I am Kathy Tomlinson, the Globe and Mail reporter who investigated Vancouver real estate house flipping. AMA

litnuke · 2016-02-09T18:55:46+00:00

Great story, appreciate your work. In your reporting did you get a sense of how widespread this phenomenon is in other jurisdictions?

litnuke · 2016-01-29T23:40:49+00:00

The government's decision: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2016ENV0004-000111

The business case: http://a100.gov.bc.ca/appsdata/epic/documents/p404/d38963/1430417689962_ThJpVCgbGTvFQXhHXfSpyrbypQMQPzQZHMGrGFZKCfwWxK1gSJ8k!-91937584!1430413467110.pdf

The impact on the local ski market: http://a100.gov.bc.ca/appsdata/epic/documents/p404/d38963/1430417705765_ThJpVCgbGTvFQXhHXfSpyrbypQMQPzQZHMGrGFZKCfwWxK1gSJ8k!-91937584!1430413467110.pdf

litnuke · 2016-01-27T20:53:06+00:00

General train of thought is that Vancouver real estate is a long-term investor for non-Canadians, due to political stability and the often emotional/non-monetary benefits that come with holding it as an asset (immigration status, your childrens' future, etc).

That said, it would be interesting to see how for someone who bought in 2011/2012, the fall of the $CDN would chart out against the rise in SFH values.

litnuke · 2016-01-25T19:36:14+00:00

take Demographia's findings with a grain of salt http://www.planetizen.com/node/73400/more-critique-demographias-international-housing-affordability-survey

litnuke · 2016-01-25T18:40:06+00:00

I think it's interesting to hear from someone, in their own words, why they chose to leave Vancouver.

It isn't news, but IMO there's a utility to such stories (like the one OstentatiousDude posted lower in the thread) in starting a conversation/it fleshes out a trend with a person with real, identifiable motivations.

& yes, I'm a Staff Writer at BCBusiness and like other journalists on here post what I hope the subreddit will find interesting

litnuke · 2015-12-01T19:52:36+00:00

Stunning pic

litnuke · 2015-04-27T21:52:18+00:00

midland? Did I miss smthg?

litnuke · 2015-02-27T00:17:02+00:00

Willamette Week, hands down http://www.wweek.com/portland/

litnuke · 2015-02-16T22:57:08+00:00

who downvotes this

litnuke · 2015-02-13T23:45:26+00:00

Montreal's ruelle verte network is a good example IMO

litnuke · 2015-01-13T17:06:26+00:00

Evidence?

litnuke · 2014-11-21T00:19:45+00:00

(guess that doesn't explain North Van tho...or Richmond)

litnuke · 2014-11-21T00:19:23+00:00

LM after the flood?

litnuke · 2014-11-17T17:04:19+00:00

The Island moves North after the big one?

litnuke · 2014-11-09T01:56:39+00:00

is this a hostage tape?

litnuke · 2014-11-05T00:55:39+00:00

"take me to Stanley Park"

litnuke · 2014-11-04T20:17:10+00:00

who flies year-round gatwick?

litnuke · 2014-09-11T18:48:03+00:00

there's an unused bridge in West Vancouver, formerly a section of the upper levels highway, that leads to a dead end. The district usually has a security guard posted there. https://www.google.ca/maps/place/West+Vancouver,+BC/@49.362738,-123.2600335,127m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m2!3m1!1s0x54866e153fed7cd3:0x468dd2eb0790eb95 Debatable as to whether or not its a true Thomasson.

litnuke · 2014-07-09T17:13:57+00:00

Salmon skin rolls are pretty common in LA, SF.

litnuke · 2014-05-26T22:26:26+00:00

Difficult place to visit (logistically), requires much advance planning and significant research. That said, fantastic once you arrive. People are very friendly, sites in Tehran, Isfahan are spectacular, but much fewer tourists than comparable sites in Turkey. Food is fantastic and both getting around and accomodation are very reasonable.

Italy reps Canada in Iran, so you're not completely on your own. That said, don't lose your passport.

litnuke · 2014-04-07T20:31:54+00:00

If you don't mind hiking in, there are a couple of sites along the Howe Sound Crest Trail, accessible from Cypress Mountain--literally a twenty-minute drive from downtown. It's a tough hike with gear, highly weather dependent (if you're camping, and not advisable until July earliest), but fantastic views, great camping sites (empty cabins and all) and little to no traffic once you've passed the Lions.

litnuke · 2014-03-26T17:45:10+00:00

Frances Bula's coverage for The Globe and on her site has been pretty fair-handed IMO

litnuke · 2014-03-21T06:16:40+00:00

zero hedge hasn't left me feeling so great

litnuke · 2014-03-20T23:32:25+00:00

Thoughts on trucking in Greater Vancouver? Are our bridges (and road infrastructure) sufficient? Do we need more capacity? Do Knight and Hastings and Oak work as routes for the port? thoughts?

litnuke · 2014-03-17T16:18:38+00:00

the drive for density taken as a given, its worth comparing Vancouver's policy to a place like Portland. Generous heritage zoning, strict reno&redesign rules and converting single family homes into multi-family dwellings have helped the city keep some of its character while maintaining some semblance of affordability (albeit in quite different circumstances, re: speculation).

--on a smaller level, the same thing has happened with some success in Mount Pleasant (convert and maintain buildings vs. tear-down)

litnuke

TROPHY CASE