BC Government Matching Down Payments with Interest Free Loans for First Time Buyers in 2017
New B.C. Home Owner Mortgage and Equity Partnership Program Today while in Surrey, BC, our Premier Christy Clark announced that the provincial government will be matching the down payment of first-time home buyers with five-year interest-free, payment-free loans. Here are [...]
November 2016 Fraser Valley Real Estate Finally Levels Off
The Fraser Valley real estate market experienced a decrease in overall property sales by 29.4% over 2015 and is finally returning to more characteristic levels for this time of year: 1,247 sales closed in November 2016 compared to 1,766 in [...]
Community Feature: White Rock BC Real Estate
With a population of nearly 20,000, White Rock is a bustling small community in the SW corner of the Lower Mainland. It is a member municipality of Metro Vancouver. The moderate climate has made it a haven for retirees who [...]
October 2016 Real Estate Update
Low Inventory Levels Create Prime Opportunities In spite of the foreign home buyer’s tax, Fraser Valley property sales in October 2016 keep chugging right along, increasing by 12.1% compared with sales in September 2016. As prices begin to even out, [...]
Closing BC Real Estate Loopholes for Foreign Buyers
Earlier this month CTV News published an article outlining the details of the Federal Government’s announcement on new measures designed to help stabilize the real estate market and close real estate tax loopholes for foreign buyers. Here is a look [...]
The Stress Test – New Canadian Mortgage Rules Starting October 17 2016
On October 3, 2016 Canadian Finance Minister Bill Morneau announced changes to Canadian mortgage laws that are designed to protect borrowers from taking on mortgages they can not afford. Essentially, the new law requires that all insured mortgages in Canada [...]
Fraser Valley Real Estate Statistics and Update for September 2016
Fraser Valley Inventory Peaks and Sales Settle for Fall For a full September 2016 real estate update, please view the FVREB September 2016 News Release. The once hot real estate market in the Fraser Valley has finally begun to ease [...]
Hectic Home Sales Continue in Slightly Tempered Market
On a monthly basis, year by year sales comparisons for the Fraser Valley are well above historical averages but below the recent record-setting high in March of 2016. Home sales processed in the month of June, including all property types, [...]
6 Things to Do in Surrey This Summer
It’s officially the first day of summer and although the weather may not be feeling particularly summerish today, blue skies, warm weather, and exciting summer festivals are just around the corner for Surrey! Here are some top picks of things [...]
Fraser Valley Townhome and Condo Demands Increases in May 2016
As spring comes to a close in just a few short weeks many have watched in awe as the Fraser Valley real estate market has experienced month after month of recording breaking action. This May is no exception and we [...]
12 Tips for First Time Home Buyers in BC
Are you overwhelmed by the Fraser Valley housing market but still interested in purchasing your first home? Here are some of my tips for first time home buyers to get into this real estate market without breaking the bank. 1. [...]
Internet of Things Security in Your Home – Smart Refrigerator, Speakers, Digital Locks
While the thought of having your refrigerator connected to the Internet might make you chuckle, there are serious concerns about the security of many Internet of Things (IoT) devices if you don't take certain precautions. According to a Globe and [...]
April 2016 Home Sales Records Broken – Again
We are now four for four in record-setting months of real estate in BC’s Fraser Valley! Home sales in the Fraser Valley reached 2,969 in April 2016, making it the highest April on record. It was an increase of 47.8% [...]
Downsizing Tips for Empty Nesters
You’ve decided! Your timing is excellent. The kids have all moved out. The BC real estate market in the Fraser Valley is very strong. You’ve sold your house and looking to relocate to a lower maintenance condo or townhouse in [...]
Record March 2016 Home Sales in Fraser Valley
Is Now the Time to Sell? Record breaking home sales across the Fraser Valley in the first quarter of 2016 make this an excellent time to consider selling your home! In March 2016 alone there has been a 62% increase [...]
The 411 on Shadow Flipping Houses in Vancouver
You’ve probably read in the press recently about some real estate agent’s that have been using the Assignment Option Clause, found in the Real Estate Council of British Columbia’s Professional Standards Manual, to engage in a practice which has come [...]
Should I Buy a House in Vancouver Now?
With the continued acceleration of the BC real estate and housing market, one has to ask themselves, “Is this a good time to buy?” and “Should I buy a house in 2016?” In the hot BC Vancouver real estate market [...]
Record-Setting February for Fraser Valley Real Estate
February 2016 was a big month for real estate in the Fraser Valley. Not only was it another record-setting month for sales (increase of 79% compared to February 2015) but there were also big changes to BC Property Transfer Tax [...]
Sutton WestCoast Property Transfer Tax Changes Memo
Answers you must know on the NEW Property Tax Rules! The following is an Update on the New PPT Rules from Merrily Hackett, the Managing Partner at Sutton Group - West Coast Realty. A quick update below on the recent [...]
BCREA Responds to Changes to BC Property Transfer Tax in 2016
Last Wednesday February 17, 2016 the British Columbia government announced changes to BC property transfer tax that will help local new home buyers save money. Since the announcement, many are talking how this policy may not provide immediate relief to [...]
New Changes to BC Property Transfer Tax in 2016
This morning the BC government announced major changes to their budget, including changes to the BC Property Transfer Tax (PTT) to help deal with housing affordability. Here is what we know so far: 1. No Change to First Time Buyers [...]