Articles tagged with
First time home buyers

Buy from a builder you can trust

By Hugh Heron Years ago, I used to say that people paid more attention to buying a pair of shoes than a house. That’s not the case anymore, because new-home buyers realize their purchase is likely the biggest investment they will make in their lifetime. I’m happy to say that today’s shoppers are well educated about what’s available in the...[ read more ]

First time homebuyer alert

Making your move now could save you thousands By Cameron McNeil As a first time homebuyer, you may be eligible for a high-ratio mortgage. This means you could own your home with as little as a five per cent down payment. This type of high-ratio mortgage requires Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) financing or insurance – which means, to...[ read more ]

Rates 2015 vs 2014 – It's a Lender Spring Shootout!

By Kris Grasty WOW! The big banks have lowered their rates! Two major lenders announced last week that they have lowered their posted rates. While this is great news for shoppers out there and advertised just in time for the Spring Rush, the reality is that bank rates have finally come to a level that has been accessible by Mortgage...[ read more ]

Sotheby’s: Baby Boomers more likely to upsize than downsize in luxury market

Sotheby’s International Realty Canada’s new findings about luxury home buyers highlights the contrasts between what well-heeled purchasers are looking for in a home. By: Monika Warzecha Photo: James Bombales Going against the commonly held belief that aging Baby Boomers are going to have to squeeze into a smaller home as they age, the Sotheby’s report found affluent Boomers in major...[ read more ]

How to get started in the housing market

Spring is traditionally a busy time for the housing market and Metro Vancouver has got a head start already with the Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver reporting that sales in February 2015 were 20.2 per cent above the 10-year average for the month. If you are getting Spring fever, but are a first time home buyer or new to...[ read more ]

5 tips to make moving cleaner and Greener

Protecting the environment is an important concern for consumers and businesses alike, but many don’t realize that moving can have a positive impact on the environment. By Chuck Resnick Waste caused by the moving process not only stems from packing supplies, but also from the waste accumulated over many years within a home or office. Both sources can be extremely...[ read more ]

Why Buying New Makes Sense

10 minutes with Howard Steiss by Susan M Boyce  It’s a feeling like no other: the day you step through the front door of your just-built home. And whether it’s a single-family house, a townhouse, or a condo that makes your heart sing, being the first person to live there brings plenty of advantages beyond knowing everything is shiny, bright, and...[ read more ]

Elevator Etiquette

10 COMMANDMENTS By Jane Herman There’s a certain amount of common sense when it comes to elevator etiquette. If you live in a highrise, the elevator is the main way in and out of your home; a confined space in which you briefly encounter your neighbours several times daily. The natural instinct is to be absorbed in your own headspace,...[ read more ]

Metro Vancouver's Composting Program Took Effect January 1, 2015

Recycling Final Frontier: Condo and apartment buildings must compost food waste or be hit with penalties come the summer By Michelle Hopkins A MOVE BY METRO VANCOUVER TO BEGIN COLLECTING food scraps and other organic waste from condos and apartment buildings is the latest example of the expanding efforts by municipalities across the province to recycle large quantities of unused...[ read more ]

Real Estate Resolutions for 2015

Have you made your New Year’s Resolutions? If you’re planning to buy or sell a home in 2015, here are a few key resolutions that will help with a smooth transaction. By Kara Kuryllowicz To preempt the likelihood of unpleasant surprises, astute homebuyers should begin the financial education, preparation and assessment process the moment they start contemplating a purchase. TIPS...[ read more ]