Thinking of Moving to BC? Which City Matches Your Personality?

Marci • May 12, 2015

Have you made the life-altering decision to move to British Columbia?

Are you considering relocating to Vancouver and becoming part of the great expat community ? The Northwest will not let you down. It really has something to offer everyone, set against a constant backdrop of natural beauty.

Which British Columbian city is the one for you? Here we match up personality types with cities! Enjoy!

The Athlete

Do you enjoy riding the natural endorphin high? For a sports enthusiast, the Whistler area is your best match. This Olympic co-host provides state-of-the-art skiing and snowboarding opportunities with over 200 marked trails leading you down the mountain. Blackcomb Peak, another top-notch skiing mountain, can also be found in the area.
Don’t feel the need to be at the top of the mountain at 9:00? Sleep in and take a relaxed snowshoe stroll or cozy up to the family in a horse-drawn carriage. Thus, Whistler fulfills the needs for snow athletes and their families!

The Outdoorsy Type

Surf’s up, dudes. Head to the western side of Vancouver Island if you need some time with the waves. Tofino is quite the place, it even has a taco shack. This is also an ideal area for kayakers, hikers, and cyclists alike. For energetic nature lovers, this is a must-experience or even a must-live in region.

The Golfer/ Wannabe Painter

If laidback sports are your thing, Kamloops offers great golfing prospects. Golf courses abound. There are also many opportunities to hike, mountain bike and camp if you’re up for a more challenging pastime. Furthermore, if you do decide to take on some water sports, lakes and rivers provide excellent opportunities for fishing, canoeing, kayaking, tubing, and rafting.
Kamloops also hosts many music and theatre festivals, to satisfy its large arts community.

The Student

In Victoria and Kelowna, a significant part of the population consists of students. If you are hitting the books, you’ll feel at home, and you’ll be able to find others who feel your pain when it comes to exam time. For those considering Victoria, you will enjoy the aesthetic perks of living in a historic waterfront capital with artsy areas, cosmopolitan architecture, and plenty of shopping opportunities. Those calling Kelowna home, however, may just become wine experts, being surrounded by wineries.

The Explorer of Cultures

If you dig the multicultural vibe, try Richmond, with 60% of its population being of Asian descent. Shopping and dining in the Golden Village provide some of the most authentic experiences that you will come across outside of Asia. This city is only 25 minutes from downtown Vancouver and has further international connections through Vancouver International Airport, located in Richmond.

The Tranquility-Seeker

Craving a quaint living environment with the perks of a large city? Steveston is the place for you. This seaside fishing village provides a peaceful atmosphere, historic buildings, and all the fresh seafood dining you could ever dream of.

The Beach Babe

The 180-km long Sunshine Coast provides an island-like atmosphere. With the scenery combining forests with beaches, and mountains with ocean, you could not ask more of nature. Bohemian culture is prevalent along the coast and options for outdoor activities are limitless. If you’re up for some adventure, paddle out to one of the nearby islands.

The Big Guns

As a city of over 603,000 people, living among natural beauty, Vancouver has a lot to offer. Vancouverites have the luxury of hitting the slopes in the morning and warming up on the beach in the afternoon. The environment offers many routes of escape from life, such as skiing and whale watching.

Vancouver rivals its fellow Canadian cities, Montreal and Toronto, for the honorary title of Canada’s culinary capital. It has the biggest Asian dining scene and an amazing variety of fresh seafood, including wild salmon and spot prawns.

Multiculturalism is a way of life in Vancouver. Presently, almost half of the population is bilingual. Neighborhoods at the height of the multicultural scene include Chinatown, Punjabi Market, and Little Italy. Few major cities can compete with the quality of life in Vancouver. Ranked fifth in the 2012 Mercer Quality of Living Survey, the city comfortably remained in the top ten for more than a decade. However, according to the Economist Intelligence Unit’s Cost of Living Survey 2013, Vancouver was ranked 21st on an international scale and was named the most expensive city in North America to live in. Thus, the career type may suit this city best.

With so many possibilities and places to live, it will not take long to adapt to the Canadian way of life.

This was previously published on the site Oct. 7th 2014, but it was too good to stay buried in the archives, so we brought it out to play! Also, this post was originally sourced here  with some of our own additions!

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Your Guide to Real Estate Investment in Canada

