Coldwell Banker Executives Realty - Sicamous

09/03/2026

BANK OF CANADA HOLDS AT 2.25%

No surprise today — the Bank of Canada left its overnight rate unchanged at 2.25%. Rates are stable, which is good news for buyers and anyone with a variable-rate mortgage. Inflation is still keeping the Bank cautious, so I wouldn’t be counting on a rate cut anytime soon. Trade issues with the U.S. and ongoing geopolitical uncertainty are still the big wild cards because they can push prices up while slowing the economy at the same time. From a real estate standpoint, I think the message is pretty clear: Don’t sit on the sidelines waiting for dramatically lower interest rates to save the market. The mid-terms in the US are right around the corner, the Ban on Foreign Buyers is set to either expire or more likely be rewritten on January 2027, with lesser constraints and the trade war is likely to find a solution all by the end of the year. These are positive vectors that will help consumer confidence for those buyers who have been sitting on the fence.

And for sellers, pricing is still everything. The market is moving, but buyers know the market is tough and they are moving slowly and making offers that reflect a tough market.

The next Bank of Canada rate announcement is October 28, 2026.

TheBCHomes.com
Coldwell Banker Executives Realty

09/01/2026

SHOULD THE BAN ON FOREIGN BUYER'S GO OR STAY?

Canada's federal ban on foreign purchases of residential real estate is currently scheduled to expire January 1, 2027.

Will the government allow it to expire? More importantly, should they?
I believe this deserves a much bigger discussion.

Logically, restrictions on foreign purchasing should have their greatest impact in markets that have historically attracted significant international investment and immigration. The two obvious examples are Toronto and Vancouver, Canada's two largest economies. To some extent, housing markets across the rest of the country are also influenced by what happens in these two major markets.

Look at what has happened to available inventory since the ban came in.
Compared with the extremely tight market of 2021, active housing inventory has increased approximately:
Toronto: +168%
Vancouver: +67%

Those are enormous increases in the number of homes available to buyers—and additional inventory was desperately needed.

Now look at prices.

From their 2022 peaks, residential values have declined approximately:
Toronto: -24.8%
Vancouver: -20.8%

That doesn't mean the same thing has happened everywhere in Canada. Some markets have remained relatively flat, while others have actually increased.
It also certainly doesn't mean the foreign buyer ban caused these corrections by itself.

This is where I think much of the commentary about real estate in the press misses something I call the VECTOR PRINCIPLE.

There is never just one force determining the direction of a real estate market.

Think of the market as being pushed and pulled by numerous vectors, each operating in a different direction and with a different magnitude:
• Interest rates
• Employment
• Immigration and population growth
• Housing inventory
• Consumer confidence
• Affordability
• Economic growth
• Domestic government policy
• Foreign government policy and global events
• Taxes and regulation
• Availability of credit
• Investor activity

The ultimate direction of the real estate market is the sum of all of those forces/vectors.

I have been tracking Canadian Real Estate Statistics for roughly 30 years, and both Toronto and Vancouver markets have historically been remarkably resilient. By 2022, however, they had become severely overheated and a correction was badly needed.

That correction has now been substantial.

I am not suggesting that the foreign buyer ban single-handedly caused inventory to rise or prices to fall. Interest rates alone have obviously been an enormous force during this period.

What I am suggesting is that the foreign buyer ban has been one significant vector among many, particularly in Toronto and Vancouver.

And if we remove that vector on January 1, 2027, what happens next?

Should Canada extend the foreign buyer ban—or is it time to let it expire?

I'd be interested to hear what you think.

William Hubbard
Owner / Broker
Coldwell Banker Executives Realty
TheBCHomes.com

08/26/2026

Start this fall. Be ready for spring.

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At Coldwell Banker Executives Realty, our support begins before you are licensed with personalized real estate exam coaching designed to help you prepare for and pass the licensing exam. Once licensed, you will continue to receive weekly training, experienced broker support, advanced technology, and practical strategies to help grow your business.

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BCRealEstateCareer.com

08/22/2026

Shuswap/Revelstoke Housing Summary
Detached housing

YTD Sales of detached houses down 3 %
YTD Absorption down same
YTD average detached house prices UP 4%
One of the stronger markets in the interior. Driven primarily by Revelstoke

Shuswap/Revelstoke Review Video:
https://lnkd.in/gUCZkXRM

Coldwell Banker Executives Realty
TheBCHomes.com

08/22/2026

BCREA (British Columbia Real Estate Association) is anticipating a slightly better year in 2027 than 2026, but the improvement is expected to be slow and gradual, with the market continuing to face challenges from persistent geopolitical volatility.

In my opinion, this is nothing to get excited about—YET.

Sales remain relatively flat in the Interior and are down in the Lower Mainland. As anticipated last year, 2026 is turning out to be somewhat better than 2025, but we’re still a long way from what I would call a strong market.

There are a few reasons for cautious optimism heading into 2027, including:

• The federal foreign buyer ban is scheduled to end January 1, 2027

• A potentially different political climate in the U.S. following the midterm elections

• The possibility of a new Canada-U.S. trade agreement

• And the hope that the conflict involving Iran will come to an end, one way or another, sooner rather than later

So, better? Probably.

