New development condos are shiny and new, but its important to consider the potential risks. Presale and pre-construction condos seduce consumers with the promise of highly designed, sleek spaces but savvy home buyers need to assess the risks before they commit.

Before viewing or listing a house it’s smart to have a well-thought-out strategy in place to help limit complications.

For this Kamloops realtor, it’s all about making dream homes come true for his clients.

B.C. vacation-property owners are now subject to new rules and taxation when renting their property – but some say illegal rentals may dodge tax

For this Kamloops realtor, it’s all about making dream homes come true for his clients.

Here are 5 things to consider so you get the best deal for yourself and your community. 1. Start with the right valuation The big question: How much is my home worth under the new OCP? According to Darcy Schlechtleitner, founder of Rethink Real Estate Group, there are ways of working it out, but you need a realtor with experience and training in land assembly. “Values can be calculated based on comparable land sales for similar projects and what can be built, but you need someone who knows their numbers and has access to all the data,” says the long-time New West resident. She studied real estate at BCIT and has been working in the New West area ever since. The Land division at her brokerage focuses specifically on land assembly projects. “Make sure you’re asking the right questions of potential realtors: What’s your land assembly history? Have you done this before? What developers do you work with? What’s your understanding of contracts and contract law?” Schlechtleitner says.

It all seems like ancient history now, but Whistler’s first decade as a ski town (from 1966 to 1976) was a rowdy, messy, and ultimately unsustainable affair. There were probably more squatter’s shacks than second homes on the decidedly challenging bluffs and forests around Alta Lake and the old gondola barn.