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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)
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)
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)
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.
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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.
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)
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)
Home Buying
Here are 7 strata terms you should know
Wednesday, April 20, 2022
If you’re looking to own a strata home, make sure you’re familiar with related terminology. Here’s a guide to some of those terms.
Home Buying
Finding the right strata property for you
Monday, April 4, 2022
If you plan to buy a strata property, check out the strata council minutes, contingency fund, and more.
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)
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)
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.
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.
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.
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?
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.
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.
Market Insights Video
January 2021 Market Insights
Friday, February 5, 2021
Home buyer demand remains elevated across Metro Vancouver.
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.
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.
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.
Urban Planning
Innovation Series: Housing supply and affordability with UDI
Wednesday, September 16, 2020
Urban Development Institute (UDI) CEO Anne McMullin discusses the trends affecting housing supply and affordability in Metro Vancouver.
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
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
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.
Editorial
REBGV joins #DifferentTogether anti-racism campaign
Monday, June 8, 2020
REBGV and the nearly 14,000 REALTORS® it represents, has joined Lieutenant Governor Janet Austin’s #DifferentTogether anti-racism campaign.
Legislation & Regulations
Stratas must allow pets in some circumstances
Thursday, May 14, 2020
If a strata property owner, or one of their family members, requires a support pet, a strata corporation must accommodate them.
Editorial
Real estate board instates Colette Gerber as 2020/2021 Chair
Friday, May 8, 2020
Metro Vancouver REALTOR® Colette Gerber begins her one-year term as Chair of the REBGV Board of Directors.
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.
Editorial
Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver issues statement on government reports on money laundering
Thursday, May 9, 2019
The BC government released reports today on the findings of two examinations into potential money laundering activities in the real estate market. Real Estate of Board of Greater Vancouver President Ashley Smith issued the following statement on the findings of these investigations.
Editorial
Real estate industry partners create anti-money laundering recommendations for government
Monday, April 15, 2019
The Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver partnered with other organizations to submit joint recommendations to the provincial and federal governments on April 15, 2019 on how to strengthen anti-money laundering measures in our province.