Lori Culbert, Vancouver Sun, March 20, 2016
Here’s an interesting tidbit to share with friends while rehashing Vancouver’s out-of-control real estate market: Nearly 600 homes were flipped in the city last year.
It is a far higher number than in 2014, when 356 homes were re-sold within a year of a previous sale, according to a Vancouver Sun analysis of every quick turnaround of houses and condos in the city of Vancouver between January 2011 and January 2016.
Kerry Gold, Globe & Mail, March 18, 2016
Real estate agent Juliana Jiao gave me a private viewing of a 3,700-square-foot luxury two-floor condo with a 20-foot-high living room ceiling and panoramic views of the north shore.
Ms. Jiao specializes in luxury condos in Coal Harbour, including what she calls “the most sought after” buildings, One Harbour Green, Two Harbour Green and the three-year-old Three Harbour Green. She says many of her listings are private,
Kerry Gold, Globe & Mail, March 7, 2016
When asked if he’s met many Albertans since he moved to Sidney, B.C., Fin Fairfield laughs.
“Everybody you talk to – it’s crazy. And it’s understandable, really. Alberta is not a very happy place for now, and Sidney is just a charming, cozy community.”
Mr. Fairfield retired three years ago from his practice as a family physician in the Alberta city of St.
Carla Wilson, Times Colonist, March 2, 2016
The Victoria market is seeing some buyers paying $100,000 or more above asking prices for single-family houses in desirable neighbourhoods.
Multiple offers. No conditions. Buyers cashing out in Vancouver to live here. Purchasers from China. These are all commonplace as the capital region’s already-hot housing market flares up and inventory tightens.
In February, the total number of sales reached 772,
By Nick Eagland, Vancouver Province, February 28, 2016
Millionaire homeowners cashing out of Metro Vancouver’s red-hot real estate market are seeking greener pastures elsewhere in B.C.
Real-estate experts say they’re seeing more city slickers selling off their urban homes and heading north or east to buy hobby farms and acreages, where they can live off the land with cash to spare.
And in regions where property prices haven’t yet been affected by the Vancouver market,
Vancouver Sun / Richmond News, February 19, 2016
If you are a first-time buyer and you are buying an existing home, you are out of luck — you must still pay the transfer taxes on all sales over $475,000.
But if first-time buyers want to buy a newly built house, the thresholds to avoid paying the transfer tax have now been increased to $750,000 (for a full exemption) and $800,000 (partial exemption).
By Lori Culbert, Vancouver Sun, February 17, 2016
Will you benefit or take a financial hit from the changes to B.C.’s Property Transfer Tax that were announced in Tuesday’s budget?
If you are buying an existing home, you are out of luck — you must still pay the transfer taxes on all sales over $475,000.
But if you want to buy a newly built house, the thresholds to avoid paying the transfer tax have now been increased to $750,000 (for a full exemption) and $800,000 (partial exemption).
By Lori Culbert, Vancouver Sun, February 15, 2016
The finance minister has hinted Tuesday’s provincial budget will increase the tax-exempt threshold for first-time homebuyers, and at the same time create a new luxury tax for high-end homes.
Mike de Jong has said these changes would not just take effect in Metro Vancouver, where a housing affordability crisis is brewing, but right across B.C.
So, where would first-time homebuyers benefit the most,
Bethany Lindsay, Vancouver Sun, February 12, 2016
METRO VANCOUVER — For the average young family living in Metro Vancouver, price tags for detached homes have climbed so high that there is little hope of ever being able to afford one.
And the alternatives — condos or townhouses with enough bedrooms for the children — are hard to come by in this part of B.C. The Canadian National Occupancy Standard holds that three-bedroom homes are the best choice for couple with two children,
Kerry Gold, The Globe and Mail, Jan. 29, 2016
Rob Adamson typifies many average-income-earning homeowners who have cashed out of the Lower Mainland at an early age.
They are part of the drive behind a spike in sales for Victoria-area housing. The Greater Victoria market has seen a an overall increase of 21.7 per cent in detached-house sales in December, 2015, compared to December, 2014, according to the Victoria Real Estate Board.