Buyers Tips

In this section we address all the information First Time Home Buyers look for, including My Buyer Services, how we search for the right home for you. We review the Buying Process, establishing the right value for the home you’ve selected, negotiating an acceptable offer, what happens after the offer is accepted, closing costs and what happens on closing. We also cover your priority list, and other professionals that are involved in the buying process.

How to Water Conservation in Vancouver Homes

by Maggie Chandler April 26, 2011 Buyers Tips

If you knew that you could save money, help enhance the quality of your drinking water and nurture a more adaptive community, would you be inspired to tkae acton and minimize water consumption in your home?

In a typical stand-alone Vancouver home, sutdy findings indicated that the majority of water consumption is used int he following …

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Can I extend My Closing Date – Vancouver Homes for Sale

by Maggie Chandler April 25, 2011 Buyers Tips

Sometimes it happens that the closing has to be delayed – for a variety of reasons. In order for this to take place both the Seller and the Buyer have to be in agreement and both need to sign an addendum to the contract of purchase and sale. 99% of the time it will be …

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Top 11 Vancouver Real Estate Buyers Complaints

by Maggie Chandler April 18, 2011 Buyers Tips

REBGV published this and I think it’s a good overview of how buyers feel when they are making an offer.

1. Seller didnt respond to my offer

2. I would have paid more but the seller didn’t counter my offer

3. The seller didn’t accept my full price (or over full price) offer

4. Seller accepted a conditional offer …

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Vancouver Real Estate – First Time Buyers Questions

by Maggie Chandler April 14, 2011 Buyers Tips

Vancouver first time home buyers understandably have many real estate questions. A few that I’ve been asked recently are the following

Is my deposit due on Closing Date? No! It’s due on subject removal date
Should I get my mortgage finalization before I order the building inspection? Good idea – why waste money on a building inspection if …

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Does a Quick Close Help my Offer to Purchase a Vancouver Home?

by Maggie Chandler April 13, 2011 Buyers Tips

It certainly does! My client , who is a Vancouver first time buyer, is in competition with two other offers and asked me how he could strengthen his offer over the competition, as he is not able to pay above the List Price.

There are a couple of ways I told him. Firstly ask your lender …

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What Vancouver Real Estate Buyers Should Know About HST and Tear-downs

by Maggie Chandler April 11, 2011 Buyers Tips

If someone buys a home and tears it down and builds a new home, do they pay the HST?

Here is what Canada Revenue Agency says:

1) Yes! the Vancouver property owner will pay the HST on the following

-construction costs, including labour costs if they hire a builder

-materials the property owner purchases, except where there are specific …

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Be Careful When Buying Vancouver Heritage Property

by Maggie Chandler April 8, 2011 Buyers Tips

When you’re performing due diligence on a property title, remember what’s not registered on title is often just as important as what is registered on title. Vancouver home buyers beware!

Recently a buyer bought property from her parents, who had owned the property since 1985 and had built a home on it. Intending to build a …

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Where should I Buy Real Estate in Vancouver?

by Maggie Chandler April 6, 2011 Buyers Tips

Last week a new client, who is a first time buyer, posted the question to me “where in vancouver shall i buy?”

My answer to her was , where are you living now and do you like the neighbourhood? If you do, then that’s a good place to start. if you are unable to afford that neighbourhood, …

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Six Strata Documents Vancouver Home Buyers Should Ask For

by Maggie Chandler April 5, 2011 Buyers Tips

Fifty per cent of annual MLS sales are now strata properties in Greater Vancouver

If you are a potential buyer for a Vancouver real estate condo, here are some tips in order to make a thorough and educated investigation of a strata property before purchasing. Vancouver buyers are advised to carry out the following steps

Review strata council …

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77 Reasons to Buy Vancouver Real Estate

by Maggie Chandler April 4, 2011 Buyers Tips

Building Permits on the Rise

According to Statistics Canada, the preliminary value of building permits issued in British Columbia during July 2010 was $869.4 million, a 39 per cent increase compared with July 2009. The value of year-to-date building permits during the first half of 2010 totals $5.36 billion, up by $1.7 billion or 44 …

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