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Water’s Edge: Paddling Metro Vancouver’s scenic shores

Larry Pynn, Vancouver Sun, May 6, 2016

One does not embark on a 10-day paddling trip without considering those who went before.

First Nations plied these waters for millennia in dugout cedar canoes described by the Bill Reid Centre at Simon Fraser University as the “single most important physical manifestation of Northwest Coast culture” existing at the “nexus between technology and living beings.”

Then came the Spanish and British in their sailing ships in the later 1700s,

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Water’s Edge: Vancouver’s oceanfront properties by the numbers

Lori Culbert, Vancouver Sun, May 6, 2016

Vancouver is known for its stunning coastline, accentuated by lush parks, funky water-view restaurants, and luxurious homes.

But how well do you know the waterfront? On what portion of it can you throw a frisbee or buy a home? How much of the water’s edge is dominated by cranes or terminals?

In an effort to define our oceanfront, The Sun asked for help from Landcor Data Corp.,

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Special Report: Flipping on the rise, but still a small portion of sales

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.

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Private sales rising across all ends of the Vancouver real estate market

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,

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Affordable and scenic Sidney, B.C., attracts retirees from the West

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.

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Buying wave sparks bidding battles for Victoria real estate

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,

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Metro Vancouver property prices prompt exodus to BC countryside

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,

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Some home buyers benefit but not in Richmond

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).

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Will you benefit from the B.C. budget’s changes to real estate sales?

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).

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How would property tax changes affect B.C. homebuyers?

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,

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