# Coquitlam Real Estate Strategy Call > Free strategy call for Coquitlam, Burke Mountain and Tri-Cities buyers and sellers. Written one-page plan in 24 hours. **Source:** https://soldbycraig.ca/book-a-strategy-call-with-craig-johnston/ **Author:** Craig Johnston, REALTOR® (BC Licence V99960) · The MACNABS · Royal LePage Elite West **Site:** https://soldbycraig.ca --- Strategy Call · No pitch · Written plan in 24 hrs ## 20 minutes. Your questions first. No listing pitch. No listing presentation, no "let me send you some listings" email. A focused conversation about where you actually are in your move — and the three specific dated actions you should take next, whether I'm your agent or not. For Coquitlam, Burke Mountain, Westwood Plateau, Heritage Mountain, Port Moody, Anmore and Belcarra buyers, sellers, move-up families and investors planning a move in the next 0–18 months. **No pitch.** First five minutes tell us if it's a fit. If not, I'll point you to who is. **One-page written summary** within 24 hours of the call — your zones, numbers, and sequence. **Free, no obligation, no sign-up funnel.** You either follow up later or you don't. Both are fine. Or call direct: [604-202-6092](tel:+16042026092) [Request my Strategy Call](#lead-form) Top 1%GVR Team Medallion Club Team MemberSince 2021 5.0 · 34+Google Reviews Top 2%Royal LePage Nationwide ![Craig Johnston, REALTOR®, Coquitlam](https://soldbycraig.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/DSC1119-1-scaled.jpg) Craig Johnston, REALTOR® 9+ year Burke Mountain resident · Top 1% Team Member — Greater Vancouver REALTORS® · Medallion Club Team Member member · Top 2% Team Member — Royal LePage nationwide · BCFSA #V99960 [More about Craig →](/coquitlam-realtor-craig-johnston/) Free · Written plan in 24 hrs ## Request your strategy call Tell Craig the basics. He'll reply with availability within one business day. Phone, video, or in-person — your choice. Here’s exactly what you’ll get - **A 20-minute call** with Craig (not an assistant) — phone, video, or in-person. - **Honest read of your situation** — if now isn’t the right time, he’ll say so. - **Written one-page plan within 24 hrs** — yours to keep, no strings. No commitment. No pressure. No follow-up unless you ask for it. Top 1%Greater Vancouver Team Ranking Medallion Club Team MemberTeam Member Since 2021 5.0 · 34+Verified Google Reviews Top 2%Royal LePage Nationally Source: Royal LePage internal rankings & Craig's verified Google Business Profile. Updated July 2026. Coquitlam market snapshot · June 2026 ## The numbers I’ll be working from *on your call*. $1.64M Detached HPI benchmark · Coquitlam **~599** active detached listings city-wide 43 days Avg days on market · Coquitlam-wide Homes that **actually sold** moved in ~22 days 98.9% Percentage of original price · Coquitlam-wide Sellers pricing close to where buyers will pay Source: Greater Vancouver REALTORS® (GVR) MLS® Home Price Index & monthly stats package, **June 2026 release**. Last refreshed **July 3, 2026**. Full breakdown: [Coquitlam market update](/real-estate-market-update/). Quick answer ### What is a strategy call with Craig? A strategy call with Craig is a free 20-minute consultation focused on your specific real estate decision — not a generic listing pitch. Most calls cover one of three scenarios: buyers asking *which Coquitlam neighbourhood fits our family and budget?*, move-up sellers asking *should we list first or buy first?*, and homeowners asking *what is our home actually worth and what could we afford next?* Craig prepares for the call ahead of time using public data and his Move-Up Protocol framework, then gives you a written summary by email. **No obligation, no auto-list, and the call is recorded only if you ask.** ![Craig Johnston, REALTOR® — Coquitlam strategy session at the kitchen table](https://soldbycraig.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/DSC0715.jpg) Most strategy calls happen at the kitchen table — phone, video, or in person. Map the move you're considering before you commit to anyone. Pick your profile ## This call works best when you fit one of these four profiles. Match yourself to one — or call and tell me I'm wrong. Either way, you'll leave with a number, a sequence, and a decision deadline. Profile 01 ### Move-up family (sell + buy) You're in a starter townhome or entry SFH and outgrowing it fast. The **Tax Trap — sell-first vs buy-first vs bridge** — is the call you need to run before you list or tour. We map your exact sequence, stress-test the math, and identify the zone × tier where your equity actually buys you the next home. **You'll leave with:**The sequence, the bridge cost, and the 60-day milestone. Profile 02 ### First-time buyer (Burke / Plateau / PoMo) You've done the calculators, read the forums, and the numbers keep changing. We translate **pre-approval vs real approval**, run your PTT and