White Rock Real Estate Blog - Your Neighbour. Your Realtor

A Quick Guide to Speculation Tax and Vacancy Tax

Posted on Jun 20, 2019

With all the recent changes to taxes for home owners it's difficult to determine which taxes apply and which don't. Additionally, different regulations apply to different areas which leads to a lot of misinformation out there.

Hopefully the map and information provided here will help you navigate the applicable taxes and where they are relevant.

5 Ways to Help Your Kids with Home Ownership

Posted on Mar 18, 2019

Housing prices in the lower mainland, along with strict mortgage guidelines, have made purchasing a home difficult for first time buyers without some assistance. For most, this assistance comes from the bank of Mom and Dad. If you are considering helping your children purchase, here's 5 ways you can help them step out of rental properties and into...

Calling All Townhome Buyers

Posted on Feb 28, 2019

During the past year increased inventory, new government regulations for home buyers, and stricter mortgage rules have slowed the market to an almost standstill. As a result, prices have fallen and increased days on the market to sell have pushed the eventual sale prices down further still.

Today, as every other day, we don't have a crystal ball an...

Guilty Until Proven Innocent

Posted on Jan 22, 2019

Heads up, the government's new speculation tax comes into play for 2019. However, the onus will be flipped on to homeowners to claim that they are not subject to the tax. Failure to claim will result in the tax being payable.

Letters regarding the tax and the process to claim exemption will be sent to homeowners in the coming weeks, check your mail...

7 Home Inspection Questions (and Answers)

Posted on Jan 11, 2019

Congratulations! You've picked a great Realtor who has done an outstanding job of marketing your home and now you have an offer. This is great news! Only catch, this offer is subject to an inspection of your home. Even my most meticulous sellers; ones that have carefully maintained and cared for their home over the years - seem to shudder at this c...

Goodbye 2018... Hello 2019!

Posted on Jan 08, 2019

As we enter the second week in January the kids return to school, adults return to work, and the extra 5lbs of turkey and mashed potato weight is shed in the gym as you, once again, resolve to get fit. At least for the next few weeks or so!

In housing news, this is normally the time that we see the sellers and agents start to prepare for the spring...