Picking the right tenant can make your rental profitable and peaceful. Picking the wrong one? Late rent, damage, and drama. In this video I show you exactly how to attract, screen, and approve A+ tenants—even in a competitive British Columbia market. Stick around to the end for the #1 screening mistake landlords make and how to get tenant credit checks for free (details in the video).

What you’ll learn

• How to position your suite so great tenants want it
• Pro-level marketing that stands out (photos, copy, floor plans, syndication)
• A fast pre-screening system that filters time-wasters
• What to look for at showings (subtle red flags)
• A rock-solid application + screening checklist (credit, income, ID, references)
• Deal-breaker red flags and when to walk away
• How to set expectations so good tenants stay good

Chapters

00:00 Intro
00:38 Attracting the Right Tenants Starts with You
02:06 Market It Like a Pro (photos, copy, syndication, floor plans)
04:21 Pre-Screening Questions that Save Time
06:10 In-Person Showings: Green/Red Flags
08:03 Application & Screening Checklist (credit, income, references)
10:27 Major Red Flags to Watch For
12:05 Bonus: Set Clear Expectations Up Front
13:20 The Biggest Mistake Landlords Make
14:25 How I Can Help (Free credit checks for clients in my database)

Quick checklist (copy/paste)

Prep the unit: clean thoroughly • fix anything broken • fresh paint/updated hardware • stage for photos
Marketing must-haves: pro photos (natural light + key features) • detailed description (rent, sqft, amenities, area highlights) • clear criteria (income, credit, smoking, pets, references) • post everywhere (Craigslist, Kijiji, Facebook Marketplace, Rentals.ca, social) • include a floor plan (ask a Realtor for past MLS floor plans)
Pre-screen questions: monthly income • occupants • employer/role • pets • why moving • commute checked? • smoking/drinking • criminal record
At the showing: punctuality • communication • respect for property • general cleanliness • their vehicle condition • trust your gut
Screening items: full application • credit check (Equifax/TransUnion) • employment verification (pay stubs/job letter) • previous-previous landlord reference (not just the most recent) • government ID
Red flags: missing docs • pressure to skip steps • “need to move in today” • big cash up-front offers • refuses credit check • inconsistent story • trashes prior landlord
Set expectations: rent due date & late policy • maintenance reporting • visitor/pet rules • property care • move-out process • give a welcome letter/binder

Want help?

Nervous about picking the wrong tenant? I can help. If you’re already in my client database, I can handle screening—including no-charge credit checks—and walk you through the process. Not in the database yet? DM or email me to get added and we’ll get your place rented right.

📩 DM me or email (see channel About)
📞 Book a quick call (link in channel header)
📘 Grab my book Rockstar Real Estate Investing on Amazon

Disclaimer (BC): This video is for educational purposes only and isn’t legal advice. Tenancy rules vary by province/municipality—verify requirements with the Residential Tenancy Branch and applicable human rights legislation before implementing any screening criteria.

#landlording #tenantScreening #realEstateInvesting #BritishColumbia #LandlordTips #RentalProperty #PropertyManagement #Cashflow #BCRealEstate #Investing

Are you rethinking your pre-sale purchase? With rising rates, construction delays, and prices dropping in some areas, many buyers are asking the same question: “What happens if I walk away?” 

In this episode, I break it all down: 

👉 Why so many buyers are walking from pre-sales right now 

👉 What your developer contract actually says (and why it matters) 

👉 The real consequences of walking away — including losing your deposit and possible lawsuits 

👉 My personal $200,000 loss story (and the hard lessons I learned) 

👉 Strategies to save your deposit — like assignments, negotiating a release, and getting legal help 

If you’re stuck in a pre-sale contract in British Columbia (or anywhere), this could save you tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars. 

⚠ Key Takeaways: 

Deposits are often non-refundable (5–25%) 

Developers can sue for damages if they resell at a loss 

You may face legal costs or credit impacts if it goes to collections 

There are ways to limit the damage — but only if you act quickly 

📩 Need Help? If you’re considering walking from a pre-sale, don’t go silent. 

