Greater Vancouver Real Estate Market Report for February 2018
Here's a look back at real estate market statistics for Greater Vancouver listings and sales for February 2018 from Royal Pacific Realty. Subscribe to receive these directly in your inbox every month! MLS® HPI Benchmark Price for February 2018 HPI stands for “Home...
The new speculation tax. Who pays it?
In the February 28, 2018 Provincial Budget, the BC government announced it would introduce legislation to impose an annual speculation tax effective for the 2018 tax year. The speculation tax targets foreign and domestic speculators in BC - homeowners with property...
Feast of Fortune gala raises $900,000 for Vancouver’s Mount Saint Joseph Hospital
The 11th annual Scotiabank Feast of Fortune gala hosted by St. Paul’s Foundation has raised $900,115 for much-needed equipment at Mount Saint Joseph Hospital. “Proceeds from the 2018 Scotiabank Feast of Fortune gala will directly touch many of us because our...
Greater Vancouver Real Estate Market Report for January 2018
Here's a look back at real estate market statistics for Greater Vancouver listings and sales for January 2018 from Royal Pacific Realty. Subscribe to receive these directly in your inbox every month! MLS® HPI Benchmark Price for January 2018 HPI stands for...
Rate hike increases mortgage costs
The Bank of Canada increased its interest rate to 1.25% from 1.00%. How will this effect mortgage holders? All six major banks have raised their posted five-year, fixed-rate mortgage rates to 5.14 per cent from 4.99 per cent. Mortgage costs and income required Housing...
New mortgage rules effective now
Effective January 1, 2018, home buyers who don’t require mortgage insurance — those with a down payment of 20 per cent or more — must qualify for their mortgage at a higher rate.
Congratulations, Sing Yeo, recipient of Canadian Senate’s 150 anniversary medal
Sing Yeo, senior vice-president, Royal Pacific Realty Group, has been awarded the Canadian Senate 150th Anniversary Medal for his decades-long, exceptional community service. The medal commemorates the first sitting of the Senate of Canada in 1867 and celebrates...
Greater Vancouver property assessments mixed
Property owners will receive their 2018 assessment notices this week. The 2018 Assessment Notice is BC Assessment’s (BCA’s) estimate of a property’s value as of July 1, 2017, and for new construction or substantially renovated homes, the physical condition as of...
Vancouver’s Empty Homes Tax – what you need to know
In response to a rental vacancy rate of less than one per cent and a significant number of empty homes, the City of Vancouver has implemented an Empty Homes Tax. The city estimates the tax will raise $2.2 million per year when fully implemented. The tax rate is 1 per...
Holiday selling makes good sense
Good will and holiday cheer makes this season a great time to sell your home. Here’s why: Christmas buyers are serious buyers. While there may not be as many home buyers looking, those who are looking are serious. These include those relocating from out of town who...
New requirements for uninsured mortgages. What will it cost home buyers?
New-requirements for uninsured mortgages. What-will it cost home-buyers?
Vancouver approves new regulations for short-term rentals
Vancouver city council approved new regulations for short-term rentals of less than 30 days, on November 14, 2017. As of April 1, 2018, property owners and renters will be permitted to advertise the short-term rental (less than 30 days) of their principal residence on...