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
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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

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 ground up, what makes buyers emotionally connect to a space, and how to handle the awkward moments when personal style gets in the way of selling. They talk ROI, market timing, decluttering, design trends, and the misconceptions around virtual staging and AI. Along the way, Andrea offers practical advice for sellers, agents, and anyone curious about the work behind great listings. Honest, insightful, and full of real-world stories, this episode is a behind-the-scenes look at how homes are staged to sell—and why first impressions still matter most.

Talk with Scott Dempster anytime about all things real estate.

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

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 straightforward advice on marketing, social media, and helping a property stand out. It’s a fast, engaging conversation about the work behind the images buyers trust, and you will walk away having learned something valuable.

Talk with Scott Dempster anytime about all things real estate.

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

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 unforgettable first-year stories — including the now-legendary one-eyed cat incident. He and Scott dive into reputation, relationships, taking the high road, and what the current market signals for the year ahead. Honest, relatable, and filled with hard-earned wisdom, this episode offers a real look at the surprisingly inspiring journey of building a career in real estate.

Talk with Scott Dempster anytime about all things real estate.

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

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 markets.

Talk with Scott Dempster anytime about all things real estate.

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

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 can transform even the simplest projects into something extraordinary.

Talk with Scott Dempster anytime about all things real estate.

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