lessons from the deals that almost didn’t happen
Behind every successful land deal is a moment it almost fell apart.
This post is part of our ongoing series exploring real-world case studies from the front lines of Vancouver land brokerage — where every site has a story, and every transaction has its challenges. In this edition, we look at four deals that nearly died on the table: listings with deep complications, off-market opportunities with no leverage, and sales that succeeded only because of process, not luck.
These are not the perfect properties. They’re the hard ones. And they’re the reason experience matters.
If you’re navigating your own complex sale — or simply want to understand what separates a closed deal from a missed opportunity — this post is for you.
most land deals aren’t smooth — but most are still possible
Some properties are easy to sell. Most aren’t.
Zoning misalignment, family dynamics, building condition, buyer pressure, or something harder to name — these are the undercurrents behind most real estate transactions, especially in Vancouver’s land and multifamily space.
But even complex deals can close — if the right process is in place.
Over time, you start to recognize the difference between what breaks a deal and what simply needs to be solved. Here are four projects that pushed the limits — and what they revealed about getting difficult deals done.
when a property’s past makes the future complicated
At 200 Sherbrooke in Prince Rupert, I was asked to handle a 60-unit high-rise that had been vacant for over a decade. Multiple fires. Interior collapse. Squatters. Mold. A building most would walk away from.
We didn’t.
Instead, we built a plan. We walked the site. We built a model grounded in cost-to-complete and future yield. Then we shared that vision with the right buyer — and gave them what they needed to act with confidence.
The outcome: Full renovation. Stabilized ownership. A building brought back to life.
when you have no leverage — just clarity
At 475 W 42nd Ave, we were one lot in a larger assembly. The buyer had the adjacent properties under contract and positioned us as the “orphan” — with a take-it-or-leave-it offer.
But zoning doesn’t bend to pressure. And once we reviewed the Cambie Corridor Plan — and walked the site in person — it was obvious: our lot was critical. Without it, their project couldn’t proceed.
We stayed silent. We stayed firm.
The buyer came back. The deal closed — at full price.
when the sellers are already out of patience
At 15989 Marine Drive in White Rock, the owners were tired. Two failed listings. Two collapsed offers. Years of tension. Most agents would have seen the building. I saw the people — and the pattern.
What mattered here wasn’t speed. It was structure. Clear expectations. Careful qualification. Calm navigation.
The deal closed quietly — and for the first time in years, the owners were able to move forward.
when the story isn’t easy to tell
At 46101 Princess Ave in Chilliwack, a fatal shooting had taken place in the front yard. Many agents would downplay it. Some wouldn’t mention it at all.
We disclosed it clearly — and backed it up with facts.
That decision turned away the wrong buyers and built trust with the right ones. No surprises. No drama. Just a clean deal — handled like it should be.
what this means for you
If you’re holding a site that feels complicated — whether it’s tangled in family, tenants, repairs, zoning, or history — don’t assume it’s unsellable.
The market doesn’t need perfection. It needs clarity. And that starts with asking the right questions — and working with someone who knows how to answer them.
when the deal feels uncertain, the right process changes everything
Most landowners wait too long to ask for help — often until a listing fails, a buyer disappears, or family tensions boil over. But the truth is, many of these issues can be solved before they become problems — with the right strategy and a calm, experienced guide.
If you’re holding a site that feels messy or uncertain — zoning issues, development potential, off-market inquiries, or just too many opinions in the room — I can help you sort through it, assess your real options, and map out a path to the highest and best outcome.
The earlier we talk, the more options you’ll have. Let’s start with a call.
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