The Real Deal Pod: Allister Carrington & Geoff Lee’s Pro Insights in Real Estate

Allister Carrington
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Welcome to ”The Real Deal Pod,” where industry experts Allister Carrington, founder of Allister Carrington Real Estate, and Geoff Lee from GLM Mortgages join forces to bring you Pro Insights in Real Estate. Join us in insightful conversations about the ever-dynamic real estate market, delve into mortgage rates, and gain valuable knowledge that empowers you in your property journey. Our commitment to authenticity and personalized service shines through as we navigate the intricacies of the real estate landscape. Get ready for an engaging and informative podcast that goes beyond the surface, helping you make informed decisions in the world of real estate. Tune in and stay ahead with Allister Carrington and Geoff Lee – your trusted guides in the real estate realm.

  1. 6d ago

    Ep. 110 — Condo vs Townhouse vs Detached in BC, the CMHC Affordability Report & Why Now Is the Time

    CMHC says Canada needs 4.7 million new homes to restore affordability and is only on track to build half that. So is BC real estate still unaffordable? In Episode 110 of The Real Deal Pod, Fraser Valley realtor Allister Carrington and BC mortgage broker Geoff Lee explain what that report actually means — and why BC is already in one of the most affordable markets in years, right now, today.   Then Geoff breaks down the question every BC buyer is really asking: condo, townhouse, or detached — which is right for your life in 5–10 years? Not just for your budget today.   What you'll learn: What the CMHC 4.7 million homes report actually means — and why it's a future warning, not today's reality Why BC is already in an affordable market: Abbotsford condos at $320K, ownership often cheaper than renting Condo total correction projected at 8.8% by year-end — and why recovery is expected from mid-2027 into 2028 Why RBC has called the BC market bottom 8 times — and what that tells you about trying to time BC real estate Condo vs townhouse vs detached in BC: the pros, cons, and who each is right for Why the BC townhouse market has been the most consistent segment in the Fraser Valley The missing middle: why townhomes are now attracting investors and first-time families alike How the BC property ladder actually works — condo to townhouse to detached Why buying at three-quarters of the way down beats trying to time the absolute bottom Geoff's personal story: bought his house in 1995, sold in 2021 for $1.4M more than he paid Hosted by Allister Carrington | BC Realtor, KIC Realty Inc | www.AllisterCarrington.com Co-hosted by Geoff Lee | BC Mortgage Broker, GLM Mortgage Group | www.GLMmortgage.com

  2. Sep 9

    Ep. 109 — Reverse Mortgages Canada Explained: Tax-Free Retirement Income from Your Home Equity

    Reverse mortgages in Canada are one of the most misunderstood and underused financial tools available to homeowners 55 and older — and in Episode 109 of The Real Deal Pod, BC mortgage broker Geoff Lee delivers the most practical breakdown of how they actually work, who qualifies, and what they can do for cash-strapped but equity-rich BC homeowners in retirement. A couple bought their Vancouver home in 1985 for $125,000. It's worth $1.9 million today. They're $850 short every month in retirement. They don't want to sell. That's the problem reverse mortgages are designed to solve — and Geoff walks through five real case studies showing exactly how.   What you'll learn: What a reverse mortgage in Canada actually is — and what it isn't Who qualifies: 55+, primary residence, home worth $200K+, property taxes current How you receive the funds: lump sum, monthly payments, or on-demand draws of $5,000+ The maximum you can access: up to 55% of your home's equity depending on age, location, and property type The tax question answered: reverse mortgage funds are NOT taxable and do NOT affect CPP, OAS, or GIS The myths busted: the bank does NOT own your home, your children are NOT necessarily losing their inheritance Five real case studies: retiring $850/month short, clearing $165K in debt, gifting a $150K down payment, funding a $80K accessibility renovation, and funding a $400K divorce buyout How home equity is your biggest hidden retirement fund — and why now is the time to understand it   Also in this episode: the August 2026 BC real estate stats (softest summer close in years), the Eclipse Condo Crisis legal update (consumer protection law holds against insolvency), and why BC homes are now $163K–$175K below their 2022 peak in real dollars.   Hosted by Allister Carrington | BC Realtor, KIC Realty | www.AllisterCarrington.com Co-hosted by Geoff Lee | BC Mortgage Broker, GLM Mortgage Group | www.GLMmortgage.com

  3. Sep 1

    Ep. 108 — Co-Buying a Home in BC With a Friend or Family Member: Pros, Risks & Exit Strategy

