The Real Deal Pod: Allister Carrington & Geoff Lee’s Pro Insights in Real Estate

Ep. 100 — BC Condo Crisis, the Government Buyout Plan & Using Home Equity to Build Wealth in BC

BC real estate just hit a milestone that should stop every buyer, investor, and homeowner in their tracks — and so did The Real Deal Pod. Episode 100.
Vancouver's BC condo market now has 4,376 finished, empty, unsold condos — a 76% jump in 12 months and the highest level since the mid-1990s. This week, the federal and provincial governments announced a $3.2 billion plan to buy more than 2,200 of those vacant BC condos and convert them to affordable housing. In Episode 100, Fraser Valley realtor Allister Carrington and BC mortgage broker Geoff Lee break down what that plan actually does, who it's designed to protect, and whether it will finally move the BC real estate market.
Then Geoff walks through how BC homeowners with built-up equity can use it right now — without selling — to invest in BC rental properties, upgrade into a larger home, or build long-term wealth through smart leverage.
What you'll learn:
• Vancouver's BC condo oversupply crisis — 4,376 empty units, and why Burnaby and Richmond account for nearly half
• The $3.2B government buyout plan — is it saving BC homebuyers or bailing out overleveraged BC developers?
• Why a housing shortage and a housing surplus can exist in BC real estate at the same time
• How BC homeowners can access home equity through refinancing and lines of credit — without selling
• Real-world case study: $1M BC home, $500K mortgage, $300K equity put to work in BC investment property
• Rental property vs. vacation property — what actually builds wealth in BC • Pre-sale risks in the BC market in 2026 and what BC investors need to understand
• CMHC net worth data: own a BC home in your 30s ($440K) vs. rent ($44K) — and what that becomes by 65
• StatsCan Q1 2026: Canadian household net worth up 1.3% — BC housing still driving wealth
100 episodes. One message. Build your net worth. The best time to buy BC real estate is when you can.
Hosted by Allister Carrington | BC Realtor, KIC Realty | www.AllisterCarrington.com
Co-hosted by Geoff Lee | BC Mortgage Broker, GLM Mortgage Group | www.GLMmortgage.com

Ep. 99 — BC Realtor Mistakes That Cost Buyers Thousands, May 2025 Market Stats & Properties That Won't Qualify

BC real estate is sitting at 11 of every 100 homes finding a buyer — and the mistakes happening inside that market are quietly costing BC homebuyers thousands of dollars. In Episode 99 of The Real Deal Pod, Fraser Valley realtor Allister Carrington and BC mortgage broker Geoff Lee deliver the May 2025 Fraser Valley and Metro Vancouver real estate stats, then go deep on the realtor mistakes they see every single week.
 
What you'll learn:
• May 2025 Fraser Valley real estate — 1,124 sales, 10,000+ homes for sale, and prices down 7–9% by property type
• The move-up buyer opportunity hiding in today's BC real estate market — and why the math works right now
• Why first-time buyers in BC still aren't acting despite having the money and the market conditions
• The BC realtor mistake that costs buyers most: showing homes to buyers without verified pre-approval documents
• BC properties that may not qualify for mortgage financing — acreage over 10 acres, self-managed condos, flagged strata buildings, grow-ops, mobile homes, leasehold land, rural properties
• Strata documents — what BC realtors are legally allowed to say, and the $30,000 special assessment surprise
• Why strata fees (up to $900/month) are the number BC buyers forget to factor in
• Conditions in purchase agreements — why removing them before they're met is one of the most dangerous mistakes a BC buyer can make
• How to build the right power team for a BC home purchase: realtor, mortgage broker, solicitor
 
Plus — Episode 100 is next week. Something big is coming.
 
