I wonder if this Corona virus is pushing more Mainland Chinese over, even with the 30% spec tax. You can't take it with you and as I understand it, it's still cheaper than a city like Shanghai or Beijing.

LOL pre-action system for residential common areas? thats some dumb shit

I'm sure at least some of us have come across this news to the mortgage stress test rule change:

https://vancouversun.com/real-estate...1-ccda3fb910d4

TL;DR version:
- the current "floor" rate (ie. current benchmark rate) used in the mortgage stress test will be lowered, effective April 6

My personal feeling is, a revision to lower the floor rate is not the right thing to do. I understand that the current setup is making it significantly difficult for a lot of people to obtain mortgage, but I also think the mortgage difficulties is precisely one of the major reasons to keep prices from rising, and IMO, current housing prices are still not low enough for your average middle class family to purchase a good home. The moment you take that away, and market is going to start trending up again, and affordability is gonna once again go out the window.
FailFish

I wonder how much more you can qualify for now that the benchmark is lowered.

Guess we’ll find out what happens on April 6

For those of you that have purchased an older home/townhome, what were the major things that you looked out for?

We’ve been looking at a bunch of townhome properties that were built in the early 2000s, so we’re looking at properties that are anywhere from 15-20 years old.

Early 2000’s you may still be looking at envelope issues

Also that time frame would be getting towards the end of a few different lifespans in the hot water heaters, roof potentially, appliances

Also Make sure it wasn’t Poly B piping used for the plumbing

As is the case with any strata properties, there is a lot you cannot control as far as maintenance is concerned. I'd request or the strata as well as AGM minutes to get an idea of what kind of maintenance issues the whole complex has been dealing with.

And I know you are not wrong when you said "older homes / townhomes", and then mention it is 15 - 20 years old stuff you're looking at. But holy... my mind totally did not tune into that 15 - 20 years time frame when you said "older homes" LOL~

I’ve also looked at properties that are in the 30+ year range because townhomes from that era had way bigger square footage, but significant other doesn’t want to go that old because of potential issues

Imo you may run into fewer issues with a solid 30 year old TH than one 15-20. May not have the external appearance but the bones could be more solid and def more square footage for similar money

I wouldn't rule out older units, purely based on age. You have to check out each place, individually. My current TH is 29yo and is well built. The only changes I've made are purely for esthetics and practicality.

Being overbid by 40-90k on a 450k dump

+1 the apartment my parents live in is built in 2008 and overall is better than some buildings built in the last 5 years. Also depends on how much maintenance the strata have done. I also feel the appliance inside my parents place is much better than mine they haven't replace them expect the washer/dryer. I feel like even though my appliance looks nicer it won't last as long.

If anyone is looking for a TH in the tricities and doesn't have kids, I'd suggest checking this out.

https://www.rew.ca/properties/254576...hy&sort=latest

Any accountants on here?

Last year I was demovicted and part of the process is being paid out by the new developer:

• 4 months rent towards the new place
• $500 for moving expenses
• $1000 for moving out early

Do I have to claim this money as income? I've never been in a situation like this so I'm not even sure.

Honda already pointed out some common things that may happen in/around this time frame but critical regardless of age anyway to look over strata minutes. Likely there may have been mentioned of issues or potential issues to come.

Older townhomes are probably better built (plywood vs OSB, better finishing) and will likely have forced air heating which will cut down on your heating costs significantly over the long term.

The biggest issue with older townhomes is their layouts. Most modern homes have higher ceilings and 'great rooms' with kitchens and living spaces that blend into a single room.

Our townhouse was built in 2000 and IMHO, it's a good mix between old and new. The developer who built our complex won Georgie Awards in the early 2000s for bringing smaller, open-concept townhouses the Lower Mainland. Townhomes from this era are still likely to have natural gas heating which will cut down on your operating costs significantly over the long-term. Also, you will likely have larger windows because modern design tries to minimize heat loss. You may have a few extra closets - for example, a linen closet. Our subfloors still have plywood. The drywall for the most part is straight. You will also see small details that required extra work - an extra bit of drywall, etc. - that you don't see in modern homes because they all add cost.

Rain screening was made part of the code in 2001/2002, so if you're looking for a townhome older than that, you'll want to pay close attention to the design aspects of the complex - sufficient overhangs, siding type, etc. Also, roofs and windows will need replacement soon for this age of home - you'll want to make sure the strata has a replacement plan for those big ticket items.

The "galley kitchen" is a dealbreaker.
Meals are the centre of the modern gathering. If you can't afford a private chef, you basically are uninvited from your own party in such design.
Not speaking from TH experience here, but in our 640 sq/ft condo, I feel like there is more usable room than condos built 30 years ago that have even 800sq/ft

The TH we bought is from 1997. Only thing for concern was the poly B plumbing. Just don’t screw with it!

Problem is, even vibration can open the fittings up

My former boss has a huge house out on farm land in Fort Langley and 3 separate fittings burst at different times, all were udistubred burried in ceilings and walls

Eventually he just paid his contractors to cut open everything and replace as much as they could reach.

That's where some creativity and reno's come in. I don't know what it's like doing stuff like taking out walls in a townhouse but if you can get a better built place with a crappy (but workable) layout for a lot cheaper then even after the reno cost you might come out ahead and get exactly what you want brand new.

The kitchen in our place that was built in the 80's sucked. A piddly amount of counter space, a bunch of room taken up by the spot for the kitchen table, and totally closed off from the dining room and living room aside from two pocket doors. We knocked out the wall to the living/dining room, built an island, and put cabinets where the kitchen table used to live (why the hell did everyone want two tables before?). We DIY'd everything but the countertops and I think it cost about $20k including 600sqft of flooring? If you paid someone to do it and picked nicer stuff than we did say $50k to do the same. So if you can get an older place with a gloomy kitchen for more than $50k less than a newer place with an open layout you're golden.

+1

I'll always take a place with good bones over something move-in ready - given they're priced accordingly. There's no guarantee the workmanship is any good and they're designed to appeal to the masses.

Unless it's a short term investment/rental.

Sadly, the reality versus expecation situation right now is tough. The two girls I dated, wanted luxurious place with amazing kitchen etc. I on the other hand, live within my means. I pick reality of an older building but reno the fuck the inside to make it modern. I don't really give a crap about the nice carpets + marble lobby of hte entrance on the newer apartments.

1000sq ft older 2 bedroom apartment versus nowadays 600 sq ft for the smae price.

I'm so so glad I dumped my last 2 gf; their wish / wants and needs didn't match up. Best of luck to their new bf / future husband.

Any websites or apps that provide alerts/updates on presale homes (townhomes/lowrise condos)? We are hoping to find a new place in the next 2-3 years and want to start to actively browse around presale options. So far I've been using REW.ca

I'd suggest finding a realtor that you want to work with and talk to them.

But if you are 2-3 years out, then they might not give you as much attention as you would like.