Let’s talk about your options: 

→ Can we assign it? 

→ Can we negotiate out? 

→ Can we structure a backup plan? 

👍 Like this video, share it with someone thinking of selling, and subscribe for real market advice—not media hype. Watch and subscribe for more!

Your home hasn’t sold… and you’re wondering why.

In this episode, I break down the real reasons listings sit stale in today’s 2025 market—plus what you can do to fix it.

Here’s what we cover:

Why pricing just 3–5% too high can kill your showings

The importance of condition and curb appeal

How location impacts your asking price

The difference between great marketing vs. lazy marketing

Why choosing the wrong realtor could cost you thousands

What happens when your listing goes stale (and how to revive it)

The good news? Most of these issues are completely fixable. By the end of this video, you’ll know exactly what to change to finally get your home sold—and avoid leaving money on the table.

Want personalized advice? DM me, email me, or scan the QR code in this video for a confidential chat about your listing.

Grab a copy of my best-selling book Rockstar Real Estate Investing on Amazon for even more in-depth strategies.

Like this video, share it with someone thinking of selling, and subscribe for real market advice—not media hype.

Watch and subscribe for more!

Learn more, call Jessi at 604 716 6474, email jessi@jessijohnson.ca or schedule a time to chat here: https://calendly.com/jessirealestate

Don’t forget to pick up a copy of my best-selling book on Amazon, Rockstar Real Estate Investing if you haven’t yet and we are here for your questions at any time.

Pick up my book here: https://amzn.to/3uX43SA

Is Canada’s real estate market actually crashing, or is it just hype? The media loves doom and gloom—it gets clicks—but the real story is more complicated.

In this Summer 2025 Market Update, I break down what’s really happening in Canadian real estate. While headlines scream about Toronto condos, pre-construction projects, and overleveraged investors, the truth is the market is deeply divided by micromarkets.

Yes, some areas are sliding—especially high-rise condos in downtown Toronto, where inventory is so high it could take over five years to sell. But in Greater Vancouver? Detached homes in family-friendly suburbs and townhomes with rental suites are still moving—if they’re priced and presented right.

Here’s what we cover in this video:
~ Why the “crash” narrative is mostly driven by a few struggling markets
~ How Greater Vancouver’s prices have barely moved in two years
~ The real difference between median and average sale prices
~ Why pricing your home like it’s 2022 will guarantee it won’t sell
~ The winning pricing strategy for late 2025 (list at or 1–2% below the most recent comparable sale)
~ Why staging, marketing, and a strong CMA are more important than ever
~ How bidding wars are still happening on the right properties

Fun fact: May 2025 was reportedly the slowest month for sales on record, with June coming in second—yet well-prepared sellers still got great offers. The key? Smart pricing + strong presentation. If your home hasn’t sold, it’s not too late to turn it around. In an upcoming episode, I’ll share exactly how to revive a stale listing and attract serious buyers. 📊 Want the data?

Reach out for my full report on which Greater Vancouver areas are dropping the most. 📞 Let’s talk: Book a confidential call with me today. DM or email me for skill-testing questions or advice on your property.

📚 Get my book: Check out Rockstar Real Estate Investing on Amazon for more in-depth strategies. 👍 Like this video, share it with someone who needs to hear this, and subscribe for more no-BS real estate updates.

👉 BOOK A CALL WITH JESSI: calendly.com/jessirealestate Jessi Johnson Personal Real Estate Corporation Realtor | eXp Realty 📞 604 566 8968 (office line)

Canadian real estate investors are disappearing. Government restrictions are causing investors to relocate funds to other opportunities, many outside of Canada. We need investors to buy properties, ideally upgrade/maintain them, and create rentals for the market. The vast majority of Canadians can no longer afford to buy homes, so they have to rent. That’s a whole other story, of course.

