You don’t have to become a mortgage expert, but you should be comfortable with what you are doing, and happy with the decisions you make. Sharing your goals with a financial advisor is a proactive step to creating a mortgage strategy right for you. More than just finding the best rate, it is about finding a mortgage with the best terms too. Be comfortable with the person you choose to work with. Ask questions. Know your options between fixed, variable, and adjustable

rates. Confused? Alisa will walk you through the rate options, and different scenarios to help you understand your options and the process of buying a home.

Education is key to setting realistic expectations and positive outcomes for strata living. Recognizing strata councils are typically comprised of owners who volunteer their time, it is important to understand the role of management companies and the strata manager, to set realistic expectations of your management company and your strata council. Laszlo shares tips and insight on how to navigate the strata landscape, reviewing strata’s rules including both common property and own strata lot, plus a look into new construction strata communities, warranties, and how to improve strata communities through education. TIP: It involves you!

Exploring sources of energies to run your home, the different systems available, and associated running costs, (space heating 62%, 14% appliances and electronics, 3% lighting, 2% space cooling and 19% water heating), Bob looks at strategies to improve energy efficiencies, as well as exploring clean energy solutions, to help you make the right homebuying choice to achieve a desired level of comfort to fit your lifestyle now, and into the future.

The ground floor is where communities are built. Knowing your neighbours can help to create a safe and welcoming neighbourhood. Understanding how people function, condominium developments can support homeowners with communal amenities to create vibrant safe, friendly, social spaces, essential to live harmoniously together. Charan will explore the concept of the 15-minute city, diversity in units for a diverse community, and micro living for work life balance.

With over 35yr of experience in the housing industry, Shayne Ramsay, CEO of BC Housing, walks you through his journey into home ownership. With a positive history as both a renter and homeowner, Shayne explores the meaning of home, providing thoughts and questions to help you determine the right path for you, while exploring different housing forms. If looking to buy, as one of the largest purchases of your life, Shayne provides resources and tips to ensure you are empowered to make the most of your investment and home purchase.

Having worked in the real estate industry around the globe for 30+ years, Scott Brown shares his wealth of knowledge on the power of home ownership and the advantages and risks of buying a home in this highly insightful series. Providing personal tips and advice on how to mitigate risks, investigating creative presale options, and asking the right questions, Scott also shares tips on finding the right realtor, and dives into when is the right time to buy, discussing his ‘ten-year window.’

When buying into a strata, your home is NOT your castle. As a part of community, you will share property fixtures and assets, hence, you really need to think about your lifestyle functions such as hobbies, entertainment, activities, etc. important to you and your family. Tony Gioventu, Executive Officer of the Condominium Home Owners Association (CHOA), shares his expertise on bylaws, the importance of strata minutes, strata corporation insurance coverage and more to protect your investment. Listen to Tony and learn how to make an informed decision that will help you make the choice right for you. Hint: the devil is in the detail, and Tony has you covered!

How do you get into homeownership hassle-free? Acknowledging home buying is not always easy, or a straightforward path, Randy Chin, Manager for Mortgage Specialists, RBC Royal Bank, shares his personal journey, and professional experiences, with unique tips on navigating when you fall into the grey areas of qualifying for a mortgage. In the business of ‘Making Friday Nights,’ Randy looks at market trends, discusses how to choose a lender right for you, and how to get to ‘yes!’.

Steeped in a career based on housing market research, Robyn Adamache, Senior Specialist, CMHC Multi-Unit Housing Solutions, Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), understands the power of researching the market before you head out to buy a home. Robyn takes a personal look back and shares her homeowner journey, sharing tips to determine if you are ready to buy, and discusses invaluable information on the importance of location, and knowing when to make your purchase.

Demystify the real estate market with Taylor Biggar, Chair of the Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver, and learn from his buying and selling journey, including his successes and mistakes, from the age of 14. Taylor firmly believes real estate is a wealth builder, and from experience, knows working with professionals is the key to success.  Learn how real estate can leverage your equity to build a better life, who to hire, tips for submitting the best offers, and how to sell your properties too. Packed with 25+ years of industry insight, watch Taylor, and get empowered.