BUYERS

Why Buy with the BLU Realty Team?

• We know your neighbourhood – We identify and update our site daily with all properties for sale on the (MLS) multiple listing services provided by the Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver in the Vancouver East and West Sub Areas. We exclusively market Vancouver Real Estate!
• We consistently keep you up to date via e-mail with any new homes as soon as they come on the market as well as any unlisted homes that we’re made aware of through of our huge network of buyers and sellers in the Vancouver market.
• We carefully assess your ‘needs’ and ‘wants’ that apply to buying your new home. We then take you out and show you all the homes that are most suitable to you.
• We help educate you as to what homes and which areas are most suited to your needs.
• Once we find a home that interests you, we prepare a Comparative Market Analysis (CMA), which will show you all similar homes that are currently listed and which have recently sold in your area.
• We use our extensive knowledge and experience to professionally present your offer & negotiate the best possible purchase price and terms.
• We prepare and explain all the terms of the offer, counter offers and all associated documents.
• We ensure that you have a clear understanding of all upcoming closing costs and safeguard your interests with a binding, enforceable contract.
• Due to our extensive experience in Vancouver real estate market, we’re able to recommend mortgage brokers, home inspectors, lawyers, trades people, etc. with a proven track record and that are familiar with the area and types of homes in your search area.
• We’re with you every step of the way and committed to making your buying experience exciting and enjoyable!
• We are extremely easy to contact: 24 hours a day – 7 days a week!

Buying a home is most likely the largest financial investment you will make in your lifetime. First time buyers and experienced investors alike can find this to be a very intense and emotional decision. We want your home buying experience to be fun and exciting. Being completely comfortable with the Agent you choose to work with is an integral part to making your experience enjoyable. It would be our pleasure to help you find the loft of your dreams.

Our simple 6 step process will ensure that we find you that perfect home and that you are 100% stoked during the entire journey.

1. A Sit Down – Let’s grab a coffee and get to know each other a little. This will be an opportunity for you to get to know us and for us to explain the Buyer Agency Relationship and the nature of the services we provide. Understanding agency will clearly outline what our obligations are to each other. At this time we would prepare a search criteria, which would include potential neighbourhoods, a wish list and price range. Whether you are 6 months away from buying or ready now, we would be happy to help shed some light on the entire process.
2. Getting Started – Great, it’s a fit! Now let’s get you started. We can take care of your mortgage pre-approval, get you started on our email notification system, and make sure all your ducks are in a row.
3. The Search – Let’s get out there and look at some properties. This is the fun stuff. We will organize your tour and accompany you on all you showings while offering advice, guidance, and amusement along the way.
4. Let’s Make an Offer - Once you have found your dream home it will be necessary to act quickly. This is where our skills as highly skilled agents come into play. We will share our expertise and provide you with honest and straightforward advice and negotiating options.  This will allow you to make a decision with confidence. After reviewing comparable sales, we will prepare your Agreement of Purchase and Sale. A thorough review and explanation of the conditions and clauses is conducted. If possible, we will present the offer on your behalf, convey negotiations and provide you with professional advice.
5. Let’s make a Deal - All documents will be forwarded to your mortgage representative for approval. It is recommended booking a building inspection for a time that is convenient for you to attend. This is an excellent opportunity to familiarize yourself with the property, and potential maintenance that may be required. We will ensure that all conditions are fulfilled within agreed deadlines and that documents are forwarded to your Lawyer, who will represent you to close the transaction. At this time, we will also collect you deposit and you have a firm deal.
6. The Housewarming party – Once you have moved in, it is time to celebrate…. Congratulations!

Here are 25 useful resources to consider if you own a home or are looking for one.

1. Home Buyers’ Plan

Qualifying home buyers can withdraw up to $25,000 (couples can
withdraw up to $50,000) from their RRSPs for a down payment. Home
buyers who have repaid their RRSP may be eligible to use the program
a second time. Canada Revenue Agency.

www.cra.gc.ca. Search ‘Home Buyers’ Plan’
1.800.959.8287

2. GST Rebate on New Homes

New home buyers can apply for a rebate of the federal portion of
the HST (the 5% GST) if the purchase price is less than $350,000. The
rebate is up to 36% of the GST to a maximum rebate of $6,300. There is
a proportional GST rebate for new homes costing between $350,000 and
$450,000.Canada Revenue Agency.

