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

What is a Vancouver Green Home?

by Maggie Chandler August 19, 2011 Buyers Tips

A green Vancouver home is sited, designed, constructed and operated to maximize energy efficiency and lower operating costs.

87% of Vancouver home buyers are more satisfied with a new green home than with a previous non-green home.

How do we know if a home is green?

The LEED Canada for Homes rating system assigns points for energy efficiency based …

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New Vancouver Condos – Real Estate Update

by Maggie Chandler August 16, 2011 Buyers

The selection of new Vancouver condos is increasing and developers are building condos at the lower end, which qualify for the HST rebate.

Here’s an overview of what’s available as pre-sales

The Rolston
Kits360

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VanCity’s Energy Upgrades Program A First in Canada – Vancouver Homes

by Maggie Chandler August 16, 2011 Buyers Tips

Vancouver’s Vancity single family home energy upgrades is a first in Canada and will see Vancity offer single family home owners low interest financing of $4,000-$10,000 for energy efficiency retrofits. Loan Payments will be made through the City’s utility billing system and property tax bills and then forwarded to Vancity.

Improvements an include furnace, hot water …

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What’s a LEED-ND Rating System? – Vancouver Homes

by Maggie Chandler August 15, 2011 Buyers Tips

New LEED Neighbourhoods

LEED has incorporated green principles into a national LEED for Neighbourhood Development (LEED-ND) rating system. A LEED-ND n’hood must have compact development, a diversity of housing types, affordable market housing, affordable rental housing, reduced parking footprint, walkable streets, transit, access to public spaces and local food production.

Construction must include LEED certified green buildings, …

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Vancouver Real Estate Buyer’s FAQs

by Maggie Chandler August 15, 2011 Buyers

Are you a first time buyer? Trade up buyer? Investor? Vacation home buyer?

Whichever category you fit into you will no doubt have many questions about purchasing Vancouver real estate

I answer all your Buyer’s questions about buying a Vanouver home – from start to finish. I wish you to be as educated as possible about the …

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Secondary suites Help Vancouver Neighbourhoods Go Green

by Maggie Chandler August 10, 2011 Buyers Tips

Secondary suites offer significant benefits to neighbourhoods. They’re an important part of the rental housing market, providing greater choice in affordable housing options.

In some Vancouver neighbourhoods the suites comprise as much as 20% of the rental housing stock.

Local governments place restrictions on suites and require them to be registered and inspected as a safety precaution …

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Vancouver Real Estate Buyer Testimonial

by Maggie Chandler August 10, 2011 Buyers Tips

Maggie recently helped me in getting a condo for my Son in Vancouver with his tranfer to UBC. I wanted to recognize Maggie’s thorough knowledge of the market and incredibly professional approach to this. We came to Vancouver for 1 day and had made an offer within hours thanks to the pre-work …

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10 Questions to Ask the Building Inspector

by Maggie Chandler August 10, 2011 Buyers Tips

We strongly suggest you always get a building inspection prior to make a firm commitment with the seller. Here are a list of questions to ask them.

Can I see your licence/professional credentials and proof of insurance?
How many years’ experience do you have as a home inspector? (Make sure they’re talking specifically about home inspection and …

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Understanding Strata Councils and Vancouver Condos

by Maggie Chandler August 3, 2011 Buyers Tips

The strata council is a group of strata owners that carries out the day to day management of the corporation. It usually consists of three to seven owners, who are elected annually at a general meeting.

In larger developments, the council may hire a professional management company to manage the common property and perform the management …

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What is a Strata Corporation for Vancouver Condos?

by Maggie Chandler July 22, 2011 Buyers Tips

The majority of real estate sold in Vancouver is condos.

If you are buying into a Vancouver condo, it is important that you understand how they work.

Each condo development is run by its own “strata corporation”. The owner of each strata lot has one vote in the corporation. The strata corporation is responsible for providing and …

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