Canada 2021 Election Party Housing Platforms

 All of the major Canadian parties have made housing a huge part of their 2021 Election Platform. We've broken down each parties Platforms below...

Aman Brah’s Community Garage Sale

Aman Brah’s Community Garage Sale 2021!

Every Summer, residents prep their garages and gather their used items to host a garage sale or yard sale and make some extra cash! Now, most homeowners who have ever hosted a Garage Sale will tell you the hardest part is getting exposure. You may have some great items for sale but if your home doesn’t get enough traffic it won’t sell (sounds a bit like the real estate industry!) Well that’s where the Aman Brah Community Garage Sale comes in! It’s a massive garage sale in Port Coquitlam and Coquitlam area's such as Riverwood, Birchland Manor, Harbour Place, Harbour Chines, etc... hosted by homeowners looking to clear out some of their belongings.

Homes that want to participate RSVP to me and I create maps with the locations of homes and their full address. I take care of all the advertising for the event - which includes placing ads in newspapers, online marketing, on Social Media and on my website. Then, on the morning of the Garage Sale, I put directional arrows throughout the neighbourhoods drawing people to your house.

The heart of a community can be measured by the involvement of its residents. So I think its awesome that Port Coquitlam and Coquitlam residents can unite through local events, fundraisers, and a community garage sale!

To participate, residents simply plan a garage sale at their home on August 21 from at least 9 am to 1 pm, and register online at Aman Brah's Community Garage Sale.

Participants who register by the deadline of August 13, 2021 will get free advertising for their sale prior to the event, as well as on the garage sale webpage and map. Email me at info@AmanBrah.com for more information.

2021 Aman Brah Annual Community Garage Sale

Keep an eye out for signs throughout Port Coquitlam and Coquitlam on Saturday August 21st

Event Date and Time

Saturday, August 21st 2021 from 9 am - 1 pm

(RSVP by August 16th)

Click Aman Brah's Community Garage Sale to sign up.

Social Media links for the event on... Facebook

Riverwood Community Groups on... Facebook

Harbour Place & Harbour Chines Community Group on... Facebook.

#AmanBrahCommunityGarageSale #PortCoquitlamGarageSale #CoquitlamGarageSale #RiverwoodCommunityGarageSale #CommunityGarageSale
#BirchlandManorCommunityGarageSale

UPDATED: Map and List of home's hosting a sale.

Donate Leftover Items

Riverwood, Birchland Manor, Harbour Place & Harbour Chines residents are encouraged to donate left over items to charity to benefit those in need and reduce the amount of waste generated.

Several area charities, in the Tri-Cities, accept donations of household items (please phone ahead regarding larger items).

Salvation Army Thrift Store

2275 Elgin Ave, Port Coquitlam, BC V3C 2B3

604.942.0505

Value Village

2739 Barnet Hwy, Coquitlam, BC V3E 1K9

604.464.9179

Share Family & Community Services Society Thrift Store

2404 St Johns St, Port Moody, BC V3H 2B1

604.931.5510

10226 125A Street, Surrey BC - Cedar Hills

10226 125A Street, Surrey BC - Cedar Hills

Bedrooms: 4     Bathrooms: 2     Lot Size: 8671 sq.ft     Year Built: 1956     Home Size: 2074 sq.ft

Welcome to the neighbourhood and this home on a massive almost 8,700 sq.ft lot. Move in, hold and wait or Build your dream home in this much desired pocket of Surrey. Located in a area with lots of young families, this 3 bedroom home awaits your personal touch on the main floor and basement (new Roof, 4 years old). Located minutes from City Hall, Skytrain, the Future LRT, SFU Surrey Campus, Central City, Holland Park, Patullo Bridge. Call now for you're private showing!

Feature Sheet

3319 Willerton Court, Coquitlam BC - Burke Mountain

3319 Willerton Court, Coquitlam, Burke Mountain

Bedrooms: 4     Bathrooms: 5     Lot Size: 7330.22 sq.ft     Year Built: 1994     Home Size: 2563 sq.ft

Welcome to Burke Mountain with this 2 Storey custom built, 4 bedroom w/Ensuites, 2,563 sq.ft Home featuring Solid Oak Hardwood Flooring! Walk out Patio from the Master Bedroom and Ensuite with Walk-in Shower located on the Main Floor, huge concrete Crawl Space. Over 7330.22 sq.ft corner lot with RV Parking from the side and a separate Driveway to the Garage in the Front. Conveniently located minutes to Lafarge Lake, Douglas College, Coquitlam Centre, Skytrain, Westwood Plateau Golf & Country Club, Hiking, Parks, the list goes on!

