Uncategorized Closing Time! Buying or selling a home in British Columbia can be an exciting time, but it’s important to be aware of the associated costs, including closing costs. Closing costs are the out-of-pocket expenses paid during and at the end of a real estate transaction by both buyers and sellers to finalize the deal. While these costs […]
Survivor Bias in Real Estate! Understanding the Hidden Danger Have you ever heard the phrase “they don’t make ’em like they used to”? This sentiment often extends to real estate, where we frequently hear tales of skyrocketing prices and unbeatable returns. However, this narrative can be skewed by a cognitive bias known as survivor bias. What is Survivor Bias? Survivor […]
Uncategorized Minimalism: The Secret to Selling Your Home Faster! Who knew decluttering could be so profitable? Let’s face it, when it comes to selling your home, first impressions matter. And what’s the first thing potential buyers see? Your stuff. A lot of it. Enter minimalism. Minimalism isn’t just about living with less; it’s also a strategic way to make your home more appealing to […]
Bit of a pickle keeping up! If you have been trying to keep up with the rule changes related to real estate in Canada and BC in the last few years, your head may be spinning and that gut-building sense of overwhelm is perfectly normal because it has been a churning time to stay on top of what could be impacting […]
The age old question… are we headed to a recession? As of August 2024, the question of whether Canada is in a recession remains a topic of debate among economists and policymakers. While some indicators suggest a potential downturn, others point to a resilient economy. Key Economic Indicators To assess Canada’s economic health, it’s essential to examine key indicators: GDP Growth: A decline in Gross […]
BC continues to build and so they shall come! British Columbia has long been a magnet for both domestic and international buyers. With its stunning natural beauty, thriving economy, and world-class lifestyle, it’s no wonder people are drawn to the province. But where are these buyers coming from? Let’s explore the trends. Domestic Migration Inter-provincial Moves: A significant portion of BC’s home buyers originate […]
Uncategorized Is now the right time to buy? It’s an age old question that comes up in almost every conversation I have about real estate, but I have been asked this one more often lately because of the slight decrease in interest rates and everyone wants to know “what does the future of Okanagan (and Kelowna) real estate look like”? Unfortunately, my crystal […]
The Great White North… Not So White Hot Anymore? Why Some Canadians Are Saying Farewell We are living at a very interesting time in Canadian population history! Canada, with its stunning landscapes, polite populace, and universal healthcare, has long been a dream destination for immigrants. But recently, there’s been a bit of a shift. Headlines are popping up about Canadians leaving for greener pastures. What’s behind this trend? Let’s dive […]
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New Protections for BC Renters: A Look at the Updated Residential Tenancy Act As of June 1st, 2024, some updates to the BC Residential Tenancy Act (RTA) affect how landlords manage their rental properties and offer some additional protections for tenants in BC. While some changes aim to improve fairness for tenants, it’s important for landlords to understand their new obligations and limitations as well. Key Changes and […]
Will the Kelowna Real Estate Bubble Burst or is it Simply a Story of Shifting Sands? The Kelowna real estate market, once a hotbed of frenzied bidding wars, has entered a new chapter. While the sunshine and scenery remain, recent months have brought a wave of change. Let’s dive in to see where things stand. Cooling Prices: Benchmark Down: The average benchmark price for single-family homes in Kelowna dipped below $1 […]
Long Term Impacts for Short Term Rentals on May 1! If you have been wondering what all the buzz is about regarding short term rental changes in British Columbia this spring, here’s a little recap of the things you should know. The province is implementing some significant changes to short-term rental regulations starting May 1, 2024. These new rules aim to increase long-term rental availability […]
B.C. Shakes Up Property Transfer Tax: What You Need to Know! The B.C. government has been busy tinkering with the province’s property transfer tax (PTT), and these changes could impact both first-time homebuyers and investors. Let’s break down the key updates: Good News for First-Time Buyers: Higher Exemption Threshold: Starting April 1, 2024, the threshold for the PTT exemption has been increased. This means first-time homebuyers […]
Demystifying Canadian Capital Gains: What You Need to Know! So you’ve made some money selling an investment in Canada? Congrats! But before you celebrate too hard, remember: Uncle Sam (or rather, the Canada Revenue Agency) wants a piece of the pie. This is where capital gains come in. But fear not, fellow Canadian! This blog will break down the basics of capital gains in […]
Architecture through the Okanagan ages! Have you ever wandered around the streets of the Okanagan and noticed that sometimes every house on the street looks exactly the same OR that every house on a certain street seems to be completely random in design compared to its neighbor? Neighborhoods are often built in phases and blocks and depending on the era, […]
Increased stress for your Stress Test! There are a lot of different stressors in the world of real estate right now, particularly for those who are trying to “get in the game” to buy their first home or an investment property. In late 2017, the Canadian government introduced the “stress test” and on June 1, 2021 the Canadian government introduced a […]
Winterizing Your Home! With the first snap of cold and the anticipated first snow fall comes the mad panic to book-in and get those winter tires and last week’s thought of “I’ll get to that” is always a hindsight 20/20 kicker. But what about winterizing your house before the snow flies too? Getting your home ready for the […]
Top 3 Financial Reasons to Buy a Home! Ah yes, the age old debate of “to rent or to buy?”. There are merits to renting, but there are also merits to home ownership. The question is, should you take advantage of the opportunity to own real estate today or not? If you are only going to be in a city temporarily or for […]
Tiny Trends! If you’re a millennial, you know that the reality of owning your own home can seem like an impossibly daunting task in the 21 century in what seems like an ever soaring market in most major Canadian cities. With housing prices climbing year over year in hot markets where all the jobs are, being able […]
Uncategorized The Millennial Buyers! While Boomers may have the most disposable income in our current world, Millennials are the next big thing when it comes to home ownership. This controversial generation called Millennials (born approx. 1981-1997) are a huge factor in the shaping of our current housing market. While they have yet to hit their peak earning years, they […]
Uncategorized REALTOR® vs Real Estate Agent: same-same, but different? Often used interchangeably, the two terms are not, in fact, referring to the same things! Although all REALTOR®s are Real Estate Agents, not all Real Estate Agents are REALTOR®s; keep reading to learn the difference. By definition, “[t]he trademark REALTOR® identifies only those real estate professionals who are members of the Canadian Real Estate Association […]