That's what I've assumed a bit, but I also think it's just been a "well this company charges this much so we can too" sort of spiral.

I think you just described housing increases here as well...

I recall a while back there was a report that found BC strata fees on average lowest vs the rest of Canada. Some fees in Toronto were double what they are here for comparables properties. The major difference being a lot of buildings' contingency funds are underfunded here, even the 'good' ones, vs. everywhere else. I think that was the gist of it anyways

Our Calgary office is working a 4 day work week because it's so slow. On the flip side in the lower mainland this is the busiest we've been since the Olympics, I'd actually say it's even busier then it was during that boom. I almost get calls daily of people begging me to price shit that's starting right away and I have to tell them no we're at capacity, i can't take your work because I can't man it or I'll put a price so high there is no way they'll accept it. I'm really only pricing things that start in 2017 or later because the rest of this year for us is a shit show.

My new condo has concierge service. I have a hard time justifying paying someone who sits sits there and say hello. Is it worth it?

Yeah but you can't resell your condo fees.

It really depends from person to person. The conciergeS in my building are pretty good, but I'm not sure they're worth the entire amount we're paying. That said, every issue I've brought up with them has been resolved promptly. Maybe when that stops then I'll change my tune.

Concierge is nice assuming they have a clearly defined list of things to do rather than sitting there all day, like patrolling (not so much for security, but for nuisance), receiving mails (never have to go post depot to pick up), and some of the building I've been to even let AirBnB guest in (if running AirBnB is allowed/in mind)... etc

It has 24hr concierge and they do a great job following strata bylaws. My friend never needs to be home to deal with things like delivery, service installation/check-up and more. For some, that level of comfort is worth the few extra bucks a month.

No, I meant that people are taking a sale price for a comparable and then increasing it by $100k the next week. I've seen it happen on my street.

https://www.zolo.ca/vancouver-real-estate/trends

So according to these "statistics", prices are coming down over what is typically the most expensive time of year to buy.

I have my doubts about data collection and analysis.. but hey... keep an eye on it I suppose.

open house we went to yesterday in east van on a slightly larger than normal Vancouver special lot, 2800 sq ft house, tastefully redone interior of a 80 year old house was listed at 1.8 with "tonnes of interest" according to the realtor

will see if it sells

This man has a job but no home.

Homeless man living in Topaz Park has a job, can't find a home

What industry do you work in may I ask?

Goddard is a journeyman carpenter, who was laid off from his job in Fort McMurray two years ago

“I’ve got myself into a hole that’s pretty deep to get out of, it’s tough to get out of,” he said.

He finds work here when he can, but can’t find a place to live in Victoria.

That sounds to me is doesn't have a job now and doesn't seem he have hold a steady job for the past 2 years.

People in those types of situations get in over their heads so quick they don't know what to do then try and get compassion from some sob story.

Honestly if you're not a drug addict and willing to work, you might have to start back at square one if that's what it takes. And if that means moving back in with your parents when you're 40, renting a "room" in abotsford for a place to live, not having a car and taking transit etc. you may have to make every sacrifice you can to get back on your feet.

I know a few people I grew up with, have basically zero skills, don't work a full-time job, and have zero in terms of investments and savings yet post their Instagram selfies from kits renting an apartment with 4 other losers. If you want to get ahead you need to reevaluate your situation and make the proper adjustments. Instead of living in kits and hanging out on patios, you should probably be in some basement suite in cloverdale, staying in and building a financial buffer.

But what are ya gonna do, people turn 40 and realize they're fucked.

Don't need to turn 40. Some people in their 30's are already fucked

they're not fucked, they just have different values!

#livelaughlove #wanderlust

goes back to OP of the thread...all about experiences!

Mainly Commercial Construction, specifically Steel Stud, Drywall & Acoustic Ceilings. We mostly do Hospitals, Hotels, Schools, Airports, Police Stations, Malls and Residential/Office Towers and Structural Steel Panel Jobs that would includes erecting complete structures, joists and everything.

Very true, especially at graveyard hours..
:rukidding:

How a 30-something couple got rich and retired by not joining home ownership 'cult' - Business - CBC News

Speaking of #wanderlust and #yolo, how about this couple? Sounds like a pretty typical 30-something CBC couple:

- good jobs out of school
- probably lived at home while in school and may have had tuition paid for by their parents
- parents pressured them to buy a house because that is the thing Chinese people do
- amassed 500K in cash (not hard to do if they were both making 6-figures and pretty typical for stay-at-home CBCs who didn't throw away their money on booze, expensive restaurants, and European cars.

Thoughts? If they plan to stay DINKs for life, they can probably get the travel out of their system system by age 45 and buy a small house outside of a major city to settle down and live off their investments and whatever consulting income they can generate.

I really don't think a million is a enough to retire on.

It kind of reminds me of this thread on BCsportbikes which is a great read if you ever have some time even if you aren't into bikes. There 4 years into it, they've been around the world and some of the photo's are pretty good. It would make a hell of a coffee table book.

http://www.bcsportbikes.com/forum/sh...me-gone-riding

Not if you are blowing all that 1M. They are living off income from dividends payout which is a legit strategy that is nothing new. Backpack travelling doesn't cost a lot of money. Article shows you the power of mastering personal finance which not a lot of people willing to learn. They'd rather be slaved to the bank. On average, out of 50 people I talk to, maybe less than a handful have any kind of savings and decent investment.

Cut out the things you don't need and replace them with things you want that don't cost you your health.

A friend of mine used to smoke a pack a day. He cut the habit and at the end of a year, he didn't lose $4500. Instead he used that money for travelling.