Open House this weekend, contact for details.

Call today for your personal showing!

Floor Plan & Feature Sheet

1111 Amazon Drive, Port Coquitlam BC - Riverwood

1111 Amazon Drive, Port Coquitlam, Riverwood

Bedrooms: 5     Bathrooms: 5     Lot Size: 8,492.73 sq.ft     Year Built: 2007     Home Size: 3696 sq.ft

Welcome to Amazon Drive in Riverwood!!! Spectacular, Executive-style Built home, perfect to raise your family, in the much desired Riverwood community. Featuring 3696 sq ft, on 2 levels, functional floor plan with an amazing great room & kitchen. Upstairs boasts 5 large bdrms - master suite & gorgeous spa-like en-suites! Enjoy the High-End Finishing including Custom Millwork, Hardwood Floors, Counters, In-ceiling Speakers,  Rough-in, Built-in Vac, A/C, Gas BBQ Hook-up, awesome yard & so much more. Located in cul-de-sac on one of the biggest lots in the area, minutes to Transit, Schools, Fremont Village, Blakeburn Lagoons, PoCo Trail, Evergreen Line Station, Westcoast Express, Coquitlam Centre, Shopping, Douglas College, Recreation, etc... 5 bedroom home with 3 of those being Master-Bedrooms, almost 3696 sq.ft with an additional 1900 sq.ft. of storage and a shed with power. Call today for your personal showing!

Open House this weekend, contact for details.

Floor Plan & Feature Sheet

113 - 12233 92 Avenue, Surrey BC - Queen Mary Park

113 - 12233 92 Avenue, Surrey BC - Queen Mary Park

Bedrooms: 3     Bathrooms: 3     Year Built: 1987     Home Size: 1451 sq.ft

ORCHARD LAKE gated townhome complex with man-made lake designed by Andre Molnar! Situated in a quiet location with the best view of lake and sunrises in the complex. Beautiful patio is perfect for entertaining on the lake. Desirable duplex style unit with 1451 square foot of living space on 2 levels. Good-sized rooms through-out with 3 bedrooms upstairs and 3 bathrooms. Great lay-out featuring sunken living room with gas fireplace, open lighting, laminate flooring thru-out main floor and stairs, beautiful gardens. Close to transit, schools and shopping.

Virtual Tour: Orchard Lake

Feature Sheet & Floor Plan: 113 - 12233 92 Avenue, Surrey

892 Pinebrook Place, Coquitlam BC - Meadow Brook

892 Pinebrook Place, Coquitlam BC, Meadow Brook

Bedrooms: 4     Bathrooms: 2     Lot Size: 3000 sq.ft     Year Built: 1975     Home Size: 1721 sq.ft

Own your own Home in Coquitlam for less then $800,000 with no Strata Fees! Updated and well maintained home, a must see! This 4 bedroom home comes with a beautiful garden fully fenced and perfect for entertaining and a spacious living room. Renovated, with new flooring, lighting, kitchen, appliances and newer furnace. Centrally located within walking distance to the Evergreen Line Station, Westcoast Express, Coquitlam Centre, Shopping, Douglas College, Recreation, Etc... Call today for your personal showing!

Floor Plan & Feature Sheet

Monetary Policy & Mortgage Rate Forecast

The Bank of Canada raised its target for the overnight rate by 25 basis points to 1.75 per cent this morning. With this decision, the Bank noted that the overnight rate will need to rise to a neutral stance to achieve its 2 per cent inflation target.
The Bank of Canada is determined to finally “normalize” it's monetary policy after nearly a decade of low interest rates with the goal of returning the overnight rate to its estimated equilibrium or “neutral” level of between 3 and 3.5 per cent. Policymakers have even discussed dropping their gradual approach, replacing the standard 25 basis point increment rate increases with more accelerated interest rate increases.
The Bank will meet again in December and we expect policymakers will maintain the current overnight rate at this meeting before raising it to 2 per cent in January 2019. As the Bank continues to tighten monetary policy, Canadian mortgage rates are expected to rise, resulting in a 6 per cent qualifying rate by the end of 2019.

