The Real Estate of Things: Vancouver real estate, real stories, real insight

What does it actually take to turn a design into a home? In this episode of The Real Estate of Things , architect Ben Fisher of Polyform Architecture breaks down the path from concept to construction, for single and multifamily developments, from zoning and feasibility, to building code, the development permit process, and working with municipalities. And on a more personal note, Ben shares what i...

What does apartment building investing really look like — and where does it fit in the real estate landscape?  In this episode of The Real Estate of Things , multifamily specialist Patrick McEvay of the McEvay Blair Group at Marcus & Millichap joins us to unpack multifamily real estate in Vancouver (& beyond) right now: who really owns Vancouver’s rental buildings, why many of these long-t...

What makes a home feel right — and what signals that something is off? In this episode of The Real Estate of Things , Vancouver interior designer Alicia Savin joins us to talk about creativity, construction quality, and why great design starts with understanding people, and helping them understand themselves — not just trends. From maximalist color palettes to renovation realities and the “boring...

What really drives value in Vancouver real estate — land, timing, construction costs, or market cycles? In this episode of The Real Estate of Things , we talk with Vancouver real estate developer Tony Kaleel , President and COO of Northland Living, about how property development actually works behind the scenes. From land acquisition and financing to construction costs, market risk, and long-term...

Most buyers don’t realize how much is riding on a home inspection until they’re already deep in the deal. This episode offers a grounded, practical look at what a home inspection really tells you. Scott sits down with veteran home inspector Conall Barr to talk about how he found his way into the business and what he’s learned from decades of walking through other people’s houses. Conall shares wha...

What do you learn about condos when you're the realtor behind the most expensive condos in the city? Turns out, almost everything. In this episode of The Real Estate of Things , Scott and Colin sit down with Brian Higgins to unpack his journey from a real-estate-obsessed kid in North Vancouver to one of the go-to agents for luxury condos and complex deals. Brian shares how he built his business, t...

Strata fees, bylaws, insurance, and special levies—most buyers don’t really understand them until something goes wrong. In this episode of The Real Estate of Things , Scott sits down with Cory Pettersen , president of Stratawest , to break down what strata management actually does and what condo owners should be paying attention to. Cory shares how he found his way into the industry, why strata ma...

Great staging doesn’t just make homes look better—it helps them sell faster and for more. In this episode of The Real Estate of Things , Scott sits down with Andrea Foxman , owner of Home Ingredients and Social Ingredients , to unpack what it actually takes to prepare a home for sale—and why staging matters more than most sellers realize. Andrea shares how she built her staging business from the g...

Great listing photos can make or break a sale—and Matt Greco knows why. Scott & Colin sit down with Matt to explore how he built his real estate media business, what separates good visuals from great ones, and why small details matter. They cover Matt’s early pivot into photography, the realities of shooting challenging homes, and how the industry is and isn't changing. Matt also shares straig...

What does it really take to build a sustainable career in real estate today? Scott sits down with his business partner and friend, Colin Cuthbert , to unpack how he went from hospitality and luxury auto sales to launching his real estate career just days before COVID hit. Colin shares the lessons he carried over from past jobs, the realities of building confidence as a new agent, and the unforgett...

What does it take to turn a house into a home? In this episode of The Real Estate of Things , host Scott Dempster talks with interior designer Erica Winterfield about the art and practicality of great design — from balancing budgets and collaborating with contractors to creating spaces that reflect real personality and purpose. Together, they explore how thoughtful details and strong partnerships...

What does it really cost to build a home in Vancouver today? Realtor Scott Dempster sits down with general contractor Brian Rantz to break down the true price of construction — from rising material and labor costs to new city regulations, soft costs, and the hidden expenses most homeowners overlook. A candid, practical conversation about what it takes to build right in one of Canada’s toughest mar...

The go-to listen for anyone passionate about buying, building, or investing in Vancouver’s housing market. Whether you’re a first-time buyer trying to decode what a teardown is really worth, planning your first laneway build, or chasing an investment property in a city where prices never sit still, this podcast unpacks the real costs, curveballs, and call-it-like-it-is advice you won’t get at an o...