James Hsiao - Realtor

09/10/2026

Home sales registered on the MLS® in Metro Vancouver declined 4.6 per cent compared to August last year, marking the end of a summer season that underperformed the summer of 2025.

Read our August 2026 MLS® Market Report to learn more: https://www.gvrealtors.ca/news/home-s...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OQ9jh6c1o_Y

Home sales registered on the MLS® in Metro Vancouver declined 4.6 p...

09/09/2026

🏠 Metro Vancouver Real Estate Market Update | August 2026

The summer market wrapped up on a softer note, with sales, prices, and buyer activity continuing to remain below historical averages.

📊 Key Market Highlights

• 1,869 homes sold in August — ↓ 4.6% from August 2025 and 20.7% below the 10-year seasonal average.

• 4,100 new listings came onto the market — ↓ 3.0% year-over-year.

• 15,798 homes currently for sale — ↓ 2.7% from last year, but still 26.2% above the 10-year average.

• Sales-to-active listings ratio: 12.3% — indicating a relatively balanced-to-soft market, with continued downward pressure on prices.

🏷️ Benchmark Prices

🏡 Detached: $1,799,400
↓ 7.2% year-over-year | ↓ 1.3% from July

🏘️ Townhouse: $1,028,800
↓ 4.4% year-over-year | ↓ 0.2% from July

🏢 Apartment: $686,200
↓ 6.6% year-over-year | ↓ 0.3% from July

📉 Overall Metro Vancouver benchmark: $1,081,900
↓ 5.6% year-over-year | ↓ 0.6% from July

🔎 What Does This Mean?

The market continues to favor buyers, with plenty of selection and prices below last year’s levels. However, many buyers remain on the sidelines despite stable mortgage rates.

According to GVR, some of the key factors contributing to the softer market include:

• Slower immigration
• Reduced investor demand
• Mortgage rates that remain too high to encourage strong buying activity
• Ongoing economic uncertainty and trade tensions

My Take:
The market is presenting opportunities for buyers who are financially prepared and willing to negotiate. For sellers, pricing correctly from the beginning is more important than ever.

If you're thinking about buying, selling, or investing in Metro Vancouver, I'd be happy to provide a personalized market analysis for your neighbourhood.

source: gvrealtors.ca

09/08/2026

🏡 PROPERTY TIP TUESDAY

Buying in a Buyer-Friendly Market:
More Choice. More Negotiating Power. More Opportunity.

A buyer-friendly market can create opportunities—but not every property is automatically a good deal.

With more choices and less competition, the key is to slow down, do your homework, and negotiate strategically.

Here are 5 things buyers should keep in mind:

1️⃣ More Homes to Choose From
More inventory gives you opportunities to compare properties, neighbourhoods, and property types.
✅ Don’t rush just because you found a home you like.

2️⃣ You May Have More Negotiating Power
You may be able to negotiate more than just the purchase price.
✅ Consider the completion date, possession date, included items, repairs, or credits.

3️⃣ Don’t Focus Only on Price
The lowest price doesn’t always mean the best value.
✅ Look at condition, future maintenance costs, strata fees and finances, location, and resale potential.

4️⃣ Take Your Time
A buyer-friendly market can give you something valuable: time.
✅ Compare properties, review documents, complete due diligence, and think about your long-term plans.

5️⃣ Be Ready When the Right Home Appears
A buyer-friendly market doesn’t mean every property is a bargain.
✅ Have a clear budget, mortgage pre-approval, defined priorities, comparable sales, and the right professionals in place.

💡 Final Thought
A buyer-friendly market doesn’t mean “buy anything because prices are lower.”
It means you may have more time, more choices, and more negotiating power.

The goal is to find the right property at the right value while protecting your long-term interests.

09/04/2026

🏡OPEN HOUSES | THIS WEEKEND🏡

Looking for your next home in Burnaby or Coquitlam? Come visit one of these two fantastic properties this weekend!

🏠 1. COQUITLAM | $615,000

📍 #1104-511 Rochester Ave, Coquitlam
🕑 Saturday, Sept 5 | 2:00–4:00 PM
https://zsvc.paragon.ice.com/s/goto/ZtXdjzmKkP9

✨ Bright & modern 2 Bed | 2 Bath corner home
📐 901 SQ FT
🚗 1 Parking | 📦 1 Storage Locker
🌆 City & mountain views
🚆 Steps to Lougheed SkyTrain & Lougheed Mall
🛍️ Close to shops, restaurants, parks & more

🏡 2. BURNABY | $2,299,000

📍 7347 Queenston Court, Burnaby
🕑 Sunday, Sept 6 | 2:00–4:00 PM
https://zsvc.paragon.ice.com/s/goto/TTPNPjKwvtK

✨ Spacious family home with incredible potential
🛏️ 5 Bedrooms | 🛁 4 Bathrooms
📐 3,800+ SQ FT
🌳 7,187 SQ FT Corner Lot
🏠 2-Bedroom Suite
🚗 2 Parking
☀️ Bright south exposure
✨ Renovated kitchen & bathrooms
🌲 Quiet cul-de-sac in a family-friendly neighbourhood

Whether you're looking for a stylish condo in Coquitlam or a spacious family home in Burnaby, come see them in person!

