Connections: Advocacy News from the British Columbia Real Estate Association (February 2010)
Connections: Advocacy News from the British Columbia Real Estate Association is BCREA's quarterly newsletter, featuring
advocacy news, focusing on BCREA's government relations activities. In this issue:
- Welcome
- Looking for Tax Fairness
- Water: Too Much and Not Enough
- Improving the Strata Property Act
Read the issue here. For an email subscription to Connections: Advocacy News from the British Columbia Real Estate Association, click here.
Gold Medal Recovery Limited by Economy, Affordability
In its 2010 First Quarter Housing Forecast Update, BCREA reported that BC Multiple Listing Service® residential sales are forecast to increase 6 per cent from 85,028 units in 2009 to 90,100 units this year, before declining 3 per cent to 87,500 units in 2011. Higher home prices and rising mortgage interest rates will provide a constraint on home sales next year.
Read the full 2010 First Quarter Housing Forecast Update for information about how moderating consumer demand combined with a larger number of homes for sale is expected to level market conditions from a sellers’ market to a balanced market this year.
Legally Speaking (January 2010)
Legally Speaking is an essential newsletter, published eight times a year, for all professionals involved in real estate transactions. In this issue:
Features: Brian Taylor - When an exclusion clause is not exclusionary
Read the issue here. For an email subscription to Legally Speaking, click here.
Q4 Market Trends
The latest data on sales to active listings, average prices and unit sales . . . more>>
December Home Sales Second Highest on Record
BCREA reports that MLS® residential sales in the province climbed 132 per cent to 5,703 units in December compared to the same month last year. . . more >>
BCREA releases Mortgage Rate Forecast (December 2009)
Home buyers will benefit from a low mortgage rate
environment through much of 2010. . . more >>
The Bulletin (November 2009)
The Bulletin is BCREA's quarterly newsletter, featuring real estate news from a provincial perspective. In this issue:
- Adhering to the REALTORŪ Code: Ethics in the Real Estate Industry
- President's Report: A Tale of Two Markets
- Commercial Legal Update
- New Canadian Look for Quality of Life
- The Armchair Analyst
- Tax Fairness for Homebuyers
Read the issue here. For an email subscription to The Bulletin, click here.
Tax Fairness for Homebuyers
BC homebuyers already carry a heavy tax burden, and the proposed Harmonized Sales Tax will push British Columbians to the brink. On October 16, BCREA suggested several steps the provincial government can take to restore fairness.
Full submission | HST Action page
New HST
B.C. has just announced a new unfair HST tax that will cost homeowners thousands of dollars. Visit our new HST Action page to find out how you can make a difference.
Read the news release here.
New BC Survey Suggests Real Estate Purchase Confidence Improving
A new survey of BC homeowners and renters on housing affordability and green housing issues suggests consumer confidence concerning real estate purchases may be improving.
BCREA 2008-2009 Annual Report
Ensuring the continued relevance of REALTORS® in BC. Read the report here.
New BC Real Estate Association President and Board of Directors
BCREA is pleased to announce that John Tillie, a Duncan REALTOR® and former president of the Vancouver Island Real Estate Board, has been elected as its 2009-2010 president.
Read the news release here.
CHBA BC's The Future of Housing Conference
Join CHBA BC in discussing the future of housing as an ongoing economic driver of British Columbia at this upcoming conference. If you are a builder, developer, sales professional, renovator, government official, architect, building official, manufacturer or supplier, then this conference is for you.
Survey on Affordability and Green Housing Reveals BC Trends
A survey of homeowners and renters across BC suggests that, when it comes to housing, affordability concerns and making smart green choices are top of mind for most BC residents.
Read the news release here.
2009 Speech From the Throne and Provincial Budget
In a letter on February 18, BCREA President Scott Veitch commended Premier Gordon Campbell
for the 2009 Speech From the Throne and provincial budget presented publicly on February 17.
Read the letter here.
Home Inspector Licensing Good for Consumers
BCREA is pleased with the BC Government’s recent announcement to license home inspectors, effective March 31, 2009.
Read the news release here.
Tool Helps Homebuyers Navigate Presales
The Presale Cross Reference List draws attention to important information unique to multifamily residential units under development, also known as presales.
An understanding of the issues specific to presales provides buyers with a starting point to determine whether further enquiries, professional advice or clarification are needed. Buyers unfamiliar with such transactions may need extensive consultation with knowledgeable REALTORS® or other professionals experienced with presale investments.
BCREA, the Canadian Home Builders’ Association of BC and the Urban Development Institute are proud to present the Presale Cross Reference List.
Presale Cross Reference List
News release about the Presale Cross Reference List .
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