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 what he looks for first, the problems that show up over and over again, and the difference between a small repair and a real walk-away issue. They also get into what inspections can and can’t catch, how to use the report properly, and how homeowners can take better care of their places, and some of the things they sometimes leave behind...

Talk with Scott Dempster anytime about all things real estate.

Direct Phone: 604-808-6050
Email: scott@scottdempster.com
Website
Instagram

Chapters:

• (00:00) - Introduction
• (01:11) - How Connall Became a Home Inspector
• (03:30) - How a Home Inspection Works
• (04:35) - Roofs, Drones & Why Details Matter
• (06:02) - Tennant troubles
• (07:08) - Sump Pumps, Basements & Water Issues
• (10:27) - The Importance of Running Appliances
• (12:53) - Attics, Electrical & Hidden Problems
• (18:20) - How to Read a Home Inspection Report
• (23:57) - What Inspections Can and Can’t Catch
• (30:04) - How to Prepare for an Inspection
• (35:59) - Are New Homes Built Better Than Old Ones?
• (40:06) - How to Maintain a Home Over Time
• (43:59) - Conclusion

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, the discipline behind his daily routine, and what he’s learned about scaling a team, setting boundaries, and staying in the game for the long haul. They dig into how foreign buyer taxes and bans have reshaped the condo market, what really makes a good building versus a risky one, why strata rules and depreciation reports matter, and the hidden costs behind flashy amenities and presales.

Honest, practical, and full of wild stories from the field, this episode is a must-listen for anyone buying, selling, or trying to understand how Vancouver’s condo market really works.

Talk with Scott Dempster anytime about all things real estate.

Direct Phone: 604-808-6050
Email: scott@scottdempster.com
Website
Instagram

Chapters:

• (00:00) - Introduction
• (01:07) - How Brian Got Into Real Estate
• (07:51) - Daily Routine, OrangeTheory & Discipline
• (10:00) - Work-Life Balance, Family & Setting Boundaries
• (13:36) - Becoming the “Yaletown Guy” & Market Authority
• (15:10) - How the Foreign Buyer Tax and Ban Changed the Condo Market
• (21:17) - How to Evaluate a Good Building vs a Bad One
• (23:09) - Why Strata Rules, Pets & Bylaws Matter
• (26:07) - Airbnb Rules, Short-Term Rentals & Vancouver Policy
• (28:08) - Amenities, Developers & What Actually Adds Value
• (31:01) - Wild Luxury Stories & Crazy Custom Builds
• (37:38) - Presales vs Buying Resale
• (40:44) - Red Flags in Buildings: Depreciation, Membranes & Elevators
• (44:20) - Where to Find Brian
• (44:55) - Conclusion

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 management is massively understaffed in BC, and what separates a well-run building from a stressful one. They dig into depreciation reports, strata fee red flags, amenities like pools and gyms, rising insurance costs, and the common issues that cause friction in buildings. This episode is a must-listen for anyone buying, selling, or living in a strata property—and for agents who want to better guide their clients.

Talk with Scott Dempster anytime about all things real estate.

Direct Phone: 604-808-6050
Email: scott@scottdempster.com
Website
Instagram

Chapters:

• (00:00) - Introduction
• (01:27) - How Cory Got Into Strata Management
• (05:42) - Education, Licensing & Entering the Industry
• (10:27) - What Strata Management Actually Does
• (13:42) - Common Issues: People, Pets & Parking
• (15:34) - Developers, New Builds & Existing Buildings
• (18:53) - Strata Fees, Depreciation Reports & Red Flags
• (23:06) - What Buyers Should Look for in Strata Documents
• (26:16) - Insurance Costs & How They Impact Owners
• (29:56) - What Makes a Well-Run Strata
• (38:12) - How to Find Cory & Stratawest
• (39:50) - Conclusion