Skip to main content
Home Buying
16 grants and rebates for homebuyers and owners
Tuesday, December 5, 2023
These programs, savings account, exemption, and tax credit will help lower the cost of buying a home. (3 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 Buying
How rising mortgage rates affect insured mortgages
Thursday, November 23, 2023
Since June 22, 2022 chartered banks have repeatedly raised their posted mortgage rates in response to higher bond yields. (1 minute read)
Home Buying
CMHC tightens lending standards, making homes less affordable
Monday, November 20, 2023
Since July 1, 2020, it has become increasingly more difficult for first-time home buyers to buy a home. (2 minute read)
Home Buying
A closer look at bank rates
Monday, November 20, 2023
Home buyers with less than a 20 per cent down payment applying for a high-ratio mortgage with a regulated financial institution are typically offered a contract mortgage interest rate.
Home Buying
How mortgage stress test changes affects home buyers
Friday, November 17, 2023
Check how the stress test may affect you, with examples of buying an apartment, an attached home, and a detached home. (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)
Market Insights Video
October 2023 Market Insights
Tuesday, November 7, 2023
Increase in newly listed properties providing more choice to home buyers, but sales remain below long-term averages.
Home Buying
Private insurers offer options
Thursday, November 2, 2023
Private insurers have not been required to follow CMHC's lead and tighten lending standards. (2 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)
Economics
The Lede: Does the perfect price metric exist?
Thursday, October 26, 2023
How do we actually know what property values are doing at any given point in time? (5 minute read)
Market Insights Video
September 2023 Market Insights
Tuesday, October 10, 2023
Due to an increase in the number of homes listed and higher mortgage rates, prices gains have slowed.
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)
Economics
2023 Market Forecast Review: Looking Back, Looking Ahead | REBGV event
Wednesday, September 27, 2023
REBGV Director, economics and data analytics presented his updated market outlook to REALTORS® at an online event in September. (1:23:52 video)
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)
Economics
Will home sales stay resilient in the face of high interest rates?
Thursday, September 7, 2023
Our forecast checks market trends and economic factors to predict what the housing market will look like in the rest of 2023. (2 minute read)
Market Insights Video
August 2023 Market Insights
Wednesday, September 6, 2023
Higher borrowing costs begin to affect the housing market, with price gains cooling and sales slowing along the typical seasonal pattern. (2:25 minute video)
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)
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)
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)
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)
Market Insights Video
July 2023 Market Insights
Tuesday, August 8, 2023
Home prices for all home types rose again as strong sales push up against low housing inventory. (2:22 minute video)
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)
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)
Market Insights Video
June 2023 Market Insights
Wednesday, July 12, 2023
The benchmark price for all home types increases again this month as buyers vie for a limited number of homes for sale.
Home Buying
Lower Mainland REALTORS® to enhance transparency for buyers involved in a multiple offer situation
Thursday, July 6, 2023
Home buyers in a multiple offer situation will soon receive additional information about other competing offers.
Economics
The Lede: The Million Dollar Wall
Thursday, July 6, 2023
The property ladder is broken. In the latest Lede, Andrew Lis gives his take, and how it can be fixed. (9:33 video, 10 minute read)
Market Insights Video
May 2023 Market Insights
Thursday, June 8, 2023
The housing market is showing signs of heating up as summer arrives, with prices increasing for the sixth consecutive month.
Economics
The Lede: What’s (not) happening with new listings in Metro Vancouver?
Tuesday, May 16, 2023
Listings are low so far this year, but why? REBGV's Director Economics and Data Analytics Andrew Lis has a theory. (6:38 video, 8 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 Ownership
6 bathroom renovation mistakes to avoid
Monday, May 8, 2023
Avoid costly mistakes for a worry-free bathroom reno. (2 minute read)
Market Insights Video
April 2023 Market Insights
Thursday, May 4, 2023
With listing activity remaining below historical norms, home sales in Metro Vancouver have mounted a surprising comeback. (1 minute read, 2:14 minute video)
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)
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)
Market Insights Video
March 2023 Market Insights
Wednesday, April 12, 2023
Home prices showed modest increases in March, while new listings remained below long-term historical averages. (1 minute read, 2:24 video)
Economics
The Lede: Rate hikes part II - the damage done
Tuesday, April 11, 2023
What can we learn about the current market by looking at previous tightening cycles? (5:16 video, 12 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)
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)
Home Buying
What is an Offer to Purchase?
Wednesday, March 29, 2023
When you decide to buy a property, your Realtor will prepare what is known as an Offer to Purchase.
Market Insights Video
February 2023 Market Insights
Wednesday, March 8, 2023
Below average home sales allow inventory to inch upwards. (2:13 video)
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)
Economics
The Lede blog: Rate hikes part I - where to from here?
Friday, February 17, 2023
What is the Bank of Canada considering when it comes to interest rates - and how will this help us understand what's going to happen to rates in the future? (5 minute read)
Market Insights Video
January 2023 Market Insights
Friday, February 10, 2023
Home sales decline below long-term averages and inventory remains low. (2:09 video)
Economics
The Lede blog: StatsCan population growth projections
Monday, February 6, 2023
REBGV's Director of Statistics and Data Analytics looks at what the latest StatsCan projections could mean for our housing market. (7 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)