OH Canada!

We came from the United States eight years ago & planted our roots in this wonderful country. We are proud today to be Canadian Citizen's! OH! Canada!

2nd Cheapest Listing in Steveston North!

GREAT POTENTIAL in this cozy two story with spacious layout with 3 bedrooms & 2.5 bath just under 2000 sqft.  Quiet neighborhood amidst beautiful landscaping. 

CLICK ME! 10735 Truro Dr.

Properties under $1MILLION

Richmond
Vancouver East-Vancouver West
North Vancouver
New Westminster
Squamish-Whistler
Ladner-Tsawwassen
Burnaby
Coquitlam
Poco
2018-Dec-stats-pkg

Metro Vancouver home sales decline below historical averages in 2018. What does 2019 have to offer? Click the links to view the stats & check out houses under $1million in specific areas. If you have a more detailed area you wish to look into, I would be happy to take a look and forward you some information. 

OPEN HOUSE Saturday & Sunday 1-3

It's cold outside but this one is

HOT! HOT! HOT!

This 2016 built, 2 bedroom plus junior suite is right in the heart of Richmond.  Strata includes heat & AC, plus water & sewer taxes!  Easy access to Vancouver, bus, skytrain, shopping & more! 

Come visit us this Saturday & Sunday!!! 

More information

REBGV Market Update- August 2018

SEE VIDEO HERE

Learning to be a football mom...

As my son Kasimir's first year of Highschool starts, so does the football season. This is our first year of football and I am sure all of you who have had children in team sports know it is CRAZY!!!! 5 day a week practices, growing pains, taxi service (aka Mama & Tata), etc... I am very proud of him as he came in knowing nothing about the sport and just keeps going. GOOOO IRISH! 

Realtor by day, Crossfit Mom by night!

As a Realtor I have been blessed to be a part of a community of giving & helping others attain their goal of homeownership.  As a mom & wife I find my outlet in Crossfit. We are now a family of Crossfitters with my oldest just joining our gym this month.  This past year I have joined the Function Fitness League as an ambassador for our Richmond Crossfit community.  We are competing in quarterly matches against other Crossfit boxes & meeting new people. Always a fun time! 

Rate hike increases mortgage costs

On January 17, 2018, the Bank of Canada (BOC) raised its overnight interest rate 25 basis points to 1.25 per cent citing the growing economy and rising inflationary trends.

In anticipation of this increase, the six major banks raised their posted five-year, fixed-rate mortgage rates to 5.14 per cent from 4.99 per cent.

Click this article for more information on how this may affect you. 

Rate Hike Article

Empty Homes Tax declaration form due!

The City of Vancouver's empty home tax is due February 2, 2018. See below for more information on how to submit your declaration. 

City of Vancouver Link

I'M BACCCCKKKK!

Its been a long time since I have sent out a newsletter, thought it was about time I get back on it & say hello!  Its been a busy year this year.  We as a family spent the summer enjoying Vancouver a bit more rather than going away on vacation.  The Real Estate market was busy, Ante had surgery on his meniscus, Kasimir bruised a couple ribs on his skateboard but all in all we are intact & ready for a great Fall/Winter season! 

If you have any questions please feel free to contact me, I am always happy to help.

*If you do not want to see these emails please unsubscribe at the bottom. 

FAQs: The Empty Homes Tax

The Empty Homes Tax (EHT) came into effect January 2017 and many of our clients have had questions about what it is and when it applies. Answers to some frequently asked questions about the EHT are outlined below.

Click here for more info!

Pre-Sales for Locals!

Vancouver looking into new policy to market pre-sale homes to locals first!

Check out the article!

Foreclosures

Abbostford-Chilliwack Attached
Burnaby Attached
Chilliwack Detached
Langley Attached
Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows Detached
Mission Detached
New West Attached
Port Moody Attached
Richmond Attached
Surrey Attached

Foreclosures have been pretty slim lately. Attached are the latest. 

Richmond UPDATE: No. 4 Rd is OPENED!!!

After three months or so the No. 4 Rd exit in Richmond is FINALLY open! My detour through some of the busiest streets in Richmond are over!  

New for the Holidays

My family & I are going to check out the Enchanted Lighted Maze this year near Olympic Village. Great way to start the holiday season! 

http://enchantchristmas.com/ticket-info

Fall Back

Just a friendly reminder... Don't forget to set your clocks back this weekend & enjoy an extra hour of sleep. 

Mortgage Qualification Changes

If you were planning on purchasing your home with less than 20% downpayment (meaning you are putting down as little as 5%)….. the mortgage amount you could qualify for has significantly decreased.

This new rule was imposed by the Federal Government to ‘ensure a stable housing market’.

What it really does…..limits the borrowing power of the regular person.

EXAMPLE: Assuming 5% down

If you earn $50,000/ year salary….you could qualify for a mortgage of approximately $333,000. Purchase price of $348,000

As of October 17, 2016……the max mortgage you can qualify for is approximately $262,000. The purchase price is approximately $275,000.

