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Home Selling
How does a REALTOR® establish the selling price of my house?
Tuesday, March 26, 2024
One tool Realtors use is comparing prices from recent sales in your area. Bonus: what's the difference between assessed and sale values? (2 minute read)
Legislation & Regulations
Land Act amendments on hold
Monday, February 26, 2024
The government's proposed land-sharing agreement with First Nations groups will undergo further consultation. (2 minute read)
Legislation & Regulations
BC government announces PTT changes, flipping tax in new budget
Monday, February 26, 2024
Here's a summary of the new housing measures in the BC budget announced on February 22, 2024.
Legislation & Regulations
Metro Vancouver regulates wood burning fireplaces and stoves
Monday, December 18, 2023
Metro Vancouver is reducing pollution by regulating wood burning appliances. Does this affect you? (3 minute read)
Urban Planning
Building homes faster and cheaper with ready-made designs
Wednesday, December 13, 2023
The BC government plans to create up to 10 standardized home designs inspired by the Vancouver Special. (2 minute read)
Legislation & Regulations
How will the 2021 mortgage stress test rules impact Metro Vancouver real estate?
Thursday, November 16, 2023
The new rules as of June 1, 2021 will dampen mortgage credit growth, but should have a modest effect on home sales and prices. ( 1 minute read)
Legislation & Regulations
Interest, fees increase amount owed for property tax deferment
Friday, October 6, 2023
If your clients are deferring their property taxes, interest rates and fees will increase the amount they owe. (2 minute read)
Legislation & Regulations
BC caps maximum rent increase to 3.5 per cent
Tuesday, September 26, 2023
The change aims to address the housing crisis and simplify zoning regulations. (2 minute read)
Legislation & Regulations
Government removes GST on new rental housing
Monday, September 25, 2023
This policy is for projects beginning construction from Sept 14, 2023, to Dec 31, 2030, completing construction by Dec 31, 2035. (2 minute read)
Urban Planning
Vancouver allows up to eight units on single family lots
Monday, September 25, 2023
The change aims to address the housing crisis and simplify zoning regulations. (2 minute read)
Market Trends
Increased costs contribute to reduced sales, dollar values across commercial market
Monday, September 18, 2023
Slower activity marked the second quarter of the commercial real estate market in the Lower Mainland. (1 minute read)
Legislation & Regulations
Homeownership rates decline – purpose-built rentals can help
Monday, August 28, 2023
Declining homeownership rates spark investment in purpose-built rentals as solution. (2 minute read)
Legislation & Regulations
PM shuffles cabinet, new federal housing minister
Thursday, July 27, 2023
Sean Fraser is now the minister of housing, infrastructure, and communities. (2 minute read)
Legislation & Regulations
REBGV recommends policy changes to improve housing affordability and availability in BC
Tuesday, July 25, 2023
Read about the three tax-related recommendations REBGV made to the provincial government to ease housing. (3 minute read)
Urban Planning
What well-designed density looks like: Southlands in Tsawwassen
Monday, June 19, 2023
This area demonstrates a new model of well-designed density through innovative practices. (2 minute read)
Urban Planning
BC government identifies 47 municipalities that must densify
Friday, June 9, 2023
The identified municipalities must address local barriers to construction and update zoning bylaws. (2 minute read)
Urban Planning
Disaster funding for flooding makes local communities safer
Thursday, May 11, 2023
Learn more about initiatives to mitigate flood damage and assess flood risks around Greater Vancouver. (3 minute read)
Legislation & Regulations
New exemptions to strata age restriction bylaws
Wednesday, May 10, 2023
The new exemptions include future children, dependents, and spouses/partners. (1 minute read)
Home Selling
Can I cancel a listing contract, a buyer agency or an exclusive?
