Blog

an angled shot of the front entrance of PROXIMITY condos

When Is the Right Time to Move From a Condo to a Detached Home?

One of the biggest misconceptions in real estate is that moving from a condo to a detached home is simply about needing more space.

Sometimes it is.

More often, it’s about creating options for the future.

A recent client shared a Google review that perfectly captured what we hope every family experiences throughout their real estate journey:

“Jessica and team are incredible. From laying out all the costs with selling and buying in our first meeting to answering all our silly questions throughout she’s amazing. Jessica has so much market knowledge, experience and connections to share. She’s reliable, trustworthy and a very kind, lovely person!”

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Exterior Photo of The Strand in Port Moody, BC

Real Estate Is Local. So Is Our Team.

One of the questions we’re asked from time to time is whether we work outside of Vancouver.

The answer is yes, but perhaps more importantly, we believe every community deserves local knowledge. While our team has built a strong reputation throughout Vancouver, we’ve also intentionally grown to include REALTORS® who live and work in the neighbourhoods they serve. That means our clients benefit from both the resources of an experienced team and the insight that comes from someone who knows the community firsthand.

For homeowners in the Tri-Cities, that local expertise comes from Michelle Legaspi realtor and Zahra Damjanovic, who proudly call the area home. From Port Moody and Coquitlam to Port Coquitlam, they understand not only market trends and pricing, but also the neighbourhoods, amenities, schools, parks, and the subtle differences that can influence a buyer’s decision.

A recent client experience reminded us why that combination matters.

After helping them sell their home in Port Moody, they shared this thoughtful review:

“Working with the WestCoast Living RE Group team was a wonderful experience because of the fact that they work AS A TEAM. We never once felt that our needs were not being taken care of. From the get-go, the presentation of the market analysis & statistics was exactly what we wanted to see from a realtor to make us comfortable moving forward with them.

The staging, photography, listing, showing and sale process was all made seamless by Michelle and her team. Communication is totally organized through planned emails at appropriate times in the process, and WhatsApp chats for time-sensitive conversations.

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Cedar Creek Community in Burke Mountain

Why Your Wish List Matters More Than You Think

One of the first questions we ask every buyer isn’t, “What’s your budget?”

It’s, “What does your ideal home actually look like?”

That may sound simple, but it’s often where the most important conversations begin. A wish list isn’t just a collection of features. It’s a reflection of how someone wants to live, what compromises they’re willing to make, and which ones they’ll regret making later.

Over the years, we’ve found that buyers who take the time to define their priorities before they start touring homes tend to make more confident decisions. They spend less time chasing listings that don’t truly fit and more time recognizing the right opportunity when it appears.

Recently, one of our Coquitlam buyers shared this thoughtful review after purchasing their home:

“Such a great experience working with Michelle at Oakwyn.

She knows Coquitlam like the back of her hand and really helped my partner and I get a lay of the land.

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Modern workspace with city view

Why Do All REALTORS® Charge Similar Commission but Deliver Such Different Value?

One of the most common questions homeowners ask before buying or selling is whether there’s really much difference between one REALTOR® and another. After all, if the commission structure is generally similar across the industry, shouldn’t the experience be more or less the same?

It’s a fair question, and one worth exploring.

The reality is that while commission may be similar, what happens behind the scenes can vary dramatically. The strategy, preparation, communication, negotiation, market knowledge, and level of service you receive are all shaped by the people you’ve chosen to represent you. Much like choosing a lawyer, accountant, or financial advisor, you’re not simply hiring someone to complete paperwork. You’re hiring someone to guide one of your most significant financial decisions.

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black and white line drawing of a vancouver home

When One Move Turns Into Two (And Why That Matters)

Some reviews make us smile.

Others remind us why we do this work the way we do.

Recently, a longtime client shared a Google review that made our entire team laugh:

“CAUTION – if Jessica Chen helps you buy or sell your home you may have such a great experience you want to sell your home and buy another one shortly afterwards.”

Fortunately, they weren’t moving because something had gone wrong. Quite the opposite.

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realtor Michelle Legaspi at work in a vancouver residence

Great Real Estate Advice Looks Different for Every Client

One of the biggest misconceptions about real estate is that every client needs the same thing.

From the outside, buying and selling can seem fairly straightforward. Find a home. List a property. Negotiate an offer. Complete the paperwork.

In reality, no two situations are ever quite the same.

Some clients come to us knowing exactly what they want but aren’t sure how to find it. Others know they need to make a move but feel overwhelmed by the number of decisions standing between where they are today and where they want to be next.

That’s why we’ve never believed in applying the same process to every client.

Recently, two reviews reminded us of something we see every day: while every real estate journey is different, people are often looking for the same outcome. They want clarity. They want confidence. And they want someone they can trust to guide them through the process.

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Renfrew Heights Character Home

When The Right Realtor Makes A Big Decision Feel Safer

Sometimes a move is not held back by the market. It is held back by uncertainty.

Is this really the right time?
Can we handle this with young kids?
Will the process feel manageable, or will it completely take over family life?

That is why this review means so much to us. It captures what can happen when a family goes from hesitation to confidence because they finally feel they have the right team beside them.

