Archive for the ‘For Buyers’ Category

A Mortgage Pre-Approval is NOT a Guarantee of a Mortgage!

Tuesday, February 2nd, 2010

Mortgage Pre-Approvals are NOT Guarantees of a Mortgage!

I recently had the pleasure of interviewing Chad Watts of The Mortgage Group about mortgage pre-approvals. He brought up a very important point for Buyers, particularly First Time Home Buyers. And that is a mortgage pre-approval is NOT a guarantee that you will get a mortgage at the amount the Lender originally mentions or get a mortgage at all.

What is a Mortage Pre-Approval?

This is a preliminary estimation by a Lender of how much the Lender will loan you based on very basic information. This number is subject to change based on what property you (more…)

BC HST is Only Payable on BRAND NEW PROPERTIES!

Friday, January 22nd, 2010

BC HST and Vancouver Real Estate

Hi All,

There are A LOT of misconceptions about British Columbia’s Harmonized Goods and Services Tax and Vancouver Real Estate. The one I hear most is that HST will payable on all real estate transactions in BC. This is not true! HST in BC will ONLY BE PAYABLE ON BRAND NEW PROPERTIES! These are properties that have never been registered at the Land (more…)

Variable Versus Fixed Rate Mortgages with Jessi Johnson Mortgage Broker!

Tuesday, December 15th, 2009

Last week I had the pleasure of meeting up with Jessi Johnson of the Jessi Johnson Mortgage Team to discuss the merits of a Variable Rate Mortgage versus a Fixed Rate Mortgage.

What is a variable rate mortgage?

This is a mortgage that has an interest rate that changes in line with the Bank of Canada’s prime rate.Variable rate mortgages tend to have a lower interest rate than a fixed rate mortgage, but the interest rate on a variable mortgage can change at any time.

What is a fixed rate mortgage? (more…)

Pre Sale Condo Assignments in Vancouver – What are They? Are they Safe?

Tuesday, December 8th, 2009

Assignments of Pre-Sale Condos in Vancouver

Along with the rise of the Vancouver’s Pre Sale Condo market, the market for Pre Sale Condo Assignments has been a huge money maker for investors in Vancouver Real Estate.

What are Pre Sale Condo Assignments?

A Pre Sale Condo Assignment is when the original Buyer of a Pre Sale Condo sells their rights to a completed condo to another Buyer before that condo is completed. The reason the (more…)

Vancouver Real Estate Prediction for the 2010 Winter Olympics

Monday, November 30th, 2009

The Olympics Won’t Matter That Much.

I stand by what I said in a previous prediction on the Olympics and Vancouver Real Estate that there will be minimal transactions in Downtown Vancouver and surrounding areas because of Olympic security measures. Right after the Olympics there will be a spike in activity from demand caused by all the Buyers who were unable to buy during the time the Olympics are on.

What are your thoughts?

Please feel free to leave a comment, question, or suggestion below! Thanks!

What is a Pre-Sale in Vancouver Real Estate?

Thursday, November 26th, 2009

Pre-Sales in Vancouver, British Columbia Canada

Open the Georgia Strait or any other local paper and you’ll notice advertisements for apartments and condos. Most of these places don’t yet exist. Why? Because they are pre-sales!

What is a Pre-Sale?

A pre-sale is when a Developer sells a Buyer a property before that property is built or completed. The Buyer purchasing the pre-sales is buying the right to a completed property that will be built in future. In the UK and elsewhere Pre-Sales are referred to as Off Plan Investments.

Why do people buy Pre-Sales?

Pre-sales are popular with investors and other Buyers because it allows these Buyers to have the benefit of increasing prices without having to pay a mortgage, propert (more…)

Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) and Vancouver Real Estate

Friday, November 20th, 2009

Hi All,

I have been getting A LOT of questions about The British Columbia Government’s new Harmonized Sales Tax and how it will affect Vancouver Real Estate.

4 Quick Facts on BC’s proposed new 12% HST effective July 1, 2010: (more…)

555 Pacific, The Mark in Downtown Vancouver – A Sneak Peak at Yaletowns Latest Pre-Sale

Friday, November 13th, 2009

PRICING NOW AVAILABLE!! See Below

PLEASE NOTE  – I HAVE A FRONT OF THE LINE PASS AND CAN BRING BUYERS TO PURCHASE PRE-SALES AT THE MARK BEFORE THE GENERAL PUBLIC GETS TO BUY ON SATURDAY NOVEMBER 28th, 2009. ** I may have a tentative price list mid to late week. ** EMAIL OR CALL ME IF YOU ARE INTERESTED!

One Beds – 460sqft – 730sqft                  starting at $323,900

One & Dens – 745sqft – 820sqft               starting at $492,900

Two Beds – 760sqft – 1330sqft                starting at $484,900

Town Homes – 1050sqft – 1500sqft          starting at $660,900

The Mark by Onni Developments at 555 Pacific Street in Downtown Vancouver is starting to pre-sell. Located at the corner of Seymour and Pacific Street right on the border of Yaletown and Downtown Vancouver, the building will be between 35 and 41 stories and will have a 10,000sf Wellness Centre. The building will be Air Conditioned, but its not certain whether it will be a geo-thermal system or a high efficiency conventional system. Onni will also be going for LEED Gold Certification, which is great from a sustainability perspective. Expect a 20% deposit to be paid over several months and a completion for Fall 2012. All of these details are subject to change without notice. Feel free to drop me a line if you have any questions. Thanks!

The Mark at 555 Pacific Street Typical Floor Plans – DRAFT

Subject Free Offers in Real Estate – Strong & Effective, but SCARY in the Wrong Hands!

Tuesday, October 13th, 2009

Subject Free Offers are Powerful and Effective, but in Scary in the Wrong Hands!

With the resurgence of the Vancouver real estate market, Subject Free Offers are making a comeback along with Multiple Offer Situations. The downside is that without preparation and professional advice, mishandled Subject Free offers can quickly result in lawyers getting involved making it expensive and painful for all.

What is a Subject Free Offer?

A Subject Free Offer is an offer prepared by the Buyer that does not allow the Buyer to walk away for ANY reason if the  Seller accepts. If the Buyer cannot get a mortgage on the (more…)

First Time Home Buyer Safety – Offers Subject to Financing – What, Why, and How!

Wednesday, October 7th, 2009

What is an Offer that is Subject to Financing?

This is an Offer to buy a property that is “Subject To” or conditional upon the Buyer getting a mortgage within a set period of time, usually one week. In plain language, the Buyer and Seller agree to give the Buyer  a week to get a mortgage and if the Buyer cannot get a mortgage in that time, the Buyer can walk away from the deal with nothing lost.

Why do we make offers Subject to Financing?

Safety! If a Buyer presents an offer to a Seller without a Subject to Financing clause (like with a Subject Free Offer) and the Buyer can’t get a mortgage, the Buyer will have to pay th (more…)