February, 2020 - Many strata owners are facing significant increases in insurance rates and deductibles. There are also multiple older buildings across the province struggling to find an insurer to renew their policy.   Potential buyers need to understand the insurance situation of strata units they’re looking at so they can make informed buying decisions.   People who already own strata un ...

Strata owners in BC are facing insurance rate increases of between 50 and 300 per cent this year, according to the Condominium Home Owners Association of BC. Deductibles to cover claims are also rising. In some cases, we’ve heard of deductibles increasing as much as $500,000. Remember that insurance doesn’t cover claims under the deductible amount. So, for example, if a plumbing incident we ...

Fixed-rate loans are falling, according to James Laird, CEO of mortgage broker Canwise Financial and co-founder of rate comparison website RateHub.ca. While specific rates will vary based on the borrower and what part of the country they're in, currently the best deal on offer for a five-year fixed loan is 2.64 per cent with a trust company and 2.74 per cent from a big bank. Barely a month ag ...

READY TO SELL? 3 WAYS AN AGENT HELPS GET YOU STARTED The process of putting your home on the market and finding your next place can be overwhelming. Fortunately, an experienced agent can help you weigh all your options. Here's where a professional might start: 1. Researching your home's value An agent will have the pulse o ...

The BC speculation and vacancy tax (SVT) tax rate for foreign owners and satellite families will rise to two per cent on December 31, 2019, up from 0.5 per cent. The tax remains at 0.5 per cent for British Columbians and other Canadian citizens or permanent residents who are not members of a satellite family. New exemptions There are new, retroactive exemptions for: Canadian Armed Force ...

  From November 18 to 25, REALTORS® across the region will collect donations of blankets, sleeping bags, warm winter clothing, and new socks and underwear for those most in need.   The donations are then sorted and delivered to charities and organizations in the same area in which they were collected.    The public can drop donations off at one of the 100 plus participa ...

Realtors Care Blanket Drive.....Let's help our less fortunate neighbours this winter!Just a quick reminder that our Realtors Care Blanket Drive is now in full swing until November 27th.  If you have any warm, gently used coats, boots, sweaters, socks, shoes etc that you just can't fit into your closet anymore, then please consider donating them to our less fortunate neighbours.  I offer FREE ...

  Things to Boo this weekend......Check out the "Wild Things" theatrical Halloween experience at Richmond Nature Park, October 19-20 from 5:30-8:30 pm. Fun for all ages! If you have ever wondered what goes bump in the night, then check out the the "Flashlight Mysteries" in Deas Island Regional Park and they have Waffles and Bubble Tea too.Have a spook filled weekend.

 BC Housing Sector Urges Federal Parties to Act on Affordability Recommendations Too many British Columbians struggle to find an affordable home to rent or own because of a lack of housing options. Nearly six in ten uncommitted Canadian voters cite access to affordable housing as a top election issue, according to an August 2019 Angus Reid survey. The next federal government h ...

What’s the Disclosure form that Realtors are asking you to sign? You’re casually talking about the housing market with a REALTOR® you’re interested in working with when the conversation shifts to your personal financial situation. The Realtor stops the conversation and politely asks you to sign a form called “Disclosure of Representation in Trading Services” (DORTS) before they can contin ...