Here is what they shared about working with Jessica and our team:

“It is rare to come across someone who you instantly feel completely at ease with and to whom you can entrust your home to. Upon meeting Jessica, we were blown away by her expertise, professionalism and authenticity. She was knowledgeable about the current market trends, took the time to understand our goals, and had clear strategies and recommendations on how to bring them to life. With 2 young kids in the peak of a global pandemic, we were hesitant as to whether or not it was the right time to move. However, when we met Jessica, we knew we were in good hands. Sure enough, the entire West Coast team was absolutely incredible to work with. They were great communicators before, during and after the sale of our home and were meticulous in taking care of every detail. From staging to photography to listing to showings to navigating through the offer and acceptance process, we could not have had a better experience. We would gladly work with Westcoast Living Real Estate Group again and highly recommend the team to anyone thinking about selling or buying a home.”

This family sold their home in Renfrew Heights in just 7 days, achieving $26,000 over the list price. More importantly, they moved through a stressful season with a plan that felt organized, thoughtful, and well supported.

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REALTORS Jason Ng, Jessica Chen, Zahra Damjanovic and Michelle Legaspi standing outdoors against a dark wall. They have warm smiles on their face.

Vancouver Market Update – What Our Team Is Watching Right Now

If you’re watching Vancouver and trying to time your next move… it’s not as clear-cut as it used to be.

Some homes are selling quickly. Others are sitting. The difference isn’t luck.

Here’s the shift we’re seeing as a team:

Vancouver has become a market of micro-decisions, not broad trends.

What the numbers are showing (March 2026)

Across both East and West Vancouver:

  • Detached homes
    • East: $1,699,600 (↓ 8.5% year-over-year)
    • West: $2,925,000 (↓ 13.8%)
  • Condos
    • East: $669,700 (↓ 4.8%)
    • West: $779,100 (↓ 8.3%)
  • Townhomes
    • East: $1,044,000 (↓ 9.1%)
    • West: $1,396,800 (↓ 5.2%)

What stands out

  • Prices have adjusted across all property types
  • The West Side has seen sharper price corrections at higher price points
  • The East Side remains more active, particularly in attached homes

Vancouver isn’t moving in one direction. It’s moving in segments.

What this means in real terms

If you’re buying

  • You have more choice and negotiating room than last year
  • But well-positioned homes still attract multiple offers
  • Understanding sub-markets matters more than ever

If you’re selling

  • Buyers are comparing across neighbourhoods, not just your street
  • Overpricing leads to lost momentum quickly
  • The first two weeks on market are critical

The plan (how we’re advising clients across Vancouver)

  • Position against active listings
    Buyers are choosing between what’s available now
  • Focus on early momentum
    The strongest offers still tend to come early
  • Be precise with pricing and presentation
    Small differences are driving big outcomes

What we’d watch for right now

  • Risk: Relying on last year’s pricing benchmarks
  • Safeguard: Review current listings weekly, not just past sales
  • Question to ask: “How does my home compare to the top 3 options a buyer will see this week?”

The takeaway

Two things can be true.
The market has softened, and strong sales are still happening.

Vancouver right now rewards clarity, preparation, and realistic positioning. The homes that succeed are the ones that align with what buyers see as value today.

If this is you

  • Buying in Vancouver: understanding micro-markets will give you an edge
  • Selling this spring: early positioning will shape your result
  • Planning ahead: the next few months may offer more flexibility than last year

Market conditions can vary significantly by neighbourhood and property type, so decisions should always be based on current comparable listings, not just city-wide trends.

Contact our team directly for a more targeted consultation tailored to your timeline and goals.

Zahra Damjanovic, Jessica Chen and Michelle Legaspi walking through Oakwyn Headquarters

When First Time Buyers Think “That Kind Of Neighbourhood Isn’t For Us”

One of the hardest parts of buying your first home is not just understanding prices, paperwork, or timing. It is carrying the quiet assumptions you have already made before the search even begins.

For many first time buyers, one of those assumptions is:

We probably cannot afford the area we really want.

That is why this 5 star review for Michelle means so much to us. It speaks to more than a smooth transaction. It speaks to what happens when a buyer feels truly heard, guided, and surprised in the best possible way.

Here is what they shared:

“We highly recommend Michelle from WestCoast Living for your real estate needs. From start to finish, she made our first home-buying experience feel like a breeze. We were totally new to the housing market and Michelle was so patient with us, walking us through every little step. She listened to our concerns, eased our anxiety, and helped us navigate all the ups and downs of the process, before, during, and even after the move.

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Jason Ng Realtor, standing in a doorway

Competence Builds Confidence: Why Families Trust Jason With Big Moves

Some of the strongest client relationships are built over time, transaction by transaction, when people see not just how a realtor performs on a good day, but how they guide a family through changing markets, real life schedules, and high stakes decisions.

This recent 5 star review speaks directly to that. These clients were first referred to WestCoast Living in 2023, worked closely with Jason through the sale and purchase of their next home in 2024, and have now completed three successful transactions with him.

Here is what they shared:

“We were referred to Jessica and the wonderful WestCoastLiving team in 2023 and had worked extensively with Jason for the sale and purchase of new home in 2024. We only have good things to say about Jason and the team. Jason was very knowledgeable in that he understood the market well and guided us every step of the way to get our home ready to go live. We immediately felt comfortable with him when we first met. He was very clear and concise in his communication, was professional and patient with us when we had questions. He also didn’t sugar coat things for us and often brought us back to reality when the market was starting to slow down so that we could get things rolling. Jason tried his hardest to work in our best interest as a family to make everything stream line as possible for the big move. We also loved that Jason was flexible with our busy work schedule and the juggling of 2 toddlers. At the end, Jason was able to sell our property and help us find a new home that is fit for our growing family. Even after 3 months of moving into our new home, Jason and the team are still checking up with us to make sure we are doing well. We are absolutely thrilled by the support they have given us throughout this journey.

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