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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)
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 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)
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)
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)
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 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)
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)
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.
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 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)
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.
Home Buying
Use Realtylink.org to help find your next home
Wednesday, February 1, 2023
Search listings from the MLS® systems operated by the Greater Vancouver, Fraser Valley, Chilliwack, BC Northern, and Vancouver Island real estate boards.
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)
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)
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)
Home Buying
BCFSA's recommendations for cooling-off period and other measures
Friday, May 27, 2022
Read what the BCFSA recommended to the provincial government on how to enact their proposed measures, including the cooling-off period. (5 minute read)
Home Buying
Questions for a mortgage broker: Interest rates, stress test, mortgage options
Wednesday, May 25, 2022
Check out what local mortgage broker Angela Calla said about what’s happening in the mortgage market today. (3 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)
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
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.
Home Buying
Housing was the focus in the 2022 federal budget
Friday, April 8, 2022
The Federal Budget 2022 was housing-focused, with a significant amount of funding going towards quickly creating new, and diverse housing. (5 minute read)
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 Buying
BC government to amend Property Law Act to add cooling off period
Wednesday, March 30, 2022
BC government introduced legislation to help create a cooling off period for buyers to back out of a purchase after signing the contract. (2 minute read)
Home Buying
Three questions with mortgage expert Angela Calla
Thursday, March 24, 2022
Mortgage expert Angela Calla discusses trends, rate increases, and reverse mortgages. (2 minute read)
Home Buying
Liberal leader Kevin Falcon’s plans to make housing more affordable
Wednesday, March 23, 2022
Kevin Falcon plans to address zoning, red tape, and taxes he believes contribute to higher housing costs. (4 minute read)
Home Buying
What are the tax implications of buying a vacation home?
Monday, March 21, 2022
Before buying a vacation property, be aware of tax implications and other vital considerations. (4 minute read)
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)
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)
Home Buying
How to get a mortgage when you’re self-employed
Tuesday, December 21, 2021
To increase your chances of qualifying as a self-employed borrower, you’ll need to be familiar with what lenders require and what questions they’ll ask.
Home Buying
Federal Throne Speech promises help for homebuyers
Wednesday, December 8, 2021
Read about the new programs the federal government has proposed to help first-time home buyers.
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.
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.
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.
Home Buying
Can you explain sellers’ and buyers’ contractual obligations?
Wednesday, July 14, 2021
Buyers and sellers with signed contracts that are legally binding have many contractual obligations. Here are a few examples.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.