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Speculation Tax Part 2

Below is information the BC Government is providing regarding the Speculation Tax: The speculation and vacancy tax is a key measure in tackling the housing crisis in major urban centres in British Columbia, where home prices and rents have skyrocketed out of reach for many British Columbians. The provincial government ...

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Solar Energy Provides Powerful Options

As technology becomes more advanced, solar panels using photo voltaic cells to absorb sunlight and create electricity are becoming more affordable, portable and efficient.  They are readily available in various sizes to serve a range of needs.  Smaller self-powered units are now very common – think of wireless patio lights ...

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When a Home Inspector Finds an Issue

Imagine you’ve found the perfect home.  You love it.  You’ve made an offer that’s been accepted.  So far so good!  The only catch?  You’ve wisely made the offer conditional on passing a professional home inspection. What happens if that home inspection reveals a major issue? First, you should know that, ...

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BC Government Opens Exemption Process for Speculation Tax

It will be up to homeowners to apply for exemptions, with a deadline of March 31. VICTORIA — All homeowners in B.C.’s largest urban centres will need to apply for exemptions from the province’s new speculation tax or receive a bill, whether they are speculators or not, the government announced ...

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For a little bit of good news….

RBC cuts it 5 year Fixed Mortgage Rate.  It is not a huge reduction as the posted rate was dropped 15 basis points from 3.89% to 3.74%.  RBC is the first of the Big Six banks to cut its rate. ...

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Fraser Valley housing market slows down in 2018

SURREY, BC – After three consecutive years of total annual sales surpassing 20,000 units, 2018 saw the Fraser Valley real estate market return to more typical levels for both sales and inventory. The Board’s Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) processed 15,586 sales in 2018, a 30.2 per cent decrease compared to ...

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10 Smart Organizing Tools for Getting Kids’ Spaces in Shape

Are your kids’ rooms bursting at the seams? Just as our waistlines feel the strain of a few too many holiday cookies, our homes (and especially the kids’ spaces) are likely to feel a bit overstuffed after the holiday gift season. While it’s important to remember to declutter before you organize, ...

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Bank of Canada Announces Interest Rate Decision

The Bank of Canada left its trend-setting interest rate unchanged at 1.75% on Wednesday as the sharp decline in oil prices temporarily dims its economic outlook for the coming months. Before long, however, the central bank expects the economy to expand with renewed vigour. More rate hikes, it stressed, will ...

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Should You Renovate or Move?

If you need to upsize or you’re simply ready for a change, it’s tempting to consider a major renovation.  After all, renovating means you don’t have to go through the process of selling your property and buying another more suitable home.  You just fix up the one you’ve got! However, ...

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4 Things That Will (And Won’t) Happen In Canada’s Housing Market In 2019

Some homeowners will bust out, but the market as a whole probably won’t. To learn more, read on in the Huffington Post ...

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