Leanne Drolet

Royal LePage Sterling Realty

Office 604-421-1010

Cell 778-840-7211

Email: Leanne@realtygal.ca

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Imagine if you dreamed of owning a special limited edition vehicle. What would you do to ensure that your dream vehicle would someday be parked in your driveway — with your name on the ownership papers? You would probably start by doing some research. You’d find out how much that vehicle would cost, what features are available, and so forth. You would likely visit a local dealership and take a test drive if a model is available on site. You would keep an eye on the market for any that come up and let the dealer know you’re looking for just that car. If you did, then, some day, you’d probably be the proud owner of the limited edition car of your dreams. What does this have to do with real estate? Well, you can take the same approach when there’s a neighbourhood you’d love to live in someday. You can target it, learn what homes typically cost in that area, and keep your eye on that market in case a property becomes available that meets your criteria. By focusing on a specific neighbourhood, you increase your chances of someday living there, simply because you’re focusing on it. Of course, neighbourhood targeting isn’t as simple as aiming to own a specific car someday. That’s why you need a great REALTOR® who can keep an eye on that neighbourhood on your behalf and alert you to opportunities that become available. Then, when there is a listing that’s a good fit, you can decide whether or not to make a move. Is there a dream neighbourhood you’d like to live in some day? Call today to start making it happen

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How a Home Inspection Helps You!


Whether you're considering buying a particular home, selling your current property – or both – a home inspection can help!


A home inspection is an inspection by a qualified professional who takes a close look at every aspect of a home – structure, wiring, plumbing, and more – and identifies issues you may not have noticed yourself.  For example, a home inspection can reveal that a furnace will need to be replaced soon, or that there is a water leak into the basement that needs to be fixed.


You'll definitely want to get a professional home inspection before you buy a particular property. That's why most offers to purchase a home are conditional upon passing a home inspection. (The last thing you want is to buy your dream home only to discover that the wiring needs to be updated!)  You may also want to get a home inspection on your own home before you list it for sale. A certificate from a qualified professional that states that your
home passed inspection will make your property more attractive to buyers.  Many reputable home inspectors are members of a professional industry association.


In Canada:  

• Canada Association of Home & Property Inspectors.   (http://www.cahpi.ca)
• Professional Home and Property Inspectors of Canada. (http://www.phpic.ca)
• National Home Inspectors Certification Council.  (http://www.nationalhomeinspector.org)


In the U.S.
• American Society of Home Inspectors. (http://www.ashi.org)
• National Association of Home Inspectors. (http://www.nahi.org)
• American Institute of Inspectors. (http://www.inspection.org)


It's important to note that certification or licensing is not a requirement in many jurisdictions. So select a home inspector carefully.

 

If you need to find a reputable home inspector, please give me a call!

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How Long Does it Take to Find a New Home?


Many people ask me this!

 

If you're planning to look for a new home sometime in the future, you may be wondering how long the process will take? How much time should you set aside for viewings? How many of the homes should you see?


Of course, the process varies from person to person. According to the Department of Housing & Urban Development, home buyers view an average of 10 - 15 properties before finally choosing to make an offer on one of them. That number may be a good benchmark for you.


On a Saturday afternoon, you can comfortably look at three or four potential properties. You can see more if you want to make a full day of it.  One factor that impacts the home shopping process is how clearly you know what you're looking for.  For example, if you're certain you want a three bedroom home, backing onto a wooded area or ravine, in an upscale neighbourhood, then the process is going to be fairly simple. You're just going to view properties that closely meet that criteria.  But if you're the kind of person who simply says, "I'll know it when I see it", then you'll need to look at several homes on the market. That means carving out plenty of room in your schedule for viewings.  A good REALTOR can help you understand what's available on the market and which homes are worth seeing. He or she can also help you determine how long the process will likely take, and show you ways to make the process go more quickly and smoothly.


Call me if you're ready to make the move to buy a home!

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Top 28 Grants and Rebates for Property Buyers and Owners.....

 

For further information about any of the following grants please visit the following websites provided.

