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Taxes
Property taxes 101
Monday, June 10, 2024
Make sure to fill out your Home Owner Grant application at the same time. (2 minute read)
Urban Planning
Delta making it easier to build a secondary suite
Wednesday, May 22, 2024
The new Home Suite Home program aims to encourage property owners to add a secondary suite to their home. (3 minute read)
Taxes
Property Transfer Tax fact sheet
Wednesday, May 22, 2024
Want to know more about the PTT? Check out this fact sheet. (7 minute read)
Taxes
Vancouver’s Empty Homes Tax
Tuesday, May 14, 2024
Each year Vancouver home owners must declare their property status to see if it's subject to the city's Empty Home Tax.
Taxes
A closer look at changes to the federal capital gains tax
Thursday, May 2, 2024
What changes are coming to the capital gains tax, and how it could affect you. (4 minute read)
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)
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)
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.
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)
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)
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)
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 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.
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.
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)
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.
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.
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 Ownership
Aging in place: Top tips on how you can adapt your home
Friday, February 12, 2021
Whether you’re looking for your ‘forever’ home or already live there, adjusting its design will help make your life easier and safer.
Market Trends
Metro Vancouver real estate generated $2.1 billion for BC's economy in 2020
Thursday, January 14, 2021
Economic spin-off activity and creating an estimated 14,728 jobs resulted from real estate sales in 2020.
Working with a REALTOR®
What's the MLS® and how does it benefit you?
Monday, December 28, 2020
The Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®), owned and operated by REALTORS®, is the most powerful real estate marketing system in the country.
Urban Planning
Provincial parties' housing policy platforms
Friday, October 16, 2020
Here are solutions offered by the three main parties as well as the BC Conservative Party which makes substantive housing related recommendations.
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.
Urban Planning
REALTORS® learn about the future of green homes at the PNE Prize Home
Thursday, September 24, 2020
Green homes are the future. By 2032 all new homes in BC will have to be up to 80 per cent more energy efficient than today.
Urban Planning
Innovation Series: Housing supply and affordability with UDI
Wednesday, September 16, 2020
Urban Development Institute (UDI) CEO Anne McMullin discusses the trends affecting housing supply and affordability in Metro Vancouver.