VREP #492 | The Cowichan Decision Explained: What It Means for Metro Vancouver Homeowners with Sam Adkins

The Cowichan Decision has rocked Metro Vancouver — but what does it really mean for homeowners, real estate investors, and property ownership in Metro Vancouver and the province? Vancouver lawyer Sam Adkins joins Matt & Adam to unpack the landmark ruling that recognized Aboriginal title on private land in Richmond, a first in Canadian history! Could this ruling challenge the very foundation of private property ownership in B.C.? What happens to mortgage renewals and home sales inside claim areas? Will this spark a wave of new title claims across the province and country? Sam explains the case, the players, and what happens next as this decision heads to appeal. From the constitutional roots of Aboriginal title to the practical realities for everyday property owners, this conversation cuts through the noise to reveal what’s at stake for the future of land in B.C. A must listen for anyone who owns, plans to own, lends on, or develops land in British Columbia.

With only six weeks left before the market shuts down for the holidays, Metro Vancouver sellers face a critical decision - list now or wait until spring? Adam & Matt tackle the tough fall reality this week, where active listings sit 36% above the ten-year average, sales are down 20% & “shadow” inventory adds thousands more properties to your competition. From pricing strategies that work in a 10% sales ratio environment to understanding why patience isn't your friend anymore, this episode delivers the course correction sellers need right now. Should you push through the fall or wait for spring when inventory pressures could be even worse? How do you stand out when buyers have endless choices? And with sales ratios hovering around 10%, what does it actually take to be the one property that sells? Tune in for the strategies that work when kicking the can down the road is no longer an option.

Politicians keep touting housing supply numbers as progress, but if you're hoping to ever own rather than rent you should be very nervous about our so-called success—fully half of Vancouver's new "supply" is purpose-built rentals, not homes you can buy. Mortgage expert and author Dustan Woodhouse sits down with Adam & Matt to expose how this unreported shift fundamentally changed the market while everyone's been looking the other way. From the shocking reality that only 20% of mortgage applicants would qualify today versus 57% a decade ago, to why developers get 50-year amortizations while first-time buyers are locked out, this conversation reveals what's really happening beyond the misleading headlines. What happens when an entire generation becomes lifetime renters? Could a 50-year amortization actually solve the housing crisis? And with the Bank of Canada using "uncertainty" 79 times in their latest report, what should buyers and sellers do right now? Don't miss this reality check on Vancouver's housing future.

Vancouver's largest intergenerational wealth transfer is underway and most families are completely unprepared. Founding Partner of Bell Alliance Richard Bell sits down with Adam & Matt this week to reveal how property owners can avoid costly estate planning mistakes that drain thousands from their families. From the shocking reality of dying without a will to joint tenancy strategies that bypass probate fees, this conversation tackles the complications when property owners die without proper planning. Richard breaks down wills, powers of attorney, and capital gains implications for BC homeowners while sharing practical solutions for vacation properties, investment assets, and second marriages. When should you add your kids to title? How do you structure inheritance to protect your children's future? And why is simplifying your estate the key to protecting your family? Don't miss this one!

The housing debate deepens as opposing voices tackle the thorniest questions in Vancouver's affordability crisis. In part two, UBC lecturer Erick Villagomez and Wesgroup CEO Beau Jarvis continue the dialogue with Adam & Matt, diving into Canada's $2 trillion capital shortage, foreign investment overcorrections, and whether investors are destroying or saving the city. The clash intensifies over speculation policies and Beau's explosive claim that strip malls next to SkyTrain stations are now worth more than their development potential. Where did we go wrong? Both examine alternative housing models and question where public money actually goes while confronting aging rental stock facing impossible economics. Can Vancouver's housing system function when the numbers don't work for anyone? Are real estate investors providing a service or destroying our city? And what happens when filtering theory meets displacement reality? Don't miss the conclusion of this revealing two-part conversation.

Sparks fly when two opposing voices in Vancouver's housing crisis clash over the housing fundamentals this week: how did we get here? Who’s to blame? And what needs to happen to bring Vancouver out of its affordability emergency? UBC’s Erick Villagomez and Wesgroup’s Beau Jarvis sit down with Adam & Matt to debate everything from the deep mistrust in the housing conversation to the need for foreign investment to the role of government involvement in building housing moving forward. Can’t we all just get along? And, in fact. unexpected moments do emerge where both sides find points of agreement and shared frustration. Can these opposing perspectives find any common ground when examining Canada's $2 trillion capital shortage? What happens when academic theory meets real-world development economics? And why might collaboration be more possible than Vancouver's polarized housing debate suggests? Don't miss this revealing confrontation that exposes where the real battle lines are drawn.

After months of project cancellations and market uncertainty, Vancouver home builders are finally starting to see a path through the current downturn. Edgar Development President Matthew McClenaghan sits down this week with Adam & Matt to talk current market conditions & outline the path forward for Vancouver's real estate comeback. From replacing boom or bust market cycles to pivoting toward end-user buyers, McClenaghan details how the industry is adapting to survive today's challenges to emerge stronger tomorrow. And that turnaround may come quicker than many think. What subtle market signals does McClenaghan see that suggest recovery may arrive sooner than most expect? What's behind the recent uptick in buyer activity after months of hesitation? And why does this eternal optimist believe the next few years will favor those who act now? Don't miss this one!  

With a tsunami of mortgage renewals hitting this fall and wild swings in rate predictions, borrowers are scrambling to navigate unprecedented volatility in the mortgage market. Mortgage broker Kyle Green sits down with Adam & Matt this week to decode the chaos as his team sees a 50% spike in inquiries while Bank of Canada rate cut odds swing from 15% to 90% in a single week. From the Trump tariff impact that flipped variable versus fixed strategies to banks pushing aggressive year-end specials before October deadlines, this conversation cuts through the noise to reveal what actually drives your mortgage rate and when timing might save you serious money. Will September finally bring the rate relief borrowers are banking on? What's behind the disconnect between falling rates and flat market activity? And when the spread between three-year and five-year terms is only 20 basis points, how do you calculate which option actually saves you money over time? Don't miss this essential fall mortgage guide!   

Fall 2025 represents a critical inflection point for Vancouver real estate after a brutal first half of the year marked by tariff uncertainty and sluggish sales. This week, British Columbia Real Estate Association Chief Economist Brendon Ogmundson sits down with Adam & Matt to unpack whether now is the time we climb out of what he calls "the pit of despair" to return to normal activity levels. From analyzing why Metro Vancouver lags behind rebounding markets like Toronto to exploring the complex relationship between potential Bank of Canada rate cuts and sticky bond yields, this conversation examines the forces shaping the critical fall selling season. What role will the 20,000 units of total inventory play in shaping prices over the coming months? Why isn't fading economic uncertainty translating to increased sales volumes like in other regions around the country? And will September rate cuts provide the stimulus needed or is Vancouver's recovery getting pushed into 2026? Don't miss this essential market outlook for fall 2025!

As summer winds down and inventory has crested, the Scalena brothers believe the second half of 2025 could provide an historic buying opportunity in Vancouver. Adam and Matt sit down this week to share 8 strategic buyer tips for capitalizing on current market conditions this fall. From using market history to identify undervalued areas to targeting stale listings and poorly marketed properties, this tactical episode cuts through the noise with actionable strategies. The brothers discuss leveraging new construction standing inventory, negotiating on multiple points beyond price, and how using hot market strategies in soft markets can save buyers substantial money. Will the post-Labour Day market bring the activity shift everyone's anticipating? How can buyers find and capitalize on seller motivation? And why should you learn to love properties with no photos? Don't miss this strategy-packed episode for fall 2025 buyers!