  1. Home Buyers' Plan - Home buyers that qualify can withdraw up to $25,000.00 and couples up to $50,000.00 from their RRSP's for a down payment on their first home!  Visit www.cra.gc.ca for further information.
  2. GST Rebate on New homes - New home buyers can apply for rebates of the federal portion of the HST (the 5% GST portion) for home buyers that qualify.  Go to www.cra.gc.ca an enter RC4028 in the search box.
  3. BC New Housing Rebate (HST) - Eligible Home buyers of new or substantially renovated homes may be eligible for a provincial enhanced New Housing Rebate.  Visit www.hstinbc.ca for more information.
  4. BC New Housing Rebate (HST) for Secondary Vacation or Recreational Homes - Qualifying buyers of new or substantially renovated homes outside the Greater Vancouver and Capital Regional Districts may be eligible for provincial enhanced New Housing Rebates.  www.hstinbc.ca for more information.
  5. BC New Rental Housing Rebate (HST) - Landlords buying new or substantially renovated homes are eligible for rebates.  www.hstinbc.ca for further information.
  6. BC First-time New Home Buyers' Bonus - First-time new home buyers may be eligible for a one time grant.  This program ends March 31, 2013.
  7. BC Property Transfer Tax (PTT) First-time Home Buyers' Program - Qualifying first-time buyers may be exempt from paying the PPT!  Visit BC Ministry of Small Business and Revenue for more information.
  8. First-time Home Buyers' Tax Credit (HBTC) - This federal non-refundable income tax credit is for qualifying buyers of detached, attached, condominiums, mobile homes or shares in a cooperative housing corporation.  Visit Canada Revenue Agency for more information or click on this link.
  9. BC Home Owner Grant - Property taxes for home owners get a reduction in property taxes for homes assessed up to $1285,000.00.  Check BC Minstry of Small Business and Revenue @ www.rev.gov.bc.ca/hog or contact your municipal tax office for further information.
  10. BC Property Tax Deferment Programs  - *Property Tax Deferment Program - Qualifying home owners aged 55+ may be eligible to defer property taxes. *Financial Hardship Property Tax Deferment Program - Qualifying low-income home owners may be eligible to defer property taxes.  *Property Tax Deferment Program for families with Children - Low income home owners who financially support children under age 18 may be eligible to defer property taxes.  Check out www.sbr.gov.bc.ca/individuals/Property_taxes/Property_Tax_Deferment/ptd.htm for more information.
  11. Canada Mortgage and Housing (CMHC) Residential Rehabilitation Assistance Program (RRAP) Grants - Financial aid to qualifying low-income home owners to repair substandard housing.  www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/en/co/prfinas/prfinas_001.cfm for more information
  12. Home adaptations for Independence (HAFI) - Jointly sponsored by the provincial & federal governments providing up to $20,000.00 to help eligible low income seniors and disabled home owners and landlords to finance modifications to their homes to make them safer.  Check out BC Housing @ www.bchousing.org/options/home_renovations.
  13. CMHC Mortgage Loan Insurance Premium Refund - Provides home buyers with CMHC insurance with a a 10% refund and possible extended amortization without surcharge when buyers purchase an energy efficient mortgage or make energy saving renovations!   www.cmhc.ca
  14. Energy Saviing Mortgages - Financial institutions offer a range of mortgages to home buyers and owners who make their home more energy efficient.
  15. Low Interest Renovation Loans - Financial Institutions offer loans for home owners making energy efficient upgrades.
  16. LiveSmart BC Energy Incentive Program - Qualifying home owners receive cash incentives from this provincial program for improving energy efficiency of their homes.  Check out www.livesmartbc.ca/rebates.
  17. BC Residential Energy Credit - Residential landlords and home owners buying heating fuel can receive a BC govbernment point of sale rebate.  
  18. BC Hydro Appliance Rebates - Mail in rebates are available for Energy Star clothes washers, refrigerators, dishwashers or freezers. Visit BC Hydro for more information.
  19. BC Hydro Fridge Buy-Back Program - $30.00 rebates available to BC Hydro c.ustomers who turn in spare fridges that are in working condition
  20. BC Hydro Windows Rebate Program - You pay no HST when you buy Energy Star high performance windows and doors.
  21. BC Hydro Mail-in Rebates/Savings Coupons - BC Hydro offers mail in rebates.  Check BC Hydro for more information.
  22. Fortis BC Rebate Program - Rebates for home owners ranging from $50.00 (hot water tank upgrades) to $1000.00 (rebates for switching to natural gas and installing Energy Star heating system).
  23. Fortis BC Efficient Boiler Program - Provides a cash rebate for commercial buildings for an energy efficient boiler for new construction or retrofits.  Check www.fortisbc.com/NaturalGas/Business/Offers/Pages/default.aspx for more information.
  24. City of Vancouver Rain Barrel Subsidy Program - Providing a subsidy of 50% of the cost of a rain barrel for Vancouver residents.  Other communities also offer subsidized rain barrels so check the municipal website to see if there is a program in your area.  
  25. City of Vancouver Greenest City 2020 Pilot Home Eneergy Loan Program - The City of Vancouver in cooperation with Vancity, FortisBC, BC Hydro and Natural Resources Canada offers access to loans for energy retrofits.  Check www.vancouver.ca/energyloan for more information.
  26. Vancity Green Building Grant - Vancity provides grants up to $50,000.00 each to qualifying charities, not for profit organizations and co-operatives for projects which focus on building renovations/retrofits.
  27. Local Government Water Conservation Incentives - Some municipalities provide grants and incentives to residents to help save water.  Check your local municipal website to see if there is a program in your area.
  28. Local Government Water Meter Programs - Municipalities are offering voluntary water metering so that you pay only for the amount of water that you use.  Check your local municipal website to see if there is a program in your area.

