Updated Jan 14, 2024

How To Find Cheap Houses for Sale In Vancouver, BC

Vancouver, BC, is home to a laid-back, diverse, cosmopolitan population.

As a west coastal town, it’s surrounded by stunning views of the sea and mountains. There you’ll experience plenty of art, culture, music, and tasty food within communities that promote good health and well-being.

Ranked as one of the most livable cities in the world and close to major tech hubs like Seattle, investors trust that cheap properties in Vancouver, BC, are absolutely the way forward.

However, in such a large city and with so much choice, where do you start?

In this article, we’ll show you how to find cheap houses for sale in Vancouver, BC, and discuss the pros and cons involved.

How to Find Cheap Houses for Sale in Vancouver, BC

Use Online Market Places

In 2023, 52% of buyers found and purchased a suitable property on the internet, according to the National Association of Realtors.

In addition, more investors use online real estate platforms like valentehomes.ca to access cheap properties for sale over a large geographic area.

If you use this method, you’ll find by default that the property listings start from the “most expensive” and range to the “cheapest first” option.

By doing so, over time, you’ll notice a pattern of which neighborhoods typically have the cheaper properties then you can focus your search on those areas.

Pros

Access to a Large Property Database

From the comfort of your own home, you’ll have access to an extensive database of current and credible properties for sale to preview, with options to filter your search to focus on the type of properties you’re looking for specifically.

Remove the Middleman

One of the problems with going through a broker or agency is you will pay a finder’s fee. However, when searching online, the website is the middleman, and most real estate platform services are free.

A Huge Time Saver

You won’t need to make time to go out looking for properties or do as much research. You’ll save time making trips to properties as you only need to start seeing it physically once you’ve found a place of interest.

Set Up Automatic Alerts

Being one of the top places to live in the world, they’ll be loads of investors looking for cheap houses for sale in Vancouver, BC. Therefore, you need to have your finger on the pulse.

Many online platforms allow you to set up alerts, so you are notified as soon as the properties you’re interested in become available.

Cons

Missing Property Details

Though property listings try to be as informative as possible, there may be details missing that are important to you in making a decision. You’ll still need to thoroughly inspect the house and check out the area before deciding on going to the next stage.

No Middleman

Granted, you’ll be saving on the finder’s fee that comes with an estate agent, but the personal touch will be missing.

Nothing beats working with another person on things like this. Professional and experienced agents will provide support in helping you to decide by offering advice from a place of knowledge and empathy.

An online listing may have beautiful pictures and a description to support it, but it can’t advise you on things like potentially incompatible neighbors.

Use Open House Auctions

Auctions are available to anyone wanting to purchase a property. It’s like a real-life eBay only for houses and apartments.

Here, you’ll have the opportunity to bid and buy foreclosed properties for lower than market prices. There is an assumption that properties sold this way tend to be problematic.

However, over time this opinion is slowly changing.

Types of Property Auctions

• A confirmation auction, where the lender can decide whether to accept the winning bid or not. Therefore, your bid could be declined if considered too low
• An absolute auction, where the property is sold to the highest bidder

Pros

Access to Heavily Discounted Properties

This method offers you the opportunity to purchase properties well under the market price as banks attempt to recoup as much money as they can on the remaining balance. Perfect for buying fixer-uppers and turning them into gems.

Quick Turn-Around

Houses bought at auctions can be completed within 28-days, which is a lot faster than the traditional methods.

Possibility of Less Competition

There is less competition using this method compared with online real estate platforms or other traditional methods. Also, due to the transparency of other bidders being in the same room as you, you may be less pressured to put in a rushed offer.

Cons

Less Time for Surveying

House auctioneers typically don’t allow you to inspect a property before placing a bid on it. If you win a bid, you’ll be getting the property as-is.

If you’re allowed to take a look, there is only so much you’ll be able to determine about the condition of the property unless you are skilled in this area.

Without running utilities, you’ll miss potential problems with leaks and electrical faults, and any other hazards.

Explore Neighborhoods Outside of the City

Cheaper properties are found outside of the busy inner-city, therefore, focus on rural areas.

They don’t need to be in the middle of nowhere, but the lower-priced properties are typically within an hour or two of the major real estate markets.