7 - 9400 122 Street, Surrey BC - Queen Mary Park

7 - 9400 122 Street, Surrey BC - Queen Mary Park

Bedrooms: 2     Bathrooms: 2     Year Built: 1974     Home Size: 1150 sq.ft

Attention Investors, Buyers, First Time Buyers & Young Families, welcome to this 2 Bedroom, 1.5 Bathroom Townhouse located in desirable Bonnydoon Village, a family community. This 2 level home features a powder room on the main floor, very spacious floor plan, fully fenced private patio and in-suite laundry. The complex has an outside pool, sauna, mature trees and green space. Proactive strata with low monthly fees in great central location, steps to Moffat Park with a playground and sports fields, all major transit, shopping & schools. Call now for you’re private showing!

17159 64 Avenue, Surrey BC - Cloverdale

17159 64 Avenue, Surrey BC - Cloverdale

Bedrooms: 7     Bathrooms: 5     Lot Size: 4118 sq.ft     Year Built: 2005     Home Size: 3762 sq.ft     Suites: 1 Bedroom and 2 Bedroom

Get into the detached market with this 7 Bedroom Home with Mortgage Helpers, quick access to Recreation, Shopping, the Border and Highways. Located in a area with lots of young families this move in ready 7 bedroom home awaits your personal touch. Located minutes from the Future LRT, Cloverdale Athletic Park, Northview Golf and Country Club, the new Cloverdale Sports & Ice Complex currently being built, Willowbrook Shopping Centre, etc... Call now for you're private showing!

10207 125A Street, Surrey BC - Cedar Hills

10207 125A Street, Surrey BC - Cedar Hills

Bedrooms: 4     Bathrooms: 2     Lot Size: 9866 sq.ft     Year Built: 1958     Home Size: 1930 sq.ft

Welcome to the neighbourhood and this home on a massive almost 10,000 sq.ft corner lot. Located in a area with lots of young families this move in ready 4 bedroom home awaits your personal touch, with a renovated main floor and basement awaiting your ideas. Updates include a Brand new Roof (2 months old), new Hot Water Tank (less then a year old), upgraded 200 Watt Panel, Stainless Steal Appliances, Kitchen, Furnace and Basement. Located minutes from City Hall, Skytrain, the Future LRT, SFU Surrey Campus, Central City, Holland Park, Patullo Bridge. Call now for you're private showing!

TH19 6063 Iona Drive, Vancouver BC - UBC University

TH19 6063 Iona Drive, Vancouver BC - UBC University

Welcome to Coast, world class address at UBC Chancellor neighborhood. This 1 Bedroom open concept Studio, Courtyard walk-out unit located in a Hi-End low-rise concrete building featuring Miele appliances, Granite and open concept. Enjoy the club house. walk to the park, beach, museum, the Chan Centre and everything UBC has to offer.

310 - 6420 194 Street, Surrey - Clayton, Cloverdale

310 - 6420 194 Street, Surrey - Clayton, Cloverdale

Resort Living at the Waterstone in Clayton, Surrey! Call today for your personal showing! Open House May 10 from 6 - 7 pm and May 12 & 13 from 2 - 4 pm! For more information visit www.AmanBrah.com

Non-Resident Real Estate Ownership

Non Resident is defined as an Individual whose Principal Dwelling is outside of Canada.

The Canadian Housing Statistics Program has released their first report measuring the ownership of Canadian Residential Real Estate. In Metro Vancouver Non-Residents accounted for 4.8% of residential properties accounting for 5.1% of total residential property value. This number was further broken down by property type, Condominium-Apartments at 7.9% and Single-Detached Houses at 3.2% of ownership for Non-Residents.

Ownership Percentage was also broken down by cities within the Metro Vancouver area.