Tuesday, April 18, 2023
Contracts can only be cancelled with the mutual consent of the parties involved. (3 minute read)
Legislation & Regulations
Federal foreign buyer ban coming in January 2023
Friday, March 31, 2023
The federal government’s ban on new foreign ownership of residential property becomes law on January 1, 2023. Here's what you need to know. (3 minute read)
Legislation & Regulations
The effect of flood mapping and floods on housing prices
Tuesday, February 28, 2023
Floodplain mapping can help assess risk and better understand a home's value. (3 minute read)
Legislation & Regulations
Better protection for strata property owners coming in November
Friday, February 3, 2023
Amendments to the Strata Property Act that increase contingency reserve fund minimums are coming November 1, 2023. (2 minute read)
Legislation & Regulations
BC government introduces “cooling off” period for home sales
Tuesday, December 6, 2022
Starting January 1, 2023, home buyers can back out of a residential purchase up to three business days after signing a contract. (3 minute read)
Legislation & Regulations
Supreme Court of Canada clarifies, expands principles of expropriation
Wednesday, November 16, 2022
A recent decision has clarified the test for constructive taking and expropriation by regulation. (5 minute read)
Market Trends
Lower Mainland’s commercial real estate sees fewer transactions in Q2
Thursday, September 15, 2022
Activity in the commercial real estate market edged down from the brisker pace experienced at the start of the year. (2 minute read)
Home Selling
Historical home sale prices in Metro Vancouver are now available on REALTOR.ca
Tuesday, September 13, 2022
You can now find historical home sale prices on REALTOR.ca for homes actively listed for sale. (2 minute read)
Urban Planning
Council passes Vancouver Plan
Tuesday, August 16, 2022
The plan promises new densification to accommodate 260,000 new residents and 210,000 new jobs. (1 minute read)
Editorial
REBGV brings on Andrew Lis as new economist
Tuesday, July 19, 2022
Andrew is an applied economist and data scientist specializing in real estate and urban land economics with experience in the public and private sectors. (1 minute read)
Market Trends
CMHC estimates 3.5 million new affordable homes needed
Tuesday, July 19, 2022
A CMHC report estimates BC needs 3.5 million new homes by 2030 to make homes affordable, 1.2 million short of current projections. (2 minute read)
Urban Planning
Broadway Plan approved: 30,000 new homes coming
Thursday, June 30, 2022
The approved Broadway plan will include a significant number of new homes, increase tenant protection, new space for more jobs, and more. (3 minute read)
Market Trends
Lower Mainland’s commercial real estate market begins 2022 with steady sales and higher prices
Thursday, June 23, 2022
A steady start to the 2022 commercial real estate market. (2 minute read)
Market Trends
CMHC report finds lack of supply main cause of unaffordable housing
Friday, May 13, 2022
A recent CMHC report determined housing supply is the main factor behind unaffordability in Canada. (1 minute read)
Legislation & Regulations
BC REALTORS® offer 30 policy recommendations to province to improve BC real estate
Thursday, March 31, 2022
The BC Real Estate Association, with support of BC’s real estate boards, has 30 policy recommendations for the provincial government.
Market Trends
What does first quarter activity say about Metro Vancouver’s housing market in 2022?
Thursday, March 3, 2022
REBGV Economist Keith Stewart projects what home sale, listing, and price activity you can expect in 2022. (1 minute read)
Legislation & Regulations
What’s in BC Budget 2022 for homebuyers and owners?
Tuesday, February 22, 2022
BC Budget 2022 was released on February 22, 2022 with a focus on funding for climate change, infrastructure, and homelessness. (2 minute read)
Urban Planning
Fee simple row houses offer gentle, more affordable density
Tuesday, February 15, 2022
There are many strata townhomes but very few fee-simple, individually owned row homes in Metro Vancouver. Why? And how can row homes help with affordability? (3 minute read)
Urban Planning
Vancouver pilot program to permit six units on a detached lot
Monday, February 14, 2022
The City of Vancouver is starting a pilot program to streamline densification on single-family lots. (3 minute read)
Legislation & Regulations
How many homes paid BC Vacancy and Speculation Tax in your community?
Friday, December 10, 2021
Read how much tax was generated from this tax in Greater Vancouver municipalities.
Urban Planning
Redevelopment plan for False Creek South headed to Council
Monday, October 25, 2021
The City of Vancouver’s real estate department has released a conceptual plan to redevelop city-owned land on False Creek.
Legislation & Regulations
REBGV makes three recommendations to BC government to help make homes more affordable
Thursday, October 14, 2021
Metro Vancouver is facing a housing affordability crisis. Home prices continue to rise, and the inventory of homes for sale is insufficient to meet today’s demand.