In short, the further away you go from the metropolitan areas, the more chances you’ll have of finding cheaper properties.

Look at Lots of Them

Looking at lots of cheap houses will help you to identify better deals. Gain a good understanding of the real estate market for the neighborhoods you’re looking into by attending as many open houses as possible.

Try and team up with a real estate agent in the area to look at as many potential properties as you can.

Alternatively, drive around the area to check out the properties yourself - the more comprehensive your search, the better your odds at finding something.

Pros

Get to Know the Neighborhood

Get a real feel for the area by exploring the neighborhood and seeing what local amenities are available. By talking to the business owners and residents, you can get first-hand information about the area.

Cons

Could Take Some Planning

Some intervention from the internet will be required as you’ll need to know where the properties are before scheduling time to have a look.

This could be time-consuming. For that reason, concentrate on planning a visit to the neighborhoods where you’ll most likely purchase a property.

High Returns on Low-Priced Properties

Vancouver, BC, is typically ranked as one of the world's top ten most livable places. Real estate investors do well from purchasing cheaply priced properties in promising neighborhoods.

There are plenty of cheap houses for sale in Vancouver, BC, right now, and fortunately, plenty of stress-free ways to find them.

We hope this article on finding cheap houses for sale in Vancouver, BC, has proved of help, and we wish you every success in your investment.

Updated January 14, 2024

Apartments in Burnaby, BC | Is Burnaby a Good Place to Live?

Are you thinking about settling down in Burnaby, BC? The easily accessible third-largest city in British Columbia is one of the best places to live in this part of the world.

Why You Should Consider Apartments in Burnaby, BC

Burnaby has so much going for it, and if you’re searching for houses or apartments in Burnaby, BC, we’ll give you the lowdown on what to expect.

The Burnaby real estate market is booming these days. But before you consider moving to the area, you need to know everything about Burnaby to help you make an informed decision.

Living in Burnaby is Ideal for All Ages

Let's first talk about Burnaby's demographics. The median age is 42 years old, less than the British Columbia average of 42.3 years old.

The population is around 249,000, which some would argue is the perfect size for the city. Regardless of how old you are, Burnaby has something to offer.

However, before you browse through the apartments in Burnaby, BC listings, here are a few details to keep in mind.

For families with small kids, moving to Burnaby, BC, is a great idea. There are 41 elementary and 8 secondary schools in the area.

There are fun programs at the Shadbolt Centre for Arts and many public libraries with high-quality programs. For teenagers, a plethora of sports activities and teams are available

A college student is likely to thrive in Burnaby, BC, as it hosts two significant educational institutions. The British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT) and Simon Fraser University (SFU) are both situated in Burnaby.

For senior citizens, Burnaby is an excellent place to live as well, as there are many residential options where they can safely get some low-impact exercise.

Burnaby Real Estate Market

If you select Burnaby for your new home, you'll be off to the real estate races. According to most recent data, the housing market in Burnaby right now is rising again.

There is competition among buyers, depending on the property type.

No wonder - Burnaby is an amazing place to live. But what does that look like in numbers? Here are the current prices for apartments in Burnaby, BC:

· 1-bedroom: $605,000

· 2-bedroom: $752,000

· 3-bedroom: $874,000

Compared to where these numbers were a year ago, you're looking at a price increase in the 1 and 2 bedroom.

We saw a decrease in the 3-bedroom listings, which are nearly 19% less in price than the previous year but we saw an increase in the 1 and 2 bedrooms for an average of 2.5%.

Many factors impact this shift in the real estate market of Burnaby, BC. But undoubtedly, people familiarizing themselves with all the fantastic things Burnaby has to offer is the most significant factor of all.

Aside from the cost of apartments in Burnaby, BC, we should note that the prices of detached homes and townhouses have also increased.

For example, the average price for a 3-bedroom detached house in Burnaby is $2.2 million, and for a 4-bedroom townhouse, it's $1.4 million.

Top 5 Neighbourhoods in Burnaby

To get a better sense of Burnaby and what the area is like, we want to introduce you to the top five neighborhoods where you might want to search for homes.