📲 For more information or to arrange a private viewing:
James Hsiao
Personal Real Estate Corporation
📞 778-898-0378
Sutton Group – 1st West Realty

👉 Share this post with someone who is looking for a new home!

09/02/2026

🏡 JUST LISTED | WEST COQUITLAM ✨

📍 #1104-511 Rochester Ave, Coquitlam
💰 Offered at $615,000

Welcome home to this bright, modern, and move-in-ready 2-bedroom, 2-bathroom corner home offering 901 sq. ft. of comfortable living space!

✨ Property Highlights:
• 🛏️ 2 Bedrooms
• 🛁 2 Bathrooms
• 📐 901 SQ FT
• 🚗 1 Parking
• 📦 1 Storage Locker
• 🌆 Beautiful city & mountain views
• ☀️ Bright corner home
• 🚆 Steps to Lougheed SkyTrain Station
• 🛍️ Close to Lougheed mall, shops & restaurants
• 🌳 Parks and everyday amenities just outside your door

Enjoy stylish and comfortable living in a prime Coquitlam location with convenient access to Downtown Vancouver, Surrey, Coquitlam Centre, SFU and more.

📲 Want to take a look?
Contact me today to book your private viewing!

https://zsvc.paragon.ice.com/s/goto/I83SeW_GxeO

James Hsiao
Personal Real Estate Corporation
Sutton Group – 1st West Realty

09/01/2026

🏡 PROPERTY TIP TUESDAY

What to Look For During a Home Viewing

A home viewing is about more than deciding whether you like the décor. Before you fall in love with a property, take a closer look at the details that could affect your comfort, budget, and future.

Here are 5 things to watch for during your next home viewing:

✅ Layout & Space
Look at the room layout, storage, bedroom sizes, flow between rooms, and whether the space fits your lifestyle.

✅ Natural Light & Windows
Consider the direction of the windows, natural light, window condition, condensation, views, and privacy.

✅ Listen Before You Buy
Pay attention to traffic, neighbours, construction, elevators, common areas, and nearby businesses. Take a few quiet minutes with the TV and music turned off.

✅ Signs of Water
Look for water stains, musty odours, discolouration, peeling paint, and swollen flooring or cabinets.

✅ Look Beyond the Cosmetics
Fresh paint and beautiful staging can make a home look great—but look at the floors, walls, doors, windows, appliances, fixtures, and overall maintenance.

💡 Final Thought

Take your time, look beyond the décor, and pay attention to the details.

08/25/2026

🏡 PROPERTY TIP TUESDAY

How to Choose the Right Neighbourhood

When buying a home, it's easy to focus on the house itself—but remember, you can renovate a house, but you can't change its location.

Before you make a decision, take some time to consider these five important factors:

✅ Location & Commute — Consider your travel time, public transportation, major roads, and rush-hour traffic.

✅ Schools & Education — Look into school catchments, nearby schools, and future school development.

✅ Amenities & Lifestyle — Check out grocery stores, restaurants, parks, shopping, healthcare, and community facilities.

✅ Future Development — Research new developments, rezoning applications, transportation projects, and major construction nearby.

✅ Resale Potential — Think about location, transportation, amenities, layout, and future buyer demand.

💡 Final Thought

You can change your kitchen.
You can renovate your bathroom.
You can repaint your walls.

But you can't change your location.

The right neighbourhood can improve your daily life today and potentially make your home more desirable when it's time to sell.

Whether you're just starting your home search or already have a few neighbourhoods in mind, I'm happy to help you make a more informed decision.

08/19/2026

🏡 PROPERTY TIP TUESDAY

Home Inspection: What to Watch For

A home inspection is one of the most important steps in the home-buying process. It helps you understand the condition of a property before making one of the biggest financial decisions of your life.

Here are five key areas every buyer should pay attention to:

✅ Roof & Exterior — Look for damaged shingles, cracks in siding or stucco, damaged gutters, and poor drainage.

✅ Foundation & Structure — Pay attention to large cracks, uneven floors, doors or windows that don't close properly, and signs of structural movement.

✅ Plumbing & Electrical — Check for leaks, water pressure, electrical panel condition, adequate outlets, and GFCI protection where appropriate.

✅ Heating & Cooling — Ask about the age and condition of the furnace, air conditioner, hot water tank, and maintenance history.

✅ Moisture & Mold — Watch for water stains, mold, musty odours, poor ventilation, and condensation around windows.

💡 Final Thought

A home inspection doesn't guarantee a perfect home—but it can help you understand what you're buying.

Every home has maintenance needs. The goal isn't to find a perfect house. The goal is to understand the condition of the home and make an informed decision.

🏡 Need Help Buying With Confidence?

Whether you're buying your first home or your next one, I'm here to help you make informed decisions with confidence.

08/14/2026

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ So grateful for this wonderful 5-star review! Thank you for your trust and kind words. It’s always a pleasure helping my clients achieve their real estate goals. 🙏🏡

08/14/2026

Watch and share GVR's July 2026 Market Insights video
Home sales registered on the MLS® in Metro Vancouver declined nearly ten per cent last month relative to July last year, erasing the ten per cent gain seen in June that kicked off the summer.

Home sales registered on the MLS® in Metro Vancouver declined nearl...