For buyers
Find the fit, not just the house.
Clarify the neighbourhood, home type and daily rhythm that work for your family before the search takes over.
Plan a home searchVancouver Family Living
Move with confidence.Live where life works.
Thoughtful real estate guidance for families buying and selling across Vancouver, Richmond, Burnaby and the North Shore.
Since 2015Licensed Vancouver realtor
300 plusListing marketing campaigns delivered
Every listingCinematic video tour included
15,000 plusBuyer and seller contacts in Mike's network
Start with your move
The right plan begins with your life.
A home decision is rarely just about square footage. Schools, routines, commute, community and timing all matter. Mike starts there.
For sellers
Present your home at its best.
Clear positioning, polished media and a coordinated launch give buyers a reason to stop, look and act.
Request a selling planNeighbourhood first
Choose a place that supports your day.
Explore five distinct parts of Metro Vancouver through the lens that matters most to families: space, access, community and how life actually feels there.
City living with room to breathe
Vancouver West
Established neighbourhoods, beaches, parks and a wide range of home styles. The conversation often comes down to school plans, lot size and the right balance between city access and quieter streets.
Talk about Vancouver WestPlan before you commit
Five practical tools for a smarter move.
Run the numbers, screen a property and compare the details that shape family life. Each result is private to this page and can be emailed to Mike when you want a second opinion.
Comparable sales estimator
Use recent sales you trust to create a transparent starting range. This is most useful when the homes are in the same building or immediate neighbourhood.
A planning estimate only. Floor, view, lot, condition, parking and timing can materially change value.
BC property transfer tax
Estimate the provincial property transfer tax on a residential purchase and see the possible first time buyer reduction.
Uses the general BC rates and the first time buyer thresholds published by the Province. Confirm eligibility with a legal professional.
Multiplex potential screen
Check whether a Vancouver property has the basic signals for a closer multiplex review. This screen does not replace a zoning enquiry or development analysis.
The City states that R1 1 multiplex options can allow 3 to 6 units based on site area and frontage. A permit review decides what is actually possible.
Mortgage affordability planner
Estimate a purchase ceiling using your income, debts, housing costs and the federal mortgage stress test.
Planning estimate using 39 percent gross debt service and 44 percent total debt service limits. It excludes mortgage insurance premiums and lender specific rules.
Family move fit score
Score one shortlisted home against the routines that matter to your household, then compare the result with your next option.
This score reflects your own ratings. Always confirm school catchments with the school district because boundaries and enrolment can change.
A stronger selling story
Your home deserves more than a listing.
Mike brings more than a decade of real estate marketing experience to every launch. The work starts with what makes the home worth noticing, then carries that story through the visual presentation and buyer outreach.
- 01PositionFind the clear reason your home belongs on a buyer's shortlist.
- 02PresentUse professional photography, video and considered copy to make the story visible.
- 03LaunchCoordinate the channels, timing and follow up around one focused plan.
The visual standard
Homes shown with care.
Recent property photography from Vancouver, North Vancouver and Richmond demonstrates the visual standard behind every marketing conversation.
Meet Mike
Real estate judgement with a marketer's eye.
Mike has been a licensed Vancouver realtor since 2015 and is a UBC Sauder graduate. As the former Director of Education at Royal LePage Westside, he trained agents on CRM platforms and practical business systems.
He also founded a real estate media company that has delivered more than 300 listing marketing campaigns since 2015. He brings that marketing discipline to every sale and, as a dad, understands what a family move actually takes.
Mike is the third generation of a real estate family. Those roots shaped the standards he brings to his own practice.
Licensed since 2015UBC Sauder graduate
Education leaderFormer Director of Education at Royal LePage Westside
Media company founderMore than 300 listing marketing campaigns delivered
Family perspectiveA dad who understands the decisions behind a move
ValuesIntegrity, Honesty, Hard Work
ProcessConsult, Strategize, Execute, Communicate
Move smarter
Three conversations worth having early.
Good decisions get easier when the important questions are on the table before a deadline appears.
Which neighbourhood actually fits?
Compare routine, space, schools, commute and long term flexibility before comparing finishes.
Start the area conversationShould I buy or sell first?
Map financing, timing and backup options so the sequence supports your family rather than adding pressure.
Talk through the sequenceWhat will buyers notice?
Prioritize the preparation that strengthens first impressions and skip the work that will not change the result.
Plan your preparationVancouver Family Living on YouTube
Watch the latest.
Straight answers on buying, selling and raising a family in Vancouver. New videos published regularly.
Common questions
Answers before you ask.
Is it a good time to buy in Vancouver right now?
Market conditions change monthly. According to Greater Vancouver Realtors, August 2026 data showed a composite benchmark price of $1,081,900 with a sales to active listings ratio of 12.3 percent, which favours buyers. The right timing also depends on your finances, your timeline, and the neighbourhood you want. A short call is the fastest way to get an honest read on your situation.
What does it cost to work with you as my realtor?
For buyers, the seller typically pays the commission through the listing agreement, so working with me as your buying agent usually costs you nothing out of pocket. For sellers, commission is a percentage of the sale price set out in the listing agreement. We will go through the exact numbers before you sign anything.
What is the property transfer tax in BC?
BC buyers pay property transfer tax on the fair market value when title registers: 1 percent on the first $200,000, 2 percent on the value above $200,000 up to $2,000,000, and 3 percent above $2,000,000, plus a further 2 percent on residential value above $3,000,000. First time buyers may qualify for a full exemption on homes up to $835,000. Use the land transfer tax calculator on this page for an estimate.
Which Vancouver area is best for a young family?
It depends on what your family values most. North Vancouver suits families who want trails and outdoor programs nearby. Richmond offers varied housing budgets with a 25 minute Canada Line ride downtown. Vancouver West Side has established schools and beach access. Burnaby gives a central location with parks and SkyTrain connections. Tell me your priorities and I will narrow it down fast.
Should I sell my home before I buy the next one?
Most families feel safer selling first so they know their budget, but it can mean a short term move. Buying first with a subject to sale clause is possible when the market favours buyers. The right order depends on your financing, your risk comfort, and current listing inventory. This is exactly what we work through on a call.
What is the home buying process in BC?
Offers are written on the standard BCREA Contract of Purchase and Sale. Typical subjects include financing, home inspection, insurance, and strata document review. Once subjects are removed the deal is firm and moves to completion, when title transfers. BC also has a three business day Home Buyer Rescission Period after an accepted offer.
Tell me what your next move needs to make possible.
Whether you are ready now or still working through the options, start with a direct conversation.
Call or text778 997 1890
Emaildirksrealestate@gmail.com
BrokerageREAL Broker
Office2107 W 40th Ave #201, Vancouver BC