By Marci Deane • February 18, 2026
Your Guide to Real Estate Investment in Canada Real estate has long been one of the most popular ways Canadians build wealth. Whether you’re purchasing your first rental property or expanding an existing portfolio, understanding how real estate investment works in Canada—and how it’s financed—is key to making smart decisions. This guide walks through the fundamentals you need to know before getting started. Why Canadians Invest in Real Estate Real estate offers several potential benefits as an investment: Long-term appreciation of property value Rental income that can support cash flow Leverage , allowing you to invest using borrowed funds Tangible asset with intrinsic value Portfolio diversification beyond stocks and bonds When structured properly, real estate can support both income and long-term net worth growth. Types of Real Estate Investments Investors typically focus on one or more of the following: Long-term residential rentals Short-term or vacation rentals (subject to local regulations) Multi-unit residential properties Pre-construction or assignment purchases Value-add properties that require renovations Each type comes with different financing rules, risks, and return profiles. Down Payment Requirements for Investment Properties In Canada, investment properties generally require higher down payments than owner-occupied homes. Typical minimums include: 20% down payment for most rental properties Higher down payments may be required depending on: Number of units Property type Borrower profile Lender guidelines Down payment source, income stability, and credit history all play a role in approval. How Rental Income Is Used to Qualify Lenders don’t always count 100% of rental income. Depending on the lender and mortgage product, they may: Use a rental income offset , or Include a percentage of rental income toward qualification Understanding how income is treated can significantly impact borrowing power. Financing Options for Investors Investment financing can include: Conventional mortgages Insured or insurable options (in limited scenarios) Alternative or broker-only lenders Refinancing equity from existing properties Purchase plus improvements for value-add projects Access to multiple lenders is often crucial for investors as portfolios grow. Key Costs Investors Should Plan For Beyond the purchase price, investors should budget for: Property taxes Insurance Maintenance and repairs Vacancy periods Property management fees (if applicable) Legal and closing costs A realistic cash-flow analysis is essential before buying. Risk Considerations Like any investment, real estate carries risk. Key factors to consider include: Interest rate changes Market fluctuations Tenant turnover Regulatory changes Liquidity (real estate is not easily sold quickly) A strong financing structure can help manage many of these risks. The Role of a Mortgage Professional Investment mortgages are rarely “one-size-fits-all.” Lender policies vary widely, especially as you acquire more properties. Working with an independent mortgage professional allows you to: Compare multiple lender strategies Structure financing for long-term growth Preserve flexibility as your portfolio evolves Avoid costly mistakes early on Final Thoughts Real estate investment in Canada can be a powerful wealth-building tool when approached with a clear strategy and proper financing. Whether you’re exploring your first rental property or planning your next acquisition, understanding the numbers—and the lending landscape—matters. If you’d like to discuss investment property financing, run the numbers, or explore your options, feel free to connect. A well-planned mortgage strategy can make all the difference in long-term success.

Smart Steps to Get Your Home Market-Ready

By Marci Deane • February 11, 2026
Thinking About Selling Your Home? Start With These 3 Key Questions Selling your home is a major move—emotionally, financially, and logistically. Whether you're upsizing, downsizing, relocating, or just ready for a change, there are a few essential questions you should have answers to before you list that "For Sale" sign. 1. How Will I Get My Home Sale-Ready? Before your property hits the market, you’ll want to make sure it puts its best foot forward. That starts with understanding its current market value—and ends with a plan to maximize its appeal. A real estate professional can walk you through what similar homes in your area have sold for and help tailor a prep plan that aligns with current market conditions. Here are some things you might want to consider: Decluttering and removing personal items Minor touch-ups or repairs Fresh paint inside (and maybe outside too) Updated lighting or fixtures Professional staging Landscaping or exterior cleanup High-quality photos and possibly a virtual tour These aren’t must-dos, but smart investments here can often translate to a higher sale price and faster sale. 2. What Will It Actually Cost to Sell? It’s easy to look at the selling price and subtract your mortgage balance—but the real math is more nuanced. Here's a breakdown of the typical costs involved in selling a home: Real estate agent commissions (plus GST/HST) Legal fees Mortgage discharge fees (and possibly a penalty) Utility and property tax adjustments Moving expenses and/or storage costs That mortgage penalty can be especially tricky—it can sometimes be thousands of dollars, depending on your lender and how much time is left in your term. Not sure what it might cost you? I can help you estimate it. 3. What’s My Plan After the Sale? Knowing your next step is just as important as selling your current home. If you're buying again, don’t assume you’ll automatically qualify for a new mortgage just because you’ve had one before. Lending rules change, and so might your financial situation. Before you sell, talk to a mortgage professional to find out what you’re pre-approved for and what options are available. If you're planning to rent or relocate temporarily, think about timelines, storage, and transition costs. Clarity and preparation go a long way. The best way to reduce stress and make confident decisions is to work with professionals you trust—and ask all the questions you need. If you’re thinking about selling and want help mapping out your next steps, I’d be happy to chat anytime. Let’s make a smart plan, together.

Mortgages Aren’t One-Size-Fits-All

By Marci Deane • February 4, 2026
Why the Cheapest Mortgage Isn’t Always the Smartest Move Some things are fine to buy on the cheap. Generic cereal? Sure. Basic airline seat? No problem. A car with roll-down windows? If it gets you where you're going, great. But when it comes to choosing a mortgage? That’s not the time to cut corners. A “no-frills” mortgage might sound appealing with its rock-bottom interest rate, but what’s stripped away to get you that rate can end up costing you far more in the long run. These mortgages often come with severe limitations—restrictions that could hit your wallet hard if life throws you a curveball. Let’s break it down. A typical no-frills mortgage might offer a slightly lower interest rate—maybe 0.10% to 0.20% less. That could save you a few hundred dollars over a few years. But that small upfront saving comes at the cost of flexibility: Breaking your mortgage early? Expect a massive penalty. Want to make extra payments? Often not allowed—or severely restricted. Need to move and take your mortgage with you? Not likely. Thinking about refinancing? Good luck doing that without a financial hit. Most people don’t plan on breaking their mortgage early—but roughly two-thirds of Canadians do, often due to job changes, separations, relocations, or expanding families. That’s why flexibility matters. So why do lenders even offer no-frills mortgages? Because they know the stats. And they know many borrowers chase the lowest rate without asking what’s behind it. Some banks count on that. Their job is to maximize profits. Ours? To help you make an informed, strategic choice. As independent mortgage professionals, we work for you—not a single lender. That means we can compare multiple products from various financial institutions to find the one that actually suits your goals and protects your long-term financial health. Bottom line: Don’t let a shiny low rate distract you from what really matters. A mortgage should fit your life—not the other way around. Have questions? Want to look at your options? I’d be happy to help. Let’s chat.