Vancouver	7.6%
Richmond	7.5%
West Vancouver	6.2%
Burnaby	5%
Coquitlam	4.7%
White Rock	4.1%
North Vancouver	3.8%
Port Moody	3.3%
New Westminster	3.3%
Surrey	2.9%
Port Coquitlam	2.5%
Langley	2.2%
Maple Ridge	2.1%
Pitt Meadows	1.9%

Central Port Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam - 2228 Shaughnessy Street

2228 Shaughnessy Street, Port Coquitlam

Great buy if you're moving up from a Condo/Townhouse, 2 bedroom Mortgage Helper, or an Investor, with potential to hold and wait for Future Development, OCP calls for Apartments. If you're investor this property has cashflow potential (call for details & Cash-flow
Analysis). You'll find one of the cities biggest infrustructure projects in it’s first phase, the New Recreation Complex, slated to be completed in 2021 just down a couple blocks away. A proposed adjacent private development to the new complex is to include a mix of apartment buildings, seniors' and rental housing, and a restaurant or café. There is new development all around this property and area. Call today for your personal showing!

For more information visit www.AmanBrah.com

2018 BC Budget Housing

The NDP Government of British Columbia announced their BC Budget for 2018 on February 20, 2018. BC Housing is a big part of their Budget and these are main points...

ADDITIONAL PROPERTY TAX FOR FOREIGN ENTITIES AND TAXABLE TRUSTEES

• Has gone from 15% to 20%, effective February 21, 2018.
• Contracts written before Feb. 20, 2018 with a closing on or before May, 2018 are exempted, but only for Capital Regional District, Fraser Valley Regional District, Regional District of Central Okanagan or Nanaimo Regional District. Note this exemption does not apply in Greater Vancouver.
• Transfers pursuant to court order, order of foreclosure, separation agreement, transfer from personal rep of deceased’s estate to beneficiary or transfer to surviving joint tenant are also exempt, provided the triggering event occurred before Feb. 20, 2018.
• This tax applies to the Capital Regional District, Fraser Valley Regional District, Regional District of Central Okanagan, Nanaimo Regional District and Greater Vancouver. The areas for each region can be found at https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/taxes/property-taxes/property-transfer-tax/understand/additional-property-transfer-tax/bc-areas
• Only on residential property; if property is farmland or commercial with a residential component, tax applies on the residential component.
• Exemption for BC Provincial Nominee Program still applies.

SPECULATION TAX

• Tax is meant to target foreign and domestic homeowners who do not pay income tax in B.C.
• Tax will apply to same areas as foreign buyers tax apart from Okanagan, where it only applies to Kelowna and West Kelowna.
• Starts in 2018 at $5.00 per $1,000.00 of assessed value, goes up to $20 in 2019.
• Not sure how this will affect vacation homes, nor when this tax is payable.

PROPERTY TRANSFER TAX

• Tax rises from 3% to 5% on value of homes over $3,000,000.00.
• Remains at 1% on first $200,000.00, 2% on amounts between $200,000.00 and $2,000,000; 3% on amounts between $2,000,000.00 and $3,000,000.00 and 5% on amounts over $3,000,000.00.

PRE-SALE CONDO ASSIGNMENTS

• Developers will collect and report information about pre-sale condo purchases; nothing else in budget about pre-sale contracts or assignments that we have seen.

B.C. HOME OWNER SECOND MORTGAGES

• This program is now cancelled

Certain aspects of the budget remain unclear and we may see changes going forward. The Agricultural Land Reserve has been mentioned and the Property Tax for these properties will be assessed.

Video of the Announcement:

Riverwood, Port Coquitlam - 47 - 1370 Riverwood Gate

47 - 1370 Riverwood Gate, Port Coquitlam

Welcome to Riverwood, we invite you to view this unbelievable townhouse in a family oriented, master planned community in Port Coquitlam. This home is full of updates, which include the kitchen (with Gas Stove), bathrooms, bamboo hardwood floor etc..., and it's ready to move in! The main floor kitchen offers a great eating area along with a walk out patio and family room. Minutes away from Blakeburn Elementary & Terry Fox Secondary which are one of the most desirable schools in Port Coquitlam. Close to shopping, transit, the new Blakeburn Lagoon Park and all amenities this home would be a great long term family home. Open Houses on October 19 from 6 - 7:30 pm, October 21 from 1 - 4 pm & October 22 from 1 - 3 pm!

