Buying a Home

In this section you can find everything you need to know about buying a home in Vancouver. It also includes information for first time home buyers, move up buyers, investors and non-canadian buyers. You can also find mortgage information and price trends. We cover the entire Buying Process, all you need to know about making an offer, Closing Costs, Moving and real estate affiliates

Latent vs. Patent Defects and Property Inspections

by Maggie Chandler May 21, 2008 Buyers

The BC Supreme Court case of Cardwell v. Perlien provides an interesting overview of the current state of the doctrine of caveat emptor (“let the buyer beware”)

The distinction between latent and patent defects is important, because sellers are obligated to disclose material latent defects that they are aware of, but buyers are expected to discover …

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Three Facts You Should Know About Vancouver Condo Fees

by Maggie Chandler May 1, 2008 First Time Buyers

In Vancouver, condominium fees are paid monthly and cover all the expenses that relate to the condo corporation’s expenditures.

These expenses include insurance on the building, property manager’s fees, gardening, garbage collection, water, maintaining the common property, concierge, upkeep of the amenities, caretaker’s salary, repairs and maintenance to the building and a contribution to the reserve …

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Six Pre-Closing Expenses To Remember

by Maggie Chandler March 29, 2008 Buyers

Closing costs are a big part of the condo buyer’s budget but many buyers forget the pre-closing costs, which add up.

Are you hiring a mover? Most people do! Do you select a national company or the local hood guy? Or rent a truck and do it yourself
What insurance does the moving company carry? If you …

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What You Should Know About the New FINTRAC Regulations

by Maggie Chandler March 28, 2008 Buyers

Starting June 23, 2008, changes to the federal Proceeds of Crime Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing Act impact how Realtors and their brokers conduct business.

FINTRAC The Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada, is the Federal Government Agency created to provide suspicious transaction information to police and the Canadian Security Intelligence Service.

FINTRAC collects and …

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Get Rid of Vancouver Realtor’s Conflict of Interest Once and For All

by Maggie Chandler March 26, 2008 First Time Buyers

Limited Dual Agency refers to a realtor representing both the Buyer and Seller in a Vancouver real estate transaction.

Unfortunately, not all Realtors fully co-operate, as set out under the MLS code of ethics, particularly when they have an opportunity to make double the commission. In many cases, they give our industry a bad reputation.

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The Greatest Real Estate Agent in the World

by Maggie Chandler February 23, 2008 Buyers

This was posted by Ardell DellaLoggia at Brio Realty.

Is it possible to have THE greatest real estate agent in the world? And if so, what would be the Top Ten items that they’d have to meet in order to qualify for The Title?

Making the most money?
Doing the best job for their client (defined as percentage …

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Can I Defer Your Vancouver Property Taxes?

by Maggie Chandler February 19, 2008 Buyers

Having difficulty paying your property taxes? There’s help for you, if you qualify.

Property owners who turn 55 anytime in 2007 or are older, may be eligible to defer all or part of their property taxes, as per the BC Property Tax Deferment program. until 2007, the age for deferral was 60 years. Currently more than …

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