Coquitlam real estate case studies — real client outcomes

Move-up · Noons Creek (Port Moody) → Burke Mountain

The couple who met me at an open house — and bought the right townhouse $65,000 under asking

They first met me at an open house and, like many great client relationships, it started casually. Two weeks later, they called and said they were thinking about making a move from the base of Noons Creek to Burke Mountain. The goal was clear: more space, a newer home, and a location closer to work.

We started by working backwards from their end goal and building a strategy around timing, finances, and risk management. After reviewing the market, we decided the smartest move was to sell first, then buy. That approach gave them confidence, clarity on budget, and negotiating power once their home sold.

We began with a staging consultation, a decluttering plan, and a professional marketing rollout. Once the property hit the market, the response was immediate — their townhouse sold within 10 days at asking price.

But that was only half the process. Because we’d already spent time touring open houses together before listing, we had a clear understanding of what they truly wanted. That preparation let us move quickly and confidently once their sale was firm.

Two properties in the same Burke Mountain development stood out immediately. One seller wasn’t willing to negotiate. The other was. Through strong positioning and patience, we secured the home for $65,000 under asking price — while the competing unit sat on the market for another four months.

The move itself became one of those moments that reminds me why relationships matter in this business. On moving day, I came by to help remove and relocate a built-in cabinet to the garage. That one change completely opened up the dining room and transformed how the space felt.

We still stay in touch. Last winter they joined our annual skating event with their family. Watching clients settle into a home and community they genuinely love is always the best part of the process.

→ See the home they sold · See the home they bought

Move-up · Coquitlam Centre 1-bed condo → Windsor Gate

The couple planning for a growing family — $35,000 over asking, then exactly the right next home

This couple reached out to me directly while living in a fully renovated one-bedroom condo near the Coquitlam Aquatic Centre. From our first conversation, they were thoughtful and detailed about their long-term plan. They weren’t just buying more square footage — they were planning for the next chapter of life. Their goal: move into a larger property where they could grow their family while staying close to relatives and the community they already loved.

We moved quickly. After staging, professional photography, and strategic marketing, their condo sold within 7 days and achieved $35,000 over asking price. With the sale secured, we shifted focus to finding the right lifestyle fit — not just the right floorplan.

We ultimately secured a 1,200 sqft home in Windsor Gate: two bedrooms, a large office, and a newer building only five years old. But what really made the property special were the details most buyers overlook. The unit was positioned beside an emergency stairwell that rarely gets used, separated by a massive concrete wall. That meant exceptional privacy, no direct neighbouring unit on that side, and quick outdoor access for their dog. Small details like that make a real difference day-to-day — and it was the right fit.

Since purchasing the home, they’ve welcomed a beautiful daughter into their family — exactly the future they had envisioned when we first sat down together to build their plan.

First-time buyers · Vancouver detached heritage home (west of Main Street)

From losing confidence with another agent to a confident $1,760,000 first-home purchase

Susie and Hans first reached out to Craig on April 1, 2026 after losing confidence while working with another REALTOR®. They had been referred to Craig through a friend and recent client, and what started as a simple text message quickly turned into a friendly, professional phone call that immediately put everyone at ease. From that moment on, it felt like they weren’t just hiring a REALTOR® — they were building a trusted support system.

That very first weekend they were already out touring homes together. Craig showed them three properties and used each tour as an opportunity to better understand what truly mattered to them. He asked thoughtful questions, listened carefully, and refined their search based on lifestyle, goals, and long-term plans. Some homes stretched their thinking, while others simply helped clarify what felt right.

Throughout the week, Craig stayed in constant communication — market updates, strategy discussions, and search tips. One thing he consistently emphasized was the importance of continuing to search personally as well. “Even with a strong search already in place, keep looking. Every time you adjust criteria or search differently, new opportunities can appear.”

The following weekend they toured four more homes and began learning more about the showing and offer process itself. Craig explained the importance of protecting negotiating leverage during showings — staying composed, not oversharing with listing agents, and gathering as much information as possible. At the same time, he built strong relationships with every REALTOR® they encountered. “People prefer doing business with people they like,” he said often.

The first home they loved: 8 offers — and the discipline to walk away

That weekend, they found a home they loved. It was expected to attract multiple offers, and as first-time buyers, Susie and Hans were understandably nervous. Craig immediately went to work preparing them. The evening before offer day, they jumped on a Zoom call where Craig reviewed every document line by line, explaining exactly what each clause meant, what they were signing, and why. For the first time in the process, they felt fully confident in what they were doing.

Offer day arrived. Eight offers — still relatively uncommon in spring 2026, but understandable given how special the home was. Through Craig’s strategy and communication with the listing side, they quickly found themselves firmly in contention. In the end, it came down to two offers. Ultimately, Susie and Hans chose not to move forward because they no longer felt comfortable increasing their price further, especially against a competing subject-free offer. While disappointing, Craig helped them feel completely at peace with the decision. “It was ours to lose, and we were okay with that.”

The right home: a detached heritage west of Main Street

The very next weekend, Craig introduced them to something unexpected — a detached heritage home west of Main Street instead of the duplexes they had primarily been considering. The moment they walked in, they knew. This was the one.

Craig negotiated aggressively while continuing to protect his clients at every stage. When portions of the contract were crossed out by the listing side, Craig took the time to understand why, then carefully revised the wording to satisfy the sellers while preserving the protections that mattered most to Susie and Hans. He approached every subject this way — calm, strategic, and firm when needed.

The negotiation ultimately came down to dates. To secure the home while protecting the timeline that worked best for their family, Craig recommended increasing the offer by $10,000 while holding firm on the preferred mid-July dates. The strategy worked. Their $1,760,000 offer was accepted.