Courtesy of the Real Estate Board of Greater Vacouver

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I found this article quite interesting for first time home buyers as well as a link to get mortgage free faster!  

 

1.  Have little or no debt!

 

2.  Have a decent down payment!

 

3.  Don't fall in love, stick to your numbers!

 

4.  Withdraw up to $25,000.00 from your RRSP with the home buyers plan!

 

5.  Move to a less expensive City or Province!

 

http://blog.yourmoney.ca/2011/01/-5-rules-first-time-home-buyers.html

 

*Courtesy yourmoney.ca

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Spring clean for a great cause!!  You are not just de-cluttering you are helping create a future without breast cancer!

 

We are hosting a yard sale for a cure on May 26th from 9am to 3pm @  RE/MAX - 105-1250 Dominion Ave in Port Coquitlam!

 

We are currently looking for any items that you would like to donate to the sale!  Contact Leanne if you have any new or used items!  Thanks for your support!  

 


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The B.C. First-Time New Home Buyer's Bonus

 

As was announced last week, the BC government intends to implement a temporary BC first-time new home buyers' bonus up to $10,000 (subject to approval by the legislature).  Effective date February 21, 2012 to March 31, 2013.  

 

The requirements to qualify for an eligible first-time new home buyer.


Qualification for a first-time new home buyer are: 

  • You purchase or build an eligible new home located in BC.
  • You, or for couples, you and your spouse or common-law partner, have never previously owned a primary residence;
  • You file a 2011 BC Resident Personal Income Tax Return, or if you move to BC after December 31, 2011, you file a 2012 BC Resident Personal Income Tax Return (you will not be eligible for the bonus if you move to BC after December 31, 2012);
  • You are eligible for the BC New Housing Rebate; and
  • You intend to live in the home as your primary residence.

Further Clarity:

  • This is a $10,000 income tax credit -not cash.
  • The tax credit is equal to 5% of the home price, maximum of $10,000.
  • The tax credit is pro-rated based on your/family income and phases out for higher income earners.
  • Tax Credit is applied at the time you file your annual income tax return. Not to be construed as funds that is available at closing date of purchase. The $10,000 tax credit is effectively applied as an offset against your income. Since this is a BC tax credit, not federal, it only applies to the BC tax paid on your personal income. The typical BC tax rates for individuals are 7.7%. So in this case you would receive a tax payment of $770.

HST/GST Rebates in BC

 

Buyers of new homes are eligible for a rebate of 71.43% of the Provincial portion (7% PST) of the HST paid on a new home up to a maximum rebate of $26,250. These rebates are available with respect to newly constructed or substantially renovated homes purchased or constructed as a place of primary residence. Current Homes prices more than $525,000 will be eligible for a maximum rebate of $26,250. However as of April 1st, 2012 the Purchase Price threshold increases to $850,000 with a maximum rebate of $42,500, home prices above will still also be eligible for the maximum of $42,500.

 Also as of April 1st, 2012 certain purchases of new housing used as a second or recreational residence will be eligible; this is limited to purchases made outside of Greater Vancouver Regional District area.

 

Currently still available is the Federal GST new housing rebate, which is 36% of the Federal portion (5% GST) maximum rebate $6,300, on a Purchase Price of $350,000.For homes above $350,000 but no higher than $450,000.00, the rebate is gradually reduced and is calculated by using the following formula: $6,300 x [$450,000 - the purchase price] / $100,000. In this example New Housing Rebate would be $3,150.00, for a net tax payable of $16,850.00. There is no GST New Housing Rebate on homes valued at over $450,000.00.

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Reciprocity Logo The data relating to real estate on this website comes in part from the MLS® Reciprocity program of either the Greater Vancouver REALTORS® (GVR), the Fraser Valley Real Estate Board (FVREB) or the Chilliwack and District Real Estate Board (CADREB). Real estate listings held by participating real estate firms are marked with the MLS® logo and detailed information about the listing includes the name of the listing agent. This representation is based in whole or part on data generated by either the GVR, the FVREB or the CADREB which assumes no responsibility for its accuracy. The materials contained on this page may not be reproduced without the express written consent of either the GVR, the FVREB or the CADREB.