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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)
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)
Taxes
Why do I have to pay property taxes on the house I’m buying?
Friday, September 1, 2023
Property taxes in BC are due the first business day after July 1. If you buy a home at another time, you may have to pay a share of the year to avoid a penalty.
Home Buying
Choosing the right home starts with choosing the right REALTOR®
Wednesday, August 30, 2023
Buying or selling a home is a significant financial decision. That’s why it’s important to take your time to choose the right Realtor for you. (2 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)
Taxes
Putting Property Transfer Tax revenue to work
Tuesday, June 27, 2023
Our recommendations to the provincial government on how the PTT can be used to help build more affordable homes. (2 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)
Working with a REALTOR®
What’s the Disclosure form that REALTORS® are asking you to sign?
Friday, April 28, 2023
When buying or selling a home, Realtors have to inform you, up front, about your representation options. This is what the DORTS form is for. (3 minute read)
Home Ownership
Know the rules when insuring secondary suites
Monday, April 3, 2023
Having insurance coverage is vital. There’s a misconception among home owners that their existing policy will cover a suite. It doesn’t.
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)
Home Ownership
Home renos: plan for success
Monday, August 22, 2022
Your home reno can be less stressful if you plan wisely. Find out how! (3 minute read)
Home Buying
What are the buying costs of a home?
Tuesday, April 12, 2022
If you’ve decided to buy a home, it’s important you understand all the costs involved in addition to the price you're paying for the property.
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.
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)
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.
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.
Home Buying
Millennials to drive housing demand
Tuesday, August 24, 2021
Millennial newcomers will help fill the expected 861,000 job openings in BC over the next decade (2019-2029), and most would like to own a home.
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.
Home Buying
Home buyers: 5 tips to prepare for a busy market
Friday, May 14, 2021
Before you begin home hunting, get prepared using these five simple steps to mitigate your risk so there are no unwanted surprises in one of the biggest financial decisions of your life.
Home Buying
Q&A with REBGV Chair Taylor Biggar: Tips for home buyers in today’s hectic housing market?
Thursday, April 29, 2021
Here's what hopeful home buyers need to know to successfully navigate Metro Vancouver’s hectic housing market.
Home Ownership
What's a non-conforming strata? What you need to know to avoid headaches
Wednesday, April 28, 2021
If you’ve heard the term “non-conforming strata” before, there’s something you should know: There’s no such thing. Find out why.
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.
Taxes
What are the tax implications of building a laneway house?
Thursday, April 8, 2021
Before building a laneway home or buying a property with one, you should understand the tax implications of doing so.
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.
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.
Home Buying
Buying or selling a home? Here are 4 trends you can expect in today's market
Wednesday, February 17, 2021
A combination of historically high demand, limited housing supply, and COVID-19 restrictions is changing the way buyers and sellers are operating in Metro Vancouver’s housing market.
Home Ownership
Aging in place: Top tips on how you can adapt your home
Friday, February 12, 2021
Whether you’re looking for your ‘forever’ home or already live there, adjusting its design will help make your life easier and safer.
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.
Working with a REALTOR®
What is the MLS® and how does it benefit you?
Monday, December 28, 2020
The Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®), owned and operated by REALTORS®, is the most powerful real estate marketing system in the country.
Market Insights Video
November 2020 Market Insights
Monday, December 14, 2020
Housing demand in Metro Vancouver continues to outpace historical averages with November sales eclipsing 3,000 for the first time since 2015.
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.
Market Insights Video
October 2020 Market Insights
Monday, November 9, 2020
Home sale and new listing activity remained at near record levels across Metro Vancouver in October.
Urban Planning
Provincial parties' housing policy platforms
Friday, October 16, 2020
Here are solutions offered by the three main parties as well as the BC Conservative Party which makes substantive housing related recommendations.
Home Buying
7 green ideas to consider when buying a home
Thursday, October 8, 2020
When looking for an eco-friendly home, here are some things to look for or put in place yourself.
Urban Planning
Affordable market housing proposal defeated
Thursday, October 8, 2020
If you have a household income under $120,000 and want to buy a home in Vancouver, a new proposal from the city – had it passed – might’ve interested you.
Urban Planning
REALTORS® learn about the future of green homes at the PNE Prize Home
Thursday, September 24, 2020
Green homes are the future. By 2032 all new homes in BC will have to be up to 80 per cent more energy efficient than today.
Legislation & Regulations
Maximum allowable rent increase is 1.4 per cent for 2021
Monday, September 21, 2020
BC landlords can raise rental apartment rents a maximum of 1.4 per cent as of January 2021 according to new rules set by the province.
Legislation & Regulations
Rent due, evictions allowed, rent repayment plan
Thursday, September 17, 2020
The provincial government has lifted the ban on issuing evictions for non-payment of rent. Here's what to do if you're affected.
Legislation & Regulations
Provincial government changes strata insurance regulations
Tuesday, September 15, 2020
These changes are intended to address rising strata insurance costs that have affected strata owners throughout the province.
Legislation & Regulations
Strata insurance – where are we at?
Thursday, September 10, 2020
Read an update on how the Insurance Bureau of Canada has responded to unusually high insurance premiums faced by strata corporations.
Legislation & Regulations
Secondary suites now allowed in ground-oriented, multi-family buildings
Friday, August 7, 2020
New updates to the BC Building Code allow secondary suites in duplexes, townhouses, and detached row houses throughout the province.
Legislation & Regulations
Government begins regulating strata insurance
Monday, July 13, 2020
To help return the strata insurance market to balance, the Ministry of Finance announced amendments to the Strata Property Act .
Legislation & Regulations
BC government extends rental supplement and moratorium on rent increases, relaxes eviction ban 
Thursday, June 25, 2020
The BC government announced plans to extend its rental supplement program and moratorium on rent increases, while relaxing some of the rules around the eviction ban.