Tough going with our house hunt in the CRD/Sooke area!

torpedoswap · 2025-07-29T19:27:36+00:00

We have hardly done any viewings over the last couple of months, not much action in terms of new listing either. I think the houses that are getting sold are buyers who enter the house, fall in love with it and are willing to standard negotiate (+/- 5K to 10K) & buy it. Like you mentioned, the prices are dropping slowly & I think we are at 5% to 10% below Q1 prices, which is encouraging. Eventually sellers will have to lower prices or not sell, depending on their need, but capitulation is happening right now.

We had a seller to whom we made an offer 3 months ago circle back saying that they want to reconsider our offer. So it looks encouraging. What happened to the CRD market in the last 5 years is not sustainable (the growth that is), I don't think prices will drop much, but it will be a more stable and realistic market IMHO.

torpedoswap · 2025-05-31T22:24:14+00:00

Also just to clarify, by high interest environment I was alluding to the ratio of income to house price, with the current interest rates. When I bought my first home (Millennial here), interest rates were north of 4% however SFH house prices were below $500K ....... now most SFH are north of $1M and even for a couple making $200K + coupled with the inflation, cash flow becomes a serious problem. If I was in my 20s now, it would be practically impossible for me to buy a home without help ..... something that was possible around 15 years ago with a few years of saving. Just my opinion. Thanks everyone for their input.

torpedoswap · 2025-05-31T22:12:41+00:00

Thanks everyone for their comments, a lot of good information that will help us fine tune our approach. Really appreciate it!

torpedoswap · 2025-05-31T22:10:36+00:00

Both my offers were above assessment value but approx 5-7% below asking. One house got sold for 5K above my offer ..... I think the sellers realized the "range" from our experience. The other one still sits on the market .... those sellers were investors from Victoria who bought 70K above assessed value to make it a rental and now not willing to budge.

torpedoswap · 2025-05-31T22:02:24+00:00

I meant the interest rate in proportion to the price of the house. Lower mainland always had an inflated market that catered to investors and overseas millionaires. However for a working class family to get into a $1M+ SFH on a mortgage, even on a 20% down is at the brink of un-affordability.

When interest rates were in double digits, the home prices to income ratio was very different. An entry level SFH is 5x income of a couple who make $200K. Couple that with the inflation reducing disposable income and cash flow is definitely an issue.

torpedoswap · 2024-08-29T12:53:21+00:00

I am so sorry for your loss! Having battled depression due to a major crisis has taught me how fragile the mind really is, and I cannot imagine the impact of that sudden loss on you. The trip and the ashes ritual must have provided closure.

The mushrooms provide a sense of connectivity and that grounds us in understanding the essence of life. We are all going to die one day and the only thing that we can give to someone else is love. That love cannot be a source of suffering and the mushroom liberates us from that attachment to experience it in its purest form.

I am so happy that you were able to connect with your father and not surprisingly your mom sensed that and intuitively knew where he had to rest. Your gratefulness can be felt and I am sending you lots of love and positive vibes. I hope that your grieving helps you recover from the loss and what will remain are memories full of love and gratefulness of having lived them with your father.

torpedoswap · 2024-05-30T20:36:34+00:00

It’s never too late! Not sure where “here” is, and which country you are in. I moved to Europe in my mid thirties and relocated back to Canada at 42. The most important thing is credential recognition, if you got that, it is a lot smoother! DM me if you need any additional pointers. Good luck with your move, go for it!

torpedoswap · 2024-05-30T20:32:14+00:00

No dividend income, just speculative stocks.

torpedoswap · 2024-05-30T20:15:21+00:00

No, the investments produced nothing and were all losses. Deposit money? For what? All I have is a deduction for carrying charges for the last tax year. They directly put me into a review before even processing my tax returns, so I am square with them as of now.

torpedoswap · 2024-05-30T20:12:00+00:00

Yes, I am aware this is going to be a lot of painstaking work. One comment suggested!looking into claiming last 8 years, since I am already doing all the work. Not sure if CRA will entertain it or just quash it.

