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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)
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)
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)
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)
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 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)
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)
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)
Home Ownership
6 bathroom renovation mistakes to avoid
Monday, May 8, 2023
Avoid costly mistakes for a worry-free bathroom reno. (2 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)
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)
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 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)
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)
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.
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)
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.
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)
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 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)
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 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)
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)
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)
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.