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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)
Legislation & Regulations
Land Act amendments on hold
Monday, February 26, 2024
The government's proposed land-sharing agreement with First Nations groups will undergo further consultation. (2 minute read)
Legislation & Regulations
BC government announces PTT changes, flipping tax in new budget
Monday, February 26, 2024
Here's a summary of the new housing measures in the BC budget announced on February 22, 2024.
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)
Legislation & Regulations
Metro Vancouver regulates wood burning fireplaces and stoves
Monday, December 18, 2023
Metro Vancouver is reducing pollution by regulating wood burning appliances. Does this affect you? (3 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)
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)
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)
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)
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.
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)
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)
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)
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)
Working with a REALTOR®
What’s the Disclosure form that REALTORS® are asking you to sign?
Friday, April 28, 2023
When buying or selling a home, Realtors have to inform you, up front, about your representation options. This is what the DORTS form is for. (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)
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)
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)
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)
Legislation & Regulations
BC government introduces “cooling off” period for home sales
Tuesday, December 6, 2022
Starting January 1, 2023, home buyers can back out of a residential purchase up to three business days after signing a contract. (3 minute read)
Legislation & Regulations
Supreme Court of Canada clarifies, expands principles of expropriation
Wednesday, November 16, 2022
A recent decision has clarified the test for constructive taking and expropriation by regulation. (5 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)
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)
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)
Legislation & Regulations
BC REALTORS® offer 30 policy recommendations to province to improve BC real estate
Thursday, March 31, 2022
The BC Real Estate Association, with support of BC’s real estate boards, has 30 policy recommendations for the provincial government.
Legislation & Regulations
What’s in BC Budget 2022 for homebuyers and owners?
Tuesday, February 22, 2022
BC Budget 2022 was released on February 22, 2022 with a focus on funding for climate change, infrastructure, and homelessness. (2 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)
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)
Legislation & Regulations
How many homes paid BC Vacancy and Speculation Tax in your community?
Friday, December 10, 2021
Read how much tax was generated from this tax in Greater Vancouver municipalities.
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.
Legislation & Regulations
REBGV makes three recommendations to BC government to help make homes more affordable
Thursday, October 14, 2021
Metro Vancouver is facing a housing affordability crisis. Home prices continue to rise, and the inventory of homes for sale is insufficient to meet today’s demand.
Legislation & Regulations
Federal government plans unused housing tax
Friday, September 24, 2021
Read about the federal government’s plans to implement a national, annual one-per-cent tax on non-resident, non-Canadian owned residential vacant or underused real estate.
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.
Legislation & Regulations
Speculation and vacancy tax relief for non-existent homes
Wednesday, May 26, 2021
The provincial speculation and vacancy tax applies to airspace above buildings classed as residential. The government will temporarily remove this tax for one year.
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.
Legislation & Regulations
The Land Owner Transparency Registry – what you need to know
Wednesday, March 24, 2021
To help stop the ‎hidden ownership of real ‎‎estate and prevent money laundering and tax evasion, the BC government has introduced legislation and an owner registry.
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.