What makes a home feel right — and what signals that something is off?

In this episode of The Real Estate of Things, Vancouver interior designer Alicia Savin joins us to talk about creativity, construction quality, and why great design starts with understanding people, and helping them understand themselves — not just trends. From maximalist color palettes to renovation realities and the “boring money” hidden in plumbing, flooring, and structural work, Alicia shares a candid look at how homes actually come together.

We also dive into how design influences real estate decisions, why buyers sometimes overlook build quality for aesthetics, and how homeowners can create spaces that are both personal and functional. Whether you’re renovating, buying, selling, or just design-curious, this conversation offers practical insights into the intersection of real estate, design, and everyday living.

Talk with Scott Dempster anytime about all things real estate.

Direct Phone: 604-808-6050
Email: scott@scottdempster.com
Website
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Chapters:

• (00:00) - Introduction
• (01:35) - Alicia's Background
• (06:00) - Defining her style: curated maximalism
• (06:51) - Starting a design business from scratch
• (09:58) - Understanding clients through lifestyle and personality
• (14:35) - Design trends: moving beyond white and gray homes
• (15:01) - Alicia's Home Renovation Journey
• (17:01) - The Cost of Building Properly
• (19:00) - Structural quality vs cosmetic upgrades in real estate
• (23:37) - Putting a Personal Touch for Clients
• (27:20) - Working with couples and client decision dynamics
• (31:45) - Budget priorities: where design money matters most
• (33:40) - Inspiration sources and creative process
• (37:15) - Design & Business Trends
• (38:40) - Career Experience & Lesson Learned
• (42:55) - Lessons from open houses and real estate staging
• (45:40) - Where to find Alicia + closing thoughts

What really drives value in Vancouver real estate — land, timing, construction costs, or market cycles?

In this episode of The Real Estate of Things, we talk with Vancouver real estate developer Tony Kaleel, President and COO of Northland Living, about how property development actually works behind the scenes. From land acquisition and financing to construction costs, market risk, and long-term city growth, Tony shares a candid look at what it takes to build housing in one of Canada’s most competitive real estate markets.

Tony also reflects on immigrating to Canada, learning the construction business from his father, and how those early experiences shaped his approach to development, leadership, and navigating market volatility.

Whether you’re a real estate agent, investor, developer, homeowner, or just curious about the Vancouver housing market, this conversation offers practical insights into how projects really come together — and where the industry may be heading next.

Talk with Scott Dempster anytime about all things real estate.

Direct Phone: 604-808-6050
Email: scott@scottdempster.com
Website
Instagram

Chapters:

• (00:00) - Where real estate value really comes from — the land buy
• (00:14) - Show intro: What’s really happening in Vancouver real estate
• (00:36) - Meet Tony Kaleel — developer and industry leader
• (01:07) - Getting started in real estate development
• (02:41) - Immigration to Vancouver and early lessons in the business
• (04:19) - Family construction roots and entrepreneurial beginnings
• (06:03) - Work ethic, resilience, and formative experiences
• (15:30) - How development projects actually come together
• (27:45) - The real costs of building in Vancouver today
• (40:10) - Market cycles, timing, and managing risk in development
• (52:30) - Advice for agents, investors, and aspiring developers
• (01:07:20) - Learning through failure, persistence, and growth
• (01:07:55) - Final thoughts and closing takeaways

Most buyers don’t realize how much is riding on a home inspection until they’re already deep in the deal. This episode offers a grounded, practical look at what a home inspection really tells you.

Scott sits down with veteran home inspector Conall Barr to talk about how he found his way into the business and what he’s learned from decades of walking through other people’s houses.

Conall shares what he looks for first, the problems that show up over and over again, and the difference between a small repair and a real walk-away issue. They also get into what inspections can and can’t catch, how to use the report properly, and how homeowners can take better care of their places, and some of the things they sometimes leave behind...

Talk with Scott Dempster anytime about all things real estate.

Direct Phone: 604-808-6050
Email: scott@scottdempster.com
Website
Instagram

Chapters:

• (00:00) - Introduction
• (01:11) - How Connall Became a Home Inspector
• (03:30) - How a Home Inspection Works
• (04:35) - Roofs, Drones & Why Details Matter
• (06:02) - Tennant troubles
• (07:08) - Sump Pumps, Basements & Water Issues
• (10:27) - The Importance of Running Appliances
• (12:53) - Attics, Electrical & Hidden Problems
• (18:20) - How to Read a Home Inspection Report
• (23:57) - What Inspections Can and Can’t Catch
• (30:04) - How to Prepare for an Inspection
• (35:59) - Are New Homes Built Better Than Old Ones?
• (40:06) - How to Maintain a Home Over Time
• (43:59) - Conclusion

What do you learn about condos when you're the realtor behind the most expensive condos in the city? Turns out, almost everything. In this episode of The Real Estate of Things, Scott and Colin sit down with Brian Higgins to unpack his journey from a real-estate-obsessed kid in North Vancouver to one of the go-to agents for luxury condos and complex deals.