Subject removal: the part most agents rush

At 11:00 PM that same night, Craig sent a detailed “Next Steps” email outlining exactly what would happen over the coming days. It immediately removed uncertainty and gave them confidence that every detail was under control. Over the next week, Craig sent separate emails explaining each contract subject in detail, making complex decisions feel manageable.

During the home inspection, Craig attended the entire process personally and helped identify key items that warranted further protection. He drafted an addendum requesting: hot water on demand servicing, expansion tank replacement, disconnected bonding wire repair, roof flue replacement, flashing repairs, and clarification surrounding the depreciation report. Once again the listing side attempted to revise portions of the wording. Once again Craig calmly held firm — listening, adjusting where appropriate to keep negotiations productive, but never compromising on the protections that mattered most.

“It honestly felt like he already knew the outcome before it happened,” Susie and Hans later reflected. “We’ve never watched someone negotiate that efficiently.”

As subject removal day approached, one final hurdle remained: insurance approval had still not come through. Rather than creating panic, Craig remained patient and grounded. He explained that insurance would most likely be obtainable — the concern was simply whether the premium or conditions would be acceptable. Just before 5:00 PM, confirmation finally arrived. Craig immediately submitted the subject removal. They had officially purchased their first home.

“We couldn’t be happier,” they said afterward. “Craig never once pushed us. He simply managed the process, protected us, educated us, and gave us confidence every step of the way.”

→ See the property Susie & Hans purchased

Downsize · 30-year Maple Ridge family home → McBride Station townhouse (Fort Langley area)

30 years of memories to a walkable retirement — 8 offers, $61,000 over asking, then $35,000 under on the next chapter

I first met this lovely couple at an open house in Pitt Meadows. About three months later, they reached out directly and told me they were finally ready to make a big life transition. They had lived in their Maple Ridge family home for over 30 years.

The goal wasn’t simply to downsize financially — it was to simplify life physically while still protecting the lifestyle they loved. Both retired, they wanted to move into a townhouse near Fort Langley where they could enjoy a more walkable, lower-maintenance lifestyle while staying active and healthy.

Their home carried decades of memories. Over the years they had thoughtfully updated and cared for the property beautifully. The backyard in particular was something special — incredible gardens, unique trees, flowers throughout, and a custom greenhouse they truly loved. It was the kind of home where family milestones happened, including hosting their daughter’s engagement party in the backyard. Like many long-term homeowners, they were realistic about the market — but understandably emotional about leaving the home behind.

Our team went to work building the right plan. The house already showed exceptionally well, so rather than fully stage it, we focused on light preparation, subtle furniture adjustments, and enhancing what already made the property feel warm and inviting. Once photography and marketing were complete, we launched strategically with a Thursday-night sneak preview ahead of the weekend.

The response exceeded everyone’s expectations. Over 40 groups came through the open house weekend, followed by a Monday offer presentation that genuinely shocked the sellers — 8 offers in total. We ultimately accepted an offer from a wonderful couple relocating from the North Shore to be closer to family in Maple Ridge. The offer was subject-free, deposit cheque in hand, and closed at $61,000 over asking.

With the sale secured, we moved quickly on the purchase side. We already knew exactly which property fit their lifestyle goals at McBride Station, and through careful negotiation, secured the townhouse for $35,000 below asking price.

One of my favourite moments came several months later when we met for coffee in their new backyard. They had already begun transforming the outdoor space with new landscaping and garden touches so it carried the same warmth and peace they loved in their previous home. That conversation summed up what a successful downsizing move should feel like — not giving something up, but moving confidently into the next chapter of life.

→ See the Maple Ridge home they sold

Relocate · Toronto career → Burke Mountain retirement

The retirees who flew in to tour Heritage Mountain — and bought on Burke Mountain instead

Retiring after an entire career spent in Toronto and moving back to the Lower Mainland was a huge life transition for this couple. I was introduced to them through a referral, and after our very first Zoom call we all knew it was going to be a great partnership. There was immediate trust, honesty, and excitement around finding the right place to begin the next chapter back home in British Columbia.

Before they even arrived in person, we spent nearly two weeks on the phone discussing neighbourhoods, lifestyle goals, commute patterns, home styles, and what “home” truly needed to feel like after being away for so many years.

Family was a major part of the move. Her brother lived near Noons Creek and her mother was on Westwood Plateau, so naturally the search initially focused heavily on Heritage Mountain. After narrowing options down to seven properties, they flew out to tour homes in person.

We found several good homes. But none of them truly connected emotionally. They could see themselves living there — but not building the retirement lifestyle they had envisioned. Most felt a little too dated, and they quietly kept coming back to wanting something newer with better entertaining space for family gatherings and reconnecting with lifelong friends.

That’s when I brought up Burke Mountain. Initially, they felt it was “too far” from the areas they knew. But knowing the Tri-Cities as well as I do, I felt strongly that Burke Mountain aligned perfectly with what they actually wanted — newer construction, quieter streets, incredible views, strong long-term value, and a community full of growing families and beautiful homes.

So instead of forcing another showing, I took them to IBEX Coffee. We sat together, talked through the area, future growth, lifestyle, community feel, and what daily life would actually look like there. Once they understood how connected Burke Mountain really is — and that it was only minutes farther than Heritage Mountain — everything shifted.

The very first Burke Mountain home I showed them was the one. A beautiful Foxridge home with incredible entertaining space, modern finishes, and exactly the type of lifestyle they had been describing from the beginning. We negotiated hard, secured the property at a comfortable price, and two months later they officially moved in.

Since then it has been incredibly rewarding watching them reconnect with lifelong friends and family after decades away. Their new home has already become a gathering place — exactly what they hoped retirement would feel like when they first started this journey.