Legislation & Regulations
Federal government plans unused housing tax
Friday, September 24, 2021
Read about the federal government’s plans to implement a national, annual one-per-cent tax on non-resident, non-Canadian owned residential vacant or underused real estate.
Market Trends
How many Metro Vancouver properties are purchased by foreign buyers?
Wednesday, September 1, 2021
Check out the impact on Metro Vancouver's real estate market.
Market Trends
What's the difference between a buyer's and seller's market?
Tuesday, August 31, 2021
Several factors influence the housing market which then influences supply and demand.
Market Trends
REBGV economist discusses the market, COVID-19's effects, and the state of the recovery
Friday, August 13, 2021
Keith Stewart, REBGV economist, highlights the market effects of the COVID-19 pandemic in Metro Vancouver.
Urban Planning
Two dwellings to be permitted on ALR farmland with conditions
Thursday, July 29, 2021
Property owners in the Agricultural Land Reserve who meet certain conditions will be able to build a second permanent dwelling as of December 31, 2021.
Market Trends
Home sales and new listings on par with historic average
Monday, July 26, 2021
While still firmly in seller's market conditions, home sale and listing activity has eased from the record-setting pace of the spring.
Legislation & Regulations
Speculation and vacancy tax relief for non-existent homes
Wednesday, May 26, 2021
The provincial speculation and vacancy tax applies to airspace above buildings classed as residential. The government will temporarily remove this tax for one year.
Market Trends
Regulators advise home buyers, sellers to understand potential risks of a busy market
Friday, April 16, 2021
In an active market, seeking professional advice from a Realtor is more important than ever.
Legislation & Regulations
The Land Owner Transparency Registry – what you need to know
Wednesday, March 24, 2021
To help stop the ‎hidden ownership of real ‎‎estate and prevent money laundering and tax evasion, the BC government has introduced legislation and an owner registry.
Market Trends
Largest year-over-year price increases
Tuesday, March 23, 2021
The five areas in our region with the largest year-over-year price increases might surprise you.
Fact Sheets
Cannabis fact sheet
Monday, March 22, 2021
Cannabis is regulated at the federal, provincial, and municipal levels. Here’s a summary of how it’s dealt with in Greater Vancouver municipalities.
Fact Sheets
Heritage Homes fact sheet
Wednesday, March 17, 2021
If a home is more than 60 years old, home owners may refer to it as having character merit or as “heritage”, regardless of how well it has been preserved or how much it has been altered over the years.
Legislation & Regulations
Rent freeze extended; renovictions, disputes addressed in proposed legislation
Tuesday, March 16, 2021
Check the details of the BC government's proposed legislation to extend the residential rent freeze, and other related items.
Market Trends
Buying or selling in a busy market? Here’s how you can make the transaction easier
Tuesday, March 9, 2021
In a busy real estate market, homes are bought and sold at a faster pace than usual. This can create a sense of urgency that causes home prices to rise.
Fact Sheets
Tree protection bylaws and policies for private property owners
Wednesday, January 27, 2021
Many local governments in Greater Vancouver have a bylaw or policy addressing tree removal, retention, pruning and damage on private property. This fact sheet is an overview.
Market Trends
What Metro Vancouver's strong housing market looked like in 2020
Tuesday, January 19, 2021
This is what Metro Vancouver's strong housing market looked like in 2020.
Market Trends
Metro Vancouver real estate generated $2.1 billion for BC's economy in 2020
Thursday, January 14, 2021
Economic spin-off activity and creating an estimated 14,728 jobs resulted from real estate sales in 2020.
Market Trends
How did COVID-19 affect Metro Vancouver home buyer demand in 2020?
Thursday, December 17, 2020
Demand is typically seasonal in the metro Vancouver housing market. Activity tends to peak in the spring and fall.
Legislation & Regulations
Vancouver’s Empty Homes Tax increases to three per cent
Thursday, December 10, 2020
Mayor Kennedy Stewart has followed through on a 2018 election campaign promise and has tripled the Empty Homes Tax rate to three per cent.
Legislation & Regulations
BC's Land Owner Transparency Registry now in force: what you need to know
Wednesday, December 2, 2020
When a title change is registered in the land titles office, the transferee must file a transparency declaration disclosing interest holders.