A skilled real estate agent recognizes that every client has unique preferences, priorities, and lifestyle requirements when searching for a home By actively listening to clients' concerns, preferences, and long-term goals, agents can tailor their search criteria and recommendations to align with their clients' specific needs.
INVEST IN THEIR CLIENTS
When selling your home, a realtor should order all municipal documents: oil tank history permits, VIHA septic records, strata documents for the past 24 months, titles, and title charges to name a few.
When buying a home, a realtor should ensure all available documents are provided to ensure an educated decision can be made: taking into account the type of home, age of home, area concerns such as flood plain data, agricultural land reserve, contaminated sites, well water tests/water quality assessments, septic system maintenance/pump out history, zoning bylaws, and title reviews so that a client can use the property as intended.
OFFER TRAFFIC REPORT AND FEEDBACK
How has your property faired on the market? Is it being viewed? Your realtor should be able to show you information such as number of views, and how many people have favourited the property, based on Realtor ca, REW, MLS and other social media outlets
TRUSTED PROFESSIONAL NETWORK
Your realtor should have a trusted network of professionals to help with a seamless selling transition: lawyers, mortgage brokers, inspectors, insurance providers, moving companies, contractors, handy men/women, stagers, plumbers, electricians, oil tank scans, septic inspectors, roofers and architects are some examples
MARKET KNOWLEDGE AND GUIDANCE
A real estate agent should have a deep understanding of the local real estate market and provide valuable insights into current market conditions, trends, and neighborhood dynamics They can offer guidance on which neighbourhoods align with your preferences, budget, and lifestyle
PROVIDE A COMPARATIVE MARKET ANALYSIS
Your agent should conduct a comparative market analysis (CMA) to assess the value of the properties you ' re interested in and provide guidance on a reasonable offer price based on market data, recent sales, and property conditions
PROFESSIONAL MARKETING/ADVERTISING
When selling your home, your agent should provide a custom website, colour floor plans, 3D Matterport tours, photos and a video.
No one should ever feel like their price point isn’t luxury enough. The same level of customer service should be provided when buying/selling mobile homes, condos, townhouses, duplexes, single family detached, waterfront properties... Whether the home is $200,000 or $2,000,000, you should always be made to feel comfortable, listened to and valued
TAXESTO BEAWAREOF
WHENBUYINGOR
SELLINGAHOUSE
WhatistheAnti-FlippingTax?
The anti-flipping tax in British Columbia is a measure aimed at curbing speculative activity in the real estate market. It is designed to discourage individuals or entities from quickly buying and selling residential properties for a profit, a practice commonly referred to as "flipping." Here’s an overview of how it works and its implications:
HOW THE ANTI-FLIPPING TAX FITS INTO BC REAL ESTATE MEASURES
British Columbia has long implemented various measures to address affordability and speculation The anti-flipping tax complements existing initiatives by adding another layer of protection against speculative practices Key measures include:
1.SpeculationandVacancyTax(SVT)
Applies to foreign and domestic owners who leave properties vacant.
Encourages property owners to rent out empty homes. The anti-flipping tax works alongside the SVT by addressing speculative resales, further reducing unproductive property ownership.
2.AdditionalPropertyTransferTaxforForeignBuyers
Foreign nationals purchasing properties in certain regions of BC must pay an additional 20% tax. This aims to reduce foreign speculation, while the anti-flipping tax deters both foreign and domestic buyers from flipping properties.
3.EmptyHomesTax(Vancouver-Specific)
Properties left vacant in the City of Vancouver are taxed at a rate of 3% of the assessed value. Both the Empty Homes Tax and the anti-flipping tax discourage non-residential use of properties.
4.NewResidentialTenancyandRentControlRules
The 2025 rent increase limit for residential tenancies is 3% & can only be increased once every 12 months Tenants must get at least 3 months’ notice of a rent increase If selling/buying a tenanted property & vacant possession is requested, the landlord must generate the 3 Month Notice to End Tenancy
5.PropertyTransferTax(PTT)
The PTT discourages frequent property turnover by taxing property purchases, which aligns with the anti-flipping tax's goal of stabilizing the market.
IMPLICATIONS FOR BUYERS AND SELLERS
Sellers: Individuals looking to sell a property within two years of purchase must be aware that profits will be taxed as income, significantly reducing potential earnings. Buyers: Investors or buyers intending to purchase properties for quick resale may reconsider their strategies, potentially leading to fewer speculative purchases in the market. Market Impact: This tax is expected to reduce short-term speculative activity, contributing to a more balanced housing market in the long run.
An HHT (House Hunting Trip) is a key entitlement provided to Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) members and their families during a relocation through the Canadian Forces Integrated Relocation Program (CFIRP), managed by BGRS. It is designed to help members transition smoothly by allowing them to find suitable housing and become familiar with their new location prior to the official move.
WhatisanHHT?
A House Hunting Trip is a pre-move trip taken by CAF members and, if applicable, their spouse or designated family member to the new posting location. The trip’s purpose is to:
Find Housing: Purchase a home, sign a lease, or secure accommodations for the member and their family. Explore the Area: Research schools, neighborhoods, amenities, transportation, and local services.
HHTs typically last 5-7 days, but durations may vary depending on the circumstances and location.
What Are Your Entitlements?
The entitlements associated with an HHT fall under the Core, Custom, and Personalized envelopes of the CFIRP, depending on the nature of the expense. Here’s what is typically covered:
1.TransportationCosts
Core Entitlement:
Economy airfare or mileage for the member and one accompanying person (spouse or designated family member). Costs for parking, tolls, or public transit if driving. Rental car costs at the destination, if authorized.
2.Accommodations
Core Entitlement:
Hotel costs for the member and accompanying person are covered, with rates based on Treasury Board guidelines. If a hotel is unavailable, short-term rental accommodations may be approved.
3.MealsandIncidentals
Core Entitlement:
A daily per diem for meals and incidental expenses for both the member and the accompanying person
Rates align with Treasury Board guidelines, covering breakfast, lunch, dinner, and incidental costs
4.ChildcareAssistance
Custom Entitlement:
If children are not accompanying the member, reimbursement may be provided for childcare expenses during the trip
5.RealEstateServices
Core Entitlement:
Costs for home appraisals, inspections, or other pre-purchase services required during the HHT may be reimbursed
Members are encouraged to work with BGRS-recommended real estate agents to simplify claims.
6.TravelInsuranceandCancellationFees
Core Entitlement:
Cancellation insurance for flights or hotel bookings, if the trip must be rescheduled.
Reimbursement for rebooking fees if circumstances require itinerary changes.
7.SpouseEmploymentAssistance
Custom Entitlement:
If the spouse or partner needs to seek employment at the new location, certain costs related to job search efforts (e.g., transportation to interviews) may be covered.
8.AdditionalPersonalizedEntitlements
Personalized Envelope:
Members can use funds from their Personalized Envelope for upgrades, such as premium airfare, hotel upgrades, or enhanced services, as long as the expenses are approved.