The ban on Airbnb has a negligible impact on investor buyers but has caused some owners to list their homes so they don’t need to deal with our tenancy laws that heavily favour the tenant. Is this a good thing? Well, there are more listings, but not necessarily more rentals. Also, without Airbnb, tourists visiting Vancouver are forced to pay disturbingly high hotel fees, so many are likely going to avoid coming at all. It’ll hurt tourism more than help the housing market. I, for example, refuse to spend $500+ for a night in a hotel and will only travel to cities with Airbnb options, in most circumstances.

The new minimum four-month notice to move into an existing tenanted property, which also requires a one-month rent payment to the tenant, is causing buyers to avoid tenanted properties.

The minimal amount you can increase rent annually doesn’t keep up with inflation, high interest rates, and the cost of maintenance. This means taking on a property with an existing tenant is often a huge burden and would cause a normal property to be cash-negative. A smart investor will avoid this property, too.

The ban on flipping is causing all of those impostors to find opportunities outside of the country. A flipping investor buys a property in poor condition and updates it for the next buyer. I do not see the harm in this or why this ridiculous band is in place. Again, more investors are leaving.

The updated capital gains tax when selling rental properties is causing investors to think about the point of investing here if they lose the majority of their profits with a future sale. Again, they’re looking to other areas to invest their money.

Yes, the foreign buyer ban has had a positive (although minimal) effect. However, it was 40 years too late, and the damage was already done.

The reckless levels of federal immigration are going to raise rental rates further.

Our provincial and federal governments are an absolute disaster right now and things are looking like they’re going get a lot worse before there’s any hope of getting better.

Even worse, the federal government is now considering taxing your principal residence. If that happens, how many citizens will give up, say F-this, and leave Canada?

Money is leaving Canada at record levels, and it’s about to get a lot worse. This is not good for our country. We need new governments, provincially and federally.

To make money in real estate today, it would be best to buy a principal residence, renovate and live in it until our wonderful (extreme sarcasm) government permits you to sell it without heavy penalties. Rinse and repeat.

Buying long-completion presales is also an option, but mainly for your principal residence. Seeing how you are essentially now banned from assigning/flipping them, that is no longer an ideal investment strategy.

More importantly, what do you think?

Sales Statistics Overview:

• METRO VANCOUVER (SnapStats): Link
• GREATER VANCOUVER (SnapStats): Link
• FRASER VALLEY (SnapStats): Link

Recent data shows significant gains in property values across Greater Vancouver:

• Detached houses: Up nearly $120,000 since January.
• Townhouses: Increased by about $69,000.
• Condos: Appreciated over $25,000.

Reflecting on earlier predictions, values have already risen by at least 5%, aligning with forecasts. The Bank of Canada recently lowered rates in June, in line with expectations.

Looking ahead, the Bank of Canada anticipates further rate reductions, aiming for a 2.75% overnight rate by 2025. Economic indicators, including increased business bankruptcies and rising unemployment, may necessitate additional rate cuts to spur recovery.

While economic uncertainty persists, real estate in Greater Vancouver remains resilient despite media skepticism from other markets. Increased inventory may moderate sales pace, emphasizing the importance of strategic pricing for sellers.

For those contemplating a property purchase within the year, early preparation is advised to navigate market dynamics effectively.

For more insights, refer to my best-selling book, ‘Rockstar Real Estate Investing‘.

Feel free to reach out with any questions.

Remember to Own Your Life!

Introduction

Navigating the complex world of property valuation in British Columbia can be a daunting task, especially when relying on BC Assessments. These assessments, while necessary, are not always the most accurate reflection of your home’s current market value, given their reliance on data from the previous year. With the real estate landscape in Greater Vancouver and beyond being so dynamic, it’s crucial to have a more immediate and precise understanding of your property’s worth.

I’m Jessi Johnson, bringing to the table 18 years of invaluable experience as a mortgage broker and realtor, ready to guide you through the intricacies of accurately determining the value of your home.

