For Immediate Release.
Home Ownership Matchmaking in BC!
CoHo BC hires housing matchmaker to partner people up to buy real estate together as a response to rising prices and social isolation.
Vancouver, BC, March 16, 2022
Local initiative supporting collaborative home ownership (CoHo BC) harnesses the power of the Share Economy.
According to a recent report, 40% of Generation Z adults (those born between 1993 and 2011), living in Metro Vancouver expect to co-own their first home with family (27%) or friends / strangers (13%)[1]. The reality of this trend is seen daily at CoHo BC. This made in BC initiative is actively working with individuals, couples and families of all generations to harness the power of collaborative ownership.
Founded in 2018, CoHo BC (www.cohobc.com) works to support and encourage collaborative home ownership as a solution to BC’s expensive real estate market and increased social isolation. While this type of ownership has long been popular with families and friends, co-ownership with strangers is now gaining traction as an attractive option for many.
To help address this growing demand, CoHo BC has hired a dedicated housing matchmaker, Elizabeth Wilcox, to coordinate matchmaking services connecting potential co-owners based on shared needs and interests. Services include a housing classifieds page (www.cohobc.com/classifieds), bi-monthly online social and “dating” events, as well as individualized matchmaking services. After being successfully paired up with another family and purchasing an East Vancouver home together with CoHo’s support, Wilcox joined the team as BC’s first housing matchmaker, “I want to help others repeat our success and gain access to all the advantages we’ve found in co-purchasing our home.” She explains, “It’s really an exciting opportunity. Since joining the team I’ve had dozens of inquiries from prospective co-owners from across the province and we have some promising groups forming.”
In 2021, CoHo BC successfully assisted more than a dozen people find partners and housing across Metro Vancouver and Victoria. CoHo is now in the process of expanding its matchmaking efforts to include the Sunshine Coast, Cowichan Valley, Okanagan and other parts of the province. “It’s been a real thrill to help people form new and innovative communities, and to see that through cooperation and creative thinking people can find housing they never thought they could afford,” says Noam Dolgin, CoHo BC co-founder and a Vancouver based Realtor specializing in co-ownership and sustainable living. “The enthusiasm we’ve been seeing for this type of housing is incredibly encouraging. People are seeing the advantages of co-ownership, and while co-owning with family or friends is an option for some, our matchmaking services can connect you with a much broader array of potential partners.”
CoHo BC has a series of upcoming sessions about co-ownership including:
Mar 22, 2022 - Land and Farm Shares with Brian Horwitz
April 12 & June 7, 2022 - Let's Make a CoHome Matchmaking Evening
April 26, 2022 - What is Real Estate Co-Ownership and How Can It Work For Me
May 24, 2022 - Conversations with Co-Owners
For more information about CoHo BC or real estate co-ownership, visit www.cohobc.com, email cohobc@gmail.com or contact Noam Dolgin 604-254-2549.
Photo of Elizabeth Wilcox with housing partners Tom Kehler, Ashley Pullman, Christopher Nichols and children. (Photo credit Noam Dolgin)
[1] “Financing the Future of Canadian Housing: Generation Z Trends”, by Sotheby's International Real Estate and the Mustel Group Wednesday, examines how this next generation of home buyers from across Canada view home ownership.