VREP #459 | The Trump Tariffs Hit Vancouver Real Estate with Dustan Woodhouse

·1 hr 20 min·5 clips

Dustin Woodhouse explains how Trump's 25% tariffs, imposed yesterday, could reshape Vancouver's real estate market.

The episode begins with hosts Adam and Matt Sklina introducing Dustin Woodhouse, a mortgage industry veteran and author of the Be The Better Broker series. They timestamp the conversation to March 4th, highlighting the recent imposition of 25% tariffs by Trump and the uncertainty it creates. Dustin discusses his successful conference in Whistler, which featured speakers like former Bank of Canada governor Stephen Poloz under Chatham House rules. The hosts pivot to the tariffs, with Dustin citing Warren Buffett's view that tariffs are 'an act of war' and analyzing their potential effects on the Canadian economy and Vancouver real estate. Dustin advises listeners to assess their personal employment security and risk tolerance, noting that tariffs might lower interest rates, benefiting some buyers. He strongly cautions against trying to time the market with a principal residence, sharing a story of a family that sold and missed out on significant appreciation. The conversation shifts to investment properties, where Dustin explains that CMHC now favors multifamily investments with 50-year amortizations and 5% down payments, unlike single-family rules. He describes the difficulties of being a landlord in B.C., including tenant issues, fines for unauthorized Airbnb use, and lengthy eviction processes. Dustin recommends divesting single rental properties when tenants leave, suggesting reinvestment in Alberta for better cash flow and landlord-friendly laws. The hosts ask about fixed versus variable rates, and Dustin opts for a three-year fixed due to current uncertainty. They discuss the psychological toll of constant news cycles, with Dustin advocating for focusing on daily priorities. The episode concludes with Dustin sharing five takeaways from his conference, including the importance of voting, the health benefits of cursing, and asking 'what would love do?' in interactions.

As heard by us

A Vancouver-focused discussion of tariffs, mortgage pressure, and a housing shortage measured in years.

Tariffs open the door, but the episode is really interested in the business question underneath: why Vancouver's housing shortage keeps absorbing each new shock.

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Why you'd press play

You want a Vancouver lens on tariffs, mortgage-rate choices, and why new housing can take years to become keys in a door.

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