Hosted by Allister Carrington | Realtor, KIC Realty | www.AllisterCarrington.com Co-hosted by Geoff Lee | BC Mortgage Broker, GLM Mortgage Group | www.GLMmortgage.com

Ep. 98 — BC Pre-Sale Condo Crisis, Mortgage Rate Holds Explained & BC's Stalled Housing Deal

A BC developer hid a $12 million CRA judgment, lost their home warranty and building permit — and still tried to force pre-sale buyers to close. The Eclipse Condo Crisis in Burnaby is now a case study for every pre-sale buyer in BC, and in this episode of The Real Deal Pod, Fraser Valley realtor Allister Carrington and BC mortgage broker Geoff Lee break down exactly what happened and what it means for you.
They also cover BC's ongoing delay in accepting Ottawa's housing affordability deal — with eight major BC housing organizations, including BCREA, now formally urging the province to stop stalling on billions in federal assistance that could save BC homebuyers tens of thousands of dollars. And they flag the emerging townhome investment trend taking hold across Western Canada.
Then Geoff delivers a thorough breakdown of BC mortgage rate holds: what a rate hold actually protects you from, why a pre-approval without verified documents is worthless, what happens when rates drop during your hold period, and why the lowest mortgage rate in BC isn't always the best mortgage product.
What you'll learn:
The Eclipse Condo Crisis — how a Burnaby pre-sale developer concealed a $12M CRA debt from buyers
Why every BC pre-sale buyer needs independent realtor representation — regardless of market conditions
Why BC is delaying the federal housing affordability deal while Ontario's program delivers results
Why townhomes are becoming the go-to investment in Fraser Valley and across Western Canada
BC mortgage rate holds: what they are, what they protect, and what they don't guarantee
Why pre-approvals without documents can collapse deals — a real-world case study
Full-frills vs. no-frills mortgages and why rate isn't everything
If you're buying a pre-sale in BC, currently house hunting in the Fraser Valley, or in the process of getting a BC mortgage, this is the episode that could save you from a very costly mistake.
Hosted by Allister Carrington | Fraser Valley Realtor, KIC Realty | www.AllisterCarrington.com and Geoff Lee | BC Mortgage Broker, GLM Mortgage Group | www.GLMmortgage.com

Ep. 97 — BC Housing Affordability, Carney's Plan, Eby's Record & the Real Reason Buyers Are Sitting Out

BC housing affordability just became federal business — but can BC's provincial government actually deliver?
 
In Episode 97 of The Real Deal Pod, Fraser Valley realtor Allister Carrington and BC mortgage broker Geoff Lee break down PM Carney's proposed structural changes to BC housing, examine why every major BC housing policy to date has backfired, and make the case for why BC real estate in 2026 represents one of the most significant buying opportunities in a generation.
 
What you'll learn:
What Carney's housing affordability plan for BC actually proposes — and what the Ontario model achieved
Why BC housing policies like the Airbnb ban, home flipping tax, and foreign buyers ban hurt the market instead of helping it
The CMHC net worth data every renter in BC needs to hear: owners at 65 have $1.3M, renters have $11,900
Why BC real estate will not crash — the economic and structural reasons
The psychology behind why qualified BC buyers are sitting out: it's FOMAM, not affordability
Where BC mortgage rates — fixed and variable — are likely heading in the next 3–5 years
Why 2026 may be the window that future buyers look back on with regret
If you're renting in the Fraser Valley or Metro Vancouver, or you're a BC real estate or mortgage professional serving first-time buyers, this is the episode that cuts through the noise.
 
Hosted by Allister Carrington | Realtor, KIC Realty | www.AllisterCarrington.com
and Geoff Lee | Mortgage Broker, GLM Mortgage Group | www.GLMmortgage.com

Ep. 96 — BC Real Estate April Stats: Why Qualified Renters Still Aren't Buying (And How to Change That)

BC real estate posted its first year-over-year sales increase in over 12 months, and Fraser Valley real estate prices are stabilizing — so why aren't more BC renters making a move into homeownership?
In this episode of The Real Deal Pod, Fraser Valley realtor Allister Carrington and BC mortgage broker Geoff Lee break down the April 2025 BC real estate and Fraser Valley real estate stats, dig into what's really happening with the Metro Vancouver and BC condo market, and have an honest conversation about why so many qualified renters across BC still aren't buying.
What you'll learn:
April 2025 Fraser Valley real estate numbers — sales up 7% year over year, inventory 45% above the 10-year average
Why detached homes are moving while the BC condo market struggles
The psychology behind why first-time home buyers in BC hesitate — and how to break through it
How a BC mortgage broker approaches turning renters into buyers using real numbers
What first-time buyers in the Fraser Valley actually need to get started
If you're renting in BC and wondering whether now is the right time to buy, or if you're a real estate or mortgage professional looking to better serve first-time buyers, this episode delivers the straight talk you need.
 