www.cra.gc.ca. Search ‘RC4028’
1.800.959.8287

3. BC New Housing Rebate (HST)

Buyers of new or substantially renovated homes priced up to
$525,000 are eligible for a rebate of 71.43% of the provincial portion
(7%) of the 12% HST paid to a maximum rebate of $26,250. Homes
priced at $525,000+ are eligible for a flat rebate of $26,250.

www.hstinbc.ca/making_your_choice/faqs/new_housing_rebate
1.800.959.8287

4. BC New Rental Housing Rebate (HST)

Landlords buying new or substantially renovated homes are
eligible for a rebate of 71.43% of the provincial portion of the HST,
up to $26,250 per unit.

www.hstinbc.ca/making_your_choice/faqs/new_housing_rebate
1.800.959.8287

5. BC Property Transfer Tax (PTT) First Time Home
Buyers’ Program

Qualifying first-time buyers may be exempt from paying the PTT of 1%
on the first $200,000 and 2% on the remainder of the purchase price of
a home priced up to $425,000. There is a proportional exemption for
homes priced up to $450,000.BC Ministry of Small Business and Revenue.

www.rev.gov.bc.ca/rpt
250.387.0604

6. First-Time Home Buyers’ Tax Credit (HBTC)

This federal non-refundable income tax credit is for qualifying
buyers of detached, attached, apartment condominiums, mobile homes
or shares in a cooperative housing corporation. The calculation: multiply
the lowest personal income tax rate for the year (15% in 2010) x $5,000.
For the 2010 tax year, the maximum credit is $750.Canada Revenue
Agency.

www.cra.gc.ca/hbtc
1.800.959.8281

7. BC Home Owner Grant

Reduces school property taxes by up to $570 on properties with an
assessed value up to $1,150,000. For 2011, the basic grant is reduced by
$5 for each $1,000 of value over $1,150,000, and eliminated on homes
assessed at $1,264,000. An additional grant reduces property tax by a
further $275 for a total of $845 for seniors, veterans and the disabled.
This is reduced by $5 for each $1,000 of assessed value over $1,150,000
and eliminated on homes assessed at $1,319,000+.BC Ministry of Small
Business and Revenue

www.rev.gov.bc.ca/hog
Or contact your municipal tax office.

8. BC Property Tax Deferment Programs

Property Tax Deferment Program for Seniors. 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.
Qualifying low income home owners who financially support children
under age 18 may be eligible to defer property taxes.

BC Ministry of Small Business and Revenue www.sbr.gov.bc.ca
and enter ‘Property tax deferment’ in the search box or contact your
municipal tax office.

9. Canada Mortgage and Housing (CMHC) Residential
Rehabilitation Assistance Program (RRAP) Grants

This federal program provides financial aid to qualifying low-income
home owners to repair substandard housing. Eligible repairs include
heating, structural, electrical, plumbing and fire safety. Grants are available
for seniors, persons with disabilities, owners of rental properties and
owners creating secondary and garden suites.

www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/en/co/prfinas/prfinas_001.cfm
1.800.668.2642 | 604.873.7408

10. CMHC Mortgage Loan Insurance Premium Refund

Provides home buyers with CMHC mortgage insurance, a 10%
premium refund and possible extended amortization without surcharge
when buyers purchase an energy efficient mortgage or make energy saving
renovations.

www.cmhc.ca/en/co/moloin/moloin_008.cfm#reno |
604.731.5733

11. Energy Saving Mortgages

Financial institutions offer a range of mortgages to home buyers
and owners who make their homes more energy efficient. For example,
home owners who have a home energy audit within 90 days of receiving
an RBC Energy Saver™ Mortgage, may qualify for a rebate of $300
to their RBC account.

www.rbcroyalbank.com/products/mortgages/energy-saver-mortgage.html
1.800.769.2511

12. Low Interest Renovation Loans

Financial institutions offer ‘green’ loans for home owners
making energy efficient upgrades. Vancity’s Bright Ideas personal loan
offers home owners up to $20,000 at prime + 1% for up to 10 years for
‘green’ renovations. RBC’s Energy Saver loan offers 1% off the interest
rate for a fixed rate installment loan over $5,000 or a $100 renovation on
a home energy audit on a fixed rate installment loan over $5,000. For
information visit your financial institution.

www.vancity.com/Loans/BrightIdeas and www.rbcroyalbank.com Search ‘energy saver loan’.


