Taxing foreign investment in real estate: Let's be open and honest

There is no question that home affordability in cities like Vancouver and Toronto has become unattainable for most of us.

There is a significant supply problem which has not been adequately discussed and resolved.

With the news that foreign investors will now be taxed an additional 15% of the purchase price on residential properties in Vancouver, it looks as though a Canadian “Wall” is being built against free trade and immigration, as even the Ontario Finance Minister is suggesting that he is looking very closely at what his British Columbia counterpart has done. This is in addition to the additional taxes of current land transfer tax of 1% to 3% of the purchase price and the yet-to-be-disclosed new tax that will be applied to owners of…

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Which mortgage term will save you money over the next five years?

A significant “negative shock” to the economy: That’s what it’s going to take to lower interest rates again, says Canada’s most powerful banker.

And Bank of Canada head Stephen Poloz isn’t betting on that happening any time soon. Neither are bond traders, the big guns that bet billions of dollars every day on the direction of interest rates.

So let’s suppose – just for fun – that they’re right (since we all know how often markets and economists aren’t right). If we are actually near a bottom in rates for a few years, what’s the best way to play your mortgage?

Well, it just so happens that there’s an app for that. It’s called a spreadsheet and I’ve taken the liberty of putting mine through its paces and model out which mortgage term (or…

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A summary of tips for multiple-offer situations in Kamloops

Multiple offers are a very real occurrence in the Kamloops real estate market right now. 

We are hearing about the low inventory of houses in Kamloops which is leaving buyers missing out on their choice of house due to losing a multiple offer bidding process. A good realtor who is on the ball and gets you into seeing the properties as soon as possible is a great asset but when there are a number of hard working agents in Kamloops sometimes it can come down to the offer itself and the negotiating ability of your Realtor.

So what can you do if you find yourself in multiple offers that will increase your chances of making the sale happen for you? You will want to secure the property but not over pay for it, by balancing the below tips and getting your…

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How Brexit could affect Canada’s real estate market

It may be a way to attract foreign investors away from already hot markets like Vancouver and Toronto

Britain’s decision to leave the European Union last week plunged governments worldwide into a pit of economic and political uncertainty. The ripples of the referendum will have an unmistakable impact on global economies and, by association, on global real estate markets. But only temporarily.

Interest rates will remain low

The immediate impact of the post-Brexit vote on Canada’s economy will be pressure to keep interest rates at historically low levels, explained BMO chief economist Douglas Porter and senior economist Robert Kavcic in a report last week. This is, in part, because other segments of our country’s economy would feel the impact of…

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Real Estate Referrals - I am never too busy for your referral.

What exactly is a real estate referral anyway?

Referrals are one of the pillars of my business. It is also one of the biggest compliments one can receive!

Over the years much of my business has come from referrals. Giving prompt, efficient and sincere attention to the needs of all my clients has earned me the reputation of being a realtor that customers and fellow realtors can trust and rely on.

Many of my friends and clients refer people they know to me, people who are looking to sell or wanting to buy a property in the near future. Word-of-mouth is a very integral part of my business, so I thank you for the vote of confidence!  You can be rest assured any…

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Making the Decision Between Two Great Houses when buying a home

Making the Decision Between Two Great Kamloops Houses when buying a home

OK, house hunters, picture this: you’ve made your “need” and “want” lists; you’ve shopped around online and toured through too many houses to count; surprisingly, you’ve found more than one that fits the bill. Now, what?

Often, home buyers get so wrapped up in not being able to find the perfect house that they are taken by surprise when two great options suddenly present themselves. If you are “lucky” enough to find yourself in this situation, you may find the choice between two seemingly perfect homes is more difficult than you would have imagined. Unfortunately, time is rarely on your side when dealing with buying a home, and you will likely need to make a decision within a…

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Should I Sell My Kamloops Home Empty Or Staged?

When a homeowner is preparing to list their home for sale, there are many decisions that need to be made. 

When is the best time to list your Kamloops Real Estate?  What price should the home be listed for?  Who will be hired to sell the home?

These are just a few of the most common home seller questions.  Another popular question that home sellers who don’t live in their home ask is whether they should sell the home empty or staged.

Like with most things, there are PROs and CONs to selling a home empty as well as PROs and CONs to selling a home staged.  It’s important that homeowners weigh the PROs and CONs to help them decide whether they should sell their home empty or staged.

Below you will find out what the PROs and CONs are to both…

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Staging vs. Decorating: What's the Difference?

Unlike decorating, staging your home isn't about personal style — it's about creating ambiance and appeal for buyers

If you ask the average person what “home staging” is, they’re likely to say something like “decorating a house to make it look good.” The truth is that home staging is absolutely not the same thing as decorating.

Selling your home means selling a lifestyle, but not necessarily your own. In home staging, you're striving for a look that is fresh and welcoming yet not really taste specific. People with varying tastes need to feel that they can make the home their own if they purchase it. Although everyone has different tastes in decor and furnishings, most people want a home that is welcoming, functional, peaceful and organized. Tailor…

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How To Sell Your Home Fast!

How To Sell Your Home Fast!

There may come a time where you find yourself with an urgent need to sell your home. It may be because you have to move for a job, a change in family situation, or something else requiring you to move out of your home as quick as possible. For most people moving out of their home also involves selling their home so they don’t have the added burden of multiple mortgages or a mortgage and a rent payment in the new location you are living in. If you find yourself in immediate need of selling your home here are some tips on how to sell your home fast and some information on understanding the trade off of selling your home now As-Is versus preparing your home for sale.

Sell Home As-Is or Prepare The Home For Sale Trade…

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10 Questions you might need to ask before you buy that home!

Let’s talk HOME BUYING and things that might not seem important at first.

When you buy a house without asking yourself the right questions, you sometimes end up making costly mistakes. And isn’t the whole point to save money?? Definitely!

These items below are the questions you may need to ask before jumping in with 2 feet.  I’m sharing these tips with you in hopes of helping other people make the best decisions about home buying! Its exciting buying a home and sometimes your thoughts are on what would your TV look like in this room not things that are potential problems only found after moving in.
A good Realtor will be automatically taking in and making mental notes of all these questions but its always worth asking yourself these questions and…

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