1. Metrotown is the city center which hosts 17 movie theatres and numerous shops and restaurants.

2. Simon Fraser is the largest geographical area and home to Burnaby Mountain Conservation Area.

3. Willingdon Heights provides excellent routes in any direction and has newer condos.

4. Vancouver Heights is a quiet residential area with the best views of Vancouver.

5. Government Road has 10 km of jogging trails, excellent schools, and many shopping destinations.

Transportation in Burnaby

It’s impossible to talk about Burnaby, BC, and not mention the SkyTrain, a light rapid transit system located in the city. It moves from east to west and promotes a closer connection to Vancouver and Surrey.

If you work in Vancouver and want to live in Burnaby, the commute will take no longer than 30 minutes. Taking the SkyTrain makes traveling from one place to another so much more convenient.

If you gravitate towards looking for apartments in Burnaby, BC, moving to this city becomes even more appealing as it’s within walking distance of SkyTrain stations.

What is the Weather Like in Burnaby, British Columbia?

Before moving to a new place, you have to be sure you'll appreciate the local climate. Fortunately, one of Burnaby's main advantages is its oceanic or maritime climate.

You will be able to enjoy mild and mostly dry summers and rainy winters.

However, it's important to point out that official climate records for Burnaby city register a colder climate than the city.

That's because the city's official weather station is located on Burnaby Mountain and above sea level. You don't have to worry about extreme weather conditions, which is reflected in the average cost of utilities.

Is Burnaby a Safe Place to Live?

It’s only natural to wonder about the safety of a place where you’re considering buying real estate. However, British Columbia, in general, is one of the safest provinces in Canada.

Burnaby, specifically, is considered very safe.

Compared to the national average, there is 31% less violent crime in Burnaby, 8% less total crime, and 1% less property crime. These stats speak volumes in this respect.

Things to Do in Burnaby

Burnaby welcomes people of all ages, has a great climate, and its residents feel safe. All amazing facts, but are there any fun things to do?

When searching for houses and apartments in Burnaby, check how far the properties are from the fantastic parks in the city.

Did you know that it’s not only New York City that has a Central Park? This is because the second mayor of Burnaby was born in NYC, and the beautiful city park was a tribute to him.

You can find many children’s playgrounds, tennis courts and golf courses, outdoor swimming pools in this temperate rainforest ecosystem.

Other popular parks in Burnaby are Kensington Park, Taylor Park, Robert Burnaby Park, and Burnaby Mountain Conversation Area.

You can check out Metropolis at Metrotown, British Columbia's biggest shopping mall, for a different kind of fun. It's the third-largest mall in all of Canada as it hosts nearly 30 million customers every year.

There are also many museums such as Burnaby Village Museum, where you can ride the historic carousel, and Nikkei Place, a national museum of Japanese culture.

Moving to Burnaby is Worth the Investment

To answer the question "Is Burnaby a good place to live?", the answer is yes. 

Still, should you choose to purchase an apartment or a house in this beautiful city, you’re unlikely to regret it. 

You'll become the owner of a high-value property in a safe city with an oceanic climate and low crime rates.

Also, the proximity and accessibility of Vancouver are a bonus for those who have to commute.

Update January 14, 2024

Houses for Sale in East Vancouver, BC | Is East Vancouver Safe?

East Vancouver, aka “East Van” or “East Side,” is a district of Vancouver, British Columbia. 

Historically, it’s been a first home to immigrants and a more affordable place for the working class.

There are many houses for sale in East Vancouver, BC, in the promising areas of Mount Pleasant, Riley Park, and the discreet Victoria-Fraserview.

Unfortunately and undeservedly, it has been branded as a region with high crime. But Is East Vancouver safe?

We’ll look at the crime stats in recent years for various neighbourhoods across East Vancouver and provide information about the houses on sale in the area.

East Vancouver, BC

East Vancouver’s trendy cafes, stylish clothing stores, thriving bars, and diverse mix of cultures contribute to a lively scene overflowing with personality.

It is a popular living choice with professionals, young families, and students. Commuting to work and getting around generally is not a problem, with a reliable public transportation service.

We’ll now look at three neighbourhoods in East Vancouver: Mount Pleasant, Riley Park, and Victoria-Fraserview, to discuss the crime figures and what they have to offer their residents.

Mount Pleasant

Up-and-coming, eclectic, and affordable Mount Pleasant offers a relaxed pace of life. It’s mainly residential with high street shops, restaurants, and gastropubs.

