Tim Wray | RE/MAX Crest Realty, Vancouver

Help for first-time home buyers - 9 government grants and rebates

Posted on Mar 28, 2023 in Buying Your Home

1. Home Buyers’ Plan
Qualifying home buyers can withdraw up to $35,000 (couples up to $70,000) from their RRSPs for a down payment. Must repay within 15 years. Eligibility to use the program a second time: home buyers who’ve experienced a breakdown in their marriage/common-law partnership and those who have repaid their RRSP. Can be used together wi...

Here are 7 strata terms you should know

Posted on May 25, 2022 in Buying Your Home

One third of BC residents live in a strata home, whether it’s a condo, townhouse, or multi-plex unit.

Strata homes are usually more affordable than their single-family counterparts. They can also lessen the burdens of home ownership, with strata residents sharing responsibilities for things like maintenance, snow shoveling, and security. And while t...

11-Step Guide to Buying A Home

Posted on Nov 09, 2021 in Buying Your Home

Purchasing a home is likely going to be one of the largest purchases you will make in your lifetime, which is why it is so important to follow the right steps when starting on your home-buying journey to ensure that the entire process goes smoothly from start to finish!

Here's a step-by-step guide to buying a home, to help you get off on the right f...

What are the buying costs of a home?

Posted on Jan 12, 2021 in Buying Your Home

If you’ve decided to buy a home, it’s important you understand all the costs involved in addition to the price you're paying for the property.

Mortgage application
Lenders may charge a mortgage application fee, which will vary depending on the lending institution.

Mortgage insurance
The federal government requires high-ratio mortgages with less than 20...

BC's Land Owner Transparency Registry now in force: what you need to know

Posted on Dec 17, 2020 in Buying Your Home

BC's new Land Owner Transparency Act (LOTA) came into force on November 30, 2020.

For transactions set to close on November 30 or later, when the title change is registered in the land titles office, the transferee must file a transparency declaration disclosing interest holders.

This declaration records indirect ownership of interests in land such a...

Real Estate Terms: Home Buyer's Glossary

Posted on Jul 03, 2020 in Buying Your Home

Buying a home is a huge commitment and one of the biggest financial investments you’ll ever make. If you’ve never done this before, you can expect to get hit with a barrage of real estate terms and jargon that might leave your head spinning.

At all times, we guide you through the process, but for the keeners who want to hit the books before you hit...

4 Perks of Owning a Home

Posted on Jul 03, 2020 in Buying Your Home

If quarantine has taught us anything, it’s that home is important.

Achieving the title of “homeowner” is an accomplishment worthy of celebration! After all, purchasing a home is likely the largest financial transaction most people make in their lifetime, and there are many benefits to owning a safe space to call home.

In honor of National Homeownersh...

The Live Work Home: Making it “work”

Posted on Mar 25, 2020 in Buying Your Home

With the rise of remote professions and the ensuing popularity of the “live work space,” homebuyers have a new set of expectations - and challenges - when shopping the market. The home has to be convenient, connected, and have a “cool” factor to impress and inspire. A live work space has to be large enough to accommodate this dual purpose, and orga...

9 Home Buying Mistakes First Timers Make

Posted on Nov 05, 2019 in Buying Your Home

9. Shopping before getting pre-approved for a mortgage

Many first-time homebuyers decide they’re ready to take the leap, and start touring open houses “just to see what’s out there.” While getting a feel for the market is certainly a good idea, you risk falling in love with a home that is not in your budget. Before you start seriously shopping the m...

Protect Yourself: Strata Water Deductible Review Reminder

Posted on Nov 02, 2019 in Buying Your Home

The majority of strata Annual General Meetings are coming up over the next few months presenting an ideal opportunity for strata lot owners to verify that their home owner insurance policy water deductible coverage matches that of the strata corporation's master building policy and if not advise their insurance broker immediately.

The BC Strata Pro...

The Impacts of Marijuana Legalization on Canada’s Housing Market

Posted on Oct 15, 2019 in Buying Your Home

Canada’s largest cannabis producers are being credited with micro-booms in some local economies, and the trickle-down effects are visible in nearby housing sales and price increases. This trend is more pronounced in Eastern Canada, where there’s a greater number of large-scale cannabis producers.

Smiths Falls, Ontario is a market transformed by Cano...

8 Mistakes to Avoid When Buying a Home

Posted on Jun 25, 2019 in Buying Your Home

You’ve been saving for awhile, weighing your options, looking around casually. Now you’ve finally decided to do it - you’re ready to buy a house. The process of buying a new home can be incredibly exciting, yet stressful, all at once. Where do you start?

It is essential you do your homework before you begin. Learn from the experiences of others, do...

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