7 First Time Home Buyer Grants & Incentives in BC, Canada (2025 Guide)

Buying your first home is a huge milestone — but in a competitive and high-cost market like BC, it can also feel overwhelming.

The good news? If you're buying your first home in BC, there are powerful grants and incentives designed to help you save tens of thousands of dollars on your purchase.

In this guide, we show you 7 essential grants, exemptions, and incentives at the provincial and federal level that will save you thousands of dollars on your first home in Kelowna, the Okanagan Valley, or anywhere across the province of British Columbia, Canada.

Who we are: Vantage West Realty, Kelowna's top-rated independent real estate agency with 4.9 stars & 1,000+ reviews.

Incentives for First Time Buyers in BC, Canada

Provincial…

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10 Best Schools in West Kelowna, BC (2025 Guide)

Your child’s future starts with the right school—and in West Kelowna, the options can feel overwhelming. What if you choose the wrong one?

Whether you're moving here for a fresh start or raising your family in the place you love, the school you choose can shape your child's confidence, creativity, and lifelong potential.

In this 2025 guide, we break down the top-rated elementary, middle, and high schools in West Kelowna—one of the best places to call home in the Okanagan.

We review test scores, plus other important matters for parents: safe environments, strong programs, community culture, and future-ready opportunities.

The best schools don’t just teach—they unlock hidden talent, nurture emotional growth, and give kids a chance…

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15 Feng Shui Symbols for Home | 2025 Year of the Serpent Guide

The Ultimate Guide to Feng Shui Symbols (风 水 符号) for Home: Meaning, Placement & Energy Flow

Feng Shui (风水) s rooted in the art of intentional living—creating environments that mirror your goals, values, and deepest hopes.

One of the most accessible ways to bring this ancient wisdom into your space is through symbols—each carrying a story, a function, and a frequency. When placed thoughtfully, these symbols do more than decorate—they transform.

Here’s a deeper look at some of the most revered Feng Shui symbols for wealth, harmony, and protection, and how you can bring them into your space for maximum energetic benefit. 

Symbols for Wealth & Abundance

Money Frog (Three-Legged Toad)

Often seated on a bed of coins and holding a…

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How to Become a REALTOR in BC, Canada

Thinking about a career in BC real estate?

Becoming a REALTOR in BC gives you the freedom to be your own boss, chase limitless earnings, and experience the joy of helping people find their perfect home.

This guide walks you through the steps required to launching your real estate career in British Columbia, Canada in 2025.

1. Get Licensed as a REALTOR® in BC

Your first step to becoming a real estate agent in British Columbia, Canada is completing the Real Estate Trading Services Licensing Course with UBC’s Sauder School of Business.

✔️ REALTOR pre-licensing is offered by the University of British Columbia, covering essential topics like real estate law, ethics, valuation, and finance.

✔️ Next, you’ll complete the Real…

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Canadian Real Estate Trends & Predictions 2025

After a challenging start to 2024, marked by high interest rates and uncertain property valuations, the Canadian real estate market is entering 2025 with cautious optimism.

In fact, 2025 could mark the beginning of a new cycle in the Canadian real estate market as we saw the highest sales levels in October 2024 since the boom market of 2022.

Affordability challenges persist in the Canadian housing market, but declining mortgage rates & borrowing costs, new government policies, a commercial rebound, and a growing, yet aging, population are all setting the stage for a year of strong market activity.

Here are 10 factors shaping housing market predictions in Canada for 2025 - including a new price forecast from the Canadian Real Estate Association…

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Selling a House With a Mortgage in Canada (2025 Guide)

Considering selling your home in Canada before your mortgage term ends?

It’s a common process in Canada, but it’s essential to understand how breaking your mortgage can affect your finances.

Whether you hold a fixed or variable-rate mortgage, knowing your options, penalties, and the “porting” process can help you make an informed home buying decision that aligns with your financial goals.

What Happens to Your Mortgage When You Sell?

When you sell a property with an outstanding mortgage, the mortgage itself doesn’t automatically transfer to a new owner. Instead, you have a few main options:

1. Pay Out the Mortgage: This involves closing your mortgage entirely and paying any applicable penalties.

2. Port the Mortgage: You…

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8 Best Places to Live in Okanagan Valley, British Columbia

Known for fresh-water lakes, stunning mountain landscapes, and vibrant communities, the Okanagan Valley is a wonderful place to call home in British Columbia.

Boasting hot summers, mild winters, and picturesque vineyards, it's no wonder that the Okanagan Valley is a sought-after destination for vacation-goers and those seeking a high quality of life.

From bustling urban centers with strong economies like Kelowna & Vernon to quaint lakeside towns like Peachland & Summerland, this blog shows you the 8 best places to live in the Okanagan Valley.

Kelowna

Kelowna, BC is a vibrant city nestled in the heart of the Okanagan Valley, boasting a population of over 160,000 residents. As the largest city in the Okanagan, Kelowna boasts strong…

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The Lowdown on Down Payment Options

Here’s what to know about the most popular and effective ways to come up with a down payment on your first home—or your dream home.

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Many folks have a misguided notion of what’s required of them for a down payment, so I’m going to share some options that exist for homebuyers.

The high ratio program does not change the requirement of down payment over 500 entirely, the down payment is stepped. Ie: 5% on the first 500k and 10% on the remainder.

Another option is the government's homebuyer plan, which allows you to tap into any Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP) contributions you’ve made over the years—up to $35,000 tax-free. You’d then have the next 15 years to put that money…

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Why the Winter Is a Great Time to Sell

I’m discussing why selling your home in the winter can be a great idea, and waiting for the spring market may not be in your best interest.

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Many people think that the real estate market is dead in the wintertime. The spring and summer months are notoriously busier so people naturally think those are better times to sell their homes. In reality, that's a misconception about how the market truly works.

It has been statistically shown that some properties will sell for a higher price per square foot in January and February. There’s a definitive reason for that: The people who are shopping for homes during the winter are very motivated. These are people who need to move here, they have a…

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Market Predictions for 2020

I'm sharing what I think the real estate market will do in 2020.

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Here we are at the start of a new decade, 2020! Today I’m going to share some market intel, and then make some market predictions for this new year. In my opinion, this year’s market looks reasonably good.

Cited below for your convenience are timestamps that will direct you to various points in the video. Feel free to watch the full message or use these timestamps to browse specific topics at your leisure:

0:00: Introduction to today’s topic

0:30: Comparing 2018 and 2019 total sales

1:05: 2019 inventory

1:50: The Rein growth arrow

2:55: What the headlines have been saying about the market

3:40: My eight…

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