It can be described as a youthful neighbourhood with 60% of residents younger than 40.

Schools

There are many good educational institutions, including:

• Elementary schools
• Secondary schools
• Private schools
• Colleges
  

Recreation

There is plenty to do in Mount Pleasant. Main St. offers trendy cafés, vintage clothing shops, tons of restaurants, and practical stores, all close to each other.

Also, many green spaces and breathtaking views of the city, North Shore mountains, and False Creek encourage a healthy lifestyle and tranquility.

Transportation

A significant advantage of Mount Pleasant is the “99 B-Line” express bus line. Other forms of transportation are the Skytrain and Canada Line.

Housing

Across Mount Pleasant, you’ll find a mixed bag of property pricing. However, if you’re interested in property close to or off the Main Street strip, there are options.

Riley Park – Little Mountain

Riley Park, previously known as Little Mountain, is home to the Vancouver Olympic/Paralympic Centre. Infamous “Main Street” runs through its center with abundant restaurant choices, coffee hangouts, cool bars, and music performances.

Schools

There are a variety of types of schooling dotted around Riley Park:

• Elementary schools
• Secondary schools
• Montessori Schools
• Pre-Schools
• French Immersion for Early (K-7), Late (6-7), and Secondary (8-12)

Recreation

Riley Park is also home to one of Vancouver's largest green public spaces – Queen Elizabeth Park. Other main attractions include a mini-golf course, tennis courts, an arboretum, and a rose garden.

Transportation

Public transport options include bus and light rail.

Housing

Property prices in Riley Park can be on the more expensive end of the scale.

Victoria-Fraserview

Victoria-Fraserview is an established and residential family-oriented neighbourhood, with proportionally more youth, senior citizens, and fewer middle-aged adults in the city overall.

Victoria–Fraserview’s Victoria Drive has diverse ethnic shops with fresh produce, imported goods, and endless delicacy options. There are plenty of scenic views, great parks, and schools.

However, if you’re looking for a place to live with great nightlife, evening dining, and bars, Victoria-Fraserview will not be for you.

Its ethnic grocery stores and international cuisine make it a place for hosting great dinner parties and entertaining at home.

Schools

Victoria-Fraserview has a variety of public and private primary schools and secondary schools across the neighbourhood.

Transportation

You can get to, from, and around Victoria-Fraserview by bus or the Canada and Expo Metro lines.

Housing

Victoria-Fraserview has some really inexpensive well-kept properties.

Is East Vancouver Safe?

Next, we’ll discuss how safe Mount Pleasant, Riley Park, and Victoria-Fraserview are based on recently reported crime stats for neighbourhoods across East Vancouver according to Areavibes.

Mount Pleasant

Though Mount Pleasant is up and coming and has plenty of reasons to be selected as a great neighbourhood to buy a home, its 66% crime rate is more than the national average.

However, it is 29% safer compared to other BC neighbourhoods. This year, there has been a slight increase in monetary theft reports, though; other types of crime have reduced.

Riley Park

The crime rate in Riley Park has consistently been low over 2021, 2020, and 2019 in April compared to other neighbourhoods in BC.

However, the property crime rates there are 5% higher than the national average but 5% lower than the total crime average and is safer than 64% of the cities in British Columbia. Again, monetary theft reports are the most frequent.

Victoria-Fraserview

The crime rate here is relatively low and has been reducing over the years. Their biggest problem is monetary theft seeing a 35% spike in the property crime rate higher than the national average.

However, Victoria-Fraserview is still considered 48% safer than other BC neighbourhoods.

Houses for Sale in East Vancouver, BC

Throughout East Vancouver, you’ll experience the culture, history, and close-knit communities.

Its diverse neighbourhoods range from lively and buzzing to discreet. Each has a unique character; whether you’re looking for a home or an investment, you’re almost guaranteed to find a suitable and affordable property.

Today we’ve gone through the most promising areas for living in East Vancouver, discussed different housing options to give you an idea of what you can expect, and shown you the reported crime stats for neighbourhoods across East Vancouver.

We hope this article has helped in your search for a house for sale in East Vancouver, BC, and answered your question on whether East Vancouver is safe.

All that’s left to do now is find the ideal property.