Emily Vu, Personal Real Estate Corporation

A Guide for Families Buying a Home Near Schools in Burnaby, Coquitlam & Metro Vancouver

Every year, as summer comes to an end, the real estate market in Metro Vancouver experiences a familiar trend. Many families are eager to complete their home purchase and move before September.

This isn't just about finding a new house—it's about giving children the best possible start to a new school year.

Starting the School Year Without Extra Stress

Moving can already be a big adjustment for adults. For children,...

Market Slows After June's Momentum

The Metro Vancouver real estate market cooled in July 2026 after showing signs of recovery in June. Residential home sales declined 9.8% compared to the same month last year, while apartment sales recorded the largest drop.

New listings also decreased by 11.5%, reflecting a more cautious approach from sellers. Despite this, active inventory remains approximately 27% above the 10-year seasonal average, giving buyers more options than in recent years.

The benchmark price...

It's one of the most frequently asked questions among real estate investors, and the answer isn't as simple as many people think.

A condo can offer lower maintenance, easier rental management, and access to desirable urban locations. A house may provide more land value, greater flexibility, and long-term appreciation potential depending on the neighbourhood and market conditions.

Instead of focusing only on the property type, investors should consider:

• Investment goals

• Budget

• Rental strategy

• Holding period...

Many homebuyers believe they need to see as many properties as possible before making a decision.

However, viewing too many homes can actually make the process more difficult. After dozens of showings, buyers often struggle to remember which property had the better layout, natural light, neighbourhood, or overall value.

A more effective approach is to narrow your search before scheduling showings.

Start by defining:

• Your budget.

• The neighbourhoods you're most interested in.

• The features you truly need....

The Broadway Subway Project has reached an exciting milestone as SkyTrain testing officially begins, bringing the project one step closer to its planned public opening in Fall 2027. 

The new Millennium Line extension will connect VCC–Clark Station to Arbutus Street, improving transit access through one of Vancouver's busiest corridors. Once completed, it is expected to reduce travel times, improve connectivity to major employment and education centres, and support future growth across Metro Vancouver....

Khi nhắc đến việc bán nhà, nhiều người thường nghĩ mùa xuân là thời điểm lý tưởng nhất. Tuy nhiên, thực tế cho thấy mùa hè cũng mang đến rất nhiều lợi thế cho người bán, đặc biệt tại Metro Vancouver.

Một trong những ưu điểm lớn nhất của mùa hè là ánh sáng tự nhiên. Những ngày nắng dài giúp không gian trong nhà trở nên sáng sủa, rộng rãi và ấm cúng hơn. Nếu ngôi nhà có sân vườn, ban công hoặc khu vực ngoài trời, đây cũng là thời điểm đẹp nhất để tạo ấn tượng với người mua.

Ngoài ra, nhiều gia đình thường...

When people think about selling a home, spring is often considered the busiest season in the real estate market. However, many homeowners overlook one important fact: summer can be an excellent time to sell a home in Metro Vancouver.

With longer daylight hours, beautiful weather, and active buyers still searching for the right property, summer offers several advantages that can help your home stand out.

One of the biggest benefits is natural light. Bright, sun-filled spaces make a home feel larger,...

JUNE 2026

The Metro Vancouver real estate market continued to show encouraging signs in June 2026, with 2,390 homes sold, representing a 9.6% increase compared to June 2025. While buyer activity is gradually improving, inventory remains relatively high, giving buyers more choices and stronger negotiating power than we've seen in recent years.

For home buyers, today's market presents an opportunity to compare more properties, negotiate better terms, and take the time to find a home that truly fits their...

When most people schedule a home showing, they hope for blue skies and sunshine. Surprisingly, experienced real estate professionals often see rainy days as the best opportunity to evaluate a property.

A sunny day can make almost any home look inviting, but a rainy day reveals how a home truly performs. It gives buyers the chance to identify potential issues that may not be visible in perfect weather.

During a rainy-day showing, pay close attention to the roof, gutters, and drainage around the property....

At first glance, two homes may look almost identical, with similar square footage, the same number of bedrooms, and comparable finishes. Yet one may sell for significantly more than the other. That's because buyers aren't just paying for the home—they're investing in the location, lifestyle, and long-term value it offers. Factors such as the home's position within the neighbourhood, school catchments, proximity to transit and amenities, natural light, layout, renovation quality, and current market...

Burnaby has become one of the most strategically positioned real estate markets in Metro Vancouver in 2026. Buyers frequently search:

Is Burnaby a good place to buy property?
Is Burnaby better than Vancouver?
Should I buy in Burnaby or Coquitlam?