This decreases your purchasing power by 21%.

This might work in the rest of Canada, but in Vancouver with the non-existent rental supply now making it harder for the regular person to own their home……it is only to get harder and harder to put a roof over your head.

If you have 20% downpayment, no worries…….

BUT….if you have been sitting on the sidelines with 5% downpayment….you should jump in into the market.

MESSAGE or me if you would like to know what you can qualify for and how this federal law will affect you!

DETAILS HERE

Listing of the month:

36 3363 ROSEMARY HEIGHTS CRESCENT

Fully detached 5 bedroom strata home at the Rockwell. Largest plan in the complex. Meticulously maintained 2 storey w/full bsmt features: Gourmet spacious kitchen w/granite counters, many high-end upgrades include crown mouldings, modern paint colours, oak hdwd floors w/white-kick features on stairs, security system, built-in vacuum, new 2" blinds, new hot water tank, built-in speakers & wine cellar. Bsmt w/lg theatre room & full 4 pc bathroom w/additional bedroom. Fully fenced bkyd w/hot tub & pergola for privacy. Double car garage. Located in one of South Surrey's most prestigious neighbourhood w/easy access to Hwy 99 & US border. Walking distance to shopping, restaurants & more. 

FORECLOSURE LISTS

Attached Burnaby
Attached Coquitlam
Attached Fraser Valley
Attached Maple Ridge
Attached New West
Attached Richmond
Attached Squamish
Detached Fraser Valley
Detached Maple Ridge
Detached Vancouver East & West

Foreclosures are slim these days.  Have a look at the inventory we do have. 

Housing Update

REBGV President Message

Metro Vancouver home sales return to typical August levels. REBGV President Dan Morrison gives a quick summary of this month's housing events.  

Fun Fact & Contest

Dirt-biker by day & Realtor by night... Who knew?! Honestly my kids have been riding for years.  Josip since he was 3.  This year my husband thought it was time that I ride with the family.  On I went.  The youngest was scared for my life & told me not to die. Thanks for the vote of confidence Josip!  I didn't die!! We now ride with another family & enjoy every minute of it.  

CONTEST:  Name our dirt bike gang & enter to win a $15 Starbucks card, winner to be announced in October's Newsletter

Extra! Extra! Read all about it!

The BC Minister of Finance has announced several changes to the Property Transfer Tax program, effective Wednesday, which include:

* A property transfer tax exemption for Canadian citizens and permanent residents who purchase newly-built homes, condos and townhouses under $750,000.  

* Purchasers must live in the property for at least one year. This is a potential savings in closing costs of up to $13,000.

* A one percent increase in property transfer tax to three percent for homes which are sold over the $2 million mark.

* The first time home buyers exemption will remain in place for homes under $475,000.

* Buyers will need to start disclosing their country of residence in all property transactions.

* The beneficial ownership of properties held by corporations will also be tracked.

Stay tuned for more information!

http://www.kamloopsthisweek.com/b-c-budget-2016-includes-trimming-of-property-transfer-tax/

What sets us apart?

As a Realtor® we have to set ourselves apart.  How do we do it?  Thats exactly it, WE!

My team consists of my husband, who attends all open houses, drives me & my buyers around town & is there for peace of mind.  My father in law builds all of my signs by hand  and drops off flyers for open houses/marketing sometimes walking several kilometers to do so. Not to mention my mother in law who babysits our kids so we can give you our full attention.  

Family means the world to me & so do my clients.  We treat you as family & care about your transaction from beginning to end and beyond. 

As a bonus I am one of Three generations of Realtor's® serving Washington State, Nevada & the Greater Vancouver B.C. Area.  Ask me for US Realtor referral.

Happy Holidays!

Happy Holidays from the Cvitanovic family to yours.  Thank you for being loyal readers, clients & friends. This year has been fantastic, cheers to ringing in 2016!  HAPPY NEW YEAR!

CMHC Increases Downpayment Requirements > $500,000

Department of Finance_08984432644

February 15, 2016 is a date to keep in mind if you are planning on purchasing a property between the value of $500,000 to $1,000,000. 

The government has implemented a tiered downpayment system in hopes to "maintain a healthy, competitive and stable housing market. 

The minimum down payment for new default insured mortgages will increase from 5% to 10% for the portion of the purchase price of the property that is greater than $500,000 but less than $1,000,000 (tiered scale).

Example: A property with a purchase price of $675,000 will now require a total down payment of $42,500.

o    5% of the first $500,000 = $25,000

o    10% of the remaining $175,000 = $17,500

Article Attached! 

Properties under 600k!!!

Under 600k in FV
Under 600k in GVRD

With the housing market going up there are still properties under 600k.  Freehold & not a house boat!  Depending on where you want to live it is achievable.  Take a look at the links & feel free to ask questions.