Welcome to the blog section. In this blog I’ll be posting about what is happening around my neighbourhood (Yaletown & False Creek North), Vancouver luxury real estate, real estate and related issues. If you have any suggestions, please let me know, have fun.
11 Canada Mortgage and Housing (CMHC) Residential Rehabilitation Assistance Program (RRAP) Grants.
This federal program provides financial aid to qualifying low-income home owners to repair substandard housing. Eligible repairs include heating, structural, electrical, plumbing and fire safety. Grants are available for seniors, persons with disabilities, owners of rental properties and owners creating secondary and garden suites.
401-2260 W 39th Av, Kerrisdale, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Are you looking for a new, luxurious and spacious condo in Kerrisdale area? This beautiful house sized & conveniently located condo will take your breath away. Easy floor has only one single unit home & a secured elevator will usher you right into your private foyer. Once inside, it's sundrenched with expansive views from all 4 directions. Built by award winning Alda Pierra, it has created a new standard for luxury living. The Kerry is close to excellent private & public schools, neighbourhood shops & fine dining.
10 British Columbia Property Tax Deferment Programs.
Property Tax Deferment Program for Seniors. Qualifying home owners aged 55+ may be eligible to defer property taxes.
Financial Hardship Property Tax Deferment Program. Qualifying low-income home owners may be eligible to defer property taxes.
Property Tax Deferment Program for Families with Children. Qualifying low income home owners who financially support children under age 18 may be eligible to defer property taxes.
The Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver Housing Market Update for April 2012 with REBGV president Eugen Klein. For more news and statistics visit us at http://www.rebgv.org
Reduces property taxes for home owners with an assessed value of up to $1,285,000. The basic grant gives home owners: • a maximum reduction of $570 in property taxes on principal residences in the Capital, Greater Vancouver and Fraser Valley regional districts; • an additional grant of $770 to rural homeowners elsewhere in the province; and • an additional grant of $275 to seniors aged 65+, those who are permanently disabled and war veterans of certain wars.
Full info:
BC Ministry of Small Business and Revenue www.rev.gov.bc.ca/hog or contact your municipal tax office.
This federal non-refundable income tax credit is for qualifying buyers of detached, attached, apartment condominiums, mobile homes or shares in a cooperative housing corporation. The calculation: multiply the lowest personal income tax rate for the year (15% in 2011) x $5,000. For the 2011 tax year, the maximum credit is $750.
1609 Cedar Cr., Saughnessy, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
1st Shaughessy 3 yrs old gorgeous home. Interior designed by renowned Robert Ledingham. Truly one of a kind Chateau Style feat 4,800sqft luxurious space with contemporary design & superior finishes includes A/C, & wood windows & doors. Gourmet kitchen w/top of the line appliances, double height ceiling family rm. 3 well appointed bedrooms & office. 2&3rd level w/mountain & city views. Deluxe master with soaring 20' ceiling & spa like ensuite. 3rd flr can be art studio/1 bedroom+den. Basement has huge recreation room w/wet bar (media/nanny). Quality finishes withe copper gutters, sprinklers, 6-camera security, outdoor BBQ & heater, beautiful landscaped yard secured by remote control iron gate.
Bedrooms: 3
Bathrooms: 5(4F/1H)
Age: 3 years
Total finished floor area: 4,818 sqft
Total lot area: 10,706 sqft
Asking price: $8,970,000
Listing info courtesy of Royal Pacific Realty Corp.
7 BC Property Transfer Tax (PTT) First-Time Home Buyers’ Program.
Qualifying first-time buyers may be exempt from paying the PTT of 1% on the first $200,000 and 2% on the remainder of the purchase price of a home priced up to $425,000. There is a proportional exemption for homes priced up to $450,000.
First-time new home buyers may be eligible a one-time grant equal to 5% of the purchase price of the home, or if you are building a home, 5% of the land and constriction costs, up to $10,000. The bonus is based on the net income of the home buyer. This program ends March 31, 2013.
Landlords buying new or substantially renovated homes are eligible for a rebate of 71.43% of the provincial portion of the HST, up to $42,500. Full info: www.hstinbc.ca
1501-1233 w. Cordova St., Coal Harbour, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Impressive custom designed corner suite enjoys stunning DIRECT WATER VIEWS! Prime Northwest & Southwest facing 3 bedroom, 3 bath plus family room & study offers unsurpassed ONE LEVEL LIVING in 3,016 SF. Appreciate expansive entertainment rooms and sweeping water views over Coal Harbour & the Mountains. Substantially upgraded this home features maple hardwood floors, built-in millwork & surround sound. Master showcases organized closets plus a luxurious ensuite with steam shower & jetted tub. 4 secure side by side parking & a locker are included. The CARINA affords 24 HR concierge, indoor pool, fitness facilities, theatre & more! Steps to Stanley Park, Robson Street & Urban Fare shopping, this immaculate home is available now.
Low, low, low numbers, last year we had 15 sales on the same month. This month had the same units as May of 2011, I think May of this year will also see a very low number.
