Author Archives: mike

How to Buy a First Home 15 – Subject to Inspection & The Contract of Purchase and Sale

First Time Home Buyer Safety – Subject to Inspection in the Contract of Purchase and Sale!

In Episode 14, we talked about Subject to Financing and how this is a powerful way to protect a first time home buyer when it comes to financing. Today we are going to talk about the Subject to Inspection clause in the Contract of Purchase and Sale and how this can protect a new home buyer in Vancouver.

What is an Inspection When Buying a Home in Vancouver?

An Inspection or Home Inspection as they are commonly referred to in Vancouver is when the Buyer has a qualified and certified Home Inspector check over the physical condition of the property that is of interest.

In most cases the Home Inspection is done after there is an accepted offer and the Home Inspector checks the following:

  • The exterior envelope of the home (be it a condo or a house) that including, the foundation, parking garage, the roof, the walls, etc as well as the drainage systems and any out buildings or features on the grounds of the property
  • The interior of the home and all its mechanical and structural systems including plumbing, electrical, flooring, wall systems like drywall, ventilation, windows, skylights, etc

At the end of the Home Inspection, the Buyer receives and inspection report which will clearly lay out the condition of the property and any issues the property may have.

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Why do We Use Subject to Inspection?

Quite simply, a Home Inspection is designed to protect the Continue reading

Posted in: Contract of Purchase and Sale | BC Real Estate Offers Explained!, First Time Home Buyers Advice for Vancouver, For Buyers
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April 2013 REBGV Statistics Package

REBGV Stats Package, April 2013 by Mike Stewart

Spring delivers greater balance to Greater Vancouver housing market

A closer relationship between home buyer demand and the supply of homes for sale has been having a stabilizing impact on home prices in the Greater Vancouver housing market over the last three months.
The Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver (REBGV) reports that residential property sales in Greater Vancouver reached 2,627 on the Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) in April 2013. This represents a 6.1 per cent decrease compared to the 2,799 sales recorded in April 2012, and an 11.9 per cent increase compared to the 2,347 sales in March 2013.

Last month’s sales equate to the lowest April total in the region since 2001 and 20.9 per cent below the 10-year sales average for the month.

“While the number of home sales remains below Continue reading

Posted in: For Buyers, For Sellers, Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver (REBGV) Monthly Sales Statistics
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Realtors in Vancouver Split their Commissions?

Real Estate Commissions are Split in Vancouver?

Yes! When a Realtor is hired by a Seller to list a property for sale, the Listing Contract states that the Seller will pay this Realtor (Sellers Agent/Listing Agent) a commission should the property sell during the period in which the Listing Contract is in force.

Now, if a prospective seller was to calculate what they would have to pay in terms of commission (Want to know how much quick? Check out this Realtor Commission Calculator!), some might think it a lot of money to go to one person, but that’s not really what’s going to happening!

Real Estate Commission Splits = Buyers Agent Bait?

In Vancouver, The Sellers Realtors (Sellers Agents/Listings Agents) split around HALF Continue reading

Posted in: First Time Home Buyers Advice for Vancouver, For Buyers, For Sellers, How to Sell a Revenue Property in Vancouver, How To Sell A Vancouver Condo
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March 2013 Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver Stats Package

March 2013 REBGV Stats Mike Stewart

Home sale activity improves but remains below historical averages

Lower levels of both supply and demand in recent months are holding home prices in check in the Greater Vancouver housing market.

The Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver (REBGV) reports that residential property sales in Greater Vancouver reached 2,347 on the Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) in March 2013. This represents an 18.3 per cent decrease compared to the 2,874 sales recorded in March 2012, and a 30.6 per cent increase compared to the 1,797 sales in February 2013.

Last month’s sales were the second lowest March total in the region since Continue reading

Posted in: For Buyers, For Sellers, Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver (REBGV) Monthly Sales Statistics
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