Randy Book, Grand Central Realty

Randy Book, Grand Central Realty Glass-half-full husband, dad & grandpa. Happiest outdoors with family & friends. Residential Real Estate Advisor serving Metro Vancouver.

Passionate about informed real estate decisions & DIY financial literacy. Real Estate Broker "to bring the best real estate result possible to the consumer".

“We think there could be hundreds of thousands of Canadians who put plans to buy a home on hold in the past several year...
09/02/2026

“We think there could be hundreds of thousands of Canadians who put plans to buy a home on hold in the past several years due to sharp increases in ownership costs.”

Trade and geopolitical risks could undermine confidence, the bank warns

“And there is a Canadian connectionThis matters to you because if one is looking at retirement, investments and real est...
08/22/2026

“And there is a Canadian connection

This matters to you because if one is looking at retirement, investments and real estate in B.C.

U.S. 10-year and 30-year Treasury yields don't determine Canadian rates, but they are extremely important global benchmarks. A persistent rise in U.S. long-term yields can put upward pressure on Canadian bond yields and mortgage rates as well.”

Treasury Department to increase U.S. government bond buybacks to tamp down rising yields

“Our house got built in two weeks. Basically, it’s like Lego,” "It has an elegant, minimalist interior made entirely of ...
08/13/2026

“Our house got built in two weeks. Basically, it’s like Lego,”

"It has an elegant, minimalist interior made entirely of Douglas fir plywood and is the first house in Vancouver to be built using a specific system of prefabricated modules".

Home was built using a system of prefabricated modules, which can be adapted, stacked and separated to create various options. See inside.

I had the pleasure of touring a small-scale, four-home development this past weekend, and it left a positive impression....
07/28/2026

I had the pleasure of touring a small-scale, four-home development this past weekend, and it left a positive impression.
What makes it unique is that all four homes are fully detached, with no shared walls—offering the privacy of a single-family home in a thoughtfully designed, higher-density community.
The quality of construction and finishings stood out throughout. At approximately 2,300 sq. ft., each home offers four bedrooms, four bathrooms, a double garage with EV charging capability, and, importantly, a well-designed floor plan where the rooms feel comfortable rather than squeezed in.
One detail that deserves recognition is the developer's decision to install underground electrical servicing. No overhead wires, no transformer dominating the streetscape, and no tangled utility lines. It's a small touch that makes a noticeable difference.
To me, this is a great example of the "missing middle" done well—providing family-sized homes at a higher density without sacrificing livability, privacy, or curb appeal.
Thoughtful design still matters, and projects like this show that increasing housing choice doesn't have to mean compromising on quality.
https://www.realtor.ca/real-estate/30062397/3-8483-16-avenue-burnaby

“For some years we have written that development charges are among the least understood drivers of unaffordability in Ca...
07/18/2026

“For some years we have written that development charges are among the least understood drivers of unaffordability in Canada, and that reducing them is one of the few levers with a real chance of restoring supply and spurring a market that is stuck in the mud.”

When will BC's promised development cost charge cuts actually hit? Using Ontario's rollout as a guide, we forecast the timeline for real fee relief.

The Fraser Valley recorded the strongest detached home sales growth among the regions studied, with all six communities ...
07/14/2026

The Fraser Valley recorded the strongest detached home sales growth among the regions studied, with all six communities analyzed reporting year-over-year increases.

Delta North led the region with a 21.4 per cent increase in detached sales, followed closely by White Rock/South Surrey at 20.5 per cent. Across Greater Vancouver, 10 of 17 communities posted sales gains, led by New Westminster, where detached home sales climbed 58.1 per cent. Vancouver West and Whistler/Pemberton also recorded increases.

REMAX Canada brings you trends and developments of detached houses in Toronto and Vancouver, in this new report.

"A federal partnership with B.C. to convert more than 2,200 unsold condos into affordable homes has been criticized as a...
06/28/2026

"A federal partnership with B.C. to convert more than 2,200 unsold condos into affordable homes has been criticized as a 'bailout' for developers, but some housing experts say it could be a 'win-win' opportunity if the plan is structured correctly. "

Radio Canada International is CBC/Radio-Canada's multilingual service that allows you to explore and, most importantly, understand and gain perspective about the reality of Canadian society, as well as its democratic and cultural values.

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Vancouver, BC

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