    Co-buying a home in BC — with a friend, sibling, partner, or parent — is one of the most searched strategies for getting into the BC real estate market right now. In Episode 108 of The Real Deal Pod, Fraser Valley realtor Allister Carrington and BC mortgage broker Geoff Lee cover how co-buying a BC mortgage actually works, what the real risks are, and exactly what every co-buyer needs to have in writing before they sign anything.   With the average BC home now $175,000 below its 2022 peak and Chilliwack condos back at $290,000–$299,000, BC affordability is the best it's been in nearly a decade. Co-buying is how many first-time buyers in the Fraser Valley and Metro Vancouver are making the math work.   What you'll learn: The BC co-buying mortgage basics: how combined income and pooled down payments work with a lender Why both co-buyers' debts matter as much as their income — and the formulas that determine your borrowing power What joint mortgage liability really means: if your co-buyer misses a payment, the lender comes after you for the full amount Why you need a written co-ownership agreement covering payments, expenses, major decisions, and the exit strategy — before you buy The exit questions to answer while everyone is still friends: what if one person wants to sell? What's the buyout process? What if neither qualifies alone? Buying with parents: co-signer vs. co-borrower, and how co-signing affects a parent's own future borrowing power First-time homebuyer privileges in a co-purchase: your PTT exemption, FHSA, and RRSP rights still apply even if your co-buyer isn't a first-time buyer The 4-year rental rule: how to re-qualify as a first-time BC homebuyer after renting BC affordability in real dollars: $175,000 below peak, and why talking in dollars matters more than percentages Vancouver's rise to #9 in North America for tech talent — and what it means for BC real estate demand The Victoria realtor fined $200,000 and suspended by BCFSA for affordable homeownership fraud Canada tariff update: what bank CEOs' Q3 earnings actually say about the economic impact Hosted by Allister Carrington | BC Realtor, KIC Realty | www.AllisterCarrington.com Co-hosted by Geoff Lee | BC Mortgage Broker, GLM Mortgage Group | www.GLMmortgage.com

  4. Aug 21

    Ep. 107 — Should You Wait for BC Mortgage Rates to Drop? CMHC 2026 Forecast & The Four Rate Buckets Explained

    Should you wait for BC mortgage rates to drop before buying? In Episode 107 of The Real Deal Pod, Fraser Valley realtor Allister Carrington and BC mortgage broker Geoff Lee answer that directly — and explain why the BC mortgage rate you find online is probably not the rate you'd actually qualify for.   As of August 21, 2026, the BC mortgage rate range runs from 3.55% to 4.75%. Which end you land on depends on four questions — what you're buying, what you're putting down, what amortization you choose, and whether it's owner-occupied or a rental. Most rate sites, lenders, and even some brokers skip these questions entirely, leaving buyers pre-approved in the wrong bucket with the wrong rate.   They also cover the CMHC mid-year 2026 housing forecast, which shows BC and Ontario headed in dramatically different directions — BC housing starts falling toward 2028 while Ontario's resale market is set to jump to around 77,000 sales. Allister explains why Ontario's HST relief drove that gap and why BC's equivalent grant doesn't replicate the math.   What you'll learn: • CMHC's mid-year 2026 forecast: BC housing starts falling, Ontario resale surging — and why • Why CMHC cites "high borrowing costs" as a drag — and why Allister and Geoff challenge that framing • The four BC mortgage rate buckets: insured, insurable, uninsurable, and investment • Why there are 20+ possible rates within those buckets — and how to know which one you're in • Why the sub-2% rates people are waiting for required a once-in-200-years pandemic • Canada's inflation at 3.2% — above the Bank of Canada's 1–3% target — and what that means for variable rate holders heading into the September 2nd meeting • What a 0.25% rate increase actually costs: on a $600,000 mortgage, about $83/month • Why today's BC mortgage rate environment is the new normal — and why treating it as temporary is costly • Renting vs. buying in BC: why ownership is often cheaper than renting at current prices and rates • The CMHC 100x net worth gap — condo owners in their 30s worth $440,000 vs. renters worth $44,000   Hosted by Allister Carrington | BC Realtor, KIC Realty | www.AllisterCarrington.com Co-hosted by Geoff Lee | BC Mortgage Broker, GLM Mortgage Group | www.GLMmortgage.com

  5. Aug 19

    Ep. 106 — 7 Things NOT to Do After BC Mortgage Approval & the Cowichan Land Title Ruling One Year Later

