Skip to main content
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)
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 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)
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)
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.
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)
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)
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.
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.
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.
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.
Home Buying
7 green ideas to consider when buying a home
Thursday, October 8, 2020
When looking for an eco-friendly home, here are some things to look for or put in place yourself.
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.
Home Buying
Watch part two in our video chat with Mortgage Broker Angela Calla
Thursday, July 2, 2020
Angela talks about how the mortgage market is evolving.
Home Buying
Watch our Innovation Series video with Mortgage Broker Angela Calla
Friday, June 19, 2020
Angela discusses how the COVID-19 pandemic is changing the mortgage market and gives you helpful advice.
Home Buying
Four questions with Mortgage Broker Angela Calla
Wednesday, June 3, 2020
Find out how lower interest rates will affect your mortgage and how to prepare to apply for a mortgage.
Market Trends
Housing supply becoming constrained in Metro Vancouver
Thursday, January 30, 2020
Demand is beginning to outpace the supply of new homes coming on to the market in Metro Vancouver.
Legislation & Regulations
Federal budget 2019 – new initiatives for home buyers
Wednesday, March 20, 2019
Federal Budget 2019 includes initiatives for first-time buyers, renters and measures to prevent tax non-compliance and money laundering.
Urban Planning
Missing middle housing: three ways to help make home ownership more affordable
Friday, October 12, 2018
Missing middle housing includes ground-oriented, multi-unit homes that don’t stand out in single-family neighbourhoods.