There is no published figures being released each year. It was quoted elsewhere the median income was at $37,000, and in Alberta a report citing less than 60% of the real estate agents there made more than $75,000 in 2006.

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My credit scores from 3 bureaus average just over 800. i am looking for a house in the vancouver-wa area. can anyone advice me on the best source for securing a loan (i plan on putting 20% down; mortgage required

First good rates on a 30 year fixed would be close to 6% - the closer to 6% the better - Fees to the bank - broker should be 1% or less. Don't listen to people advising you to avoid "brokers" - in every case I have seen "brokers" have offered me better deals - rate and fees than more "traditional" banks. Second - buy what moves you - don't try to time buying a purchase as big as a home by what you hope will happen with local market prices - I doubt that the prices will move enough to make any real difference in six months - how much MORE would you like a particular house if it were actually $10,000 less?

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I have a question in regards to the saving each month. i live in vancouver, canada. both my wife and i are working and have a mortgaged house. after all the household expenses, we save $1800 to $2000 per month on an average. just wish to take others opinion here whether this is a good amount for 2 people to save. to do this, we have to cut some corners as well. sometimes i think if i hadn't bought a house and stayed on rent, i could've ended up saving about $3000 quite comfortably. is this the right way to take the things w.r.t saving? what are your opinions please? thanks.

The amount you are saving depends on where you live, how expensive it is to live there, what your long- and short-term goals are, etc. $1800 - $2000 per month in savings seems like an excellent number to me and I think is far above the national average, at least here in the U.S. If you haven't already, you and your wife should sit down and work out a monthly budget, as well as figuring out what your future financial goals are (a new car, a bigger house, college education for the kids, etc.) You should be able to set dates to these goals and come up with reasonable ideas on how much they will cost. Then, you will be able to look at your savings rate and see whether you will be able to afford them by the goal date or not. Also, make sure that you are keeping your savings in the right place for the goal you are saving for. For example, money being saved for something 10 years in the future is probably best kept in the stock market, but money for something needed in only a month or two should be kept in the bank. As for renting vs. buying, mortgage payments build equity in your home, but rent is simply money you are putting into someone else's pocket.