Understanding BC Assessments

BC Assessments provide a snapshot of a property’s value based on conditions as of July 1st of the previous year. This retrospective valuation can be significantly out of step with the current real estate market, particularly in fast-moving regions like Greater Vancouver. Recognizing this limitation is the first step in seeking out more accurate and timely valuations.

Methods for Accurate Home Valuation

When the BC Assessment doesn’t suffice, consider these two reliable alternatives:

1. Professional Property Appraisal

Hiring a licensed property appraiser is a solid choice, especially when securing a mortgage. The cost ranges between $300 to $500 but offers a precise valuation of your home based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors including location, size, and condition.

2. Expert Realtor Guidance

Alternatively, consulting with a knowledgeable local realtor can provide insights into your home’s value within the current market context. If you’re in Greater Vancouver, I’m here to offer my expertise and assist you in navigating the valuation process.

Factors Influencing Home Value

Several factors play a critical role in determining your home’s value:

• Location and proximity to amenities or busy streets
• The type and style of your home
• Square footage of both interior and exterior spaces
• Age of the home and any renovations or improvements, particularly those officially recognized through permits
• The number of bedrooms, bathrooms, and unique features like basement suites

It’s important to note that unpermitted renovations, while potentially adding value, won’t be reflected in your BC Assessment, impacting the government’s valuation of your property.

The Role of BC Assessments in Market Analysis

While BC Assessments are considered in comparative market analyses (CMAs) for context, they do not directly influence the valuation process. CMAs involve a detailed comparison of your property against similar, recently sold properties to establish a more accurate market value.

Addressing Inaccurate BC Assessments

Should you find your property’s assessed value to be misaligned with its true worth, it is possible to contest this figure with BC Assessment Authority. Whether you believe your assessment is too high or too low, correcting this value is crucial, not just for selling purposes but also because it affects your annual property taxes.

Conclusion

BC Assessments, while a helpful starting point, are not the be-all and end-all for determining your property’s value. By understanding their limitations and exploring alternative valuation methods, you can achieve a more accurate and beneficial outcome for your real estate endeavors. Remember, whether you’re curious about your home’s value or ready to step into the market, your local realtor is an invaluable resource. Don’t hesitate to reach out for expert advice tailored to your unique situation.

In this episode, we’re tackling a question that’s been on my mind for a while: Was buying real estate in Vancouver actually more affordable back when mortgage rates were at 20%?

Throughout my childhood, I frequently heard my parents lamenting how difficult those times were. But was the financial strain truly as severe as they described?

I’m Jessi Johnson, here to guide you with the insights I’ve gained from over 18 years as a mortgage broker and realtor.

Reflecting on the past, homes in the 1980s were astonishingly affordable compared to today – what you’d pay in property transfer taxes now could have bought you a house back then.

Although data varies, the average price for a Vancouver home in the mid-80s hovered around $160,000. Fast forward to today, and that figure has skyrocketed to $2,500,000, marking a 15-fold increase.

But have incomes kept pace? Absolutely not. The average income in Vancouver was about $30,000 in 1982, only to reach approximately $69,000 today – a mere doubling in 40 years, far from the exponential rise in home prices.

The disparity between income growth and housing price inflation has significantly eroded the affordability of homeownership.

Let’s break down the numbers:

In the 80s, a $160,000 home, with a 20% down payment, led to a $128,000 mortgage. At a 20% interest rate over 25 years, monthly payments were about $2,108, consuming 74.4% of the average income.

Contrast that with today: a $2,500,000 home requires a $2,000,000 mortgage (assuming a 20% down payment). With a 5.5% interest rate, monthly payments jump to $12,455, or 215% of the average income.

Despite these comparisons, the actual affordability of homes has drastically diminished due to the disproportionate increase in home prices relative to incomes.

And while I’ve focused on individual rather than household incomes, the conclusion remains starkly similar.

Given the choice, I’d opt for the 1980s’ pricing and mortgage rates any day.