closing math on a realistic target price, and identify which zone × tier actually matches your financing — before you fall in love with a listing outside it. **You'll leave with:**Your real qualifying range and the three zones to tour this week. Profile 03 ### Luxury seller ($2M–$4M+) You're deciding between off-MLS, pre-market, or standard listing. We run the achieved comps for your exact **zone × view × tier**, model the 30-60-90 day curve, and identify whether a $15K–$25K staging and photography investment actually returns at your price band. **You'll leave with:**The achieved-comp range and a list / don't-list recommendation. Profile 04 ### Investor or relocating executive You're comparing Tri-Cities cap-rate spreads against North Van, West Van, or Burnaby. Or you're relocating to Metro Van and need the zone tutorial, commute reality, and SD43 catchment map before you fly in. We cover both in one call. **You'll leave with:**Two or three target zones plus the yield or lifestyle number that matches you. Not sure which profile fits? Book the call anyway. If we're not the right fit in the first five minutes, I'll tell you who is — there's no waste of either of our time. The protocol ## What actually happens on the call. No sales pitch. No "let me send you some listings." Here's the exact 10-step sequence I run every strategy call through — so you can decide if it's worth booking before you do. Minutes 0–2 #### Where are you in the decision Three questions: timeline, move trigger, and what's already been tried. No pitch — just context. Minutes 2–5 #### Your number Price range, equity, or target cap-rate — whichever matters for your profile. Translated against real Tri-Cities comps in the zones you're considering. Minutes 5–7 #### The zone × tier cell Burke, Plateau, Heritage, Ranch Park, Maillardville, Central Coquitlam — each runs on a different clock. I tell you which cell fits you and which ones waste your weekend. Minutes 7–10 #### The constraints nobody tells you SD43 catchments, strata doc timelines, Speculation Tax filings, septic and well on Anmore/Belcarra, tiered PTT, capital gains on move-ups. I surface the ones that apply to you. Minutes 10–12 #### The competing options If the Tri-Cities isn't the right call for you, I'll say so. I'd rather refer you to a North Van or Burnaby agent than waste either of our time. Minutes 12–14 #### The sequence map Week 1 through Week 8. Pre-approval, lender, lawyer, inspector, decision triggers. This is where most buyers know what to do but don't have the order locked. Minutes 14–16 #### The decision threshold We set the exact indicator (DOM, absorption, HPI, rate announcement) that triggers your move. "Waiting" becomes "waiting for X, then acting." Minutes 16–18 #### What I'd avoid The two or three specific mistakes people in your profile consistently make in this market. Stripping inspection contingencies. Overpaying for the reno premium. Listing pre-staging. Minutes 18–20 #### Your next three moves Three specific, dated actions. Whether I'm your realtor or not, you leave with a checklist you could hand to any agent. After the call #### Written summary within 24 hours Your zones, your numbers, your sequence, in a one-page PDF. No spam drip. No sign-up funnel. You either call me back or you don't — both are fine. 1. #### Where are you in the decision Three questions: timeline, move trigger, and what's already been tried. No pitch — just context. 2. #### Your number Price range, equity, or target cap-rate — whichever matters for your profile. Translated against real Tri-Cities comps in the zones you're considering. 3. #### The zone × tier cell Burke, Plateau, Heritage, Ranch Park, Maillardville, Central Coquitlam — each runs on a different clock. I tell you which cell fits you and which ones waste your weekend. 4. #### The constraints nobody tells you SD43 catchments, strata doc timelines, Speculation Tax filings, septic and well on Anmore/Belcarra, tiered PTT, capital gains on move-ups. I surface the ones that apply to you. 5. #### The competing options If the Tri-Cities isn't the right call for you, I'll say so. I'd rather refer you to a North Van or Burnaby agent than waste either of our time. 6. #### The sequence map Week 1 through Week 8. Pre-approval, lender, lawyer, inspector, decision triggers. This is where most buyers know what to do but don't have the order locked. 7. #### The decision threshold We set the exact indicator (DOM, absorption, HPI, rate announcement) that triggers your move. "Waiting" becomes "waiting for X, then acting." 8. #### What I'd avoid The two or three specific mistakes people in your profile consistently make in this market. Stripping inspection contingencies. Overpaying for the reno premium. Listing pre-staging. 9. #### Your next three moves Three specific, dated actions. Whether I'm your realtor or not, you leave with a checklist you could hand to any agent. 