“In the past few months we’ve seen just about all of our non-owning friends jump into the market and buy. This is driving my wife crazy.. we’re in marriage counselling”

There are many stories about couples at odds regarding RE decisions, but only a few clearly described on Vancouver blogs. These two anecdotes come from greaterfool.ca and it is unclear thus far whether they originate from Vancouver or other parts of the country. Regardless, they do represent some of the social conflict being experienced in Vancouver.

This from Typhoon at greaterfool.ca on 11 Nov 2009 at 11:28 pm -

“In the past few months we’ve seen just about all of our non-owning friends jump into the market and buy their first home. This is driving my wife crazy.. to the point where we’re in marriage counselling because she wants to buy and I don’t. With her, it’s the emotional attachment to pride of ownership. With me, it’s not buying so that we don’t devastate our future enjoyment of life. I can’t seem to negotiate with her on this. Is there any middle ground you can think of? I’ve suggested splitting the difference and buying half a house, but that doesn’t make any sense to either of us. Do you have any suggestions for me?”

Here’s Stessed at greaterfool.ca 11 Nov 2009 at 12:43 pm -

“I know exactly what you are talking about. I am in the same situation as you. Counselling and the whole bit. I have managed to delay the purchase pressure for a year by agreeing to rent a similar place to what we would buy in the area we want to live for one year. After the year is up who knows but it gives me a year to come up with a new plan. Good luck.”

“No, the market is not going to go down, these units will be worth more by the time they are finished”

Those selling real estate do not take a neutral position regarding market direction. This from joycer at vancouvercondo.info on Nov 6th, 2009 at 9:00 am -

“Went by Maple on 84 in Surrey last weekend…. Someone mentioned that they were considering the D plan, which was the most expensive. The realtor said that would hold the most value and appreciate the fastest with the market. When the parent of that person (first time buyer…) said it would also fall the fastest if the market came down again, the realtor quickly corrected them, and said “Oh, no, the market is not going to go down, these units will be worth more by the time they are finished”. If they are so confident, why the low prices?”

“If you are thinking about making an offer on one of these homes, wait a while. Nothing is selling and I keep telling the developer to drop the prices.”

This from pianoexcellence at RE Talks on Mon Nov 02, 2009 6:57 pm -

“I was at an open house last week. The realtor said:

“If you are thinking about making an offer on one of these homes, wait a while. Nothing is selling and I keep telling the developer to drop the prices. If nobody buys in the next few weeks, I think I will be able to convince the developer to drop the prices dramatically!!”

I give him an “A” for full disclosure and an “F” for fiduciary duty. (unless this was a pre-planned spiel).”