Boom? Not likely.

Something to get excited about? Not yet.

As always, the market will ultimately be driven by interest rates, affordability, consumer confidence, employment and—perhaps more than anything right now—what happens geopolitically.

TheBCHomes.com
Coldwell Banker Executives Realty

08/21/2026

Where do you get your real estate market information?

Bill Hubbard of Coldwell Banker Executives Realty explains why attention-grabbing headlines don’t always tell the full story—and why reliable data, local market knowledge, and long-term trends matter when making real estate decisions.

Learn more at TheBCHomes.com

https://thebchomes.com/Blog/WheretoFindReliableBCRealEstateMarketInformation

Not every real estate headline tells the full story. Learn where to find reliable BC real estate market information, local data and expert insights.

08/19/2026

Canadian inflation rose from 2.8% in June to 3% in July. What could this mean for you?

The increase was primarily driven by fuel costs, although other cost-of-living factors also contributed. The Bank of Canada aims to keep inflation near its 2% target. When inflation rises, it may consider increasing interest rates to help slow spending and bring inflation back under control.

The Bank of Canada’s policy rate has remained unchanged for the past six announcements. However, this rate primarily affects variable-rate mortgages. Fixed mortgage rates are influenced more closely by government bond yields. Bond yields have recently increased slightly, which has contributed to a modest rise in fixed mortgage rates.

Mortgage rates will likely remain relatively steady for the balance of the year, although economic conditions can change.

Interested in learning more about home prices in your area—or discovering what your home may be worth?

Visit TheBCHomes.com to connect with one of our local real estate professionals.

With offices throughout British Columbia:
Abbotsford ● Castlegar ● Enderby ● Kamloops ● Lake Country ● Maple Ridge ● Revelstoke ● Salmon Arm ● Sicamous ● Trail ● Vernon ● White Rock

08/16/2026

A look at average single-family residential sale prices across British Columbia for July 2026.

Real estate markets can vary significantly from one region to the next. Whether you’re planning to buy, sell, or simply want to understand your local market, trusted advice and accurate information matter.

Learn more at TheBCHomes.com
Coldwell Banker Executives Realty

📍 Abbotsford • Castlegar • Enderby • Kamloops • Lake Country • Maple Ridge • Revelstoke • Salmon Arm • Sicamous • Trail • Vernon • White Rock

08/14/2026

BC WILDFIRE RELIEF — OUR NEIGHBOURS STILL NEED US

As wildfires continue to affect communities across British Columbia, thousands of people remain displaced and many families are facing devastating losses. Current reports indicate that more than 20,000 people have been evacuated.

Funds raised through our GoFundMe will be donated to The Salvation Army to help provide food, clothing and essential household items to individuals and families impacted by the wildfires.

If you are able to contribute, please know that every donation—regardless of its size—can make a meaningful difference.

Donate here:
https://gofund.me/961be2e76

Thank you for helping us support our neighbours during this incredibly difficult time.

08/12/2026

(This is a legal issue. Anyone dealing with a significant property defect should obtain advice from a qualified lawyer based on the particular circumstances.)

A "latent defect" is a defect that would NOT normally be discovered through a reasonable inspection of the property.

A patent defect is the opposite: it is a defect that is visible or should reasonably be discovered through inspection. As a general rule, buyers are responsible for investigating patent defects under the principle of caveat emptor, meaning “buyer beware.” This is an important distinction at Common Law. Buyers generally believe that there should not be defects in a house when they buy but there is always something. Buyers should be aware that most of the onus is on them and their REALTOR® to do their own inspections. However, a seller must not conceal a defect or make a false or misleading statement about the property.

The word "Material" means it is important or substantial.

In British Columbia, a Material Latent Defect (MLD) may include a hidden defect that:
* makes the property dangerous or potentially dangerous;
* makes it unfit for habitation;
* makes it unsuitable for the buyer’s known intended use;
* would involve great expense to repair;

Known material latent defects must be disclosed. A seller has disclosure obligations at common law, while a real estate licensee has a broader disclosure duty under the Real Estate Services Rules. If the licensee knows about a material latent defect, it must be disclosed to the other parties before they enter into an agreement. If the seller refuses to permit the required disclosure, the licensee must stop providing trading services in that transaction.

Proving a seller knew is an important part of a legal claim. It is extremely difficult to succeed in any legal action if you cannot prove the seller knew about the defect.

A repaired defect requires careful consideration. If the problem was fully and properly repaired, it may no longer constitute a current material latent defect and therefore does not have to be disclosed.

In British Columbia there is a form called a "Property Disclosure Form". This form covers Material Latent Defects. If you are buying pay close attention to this form and review it with your REALTOR®.

When choosing a REALTOR® it is important to make sure they are properly trained and educated on the Real Estate challenges like MLD's. Our REALTORS® are of the highest and best trained REALTORS® in the industry. I would be happy to recommend one in your area.

TheBCHomes.com