10. #### Written summary within 24 hours Your zones, your numbers, your sequence, in a one-page PDF. No spam drip. No sign-up funnel. You either call me back or you don't — both are fine. [![Burke Mountain aerial — Tri-Cities specialty area](https://soldbycraig.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/dji_fly_20221125_160704_786_1669421249211_photo-scaled.jpg) Burke Mountain](/burke-mountain-homes/) [![Lafarge Lake / Westwood Plateau — Tri-Cities specialty area](https://soldbycraig.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/lafarge-lake-westwood-plateau-drone.jpg) Westwood Plateau](/westwood-plateau-real-estate/) [![Heritage Mountain / Port Moody — Tri-Cities specialty area](https://soldbycraig.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Screenshot-2026-03-20-at-3.39.31-PM-scaled.png) Heritage Mountain & Port Moody](/heritage-mountain-homes/) ![Craig Johnston, REALTOR® — Coquitlam Tri-Cities specialist](https://soldbycraig.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/DSC1240.jpg) No commitment · No pitch ### You're hiring me for the call before you decide whether to hire me for the move. The strategy call is the lowest-stakes way to test whether we work well together. I bring the Tri-Cities context, the comparable-sales data, and the bridge-financing math. You bring the decision you're actually trying to make. If at the end of 20 minutes it's not a fit, that's a useful answer for both of us. Craig's call playbook ## Five ways to get maximum value from your strategy call. The callers who get the most out of this do these five things. The ones who don't usually burn the call on questions I could have answered in an email. Pick 01 #### Have your trigger and deadline ready "Second baby coming in October." "Lease ends May 31." "Kindergarten registration Jan 30." A dated constraint lets me reverse-engineer the sequence. "Sometime next year" gives me nothing to work with. Pick 02 #### Know your financing position to the nearest $25K Not the bank's "you can afford $1.4M" letter — your real combined-income, debt, and down-payment picture. If you have a pre-approval, bring the letter. If not, bring your gross household income and liquid savings. Pick 03 #### Bring your top 2–3 zone shortlist Even "Burke, Plateau, and maybe Heritage" is enough. I can tell you in five minutes whether you've got the right shortlist or whether a zone you haven't considered actually fits better. Pick 04 #### List the 2–3 things that scare you Capital gains on the rental. The SD43 catchment. Speculation Tax. Bridge financing. Tell me upfront — I'll address the actual risks, not the imagined ones. Pick 05 #### Tell me what's already off the table "Not condos." "Not above $1.6M." "Not Maillardville." Constraints save us 10 minutes of unnecessary territory. The more honest, the more useful the call. What I'd skip #### Generic "what's the market like?" questions You can read those answers in any monthly market update. Use the call for the questions *your* situation needs answered — not the ones any agent could answer in a blog post. What clients say ## 5.0 stars across 34+ verified Google reviews. ★★★★★ > "His creativity, top-notch communication skills, and a solid plan were instrumental in selling high and buying low. His foresight in negotiation, predicting outcomes before they happened, truly set him apart." Matdori Strategy + Sale · Google Review ★★★★★ > "Craig was incredible from the start. He took the time to listen, asked thoughtful questions, and went to work immediately. The home he ultimately found was exactly what I had been searching for." Warren Chu Buyer · March 2026 · Google Review ★★★★★ > "He is a professional who is guided by integrity, honesty, and punctuality. When faced with challenges, Craig has shown his dedication to proactively navigate the issue on hand towards our goal." Jaeyoung Joo Repeat Client · Google Review [Read all 34+ reviews on Google →](https://www.google.com/search?q=Craig+Johnston+REALTOR+Coquitlam+reviews) Meet Craig ## Sixty seconds with the person you’d be on the *call with*. Intro · 60 sec ![Craig Johnston, REALTOR® — 60-second introduction video thumbnail](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/hVbqvBg_1kM/hqdefault.jpg) ![Craig Johnston, REALTOR® serving Coquitlam, Burke Mountain and the Tri-Cities](https://soldbycraig.