Hosted by Allister Carrington | Realtor, KIC Realty | www.AllisterCarrington.com
Co-hosted by Geoff Lee | BC Mortgage Broker, GLM Mortgage Group | www.GLMmortgage.com

The Hidden Condo Costs Buyers Miss | Strata Red Flags Every Buyer Must Know | Episode 95

Buying a condo or townhouse in BC? Read the strata documents—or risk buying a financial headache.
In Episode 95 of The Real Deal Pod, Allister Carrington and Geoff Lees break down the real issues buyers, sellers, and Realtors® need to understand before purchasing a strata property.
Inside this episode:✔ How special levies can suddenly cost owners thousands✔ Why contingency reserve funds matter more than most buyers realize✔ What active lawsuits mean for financing approval✔ Insurance red flags hidden in strata documents✔ Rental-heavy buildings and lender concerns✔ Why depreciation reports matter✔ Property Disclosure Statements—and why honesty matters
One overlooked document can become a very expensive mistake.
If you're buying, selling, investing, or advising clients in BC real estate, this is essential listening.
Stay informed. Stay empowered. Stay tuned.
🎧 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen.

Should You Buy Subject-Free? + How AI Could Change Pricing in Canada | Real Deal Pod Ep. 94

What if two people shopping online saw two completely different prices for the exact same product—simply because of their buying habits?And what does it really mean to submit a subject-free offer when buying a home in British Columbia?
 
In this week’s episode of The Real Deal Pod, trusted Realtor Allister Carrington and mortgage expert Geoff Leeunpack two major conversations shaping today’s market:
 
✅ Algorithmic pricing — how artificial intelligence may soon personalize pricing based on your behaviour, spending patterns, and online activity.✅ Subject-free offers explained — when it makes sense, when it doesn’t, and how buyers can protect themselves.✅ Pre-sale rescission periods and smart offer strategies.✅ Why your power team matters more than ever—Realtor, mortgage broker, inspector, lawyer, and insurance advisor working together to protect your investment.✅ Real market insight from the Fraser Valley spring market—what’s actually happening beyond the headlines.
 
This episode is packed with practical advice, thoughtful conversation, and straight talk designed to help buyers make confident, informed decisions.
 
Knowledge creates confidence. Preparation creates opportunity.
 
🎧 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, or your favourite podcast platform.
 
➡️ Find out how we can help with your homeownership journey
 
Allister CarringtonRealtor®, KIC Realtywww.AllisterCarrington.com📞 1.778.990.8703✉️ allister@allistercarrington.com
 
Geoff LeeMortgage Broker, GLM Mortgage Groupwww.GLMmortgage.com📞 1.604.259.1486✉️ geoff@GLMmortgage.com

🎙️ Episode 92: Should You Buy Now or Wait? | BC Real Estate Market Update & Buyer Strategy 2026 📊💼

Should you buy now… or wait?
That’s the question we’re hearing every day—and in this episode, we give you a clear framework to make the right decision based on today’s market.
In Episode 92 of The Real Deal Pod, we break down what’s actually happening across the Fraser Valley and Greater Vancouver real estate market—and how interest rates, inventory, and buyer behaviour are shaping your opportunities right now.
If you’ve been sitting on the sidelines, this will help you move forward with clarity.
In this episode, you’ll learn:• What’s changing in the BC real estate market right now• How interest rates are impacting affordability and timing• When it makes sense to act—and when patience wins• Strategies to navigate (or avoid) multiple offers
This is about more than information. It’s about helping you feel confident in your next move—whether that’s buying, selling, or waiting.
🎧 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube