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Home Ownership
20 grants and rebates for homebuyers and owners
Thursday, March 28, 2024
Save money using these grants and rebates. (6 minute read)
Home Ownership
Prepare your home for sale
Tuesday, March 12, 2024
Are you thinking of selling your home? Before your REALTOR® begins showing your home, you will want to make sure it’s in tip-top condition.
Taxes
What you need to know about BC's Speculation and Vacancy Tax
Friday, January 26, 2024
Detailed information about BC's SVT and property exemptions. (4 minute read)
Home Ownership
New regulations for stratas help get more electric vehicles on the road
Thursday, January 18, 2024
These regulations outline a process for strata property residents to request to install an EV charging station. (2 minute read)
Home Ownership
Greater Vancouver assessments remain stable
Friday, January 5, 2024
Assessments remained in a narrow range compared to last year in Greater Vancouver. (5 minute read)
Home Ownership
Seniors aging in place, longer
Wednesday, December 13, 2023
How will the increasing number of senior households affect the real estate market? (2 minute read)
Home Ownership
4 things to know about heat pumps
Tuesday, November 28, 2023
Learn how heat pumps are an energy-efficient way of transferring heat in and out of a home. (3 minute read)
Home Ownership
Financing your home
Wednesday, November 1, 2023
When you're looking to buy a home, it's important to understand the steps for getting a mortgage. (3 minute read)
Taxes
Will I have to pay capital gains when I sell my house?
Thursday, September 7, 2023
Read about the conditions required for paying capital gains, and what you need to do even if you don't have to pay. (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 Ownership
Taking care of your yard during a heat wave and drought
Monday, August 28, 2023
Here's how to make your lawn and garden look good when the weather isn't. (2 minute read)
Taxes
Empty Homes Tax put to good use – Vancouver creates affordable housing
Thursday, August 24, 2023
Affordable housing projects in Vancouver received grants worth over $8.7 million, partially from Vancouver’s EHT. (1 minute read)
Community
REBGV donates $10,000 to BC wildfire relief
Wednesday, August 23, 2023
The McDougall Creek fire is one of many raging across BC. Here's how you can help. (1 minute read)
Home Ownership
Home ownership – BC legislative committee listens to and quotes REBGV
Monday, August 21, 2023
A new budget report cited REBGV’s three recommendations on how to clear a path to home ownership. (3 minute read)
Home Ownership
Asbestos remediation – new certification required for contractors
Tuesday, July 18, 2023
Home owners looking to renovate older homes will need to ensure their contractors are certified. (2 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)
Taxes
BC speculation and vacancy tax expanded to Lions Bay, Squamish
Monday, June 12, 2023
Home owners in these newly taxable areas will need to declare in 2024. (2 minute read)
Taxes
Property taxes 101
Monday, June 5, 2023
Save money on your prooperty taxes with the Home Owner Grant. The threshold has recently increased. (3 minute read)
Home Ownership
6 bathroom renovation mistakes to avoid
Monday, May 8, 2023
Avoid costly mistakes for a worry-free bathroom reno. (2 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
Get your outdoor living room ready for spring and summer fun
Tuesday, April 25, 2023
Tips to make your outdoor space a naturally inviting part of your home. (2 minute read)
Community
Vancouver REALTOR® honoured for innovative fundraising, work with community causes
Friday, April 21, 2023
Read about our 2022 REALTORS Care Award recipient. (2 minutes, 3:03 video)
Home Ownership
Heating your home with oil? Get up to $10K for a new heat pump
Friday, April 14, 2023
The federal government is offering up to $10K for low- and median-income homeowners to install an energy-efficient heat pump. (1 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.
Home Ownership
Canada amends foreign buyer ban regulations
Friday, March 31, 2023
The federal government amended its foreign buyer ban regulations, allowing more flexibility. (3 minute read)
Home Ownership
How to prepare your lawn for winter
Wednesday, September 28, 2022
Follow these tips for a healthy lawn next summer! (2 minute read)
Home Ownership
Here are 9 ways to get ready for fall
Friday, September 9, 2022
Sure signs that fall is coming are shorter days and the start of school. Fall also means it’s time to begin preparing our homes for oncoming cooler weather.
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 Ownership
Preparing for a flood
Monday, August 8, 2022
Many residents and businesses in the Lower Mainland are located in a floodplain - close to or beside local rivers, creeks, or coastlines.
Home Ownership
Home security – 11 tips to protect your belongings
Friday, July 8, 2022
It’s summertime and the living is easy, especially for potential thieves.
Home Ownership
It’s easy being green: here are 6 lawn alternatives
Monday, June 20, 2022
Lawn alternatives that help bees, save water, eliminate chaffer beetles, and more!
Home Ownership
PTT thresholds: REBGV makes housing affordability recommendations to province
Friday, June 17, 2022
REBGV made three recommendations for making home ownership more affordable during provincial consultations in June. (3 minute read)
Community
Metro Vancouver REALTORS® honoured for rapid response during BC's flooding disaster
Wednesday, June 1, 2022
REALTORS® Ron Basra and Phil Moore received the 2021 REALTORS Care® Award for providing much needed aid under difficult conditions during the 2021 BC floods. (2 minute read)
Community
Richmond REALTOR® receives REBGV’s highest honour for professionalism
Wednesday, June 1, 2022
REBGV honoured REALTOR® K. Scott Russell with the 2021 Professional Excellence Award for his mentorship and contributions to organized real estate over his long career. (3 minute read)
Home Ownership
Vancouver increases Empty Homes Tax and double audits
Friday, April 29, 2022
Vancouver city council passed a motion to increase the Empty Homes Tax to five per cent. (1 minute read)
Home Ownership
3 easy ways to help keep your home green clean
Monday, February 28, 2022
Keeping a green-clean home is not only better for the environment, it can be better for your health and your wallet. (2 minute read)
Home Ownership
Get your home ready for spring using these simple steps
Monday, February 28, 2022
Spring is a time of renewal for both you and your home. As you emerge from your winter cocoon, you’ll want to start the spring repairs and updates your home requires.
Taxes
No SVT exemption for owners of vacant stratas
Friday, February 18, 2022
Owners of strata property in buildings with rental restrictions are no longer exempt from the BC Speculation and Vacancy Tax. (1 minute read)
Community
REALTORS® raise over $134,000 for BC disaster relief during the 27th annual REALTORS Care® Blanket Drive
Friday, December 3, 2021
Realtors across the Lower Mainland raised over $134,000 for disaster relief and collected warm clothing and blankets for those in need.
Community
Lower Mainland REALTORS® act quickly to aid flood victims
Wednesday, November 24, 2021
REALTORS® are closely involved with their communities. Find out how they helped during BC's flood disaster.
Community
Greater Vancouver and Fraser Valley real estate boards donate $20,000 to support Red Cross disaster relief efforts
Tuesday, November 23, 2021
BC hasn't seen a disaster on this level before. We had to help.
Home Ownership
7 ways to get the most out of small living spaces
Wednesday, October 13, 2021
Small living spaces are a reality for more and more homeowners. But small spaces don’t have to mean small dreams.
Community
REALTORS Care® Shelter Drive raises $15,000 for housing charities during pandemic
Thursday, July 22, 2021
The REALTORS Care® Shelter Drive raised $15,000 for three housing charities in Metro Vancouver over a challenging year during the pandemic.
Community
REBGV donates $10,000 to Lytton fire relief
Tuesday, July 13, 2021
In response to the Lytton wildfire, REBGV donated $10,000 to the Red Cross BC Fires Appeal.
Community
Vancouver REALTOR® honoured for commitment to community causes
Wednesday, June 23, 2021
The Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver recognised REALTOR® Michelle Porter with the REALTORS Care® Award for her volunteer work with charities in Metro Vancouver.
Home Ownership
Federal government offers home owners $5,600 to make homes energy efficient
Thursday, June 17, 2021
Here's how to apply for one of the $5,000 grants offered by the federal government.