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/DSC1119-1-scaled.jpg) About the person you’d be talking to ## Craig Johnston, REALTOR® Craig has lived on Burke Mountain for nine years and has been a licensed REALTOR® with The MACNABS at Royal LePage Elite West, focused almost exclusively on the Tri-Cities. He runs every strategy call personally — no junior associate, no scheduling middleman, no calendar widget — because the 20 minutes only works if it’s a real conversation about your specific decision. His approach is data-first: real comparable sales, real net math, real Tri-Cities context. If your move is outside his fit, or if a competing market makes more sense, he’ll tell you that and connect you with the right agent. You leave with a clearer plan whether or not you ever hire him. - Top 1% Team Member — Greater Vancouver REALTORS® - Medallion Club Team Member (since 2021) - President’s Club Team Member - Top 2% Team Member — Royal LePage nationwide - 9+ year Burke Mountain resident - BCFSA Licence V99960 [Read Craig’s full bio →](/coquitlam-realtor-craig-johnston/) Or call direct: [604-202-6092](tel:+16042026092) FAQ ## Before you book. What does the strategy call cost?+ Nothing. The 20-minute call is free, with no obligation. If we're not the right fit in the first five minutes, I'll tell you who is — there's no waste of either of our time. What if I'm not ready to buy or sell yet?+ That's actually the best time for a strategy call. Most clients book this 6–18 months out from a move. Knowing your sequence, your numbers, and your decision triggers *early* is how you avoid making rushed decisions on assumptions later. Do you only work in Coquitlam?+ My primary market is the Tri-Cities — Coquitlam, Port Moody, and Port Coquitlam. I take work across Greater Vancouver, with recent transactions in West Vancouver, Bowen Island, downtown Vancouver, Langley, and Vernon. If your move is outside my fit, I'll connect you with the right agent. What happens after the call?+ Within 24 hours you receive a one-page written summary: your zones, your numbers, your sequence, and the three specific dated actions you should take next. No spam drip, no sign-up funnel. You either follow up or you don't — both are fine. How is this different from a regular agent consultation?+ Most agent intros are listing presentations in disguise. This is a focused 20-minute decision-acceleration call with a specific 10-step structure: where you are, your number, the zone × tier cell, the constraints, the competing options, the sequence, the decision threshold, what to avoid, your next three moves, and a written summary. Phone, video, or in-person?+ Your call. Phone is fastest. Video helps when you want to share screen or show me a listing. In-person works if you're inside the Tri-Cities and have 45 minutes — we usually meet at the brokerage on Glen Drive or somewhere in your target neighbourhood. ## Not ready to book yet? *Start here.* Six pages most visitors read before they request the call. Each one answers a different piece of the buy/sell puzzle. [Sellers ### Want a number before the call? Get the free one-page Equity Map: net sale value, real available equity, and your move-up ceiling — in one business day. Request the Equity Map](/home-evaluation/) [Choosing a REALTOR® ### How to choose a Coquitlam realtor The questions to ask, the credentials that matter, and the red flags to walk away from — before you commit to anyone. Read the criteria](/best-realtor-in-coquitlam/) [Move-up ### The Coquitlam move-up guide The full playbook for selling your current home and buying the next one without overlap stress. Read the guide](/coquitlam-move-up-guide/) [Sellers ### Sellers: the full process How a Coquitlam listing actually gets prepped, priced, marketed and negotiated — start to close. See the seller process](/sell-your-home-in-coquitlam/) [First-time buyers ### First-time buyers in Coquitlam Down payment, PTT, mortgage scenarios, and the realistic price range your financing actually supports. Read the guide](/coquitlam-first-time-buyer-guide/) [FAQ library ### All buyer / seller FAQs A deeper Q&A library covering financing, timing, taxes, contracts and the questions most realtors don’t answer up front. Browse the FAQs](/coquitlam-real-estate-faq-buyers-sellers-upsizers/) Ready when you are ## One written plan. Zero pressure. Delivered in 24 hours. [Book the Call](#book-strategy-call) [Get a Free Home Evaluation](/home-evaluation/) **5.0** across 34+ Google reviews **Top 1% Team** — Greater Vancouver REALTORS® 47+ years in the Tri-Cities Or call direct: [604-202-6092](tel:+16042026092) Best REALTOR® by area ## A specialist for your specific Tri-Cities city or neighbourhood. [Coquitlam](/best-realtor-in-coquitlam/) [Burke Mountain](/best-realtor-in-burke-mountain/) [Westwood Plateau](/best-realtor-in-westwood-plateau/) [Heritage Mountain](/best-realtor-in-heritage-mountain/) [Port Moody](/best-realtor-in-port-moody/) [Port Coquitlam](/best-realtor-in-port-coquitlam/) [Anmore](/best-realtor-in-anmore/) [Belcarra](/best-realtor-in-belcarra/) [Or compare all Tri-Cities specialists →](/best-local-realtor-tri-cities/) ![Craig Johnston, REALTOR, on the Rocky Point pier in Port Moody](/assets/craig-johnston-rocky-point-pier-port-moody-2.webp?v=20260703) Craig Johnston, REALTOR® — the Tri-Cities Move-Up Specialist, at Rocky Point, Port Moody. [Request my Strategy Call](#lead-form) [604-202-6092](tel:+16042026092)