13. LiveSmart BC: Efficiency Incentive Program

Home owners improving the energy efficiency of their homes
may qualify for cash incentives through this provincial program
provided in partnership with Terasen Gas, BC Hydro, and FortisBC.
Rebates are for energy efficient products which replace gas and oil furnaces,
pumps, water heaters, wood stoves, insulation, windows, doors,
skylights and more. The LiveSmart BC program also covers $150 of the
cost of a home energy assessment, directly to the service provider.

www.livesmartbc.ca/rebates
1.866.430.8765

14. BC Residential Energy Credit

Home owners and residential landlords buying heating fuel
receive a BC government point-of-sale rebate on utility bills equal to
the provincial component of the HST.

www.sbr.gov.bc.ca/documents_library/notices/HST_Notice_010.pdf
or Google Search ‘Residential Energy Credit rebate program.’ It's the first result.
1.877.388.4440

15. BC Hydro Appliance Rebates

Mail-in rebates of $25 - $50 for purchasers of ENERGY STAR
clothes washers, refrigerators, dishwashers, or freezers until March 31,
2011, or when funding for the program is exhausted.

www.bchydro.com/rebates_savings/appliance_rebates.html
1.800.224.9376

16. BC Hydro Fridge Buy-Back Program

This ongoing program rebates BC Hydro customers $30 to
turn in spare fridges in working condition.

www.bchydro.com/rebates_savings/fridge_buy_back.html
604.881.4357

17. BC Hydro Windows Rebate Program

Pay no HST when you buy ENERGY STAR high-performance
windows and doors. This offer is available until March 31, 2011.

www.bchydro.com/rebates_savings/windows_offers/current_offers.html
604.759.2759

18. BC Hydro Mail-in Rebates/Savings Coupons

To save energy, BC Hydro offers rebates including 10 %
off an ENERGY STAR cordless phone. Check for new offers and
for deadlines.

www.bchydro.com/rebates_savings/coupons.html
1.800.224.9376

19. Fortis BC (formerly Terasen Gas) Rebate Program

A range of rebates for home owners include a $50 rebate for
upgrading a water heater, $150 rebate on an Ener-Choice fireplace (both
good until March 31, 2011) and a $1,000 rebate for switching to natural
gas (from oil or propane) and installing an ENERGY STAR heating
system (good until February 29, 2012).

http://www.fortisbc.com/NaturalGas/Homes/Offers/Pages/Residential-Water-Heater-Program.aspx
1.888.224.2710

20. Terasen Gas Efficient Boiler Program

For commercial buildings, provides a cash rebate of up to 75%
of the purchase price of an energy efficient boiler, for new construction
or retrofits.

http://www.fortisbc.com/NaturalGas/Business/Offers/Pages/default.aspx.
1.888.477.0777

21. City of Vancouver Solar Homes Pilot

This rebate of $3,000 (about 50% of the cost) is for a
Vancouver home owner upgrading to a solar hot water system from a
gas system. Offered by the City of Vancouver, SolarBC, Terasen Gas
and Offsetters on a first come, first served basis until March 2011 or
until the City reaches its target of 30 solar homes.

www.vancouver.ca/sustainability/SolarHomes.htm
604.873.7748

22. City of Vancouver Rain Barrel Subsidy Program

The City of Vancouver provides a subsidy of 50% of the cost
of a rain barrel for Vancouver residents. With the subsidy, the rain barrel
costs $75. Buy your rain barrel at the Transfer Station at 377 W. North
Kent Ave., Vancouver, BC. Limit of two per resident. Bring proof of
residency.

www.vancouver.ca Search ‘rain barrel program.’
604.736.2250.
Other municipalities have similar offers.

23. Vancity Green Building Grant

In partnership with the Real Estate Foundation of BC, Vancity
provides grants up to $50,000 each to qualifying charities, not-for-profit
organizations and co-operatives for projects which focus on building
renovations/retrofits, regulatory changes that advance green building development,
and education to increase the use of practical green building
strategies.

www.vancity.com/MyCommunity/NotForProfit/Grants/ActingOnClimateChangeGreenBuildingGrant
604.877.7000

24. Local Government Water Conservation Incentives

Your municipality may provide grants and incentives to residents
to help save water. For example, the City of Coquitlam offers residents
a $100 rebate and the City of North Vancouver, District of North
Vancouver, and District of West Vancouver offer a $50 rebate when
residents install a low-flush toilet.

Visit your municipality’s website and enter ‘toilet rebate’ to see if there is a program.

25. Local Government Water Meter Programs

Your municipality may provide a program for voluntary water
metering, so that you pay only for the amount of water that you use. Delta,
Richmond and Surrey have programs and other municipalities may soon
follow.

Visit your municipality’s website and enter ‘water meter’ to find out if there is a program.