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Tenants & Rentals – Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Should I include utilities in the rental agreement?

A: If your rental is long term we suggest not to include utilities. Tenants are more likely to be mindful of utility usage when they are accountable for the costs associated with it. Please note: BCHydro must always be connected, however they have made this easy for owners of investment properties, essentially turning the switch on and off so you are only billed for days the property is vacant.

Q: Should I allow my tenant to sublet or rent out their parking space?

A: This can be discussed and stipulated using a Residential Tenancy Agreement Addendum before signing.

Q: How long should my lease be?

A: This depends on your personal situation. Will you want to move into the suite in the future? Will a family member need to use the suite in the future? Once a tenant is placed, the lease is enforced even if the property should be sold.

Q: What costs are associated with hiring a professional property manager?

A: Rates range from 7% – 10% of the monthly rent. There is an additional cost to tenant placement. Some companies charge 50% of the monthly rent every time they place a tenant. Others charge a one time fee, and then supplementary tenant placement is included.

Q: How can I find the best tenant?

A: Don’t skip credit and reference checks. Ask them questions and get to know them as you show them the suite. Remember money is not everything, a high paying bad tenant is far outweighed by a fair paying great tenant who cares for your investment as if it’s their own. If your unit is carpet-free consider allowing pets with an additional pet-deposit. Meet the pet and don’t judge by size (sometimes the quietest and least destructive pets are the large ones).

These are just a sample of the great tips we have for potential landlords out there. If you are looking to purchase an investment property, we welcome you to book a call.

Exclusive Event – How to Build Generational Wealth

Presented by WestCoast Living Real Estate Group – Coming This June!

Have you ever thought:

  • I’m downsizing and want to diversify the equity in my home
  • I have children about to move out and they need help buying their first place
  • I’m starting a family and want to plan for the future
  • I have inherited funds and want to make sure it’s invested wisely for the future
  • I’m staying in my home but want to use the equity to build wealth

Please join us for an exclusive event with Jessica Chen from WestCoast Living Real Estate Group, Mortgage Specialist Farrah DaRosa and Wealth Advisor and Financial Planner Alex McEachern in an open and candid discussion on how to build generational wealth. Limited seating available. Contact info@hellowestcoast.ca for more information.

Clothing Drive for Big Brothers Vancouver

It’s that time of year again! Annually, the WestCoast Living Real Estate Group along with Eric Grant, Adina YVR & Real Living Vancouver host a clothing drive in support of Big Brother of Greater Vancouver at Oakwyn headquarters.

Do you have any clothing or household items you no longer need? Come donate them & support youth across the Lower Mainland!

Join us for our 5th annual Clothing Donation Drive in Support of Big Brothers!

WHEN | Sunday, June 4th, 11am-2pm

WHERE | Oakwyn Realty, 3195 Oak St, Vancouver 

HOW | Donate your gently used clothing & small household items

Kindly ensure all donated items are clean & in working order. Unfortunately we CANNOT ACCEPT used electronics or furniture.

This is a drive-thru event. When you arrive, simply open your trunk and volunteers will help you unload.

We hope to see you then!

Mountainview Terrace – Coming This Spring

If you’re on the lookout for a stunning family home in North Vancouver, you’re in luck! An upcoming listing at Mountainview Terrace located at 1500 Ostler Court is set to hit the market soon, and it’s definitely worth getting excited about. This spacious 3 Bedroom / 2 Bathroom upper level condominium with a sprawling 2340 sq.ft all on the same level, allows for full-size furniture in its spacious principal rooms.

Located in the desirable North Vancouver community, this concrete building is nestled in a quiet cul-de-sac that offers privacy and tranquility. The property sits on a large, beautifully landscaped lot surrounded by a peaceful detached residential homes, forests of walking trails and bike trails, truly a fantastic location for outdoor lovers.

Inside, the home is just as impressive. The main floor features an open concept design that seamlessly blends the living, dining, and kitchen areas, creating a spacious and inviting living space.  Included as well are 2 Secured Parking for your vehicles and 1 Storage Locker

Perhaps the best part of this home is its location. North Vancouver is known for its natural beauty, and this home is no exception. The area offers easy access to some of the best outdoor activities in the region, including hiking, skiing, and mountain biking. Plus, it’s just a short drive from downtown Vancouver, making it easy to enjoy all the amenities and attractions of the city.

Overall, the upcoming listing at 1500 Ostler Court is an exceptional opportunity to own a beautiful family home in one of the most desirable communities in North Vancouver. Be sure to keep an eye out for this listing – it won’t be on the market for long!

2022 Oakwyn Realty Stats

Oakwyn Realty has released it’s company stats for last year and we are pretty proud of the results. Based on the Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver Residential MLS Statistics of Gross Dollar Volume Sales processed from January 2022 to December 2022 we rank as the #1 Office for Gross Dollar Volume Sales and #1 Office for New MLS Listings. We now serve eight locations throughout BC, including Greater Vancouver, Fraser Valley, Okanagan, North Shore, Burnaby, Tri-cities, Vancouver Island, and Whistler. Not only that, three years in a row we have now been included in Globe and Mail’s “Report on Business” Canada’s Top Growing Companies. Our community has also been featured in Forbes magazine, REM Real Estate Magazine, BC Business, Start Up Canada, and Apple Podcasts.

Coming soon to Downtown Vancouver: Fifteen Fifteen by Ole Scheeren

Strategically sited between downtown Vancouver and Stanley Park, Fifteen Fifteen will occupy a prestigious location in Coal Harbour, Vancouver’s most desirable waterfront neighbourhood, and command a distinctive presence on the Vancouver skyline. The 42-storey tower introduces horizontality to vertical living with dramatic glass-enclosed cantilevers, including a double-height residents’ lounge with a fireplace and private dining room, that extend towards the nearby harbour, mountains, and Stanley Park.

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Coming soon!

Are you looking for the perfect opportunity to develop a new home… better yet two homes? We’ve got 4 new exciting opportunities on the way. All located in East Vancouver, each property has the appropriate and approved permitting for the building of duplexes. Interested? Send us an email to jessica@hellowestcoast.ca or give us a call.

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Making a subject-free offer

WESTCOAST LIVING’S GUIDE TO WRITING OFFERS: Writing a cash or subject-free offer

The real estate market has been HOT, HOT, HOT, with this come scenarios of multiple offers and subject-free offers. Subject-free offers are a way to position yourself more competitively in these types of situations; however, it’s vitally important to understand how the process works and what the potential risks are of making a subject-free offer.

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vancouverhouse

WestCoast Living’s Guide to Real Estate: First time home buyer mistakes to avoid

Buying real estate can be just as stressful as it is fun, especially for first time home buyers. Needless to say, there are many mistakes first-time home buyers make… luckily all of these mistakes are avoidable if you know what to look for. Here, we run through the top 3 mistakes first timers make without even realizing!


Incomplete budgeting: Home buyers, especially first timers, are often so focused on the list price of the properties they’re touring that they forget about the other costs involved in making a purchase – taxes, insurance, legal fees, moving expenses, and so on. These additional expenses can add up, so it’s pivotal to account for these in order to avoid unpleasant surprises!

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