoria commercial real estate through 2027

Plus: a commercial deal John still thinks about, and a quickfire round covering his favourite Island community, go-to restaurant, and best (and worst) investment ever made.

Connect with John MacDonald: 

https://bccommercialsolutions.ca/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-macdonald-personal-real-estate-corporation-8069322b/

[email protected]

 Connect with us: CityNest.ca | LinkedIn

[email protected]

Cole Swetlikoe

https://coleswetlikoe.ca/

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Thinking about renovating your kitchen — or wondering which upgrades actually pay off when you sell? In this episode, Adrian and Vincent sit down with Alexandra Graham, founder of Alexandra Graham Interiors, a boutique interior design and custom cabinetry studio based on Vancouver Island.

Alexandra shares what homeowners get wrong before they pick up the phone, which trends are worth investing in (and which ones won't age well), and how smart design decisions can meaningfully impact your home's resale value.

She also opens up about building a business alongside her husband Tommy, growing quickly through referrals and builder relationships, and what it's really like to run a creative studio on Vancouver Island.

Whether you're buying, selling, or just dreaming about a kitchen refresh — this one's packed with practical insight.

📍 Learn more: alexandragraham.ca
 📸 Instagram: @alexandragrahaminteriors

Produced by: The CityNest Real Estate Group
Citynest.ca

Adrian Maclaren
250-464-4122
[email protected]
https://www.instagram.com/adrianrealestatevictoria/

Vincent Baart
https://www.linkedin.com/in/vincentbaart/

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In this month's market update, Adrian, Vince, and mortgage expert David Steinberg of Olympic Mortgage break down everything you need to know about Victoria real estate heading into spring 2026.

Victoria rents are falling, active listings hit 3,710, and the market is sitting right on the edge of buyer's territory — but the story looks very different depending on what you're buying and where. Single-family homes in the core are holding strong, while downtown condos are sitting longer and cutting prices. New missing middle supply is hitting the market daily with mixed results, and a rarely-seen stat just showed up: 92 single-family homes listed under $1 million in the Victoria Core — the most in five years.

We also dig into community sentiment, GST exemption effects on condo resale demand, BC property tax deferment changes, and what fall 2026 might look like for buyers and sellers.

🎧 Sponsored By: caninecarcare.com
Clean car = instant confidence. Mobile detailing with a satisfaction guarantee.

Produced by: The CityNest Real Estate Group
Citynest.ca

Adrian Maclaren
250-464-4122
[email protected]
https://www.instagram.com/adrianrealestatevictoria/

Vincent Baart
https://www.linkedin.com/in/vincentbaart/

David Steinberg
[email protected]
778.401.4712

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In this month's market update, Adrian Maclaren, Vincent Baart, and mortgage expert David Steinberg of Olympic Mortgage cut straight to what Victoria buyers and sellers need to know right now — no fluff, just honest insights.

Victoria's real estate market is shifting, and whether you're buying or selling in Greater Victoria, understanding where things stand could save you time, money, and stress. The team breaks down current market conditions, what's happening with mortgage rates, and the key economic factors shaping the Victoria housing market heading into spring.

Are Victoria home prices dropping? Is now a good time to buy in Victoria? Should sellers be adjusting their expectations? Adrian, Vince, and David tackle all of it — and share their predictions for where the market is heading next.

🎧 Sponsored By: caninecarcare.com
Clean car = instant confidence. Mobile detailing with a satisfaction guarantee.

Produced by: The CityNest Real Estate Group
Citynest.ca

Adrian Maclaren
250-464-4122
[email protected]
https://www.instagram.com/adrianrealestatevictoria/

Vincent Baart
https://www.linkedin.com/in/vincentbaart/

David Steinberg
[email protected]
778.401.4712

Send us Fan Mail

In this episode of the Victoria Real Estate Podcast, hosts Adrian Maclaren and Vincent Baart sit down with Stephane Lecouteur, Chief Dream Officer at Mexico Land Ventures, for a candid and eye-opening conversation about what it actually takes for Canadians to buy property in Mexico — legally, safely, and confidently.

With over two decades in sales, media, radio, and digital marketing, Stephane brings a unique lens to the world of cross-border real estate. He's not an agent — he's an advocate, educator, and due diligence expert whose mission is to make sure Canadian buyers don't get burned by what they don't know.

In this episode, we cover:

• Why so many Canadians are exploring Mexico right now — retirees, investors, and remote workers alike
• The truth about safety in Mexico and how headlines distort reality
• How foreigners can legally own property in Mexico, including near coastlines and borders
• What "restricted zones" actually mean — and the fideicomiso trust structure that makes coastal ownership possible
• The most common mistakes buyers make when navigating Mexican real estate alone
• Why independent legal verification is non-negotiable — and what proper title verification actually looks like
• Red flags every buyer should watch for, and how to spot bad advice before it costs you
• Stephane's role as a buyer advocate versus a real estate agent — and why that distinction matters
• Property management, timeshare cancellations, and the legal pitfalls Canadians don't see coming
• The smartest first step for anyone who's "Mexico-curious" but hasn't pulled the trigger yet

Whether you're thinking about a retirement property, a vacation rental investment, or just exploring your options outside Canada, this episode gives you the framework to move forward with confidence — and avoid the mistakes others have already made.

https://mexicolandventures.com/

🎙️ The Victoria Real Estate Podcast is produced by the CityNest Team at RE/MAX Camosun Oak Bay in Victoria, BC.

📲 Follow us @victoriarealestatepodcast | Leave us a review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts — we read every one!

Adrian Maclaren
250-464-4122
[email protected]
@adrianrealestatevictoria

Vincent Baart
[email protected]

https://www.linkedin.com/in/vincentbaart/

Send us Fan Mail

In this episode of the Victoria Real Estate Podcast, Adrian Maclaren and Vincent Baart sit down with Adam Gant, a real estate investor and entrepreneur focused on housing finance and affordability.

With over 20 years of experience across private real estate funds and public REITs, Adam brings a unique perspective to one of the biggest challenges facing Canadians today — the cost of housing.

The conversation explores why most discussions around housing miss a critical piece: the cost of financing. Adam breaks down how the “price of money” influences what gets built, who can afford to buy, and how wealth is created (or limited) through real estate. He also makes some BOLD predictions on the future of Real Estate in Victoria. 

We also cover:

• How mortgage financing has changed since the 2008–2009 credit crisis
 • The long-term impact of COVID-era monetary policy
 • The relationship between housing, wealth concentration, and inequality
 • Why supply alone may not solve affordability
 • The role of population growth and money supply
 • Shared equity housing and alternative ownership models
 • A forward-looking outlook for BC real estate markets

This episode is ideal for anyone looking to better understand the deeper forces shaping housing in Canada — beyond the usual headlines.

Adam Gant

https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamgant/

Adrian Maclaren
250-464-4122
[email protected]
@adrianrealestatevictoria

Vincent Baart
[email protected]

https://www.linkedin.com/in/vincentbaart/