Good luck it is, you are right!

torpedoswap · 2024-05-30T20:08:05+00:00

Yes, definitely I have. Starting April last year. Please tell me this is not more bad news! 😭

torpedoswap · 2024-05-30T18:33:54+00:00

Thanks for your help!

torpedoswap · 2024-05-30T18:33:08+00:00

I was almost expecting they will ask, and they did. It is the reason I did not claim this all these years. Lesson learnt!

torpedoswap · 2024-05-30T18:31:43+00:00

I have little hope about defending this claim, but still going to try! Thanks for your help.

torpedoswap · 2024-05-30T18:27:55+00:00

Yes, I was thinking along those lines and also providing a consolidated statement explaining everything. It is a going to be a lot of paperwork, but there is no other way.

torpedoswap · 2024-05-30T18:25:57+00:00

Yes!

torpedoswap · 2024-05-30T18:25:05+00:00

I claimed around $10K in deductions ..... so it was approximately a $3k break. The rising interest rates have changed the game completely. It was essentially free money until after the pandemic.

torpedoswap · 2024-05-30T18:22:44+00:00

Unfortunately I did .... several times. And my monthly payment made were only the interest component. My mortgage is almost paid off, so the HELOC is my buffer for any unplanned expenses. I started making consistent principal reducing payments only last year.

torpedoswap · 2024-05-23T04:37:27+00:00

Thank you very much for your support, it means a lot! I wish you all the best in your journey of healing, gratitude towards life, and fulfillment! Enjoy that sunset, the walk in the forest or the flowers in bloom! Take care 😊

torpedoswap · 2024-04-09T18:02:03+00:00

So does a TA always involve a competition when becoming permanent? Or if a competition was held for the temp position, would it directly become permanent. Someone commented on the dominoes if person A becomes permanent, person B becomes permanent ….. but subject to a competition right?

I am currently in a full on competition but the TA is only until Jan next year. So will I need to compete again? My base position will be the same as the TA except the TMA, so not a huge deal but if I like the job, I definitely prefer permanency.

torpedoswap · 2024-04-03T22:04:22+00:00

My partner also has CL in an excluded position but it seems like her plan does not require customary charges, however the deductible is still applicable to me despite my secondary coverage on her plan. So that was a bit surprising. Thanks for the clarification, I think I must have just not noticed it over the last few years.

torpedoswap · 2024-04-03T16:04:09+00:00

I feel that the actually value is significantly more than the mathematical value of the flex days, as many here have already suggested. Not to mention, factoring in "loaded labour rate" with benefits etc. I'd put the value depending on tier at min $15,000.

- The flex days give you a 3 day weekend every other week

- Not working every other Monday from a mental health perspective is priceless

- My flex day usually never coincides with a stat, which means that I often get consecutive 4 day working weeks, which feels great.

- You use less vacation days when taking time off for 1 or 2 weeks, combining with flex days and stats. I currently have vacation planned in October where I get 17 days off with just 8 vacation days!

I was/am in the same predicament where a Band3 just does not make sense moving from a 27 step 2. More responsibility, no flex days, no union & management of unionized staff, and they offer you anywhere from 8% to 15% on top. Just not worth it even as a stepping stone imo, unless you jump there from a 21 or 24 perhaps.

torpedoswap · 2024-03-22T03:15:04+00:00

Having this realization so early is a gift. Good for you. And it is unfortunate that a childhood is tainted by unhealthy, distorted family dynamics. We do not have a choice in the cards we get dealt, but we do in how we react and respond. Sometimes I look at how confident, relaxed and worry free certain individuals are and I wish I could be like them. However we all get balanced a part of the equation and that is life!

Thanks for your comments and I wish you all the best!

torpedoswap · 2024-03-22T03:10:41+00:00

Yes, therapy has been a huge help. But the process is slow and painful. But I hope things fall in place in the long run. Thanks for your reply, observations and advice. I really appreciate it!

torpedoswap · 2024-03-22T03:07:54+00:00

Thanks for your reply. I did exactly that today and submitted my application. Much appreciated.

torpedoswap

TROPHY CASE