Brian shares how he built his business, the discipline behind his daily routine, and what he’s learned about scaling a team, setting boundaries, and staying in the game for the long haul. They dig into how foreign buyer taxes and bans have reshaped the condo market, what really makes a good building versus a risky one, why strata rules and depreciation reports matter, and the hidden costs behind flashy amenities and presales.

Honest, practical, and full of wild stories from the field, this episode is a must-listen for anyone buying, selling, or trying to understand how Vancouver’s condo market really works.

Talk with Scott Dempster anytime about all things real estate.

Direct Phone: 604-808-6050
Email: scott@scottdempster.com
Website
Instagram

Chapters:

• (00:00) - Introduction
• (01:07) - How Brian Got Into Real Estate
• (07:51) - Daily Routine, OrangeTheory & Discipline
• (10:00) - Work-Life Balance, Family & Setting Boundaries
• (13:36) - Becoming the “Yaletown Guy” & Market Authority
• (15:10) - How the Foreign Buyer Tax and Ban Changed the Condo Market
• (21:17) - How to Evaluate a Good Building vs a Bad One
• (23:09) - Why Strata Rules, Pets & Bylaws Matter
• (26:07) - Airbnb Rules, Short-Term Rentals & Vancouver Policy
• (28:08) - Amenities, Developers & What Actually Adds Value
• (31:01) - Wild Luxury Stories & Crazy Custom Builds
• (37:38) - Presales vs Buying Resale
• (40:44) - Red Flags in Buildings: Depreciation, Membranes & Elevators
• (44:20) - Where to Find Brian
• (44:55) - Conclusion

Strata fees, bylaws, insurance, and special levies—most buyers don’t really understand them until something goes wrong. In this episode of The Real Estate of Things, Scott sits down with Cory Pettersen, president of Stratawest, to break down what strata management actually does and what condo owners should be paying attention to.

Cory shares how he found his way into the industry, why strata management is massively understaffed in BC, and what separates a well-run building from a stressful one. They dig into depreciation reports, strata fee red flags, amenities like pools and gyms, rising insurance costs, and the common issues that cause friction in buildings. This episode is a must-listen for anyone buying, selling, or living in a strata property—and for agents who want to better guide their clients.

Talk with Scott Dempster anytime about all things real estate.

Direct Phone: 604-808-6050
Email: scott@scottdempster.com
Website
Instagram

Chapters:

• (00:00) - Introduction
• (01:27) - How Cory Got Into Strata Management
• (05:42) - Education, Licensing & Entering the Industry
• (10:27) - What Strata Management Actually Does
• (13:42) - Common Issues: People, Pets & Parking
• (15:34) - Developers, New Builds & Existing Buildings
• (18:53) - Strata Fees, Depreciation Reports & Red Flags
• (23:06) - What Buyers Should Look for in Strata Documents
• (26:16) - Insurance Costs & How They Impact Owners
• (29:56) - What Makes a Well-Run Strata
• (38:12) - How to Find Cory & Stratawest
• (39:50) - Conclusion

Great staging doesn’t just make homes look better—it helps them sell faster and for more. In this episode of The Real Estate of Things, Scott sits down with Andrea Foxman, owner of Home Ingredients and Social Ingredients, to unpack what it actually takes to prepare a home for sale—and why staging matters more than most sellers realize.

Andrea shares how she built her staging business from the ground up, what makes buyers emotionally connect to a space, and how to handle the awkward moments when personal style gets in the way of selling. They talk ROI, market timing, decluttering, design trends, and the misconceptions around virtual staging and AI. Along the way, Andrea offers practical advice for sellers, agents, and anyone curious about the work behind great listings. Honest, insightful, and full of real-world stories, this episode is a behind-the-scenes look at how homes are staged to sell—and why first impressions still matter most.

Talk with Scott Dempster anytime about all things real estate.

Direct Phone: 604-808-6050
Email: scott@scottdempster.com
Website
Instagram

Great listing photos can make or break a sale—and Matt Greco knows why. Scott & Colin sit down with Matt to explore how he built his real estate media business, what separates good visuals from great ones, and why small details matter. They cover Matt’s early pivot into photography, the realities of shooting challenging homes, and how the industry is and isn't changing. Matt also shares straightforward advice on marketing, social media, and helping a property stand out. It’s a fast, engaging conversation about the work behind the images buyers trust, and you will walk away having learned something valuable.

Talk with Scott Dempster anytime about all things real estate.

Direct Phone: 604-808-6050
Email: scott@scottdempster.com
Website
Instagram

What does it really take to build a sustainable career in real estate today? Scott sits down with his business partner and friend, Colin Cuthbert, to unpack how he went from hospitality and luxury auto sales to launching his real estate career just days before COVID hit.

Colin shares the lessons he carried over from past jobs, the realities of building confidence as a new agent, and the unforgettable first-year stories — including the now-legendary one-eyed cat incident. He and Scott dive into reputation, relationships, taking the high road, and what the current market signals for the year ahead. Honest, relatable, and filled with hard-earned wisdom, this episode offers a real look at the surprisingly inspiring journey of building a career in real estate.

Talk with Scott Dempster anytime about all things real estate.

Direct Phone: 604-808-6050
Email: scott@scottdempster.com
Website
Instagram