Mike Dirks Real Estate - Real Brokerage

09/01/2026

A mortgage approval does not automatically mean you can safely buy your next home before selling your current one.

Your lender may require your existing mortgage to be paid off before funding the new mortgage. Bridge financing can sometimes cover a short gap between two firm transactions, but it is not guaranteed and it does not protect you if your current home has not sold.

Before making an offer, confirm that your financing works for the exact order and timing of both transactions.

08/31/2026

Before buying or selling your next home, make sure you can answer these 5 critical questions about your selling price, deposit funds, mortgage approval order, closing timeline, and backup plan.

Moving without a clear strategy creates unnecessary risk. Proper preparation protects your investment and ensures a smooth transition.

08/28/2026

Buying a presale can give a family time to save and prepare, but it also means committing to a home that may not be completed for years.

A recent BC court ruling involving a Burnaby development is an important reminder that families deserve to be informed when serious problems arise with a project.

Before committing your savings and future housing plans, research the developer, have a real estate lawyer review the contract and pay close attention to every disclosure update you.

08/25/2026

My dog Lego only has three legs, but she never walks alone in Kitsilano.
Everywhere we go, someone stops to say hello, offer a gentle pat, or tell her how beautiful she is.

She may move a little slower these days, but this neighbourhood always seems to slow down with her.

That is what makes a place feel like home. Not the streets or the buildings, but the people who notice, who care, and who make even a three legged dog feel like the most important neighbour on the block.

What is the one thing you love most about your neighbourhood?

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08/24/2026

What can $1.1 million buy in Vancouver? 🏡

Think spacious condos in the West End, Mount Pleasant, Fairview or Kitsilano, and townhouses in East Vancouver neighbourhoods like Hastings Sunrise, Renfrew and Grandview Woodland.

Knowing where to look makes all the difference.

08/24/2026

08/20/2026

Your home might work perfectly well for your family today. But will it still work two or three years from now?

Children get older and need more privacy. Working from home can become permanent. School needs, commutes and family responsibilities can all change.

That does not necessarily mean you need to move right now. It means you should understand what the next stage of life may require before the pressure to make a decision arrives.

The best time to start planning your next move is often while your current home still works.

08/18/2026

It was exciting to spend time with some of the members of our Realtor Guild community at Real and connect in person.

Building a strong community is about more than sharing ideas online. It is about creating opportunities to work together, learn from one another and support each other as we grow our businesses.

A special thank-you to Roland for generously allowing us to use his condo as an ongoing workspace. Having a place where we can meet, collaborate and build together means a great deal.

I’m looking forward to seeing this community continue to grow and to connecting with even more Guild members in the months ahead.

08/17/2026

Wondering how much you can negotiate off a Vancouver home right now?

With detached home prices dropping 7% as of July 2026 and interest rates holding steady, buyers finally have the upper hand.

Send me a DM to find out where the best deals are hiding in your favorite neighborhood!

08/14/2026

A client recently asked me why her neighbour’s Vancouver condo was listed for roughly the same price it sold for in 2020, and whether today’s market is here to stay.

The numbers provide some important context.

Metro Vancouver’s apartment benchmark price was $682,500 in July 2020. In July 2026, it was approximately $688,000, an increase of less than 1% over six years.

At the same time, apartment sales were down 17.8% from last year, while the benchmark price was down 7.5%.

This is clearly a softer, buyer-friendly market, and prices may remain under pressure in the near term. But inventory is beginning to decline, so I wouldn’t assume these conditions will last indefinitely.

Most importantly, a neighbour’s asking price doesn’t establish your condo’s value. A list price is a marketing decision. Recent sales inside the building and comparable properties nearby tell the real story.

If you’re curious about what your condo may actually be worth in today’s market, feel free to reach out.