rebgv: Reusing and Recycling Electronics
- 09/23/10 07:06 PM
Reusing and Recycling Electronics There is growing concern over how much toxic raw material is finding it’s way into the ecosystem once the life cycle of consumer electronics is finished and the units are discarded. The Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver (REBGV) has partnered with the Electronics Recycling Association (ERA) to put on an electronics-recycling event for members, and for the third year in a row, the response has been tremendous.
On September 16, members dropped by the Board to donate approximately 400 items for recycling and refurbishment through the ERA, a non-profit organization. I couldn’t believe … (8 comments)
rebgv: Is MLS Supply Data Meaningless by Itself?
- 07/25/10 02:53 PM
Is MLS Supply Data Meaningless by Itself? In order to measure the total housing supply available (for sale) it is essential to know how many new homes are available for sale that are not listed on MLS, and yet when the real estate industry issues reports more often than not this vitally important part of the equation is missing. The new homes for sale figure can move as quickly up or down, leading or lagging MLS trends, and will of course often go counter to MLS numbers. These are significant variable factors that cannot be ignored. I believe the fluctuation … (4 comments)
Rebate Threshold and Transitional Rules for New Housing The British Columbia Government is proposing to increase the BC HST new housing rebate threshold from $400,000 to $525,000. As a result purchasers of new homes up to $525,000 pay no more tax due to harmonization than is currently embedded as PST. The Province is also proposing transitional rules for new housing (click on above link). Where ownership or possession is transferred before July 1, 2010, the provincial portion of the HST would not apply to sales of new homes. What is good news for one of … (0 comments)
rebgv: Den of Iniquity...
- 11/08/09 02:44 PM
A Port Moody condominium apartment for sale which I was showing to a woman was advertised as a two (2) bedroom. I discovered upon showing that it was in fact a one (1) bedroom and den. Well it turns out that the developer originally sold these properties as two bedroom units to unsuspecting Buyers (hopefully none of which were represented by a licensed representative here in the REBGV).
A ‘den of thieves' is not where robbers steal, but a "safe house" to which they return after having robbed somewhere else. So where is this "safe house" that allows developers to … (2 comments)
rebgv: TransLink Nixes more Property Transfer Taxes; Phew…
- 08/30/09 11:22 AM
When the City of Toronto implemented a Land Transfer Tax (LTT) as a way to address a revenue shortfall, instead of bringing in revenue, the LTT did the opposite. An estimated 3,500 families who would have otherwise moved, stayed put because of the LTT, according to a report from the C.D. Howe Institute and economics professors at the University of Toronto, and data from the Toronto Real Estate Board. Those 3,500 fewer home sales cost the Toronto economy $166 million in 2008, since every time a home changes hands in Toronto the transaction generates $47,575 in economic spin-offs in furniture and … (2 comments)
rebgv: Metro Vancouver Housing Inventory drops almost 37%…
- 01/17/09 04:52 AM
On September 30, 2008, the Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver (REBGV) had a total of 22,605 active listings. This recent high may have caused some panic because there were only 13,574 listings exactly one year earlier.
Yesterday I did a XPROP search for all REBGV active listings and this is what I found:
As David Clayton-Thomas lyricized,"What goes up must come down"; to 14,258! The selection that was available to buyers just 3 1/2 months ago has now diminished considerably (as in a 36.9% drop). Speaking to some of my Prudential Realtor colleagues who have been through a market downturn or two, there's a general consensus that this sudden … (1 comments)
rebgv: REALTOR® WANTED in Greater Vancouver...
- 12/01/08 06:58 PM
As I prepare my business plan for 2009 and beyond, I can't help but think what a waste to lose talented people who have sacrificed so much to become a REALTOR®. One bold prediction made to me by a local licensee was that we will lose 30% (=2945) of all the licensees before the market turns. Who knows when the market will turn, but should that prediction become reality we will be at 6873 licensees, which is back to where we were in mid-2003. Some of the goals I want to take on in my business plan will likely have to … (12 comments)
rebgv: "Market activity offers awaited relief for homebuyers"
- 07/03/08 06:28 PM
This afternoon the Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver issued a press release entitled: "Market activity offers awaited relief for homebuyers" Well it's now official, "Increased property listings and moderating home prices have eased the Greater Vancouver housing market into a buyer's phase". (...as in buyers market) Every market, high or low, has its opportunities, and right now Sellers are still of the mindset that their property will sell for more than it will, and it won't! In the past few months, and by being honest with potential Sellers, I have lost a number of listings and expect this to … (0 comments)
(formerly the Adoxographist's Blog)
...skilled writing about an unimportant subject, or is that unskilled writing about an important subject?
Well I don't know so as things unfold please judge for yourself...
...don't forget to leave a comment, and thanks for visiting.
John Grasty is a REALTOR® serving the Tri-Cities (Coquitlam - Port Coquitlam - Port Moody) real estate market.
Please check out John's website: http://www.RealEstateEvolved.com
Reusing and Recycling Electronics 
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