Dr Sam Mehrbod’s Blog

Despite shrinking household sizes and rising prices, lot sizes haven't adjusted, leading to an excess of empty bedrooms in single-family homes.Three principles are proposed to prompt cities to address housing affordability and urban challenges proactively.

A new state law requires Vancouver to allow duplexes, fourplexes, and sometimes sixplexes in single-family home neighborhoods. The law aims to increase housing supply, overriding zoning laws to allow for more diverse housing options. Vancouver will work on implementing standards for these new housing options. Continue to full article

In Vancouver more than 70% of all homes for sale go for more than $1M. Out of 2,730 listings, 1,924 are priced above $1M in Early-Q1.

Vancouver faces an empty bedroom problem due to decades of planning decisions. Lot sizes haven't adjusted as households shrank and prices rose, leading to fewer people in single-family neighborhoods. A new approach by urban planners is needed to address housing affordability and other urban issues. Continue to full article

In Vancouver, a solo buyer would need to save for 12.2-mo to afford the minimum down payment of $50,190. Condos are the most affordable property type, ideal for single-income buyers.