As we delve into this topic, please support this video with a like and subscribe to the channel for more insights.

But why were the 1980s’ interest rates so high? The culprit was rampant inflation, which led to historically high mortgage rates, occasionally topping 20%.

Despite official reports, I’m skeptical about the accuracy of inflation rates, especially in light of recent underestimations.

For those feeling disheartened by today’s market, remember, it’s still possible to find your footing in real estate. Whether it’s through renovating an older property or investing in a presale with a long completion period, opportunities abound.

I’m here to guide you through each step of the process. To get started, book a consultation with me.

And if you’re looking for more real estate wisdom, don’t miss my best-selling book, ‘Rockstar Real Estate Investing,’ available on Amazon. Check the description for the link.

Let’s take charge of our lives and navigate the real estate market with confidence. I’m Jessi Johnson, here to empower you with over 18 years of experience. Remember, the key is to Own Your Life!

In this episode, we will my Real Estate Predictions for 2024 and but first audit my past predictions from to 2023 to see if I was accurate… or out to lunch

I am Jessi Johnson, guiding you with over 18 years of experience as a mortgage broker and realtor.

To quickly review 2023, while most predicted the real estate market would drop in 2023…. I predicted prices would increase, and I was right! 

For mortgage rates, I predicted rates would remain stable and drop in Q3 and Q4. 

I was partially correct there, rates did drop at the start of Q4 but weren’t stable throughout the year. They skyrocketed in the summer of 2023, but no one saw that one coming

Let’s quickly review what others predicted would happen in 2023. 

REBGV, Global New & City TV predicted things would remain flat all year… This was not correct

CTV predicted a decline in prices but didn’t give a number… They definitely didn’t happen

The Daily Hive expected the BC market would have no recovery until 2024.. arguably wrong, we started bouncing back spring of 2023

Rennie stated price would grow in the second half of 2023… But they actually went down during this time. 

National bank predicted mortgage rates would hold steady and drop Q3 of 2023…. 

Again, rates did not hold steady. They skyrocketed in the summer of 2023 and dropped in Q4, so they were close

At the end of the day, it is bloody hard for me to predict anything when people far more educated and smarter than I, are constantly wrong.

2023 was a brutal year for many, especially for all of us in the real estate and mortgage industry.

Did you have to renew a mortgage last year? I did, and it went up over 3%. Now that fucking sucks.

Alright, time to dive into my predictions for 2024, and I will try to be more precise this time.

I personally feel fixed mortgage rates will continue to drop with a roller coaster effect gradually going down throughout the year.

The BOC (Bank of Canada’s) overnight lending rate, which affects variable mortgages and lines of credit’s… 

Will only start to decline when the current federal government stops recklessly spending and printing money, which devalues our dollar and causes inflation. 

… only Trudeau can predict when that will happen.

You can safely assume variable mortgages and lines of credit’s will finally start to come down as early as April but, more likely in June.

For housing prices, I feel prices will increase a minimum of 5% but more likely increase 10%, which is closer to the historical norm. 

However, there is a very good chance the next boom will kick in this year, instead of 2025, when most predict it will happen

I have seen Vancouver’s prices go up 5% in just one month, so anything is possible.

Based on irresponsible levels of immigration and a severe shortage of new housing, prices have only one place to go, which is up.

Economics 101, supply and demand.

Are we in a recession? 

Probably but I feel it will have little to no effect on the real estate market in Greater Vancouver.

To be clear, I know the Greater Vancouver market well, these predictions do not fall outside of this geographical area.

Do I have any recommended hot spots to invest in?

Well, anything close to Whistler is gold. 

They are one of the only areas where the government didn’t ban Airbnb businesses.

Maple Ridge and any “affordable” areas will see the biggest price increases.

I strongly feel Burnaby condos and townhouses are going to skyrocket this year too.

I do not know anyone rich, who isn’t involved in real estate as an owner or investor. 

If you have any hopes of retiring with a healthy net worth, you must be in real estate.

