Ask William · Greater Vancouver real estate

The 100 real estate questions buyers, sellers and investors ask most.

This is William Lew’s growing answer library: direct, locally grounded guidance built from the questions clients ask before they buy, sell, invest, finance or choose a Greater Vancouver community.

By William Lew · Published November 3, 2026

01

Built for decisions—not traffic for traffic’s sake

Each article begins with a direct answer, then explains the local context, evidence, risks and questions that still need property-specific advice. Time-sensitive claims are checked against current primary sources before publication.

  • South Delta first where the question allows local treatment
  • Vancouver and Richmond context where relevant
  • Official sources and visible publication dates
  • One clear next step: search properties or book a strategy conversation
02

Specialized opportunities belong in the library

The roadmap includes presales, court-ordered sales, leaseholds, co-ops, float homes and municipal tax sales because these opportunities require clearer explanations than a standard listing portal provides.

The 100-question authority project

One useful answer. One clear next step. Every weekday.

William’s question bank is built around real buyer, seller, strata, financing, tax, investor and community decisions—not generic market filler.

100
priority questions
4
answers linked here
9
decision areas

Published answers

Start with the questions already answered.

Every answer includes local context, sources and a practical route to the next decision.

Coverage map

The questions Greater Vancouver clients ask before they move.

New answers are added to this library as they are researched, verified and published.

19 questions

Buying

  • Should I buy a home now or wait in Greater Vancouver?
  • How much home can I realistically afford in Greater Vancouver?
  • How much below asking price should I offer in a buyer's market?
19 questions

Selling

  • How do I know what my Greater Vancouver home is worth?
  • Should I sell first or buy first in Greater Vancouver?
  • How long should I test a listing price before adjusting it?
15 questions

Strata

  • What is a Form B and why does it matter to a BC condo buyer?
  • How many years of strata minutes should a buyer review?
  • How can I tell whether a strata has enough money in its contingency fund?
9 questions

Financing

  • How does the mortgage stress test affect what I can buy?
  • When is mortgage default insurance required in Canada?
  • Does a 30-year amortization make buying more affordable?
8 questions

Tax

  • How do municipal property tax sales work in British Columbia?
  • How is BC property transfer tax calculated?
  • Who qualifies for the BC first-time home buyer property transfer tax exemption?
10 questions

Investing

  • What is a good cap rate for a Greater Vancouver rental property?
  • How do I calculate the true cash flow on a rental property?
  • Should I hold a rental property personally or in a corporation?
10 questions

Local

  • Is Tsawwassen a good place to live?
  • What is the difference between living in Tsawwassen and Ladner?
  • Is Vancouver's River District a good place to buy a condo?
8 questions

Process

  • What should a buyer check during the final walk-through?
  • What does a lawyer or notary verify before a BC home purchase completes?
  • What happens between subject removal and completion day?
2 questions

Relocation

  • How do I buy in Greater Vancouver before moving to British Columbia?
  • How can I compare Greater Vancouver communities during a short relocation visit?
Next high-intent answers:

How much home can I realistically afford in Greater Vancouver? · What should I know before buying a court-ordered sale in BC? · How is buying a leasehold property different from freehold? · What should I know before buying a float home in British Columbia? · How is buying a housing co-op different from buying a strata condo? · What should I verify before buying a presale condo in BC?

A focused first conversation

Bring the decision. Leave with a plan.

Discuss the property, timing and evidence that matter before choosing your next move.