    Your BC mortgage is approved and your subjects are removed — but the deal isn't done until the completion date. In Episode 106 of The Real Deal Pod, Fraser Valley realtor Allister Carrington and BC mortgage broker Geoff Lee cover the 7 things BC homebuyers must not do between mortgage approval and closing, and follow up on the Cowichan land title ruling — one year on — with new polling that reveals what it has done to public trust in BC's fee simple property ownership system.   The BC mortgage pre-closing mistakes covered in this episode affect buyers at every price point: from first-time buyers in the Fraser Valley to move-up buyers across Metro Vancouver. Lenders have the right to perform an internal audit before completion. If your financial position has changed from the day your BC mortgage was approved, the deal can collapse — even after subjects are removed and everything feels certain.   What you'll learn: • Why "BC mortgage approved" does not mean "done" — and when the real risk window closes • The 7 things that can collapse a firm and binding BC real estate purchase before closing • Why financing a car, furniture, or anything on credit between approval and completion is dangerous • How $600/month in new payments removes $100,000 of borrowing power — and how $14,000 on a card does the same • What happens when a BC buyer changes jobs, goes commission, or becomes self-employed after approval • Why shuffling your down payment between accounts creates a documentation nightmare • Gifted down payments from overseas — what BC lenders require and when it has to be in a Canadian account • The Cowichan land title ruling one year later — what new BC polling reveals about public trust in fee simple ownership • Why the ruling was about public land, not private homes — and why that message has failed to reach BC property owners • How media framing and algorithm-driven content is shaping what BC homeowners believe about their property rights • The rule that protects every BC homebuyer: keep it boring until the day after completion   Hosted by Allister Carrington | BC Realtor, KIC Realty | www.AllisterCarrington.com Co-hosted by Geoff Lee | BC Mortgage Broker, GLM Mortgage Group | www.GLMmortgage.com

  6. Aug 7

    Ep. 105 — BC Basement Suite Mortgage Income Explained, July 2026 Stats & Why BC Buyers Have Stopped Buying

    Can a basement suite rental income help you qualify for a bigger BC mortgage — or turn a declined BC mortgage application into an approval? In Episode 105 of The Real Deal Pod, Fraser Valley realtor Allister Carrington and BC mortgage broker Geoff Lee answer that question in full, then cover the July 2026 BC real estate stats and tackle the biggest question in the Fraser Valley and Metro Vancouver markets right now: after three years, why have BC buyers stopped buying — and what is it going to take to turn that around?   The July 2026 BC real estate numbers reversed June's gains almost entirely. Fraser Valley sales fell 9% year-over-year. Metro Vancouver condo sales dropped 18%. Prices remain flat to slightly down. And yet a Chilliwack condo that sold for $440K at the peak with a $35K down payment is now selling for $290K — with a $15K down payment. The affordability is there. The buyers aren't.   Geoff then delivers a practical breakdown of how BC basement suite and secondary suite rental income works in a mortgage application: what counts, what doesn't, how lenders verify it, the difference between add-back, offset, and DCR rental calculations, and why a BC mortgage broker with access to multiple lenders is essential when rental income is part of the picture.   What you'll learn: July 2026 Fraser Valley and Metro Vancouver real estate stats Why BC condo sales fell 18% in July — and what it means for buyers and sellers The Chilliwack condo affordability comparison: COVID peak vs. today Why BC buyers have spent 3 years rewiring their brains not to buy — and what Warren Buffett says about it How basement suite and carriage house rental income works in a BC mortgage application Suite requirements for lender recognition: separate entrance, kitchen, bathroom, bedroom Room and board vs. suite income — what conventional BC lenders won't recognize The three ways BC lenders calculate rental income: add-back, offset, and DCR calculator Existing tenant with lease vs. vacant suite needing a market rent letter — what each lender requires How rental income from a BC suite can turn a mortgage decline into an approval Why a BC mortgage broker with multi-lender access outperforms a single-bank specialist on rental income files Airbnb income and BC mortgage lenders — what's recognized and what's not What BC realtors can and can't do when it comes to helping you become a landlord   Hosted by Allister Carrington | BC Realtor, KIC Realty | www.AllisterCarrington.com Co-hosted by Geoff Lee | BC Mortgage Broker, GLM Mortgage Group | www.GLMmortgage.com

  7. Aug 4

    Ep. 104 — 10 Biggest BC Homebuyer Mistakes, the Real Estate Wealth Gap & Why Home Equity Beats Income