Book a time to chat with me and I will walk you through the entire process. The link to do so is in the description.

While I have your attention, please like this video to help me with the algorithm…and, don’t forget to subscribe to the channel 

Once again, I’m Jessi Johnson, your guide with over 18 years of expertise. 

Grab a copy of my best-selling book, ‘Rockstar Real Estate Investing‘, for more in-depth knowledge

The link to purchase my book on Amazon is here: https://www.amazon.ca/Rockstar-Real-Estate-Investing-Million/dp/1544513925?crid=26N0VN4ECP5RP&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.OkoPOLBOx9zdPeCC9IKmOqkuFjvSn0-li-IFj70id-DUVfAXfSqWjbMc5J1T6N8c-T2TmpOfsjSZTVF5f2NLRnKANYlufLQK_Y0QU7IDh-M.OheUIq8WpQiyDP37DGFiV9JKTZMpiz_S-Y0-GT4fp_0&dib_tag=se&keywords=jessi+johnson&qid=1708474141&sprefix=jessi+johnson%2Caps%2C160&sr=8-1&linkCode=ll1&tag=jessijohnson-20&linkId=791caf520557fcc221666494a2552562&language=en_CA&ref_=as_li_ss_tl

Remember to Own Your Life!

Happy New Year! I come bearing wonderful news. Fixed mortgage rates have been on a downward trajectory since October and will continue to decline for years to come. The Bank of Canada has indicated they are no longer increasing and should start dropping the overnight lending rate within 2 to 3 months.

The 5-year bond yield which dictates fixed mortgage rates has been dropping fast since October. Want to predict the future? Well, sort of, just want the bond yield to see where fixed mortgage rates are going in the next one to three weeks. Why such a range? If the bond yield goes up, mortgage lenders are quick to increase rates, and do it, usually within a week. When the bond yield drops, lenders take their sweet time and can take up to three weeks to drop rates. No comment.

The Bank of Canada is predicted to start cutting rates as early as March, but more realistically in April. They will continue this trend for years to come. The biggest driving factor in the delay of the the Bank of Canada cutting rates is reckless government spending & printing money causing inflation. Yes, you 100% have your government to thank for this mess, which has caused the financial strain for all Canadians.

We’re in an interesting situation now, because even though fixed rates are dropping, prices are as well, which was not expected. Yes, we are in the winter time which is generally the best time to buy in the worst time to sell, but still, the market has been extremely slow for sales for a while now, so it was widely expected when the rates come down that things would get very busy. It is just a matter of time before things get crazy again. Expect bidding wars as early as spring time. 

Are we going to have a recession in 2024? That is my prediction but I don’t think it’s going to have much, if any, effect on real estate. 

Surprisingly, even with the crazy high inflation and overall cost-of-living paired with high mortgage rates, the greater Vancouver real estate market still went up 5% in 2023. With so many buyers remaining on the fence and waiting for rates to come down, we are anticipating one heck of a run starting soon. With the average property price expected to double, again within seven years (see HERE), buying in the next 3 to 6 months is highly recommended. You will thank yourself later! Metro Vancouver’s housing market closed out 2023 with balanced market conditions, but the year-end totals mask a story of surprising resilience in the face of the highest borrowing costs seen in over a decade. Residential sales were down 10.3% versus 2022 and they were down 41.5% compared to 2021. Looking at a 10 year sales average, sales in 2023 were down 23.4%. Would you like to see a detailed report on Greater/Metro Vancouver? Click HERE. Why haven’t prices tanked in such a brutal economy and conditions? Well, we’re barely above 4 months of inventory nationally, which is lower than at any point from 2010 to 2020. Population growth is immense and new supply is constrained. Economics 101, supply and demand, my friends. P.S. DO NOT FORGET to payback your entire CEBA Covid loan before Jan 18th you could lose $20,000. More details HERE.

Best wishes, Realtor & Mortgage Broker in Greater / Metro Vancouver.