The answer depends on your goals, but here’s why Burnaby stands out.

1. Strategic Location in Metro Vancouver

Burnaby sits directly between Vancouver and the Tri-Cities. With multiple SkyTrain lines, it offers excellent transit connectivity without full Vancouver...

A Balanced Market Heading Into Summer

The Metro Vancouver real estate market in May 2026 reflects a calm and balanced environment. While total home sales declined 3.5% year-over-year, price movements remain relatively flat month-over-month, suggesting stability rather than volatility.

The Sales-to-Active Listings ratio sits at 13.1%, positioning the market in neutral territory. Historically, sustained downward pressure on prices occurs below 12%, while strong upward pressure typically requires levels...

Wondering if you should buy a home now or wait for prices to drop in Greater Vancouver? While it is tempting to try and time the market perfectly, waiting on the sidelines can often cost you the perfect property.

As a local Burnaby Realtor, my advice is simple: Don’t wait to buy real estate. Buy real estate and wait.

Here is why the current Greater Vancouver buyer's market is your best window of opportunity.

3 Reasons to Buy in Today’s Market

1. Stronger Negotiating Power

The days of frantic bidding wars...

Many homebuyers assume that lower mortgage rates automatically create better buying opportunities. However, in markets like Metro Vancouver, interest rate reductions often stimulate demand quickly. When rates drop to 3%, buyer confidence typically rises, competition intensifies, and multiple-offer situations return. This can push home prices upward and reduce negotiation leverage. 

Conversely, a 4% rate environment with lower competition may offer stronger negotiating power and more favorable...

📊 Metro Vancouver – April 2026: Detached đang “ấm lên”, còn multi-family vẫn chậm

Tháng 4/2026, tổng giao dịch gần như đi ngang so với năm ngoái (-2.5%), nhưng bên trong thị trường đang có một câu chuyện thú vị hơn.

🏡 Detached đang tăng tốc.
Sales tăng 14% so với cùng kỳ năm trước, dù giá vẫn thấp hơn khoảng 8% so với năm ngoái.
Hiểu đơn giản: người mua nhà đất bắt đầu quay lại, dù giá chưa bật mạnh.

🏢 Apartment & Townhouse vẫn chậm hơn.
Sales giảm nhẹ và giá tiếp tục điều chỉnh nhẹ month-over-month....

The Bank of Canada has maintained its overnight rate at 2.25%, signaling a cautious approach amid global geopolitical tensions, oil price volatility, and rising bond yields. While inflation risks remain, policymakers appear focused on stability rather than aggressive adjustments.

For the Metro Vancouver real estate market, this decision creates a unique dynamic. With no immediate rate cut, buyer demand remains measured. However, the absence of rate hikes also reduces the risk of forced selling or sharp...

In 2026, the Metro Vancouver real estate market is no longer overheated, but it is far from collapsing. Buyer behavior has shifted into three distinct categories. The Waiter delays action, expecting lower rates or a market correction. The Calculator evaluates numbers carefully and moves when financial logic aligns. The Strategic Mover understands market cycles and sees slower conditions as an opportunity for stronger negotiation leverage. Historically, housing opportunities tend to appear when competition...

In 2026, global economic headlines often feel alarming — geopolitical conflict, oil price volatility, rising bond yields, and pressure on mortgage rates dominate the news cycle. Naturally, this creates hesitation among buyers and sellers. However, real estate markets, especially in Metro Vancouver, do not move purely based on global fear. They move based on local supply and demand fundamentals. Inventory levels, sales-to-active ratios, borrowing capacity, and regional buyer sentiment are the true...

In today’s Metro Vancouver market, pricing strategy matters more than ever. While many sellers believe their home isn’t selling because of market conditions, the reality is often more psychological than structural. Emotional pricing decisions can quietly reduce negotiating power and extend days on market.

1️⃣ “My home is better than the one next door.”

Pride in your home is natural. You may have renovated the kitchen, upgraded flooring, or maintained the property meticulously. However, buyers don’t...

In a slower market, many homeowners choose to wait. However, for move-up buyers in Metro Vancouver, a slower cycle can create what we call an “upgrade window.” When both townhouses and detached homes adjust in price, the absolute dollar difference between selling and buying may narrow. This means upgrading could require less additional capital than during a hot market. Rather than focusing only on whether prices are up or down, strategic buyers analyze the price gap between their current home and...