4 BC New Housing Rebate (HST) for Secondary Vacation or Recreational Homes.
Buyers of new or substantially renovated secondary or recreational homes outside the Greater Vancouver and Capital Regional Districts priced up to $850,000 are eligible for a provincial enhanced New Housing Rebate of 71.43% of the provincial portions (7%) of the 12% HST paid to a maximum rebate of $42,500. Home priced at $850,000+ are eligible for a flat rebate of $42,500.
This month we had less than half of the sales we had in 2011, that year we had 43 luxury properties that sold like pancakes. The month of May will most likely be about the same as April of this year.
3 - BC New Housing Rebate (HST) Buyers of new or substantially renovated homes priced up to $850,000 are eligible for a provincial enhanced New Housing Rebate of 71.43% of the provincial portions (7%) of the 12% HST paid to a maximum rebate of $42,500. Home priced at $850,000+ are eligible for a flat rebate of $42,500.
New home buyers can apply for a rebate of the federal portion of the HST (the 5% GST) if the purchase price is less than $350,000. The rebate is up to 36% of the GST to a maximum rebate of $6,300. There is a proportional GST rebate for new homes costing between $350,000 and $450,000.
Full info:
Canada Revenue Agency www.cra.gc.ca Enter ‘RC4028’ in thesearch box. 1.800.959.8287
3998 W 8th Av., Point Grey, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, V6R 0A2
Designed by Formwerks & inspired by the Hollywood Hills, this one-of-a-kind residence is within walking distance to the best schools & has main floor w/views. Custom built w/top quality workmanship, this art deco house features grand foyer w/Italian Porcelain tile, Chef dreamt kitchen w/Miele appliances, oak cabinetry & pantry. Elegant L/R, D/R & family room w/delightful oak wood floor. Upper has 3 bedrooms w/city/mountain/water views includes luxurious master suite w/its own marble foyer & large master sundeck w/fireplace. Downstairs features a redwood wine cellar, an entertainment sized media/rec room with (w/R/I) surround sound system & attached double garage. In prestigious Point Grey area, this is a truly marvellous family home.
1- Home Buyers’ Plan. Qualifying home buyers can withdraw up to $25,000 (couples can withdraw up to $50,000) from their RRSPs for a down payment. Home buyers who have repaid their RRSP may be eligible to use the program a second time.
Full Info: Canada Revenue Agency www.cra.gc.ca Enter ‘Home Buyers’Plan’ in the search box. 1.800.959.8287
This year 15,000 participants of the 41st BMO Vancouver Full and Half Marathon will experience two new courses showcasing the City of Vancouver. These new routes will
impact traffic in Vancouver’s downtown area, West End, Coal Harbour, Chinatown, Yaletown, Riley Park, South Cambie, , Kerrisdale, Dunbar, UBC, Kitsilano, Point Grey, False Creek and West End neighborhoods on Sunday, May 6th.
The schedule of events includes: 7:00am - Half Marathon // 8:00am - Marathon • Both the Half and Full Marathons start on Midlothian Ave between Queen Elizabeth Park & Hillcrest Community Centre. • Our finish is located on W Hastings St, west of Burrard near the Vancouver Convention Centre. • Most Half Marathon participants will finish the course by 10am (strict 11:00am course closure) and most Marathon participants will finish the course by 2pm (strict 4:00pm course closure). • Sweep vehicles/marshals will escort participants off the course near road reopening times. • Participants will NOT be allowed to continue walking the course on sidewalks once roads are reopened to traffic. • All services will be withdrawn and removed and area cleaned prior to reopening times.
Public Access • Airport/(07:30-9:00a): if you are coming/ going from the airport use main st. To marine dr. • Transit riders expect intermittent traffic delays on oak and granville st (7:30 – 9:30am) • Coal harbour access (06:00-5:00pm): via cordova st from burrard • Canada place/cruise ship access - all regular access maintained to the port. • Riley pa rk-hillcrest community centre (midnight to noon): only via main st & 33rd.
Event routes and road closure information are available on the web at:
www.bmovanmarathon.ca Or call the Vancouver International Marathon Society: T: 604.872.2928
For less than the average price of a 1 bedroom condo in Downtown Vancouver, Buford, Wyoming, was sold at auction this month for $900,000.
(current condos for sale in all downtown Vancouver, includes Yaletown and Coal Harbour)
Twenty-five bidders signed up for the auction, held online and on-site, of the town with its three-bedroom house, school, gas station and several other buildings.
Buford’s last inhabitant and the owner of the buildings, Don Sammons, 61, told AFP the package went to a Vietnamese man from Ho Chi Minh City.
The winner had to battle it out with bidders from Hong Kong, New York, Florida, Kansas and Wyoming, with the bidding starting at $100,000.
The former railroad stop once was home to about 2,000 people. But they started moving away after train service ended, until the sign at the entrance to town read, “Buford. Population: 1.”
The buyer will get 10 acres of land. Besides the house, a garage, cabin and barn, the property includes a cellphone tower and a parking lot that a trucking company uses to switch trailers at night.
The Buford Trading Post, as the outpost is called, benefits from regular traffic along the I-80 interstate, with Wyoming’s state capital Cheyenne just 30 miles (50 kilometers) to the east, and San Francisco 1,150 miles to the west.
Great location, North of 4th, steps to beach, Tennis & Yacht Clubs at Jericho Beach & 4th Avenue shops & restaurants. High ceiling, granite countertops,...