    A new study found that established immigrants in Canada are wealthier than Canadian-born households at every income level — and the entire gap traces back to BC real estate and home equity, not income or pensions. In Episode 104 of The Real Deal Pod, Fraser Valley realtor Allister Carrington and BC mortgage broker Geoff Lee unpack what that finding means for BC homebuyers today, then deliver the 10 biggest mistakes BC homebuyers are making in 2026 — the ones quietly costing people the wealth-building opportunity sitting right in front of them.   The Did You Know covers the immigrant wealth gap study, the 49% home equity advantage, and what it actually proves about BC real estate as a long-term wealth tool — including Geoff's real-world example of a Cultus Lake home that went from $411,000 in 2011 to $856,000 today.   The 10 mistakes cover everything from pre-approval and credit scores to BC property transfer tax exemptions, skipping home inspections on presales, making major financial changes mid-purchase, and the single most common question that costs BC buyers thousands — "what's the rate?" — without ever asking about mortgage portability, prepayment, or penalty calculations.   What you'll learn: Why established immigrants hold 49% more home equity than Canadian-born households at the same income level Why home equity — not salary — is how most BC households build long-term net worth The 10 biggest mistakes BC homebuyers make — from first-time buyers to move-up buyers BC property transfer tax exemptions: full exemption to $500K, sliding scale to $835K, new build to $1.1M How high credit utilization silently drags down your BC mortgage approval Why you should never skip a home inspection — especially on a BC presale The first-time homebuyer programs BC buyers aren't using (FHSA and RRSP Home Buyers' Plan) What the right BC power team looks like — and why "best of the best" isn't the same as "best for you" The homebuyer checklist: what to do, ask, and read before signing anything   If you're buying real estate in BC — for the first time or the tenth — this episode is the checklist you didn't know you needed.   Hosted by Allister Carrington | BC Realtor, KIC Realty | www.AllisterCarrington.com Co-hosted by Geoff Lee | BC Mortgage Broker, GLM Mortgage Group | www.GLMmortgage.com

  8. Jul 28

    Ep. 103 — Future-Proof Your BC Mortgage, CREA 2026 Forecast & Why Rate Is the Wrong First Question

    6 out of 10 BC homeowners break their mortgage within 3 years — and most of them only ever asked one question before signing: what's the rate? In Episode 103 of The Real Deal Pod, Fraser Valley realtor Allister Carrington and BC mortgage broker Geoff Lee explain why that single focus is the costliest mistake in BC mortgage borrowing, and what to ask instead. Geoff walks through a practical framework for future-proofing your BC mortgage: prepayment privileges, portability options, how BC mortgage penalties are calculated at big six banks versus credit unions and monoline lenders, and why the answers to these questions can mean the difference of thousands of dollars when life changes — a move, a divorce, a job relocation, an upsizing, or a debt restructure. They also cover the CREA 2026 national real estate forecast update, the Bank of Canada's sixth consecutive rate hold at 2.25%, and why a lower revised annual sales number actually signals stabilization — not decline — in the BC real estate and Fraser Valley markets. What you'll learn: CREA revises 2026 national sales forecast down 1.4% — what it really means for BC real estate Bank of Canada holds at 2.25% for six straight meetings — and why it matters for BC buyers National MLS Home Price Index stable May to June — first time since January 2025 Why asking "what's the rate?" is the wrong first question for a BC mortgage The 4 BC mortgage personality questions that protect you when life changes Why 6 in 10 BC homeowners break their mortgage within 3 years — and what triggers it BC mortgage penalty calculations: big six banks vs. credit unions vs. monoline lenders Prepayment privileges and portability — what to ask before signing any BC mortgage Real case study: $53K consumer debt restructured using home equity saves $3,000/month in BC The $300,000 average gifted family down payment — how BC parents are accessing home equity to help Why buying a 2-bedroom instead of a 1-bedroom is future-proofing your life, not just your mortgage   Hosted by Allister Carrington | Fraser Valley Realtor | www.AllisterCarrington.com Co-hosted by Geoff Lee | BC Mortgage Broker, GLM Mortgage Group | www.GLMmortgage.com

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Welcome to ”The Real Deal Pod,” where industry experts Allister Carrington, founder of Allister Carrington Real Estate, and Geoff Lee from GLM Mortgages join forces to bring you Pro Insights in Real Estate. Join us in insightful conversations about the ever-dynamic real estate market, delve into mortgage rates, and gain valuable knowledge that empowers you in your property journey. Our commitment to authenticity and personalized service shines through as we navigate the intricacies of the real estate landscape. Get ready for an engaging and informative podcast that goes beyond the surface, helping you make informed decisions in the world of real estate. Tune in and stay ahead with Allister Carrington and Geoff Lee – your trusted guides in the real estate realm.

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