Home Ownership
What’s a reverse mortgage?
Thursday, June 10, 2021
How can older home owners cover their expenses without selling their home?
Home Ownership
Resolving strata disputes
Wednesday, June 9, 2021
Strata corporations, strata owners, residents and strata council members can access online services through the BC Civil Resolution Tribunal to resolve solve disputes.
Home Ownership
Stratas: Maintenance fees and special levies
Thursday, May 20, 2021
What are maintenance fees and special levies for stratas and how are they determined?
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.
Home Ownership
Are BC home owners protected against title fraud?
Thursday, April 8, 2021
Two rare fraud attempts highlight protection for home owners.
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.
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.
Home Ownership
Eight ways you can prepare for a disaster
Monday, February 22, 2021
Natural disasters can strike at any time. Earthquakes, floods, and fires can spring up quickly and endanger homes and businesses. What can you do to prepare?
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.
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.
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.
Home Ownership
BC Strata insurers to end ‘best terms pricing’
Wednesday, December 23, 2020
Learn what changes are being made to give strata corporations the info needed to make informed decisions about their insurance needs.
Home Ownership
Design trends emerging from the pandemic
Thursday, October 29, 2020
We're adapting our personal spaces to reduce our exposure to the coronavirus and to feel better. Some trends are now commonplace, but one may surprise you.
Community
REALTORS® raise over $350,000 to help refugees settle in Metro Vancouver
Tuesday, October 6, 2020
Local REALTORS® Vern Jurovich, Andrew Leong, Steven Thom, and their office helped raise $350,000 for refugees in Metro Vancouver.
Community
Coquitlam REALTOR® recognized as a leader, mentor, and trailblazer in the profession
Monday, August 31, 2020
The Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver honoured REALTOR® Rosemary Barnes with the Professional Excellence Award on August 27.
Community
Maple Ridge REALTOR® honoured for her life-saving act of kindness
Friday, August 28, 2020
The Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver honoured REALTOR® Debi Pearce with a REALTORS Care® Award this week for her decision to help the son of a client by donating a kidney.
Home Ownership
Home suite home: Making a basement suite feel like home
Friday, August 14, 2020
Making the most of a limited space is a constant challenge for home owners with basement suites.
Community
REALTORS Care®: Delivering nourishment to those in need
Tuesday, June 30, 2020
REALTORS ® have helped their communities in many ways during the pandemic, including helping those in need access food.
Home Ownership
Provincial government introduces bill to help with soaring strata insurance costs
Thursday, June 25, 2020
The BC government is taking its first steps to mitigate soaring strata insurance costs.
Legislation & Regulations
What’s happening in BC’s strata insurance market?
Thursday, June 18, 2020
The BC Financial Services Authority found strata insurance premiums rose by about 40 per cent, with deductibles seeing triple digit increases.
Home Ownership
Funding insurance premiums and calling general meetings
Wednesday, June 10, 2020
Two additions to the Strata Property Regulation will make life easier for strata corporations grappling with sky-high insurance premiums.
Community
Metro Vancouver REALTORS® lend helping hand during pandemic
Wednesday, April 29, 2020
These are unusual times for all of us and many Metro Vancouverites are facing unprecedented hardship.
Community
Maple Ridge REALTOR® honoured with national award for charitable work
Friday, April 24, 2020
Ron Antalek has been honoured with the Canadian REALTORS Care® Award for his outstanding contributions to his community of Maple Ridge.
Home Ownership
What you need to know about strata insurance rate increases
Thursday, February 6, 2020
Strata owners in BC are facing insurance rate increases of between 50 and 300 per cent this year, according to the Condominium Home Owners Association of BC.
Community
The 25th annual REALTORS Care® Blanket Drive helps keep 40,000 people warm
Thursday, December 19, 2019
More than 40,000 Lower Mainland residents have received blankets and warm clothing this month thanks to donations collected during the 25th annual REALTORS Care® Blanket Drive.