Will the new British Columbia budget heavily impact the real estate market? Here’s what you need to know.

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Today, we’re going to discuss the new BC budget and what the potential impacts are to our real estate market.

1. Foreign buyers tax. The foreign buyers tax has increased from 15% to 20%. The interesting part is that it now includes us, where we were exempt before.

2. Property transfer tax. Properties over $3 million will now have a 5% transfer tax. If you buy a $3.5 million house, you’ll see about another $2,500 on your transfer tax bill. Is that going to dissuade someone at that price point? Not likely.

3. The BC Home Partnership program, which was giving first-time buyers a…

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Don’t fall for these bad ideas if you plan on investing in real estate in 2018.

 

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2018 is a new year, which means new opportunities. However, there are a few bad ideas that you should avoid this year.

1. Do not get your information from the media. You probably clicked on this video because of the negative headline, right? Keep in mind that almost every economist, from the Bank of Canada to RVC to the credit unions, expects 3% to 7% growth this year. That is not much of a headline, so the headlines will all be about bad news because bad news sells. Look at economic models to know what’s really going on. Of course, we’ll continue to roll out our educational videos about the actual…

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The Vantage Report - Kelowna Real EstateGet the lowdown on Kelowna's new RU7 Zoning and what to expect from Kelowna's Real Estate Market in 2018.

Have you checked out our latest edition of The Vantage Report yet? If you haven't received one of the coveted Vantage Reports in your mail box this past week - the full version is also available right here, online! Click Here To Read.

Our latest report is packed with statistics specifically related to the Kelowna housing market in Q3/Q4 of 2017. Throughout the 56-page report, we reflect on what's happening in the marketplace and make well-informed predictions about the type of real estate market we're likely to see in the months to come!

There are 15 Kelowna neighbourhoods discussed in the report - From Lake Country and the University…

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CONGRATULATIONS KELOWNA, REIN CANADA IS COMING BACK!

You did it! You came out, you brought colleagues, friends and family. Most importantly, many of you saw the value of being a REIN member and joined the community. So we are happy to announce that we will be continuing with a regular member meeting in Kelowna!

NEXT MEETING FEB 27, 2018 - DELTA GRAND HOTEL

If you are a current REIN member please click the REIN MEMBER link below.

Never been to a REIN meeting but like to find our what we are all about? Simply click the Come As Our Guest button below and we will cover ticket price.

 

 

 

 

 

There is an immense power when a group of people with similar interests gets together to work toward similar goals.

Our REIN…

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Be Sure to click "Read Full Post" below to watch video.

By now, you’ve probably received your property tax assessment in the mail. You may have mixed feelings about the large increase we’ve seen in property values lately, so I want to dispel some common misconceptions about property tax assessments.

A lot of people assume any increase in their assessment will equate to the same increase in their property taxes. In other words, if their property’s value goes up by 20% in their assessment, then they’ll see the same 20% jump in their property taxes. That’s not the case, though. How property tax assessments are done is a little more complicated than that.

Assessors also take into…

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how to hire a real estate lawyer

It doesn't matter if you're a first-time buyer or a seasoned property investor, home ownership can be one of your biggest assets in life or the biggest liability. Handling transactions of this magnitude should involve the professional counsel of a lawyer who will make sure your rights are protected, and help you understand all of the legal jargon and paperwork that's involved in the homebuying process.

Here are some easy tips to ensure that you find the best lawyer for your Kelowna real estate transaction.

Do You Need A Real Estate Lawyer/Notary Public to Process Your Home Purchase?

Before we dive into listing what you need to look for when hiring a lawyer or notary public, let's review the reasons why you should hire a professional to…

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512 Metcalfe Ave, Kelowna BC

With striking, modern architectural features, 512 Metcalfe Avenue is a stunning home for sale in Lower Mission that was constructed to offer home buyers something truly special in the Kelowna property market. West coast design elements are found throughout this stylish masterpiece, which makes it stand out as one of the more striking homes in the neighbourhood. Just a block or two from the Okanagan Lake and Sarsons Beach Park, and a 15-minute drive from downtown Kelowna, you'll be close enough to enjoy all the amenities in the area, yet far enough away from the hustle and bustle of city life.

Modern Design Elements

The interior features of the home need to be seen for you to truly grasp the grandeur of this property. A mix of white walls…

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house flipping in kelowna, bc

Is There Money to be Made in Flipping Property?

So, you're thinking of investing in property to flip? At Vantage West Realty, flipping property is one of our favourite aspects in the real estate business to consult clients on. Since this type of investing is something we have engaged in for over a decade in numerous projects ourselves, we believe we have the necessary "real world" experience to comment on the full gamut of this sort of venture. Acquiring and renovating property can be incredibly rewarding and it's our pleasure to share what we've learned after many successful flips for both ourselves and our clientele.

Let's Get Right Into It - What is a Fixer Upper?

If you are unacquainted with the term, a "fixer upper" is a distressed…

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Tips for hiring a home stager

If you are in the market to sell your Kelowna home, one of the best decisions you can make is to use the services of an experienced and professional home stager. Hiring a home stager is nearly as important to your home's desirability as an experienced, and the reputable real estate agent is to the selling of your home. Choosing to work with a home stager as part of your property's marketing team can help you realize your real estate goals much faster than an unstaged home, and although it comes at a premium, it could help your listing sell faster and for more money than an unstaged home. 

Finding the most suitable professional to help set your listing apart from the rest is not an easy task, so here are 10 helpful questions to ask before hiring a…

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Selling your home before Christmas

When many buyers start to think about selling their home, they decide to hold off until summer. Summer is often recognized as the busiest and most successful time to sell your home. However, contrary to popular belief, many buyers are looking for houses in the winter. January has more relocations than any other month throughout the year, so for many buyers and sellers, winter is a necessary time to start looking at the housing market. It’s also the time when new semesters start in universities and schools kick off a fresh term. It’s a time of new beginnings and fresh starts, and it’s also a great time to move into a new home. If you’ve been considering selling, here are five reasons to sell your Kelowna home during the holidays.

Cheerful Curb…

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