For more information visit www.AmanBrah.com

Burke Mountain, Coquitlam - 1471 Avondale Street

1471 Avondale Street, Coquitlam

Spectacular, Executive-style Build home, perfect to raise your family, in the much desired Burke Mountain community. Featuring 3908 sq.ft, on 3 levels, functional floor plan with an amazing great room and kitchen. Upstairs boasts 4 large bedrooms - master suite & gorgeous spa-like ensuite! Enjoy the High-End Finishing including Custom Millwork, Hardwood Floors, Quartz Counters, In-ceiling Speakers, Built-in Vac, 1 Bedroom Basement suite, Gas BBQ Hook-up, awesome yard & so much more. Surrounded by Exceptional homes & located on a no-through street, Transit, Schools & Parks nearby. Close to Shopping, Evergreen Extension and all Amenities. Call today for your personal showing!

Central Port Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam - 2140 Mary Hill Road

2140 Mary Hill Road, Port Coquitlam

Great buy for first time buyers or investors, potential to hold and wait for Future Development, OCP calls for Townhouses. If you're investor this property will cash-flow (call for details & Cash-flow Analysis). You'll find one of the cities biggest infrastructure projects just breaking ground, the New Recreation Complex, slated to be completed in 2021 just down the street (Video). A proposed adjacent private development to the new complex is to include a mix of apartment buildings, seniors' and rental housing, and a restaurant or café. Brand New Deck, Electrical Panel and Service, new Appliances and more. Centrally located within walking distance to the WestCoast Express, downtown City of Port Coquitlam, Shopping, and the Port Coquitlam Recreation Complex, etc... Call today for your personal showing!

Exemptions to Additional Property Transfer Tax on Residential Property Transfers to Foreign Entities

The B.C. Government announced on March 17, 2017 that workers coming to BC through the Provincial Nominee Program can now be exempt from the additional property transfer tax on Foreign National individuals that was put in place in August 2016.

Exemptions

If you are a foreign national individual who receives confirmation under the B.C. Provincial Nominee Program, you do not pay the 15% additional property transfer tax. Foreign corporations and taxable trustees are not eligible for the exemption.

To qualify for this exemption, you must be a confirmed B.C. Provincial Nominee before the property transfer is registered with the Land Title Office and the property must be used as your principal residence.

You may claim this exemption only once. If you purchase another property as a foreign national, you must pay the additional property transfer tax. Qualification for every exemption is verified.

To claim the exemption, when you file your additional property transfer tax return (PDF):

- Check the box in Part A to indicate you were a B.C. Provincial Nominee at the time of registration

- Attach a copy of your B.C. Provincial Nominee confirmation

- Mail the completed return to the address on the form, or your legal professional can do this for you

You file both your property transfer tax returns on the same day the property transfer is registered at the Land Title Office.

If you were confirmed as a B.C. Provincial Nominee between August 2, 2016 and March 17, 2017, you may be eligible for a refund of the additional property transfer tax you paid.

Refunds

You may be eligible for a refund of the additional property transfer tax if:

- You were confirmed as a B.C. Provincial Nominee between August 2, 2016 and March 17, 2017 (see additional criteria below)

- You became a permanent resident or Canadian citizen within one year of the date the property transfer was registered with the Land Title Office (see additional criteria below)

- Tax was paid in error, such as you paid the additional tax on a residential property located outside the Greater Vancouver Regional District (GVRD)

You can claim a refund only once. If you purchase another property as a foreign national, you must pay the additional property transfer tax.

To apply for a refund, complete the additional property transfer tax application for refund (PDF) and submit it to the address shown on the form.

B.C. Provincial Nominee

You may be eligible for a refund of the additional property transfer tax that you paid between August 2, 2016 to March 17, 2017, if you:

- Are a foreign national individual

- Purchased or gained an interest in a residential property in the Greater Vancouver Regional District (GVRD)

- Held a nomination certificate or were confirmed under the B.C. Provincial Nominee program on the date the property transfer was registered with the Land Title Office

You must apply for a refund within 18 months from the date the property transfer was registered.

Permanent Resident or Canadian Citizen

In addition to becoming a permanent resident or Canadian citizen within one year from the date the property transfer was registered with the Land Title Office, to qualify for the refund, you must also have:

- Used the home as your principal residence

- Moved into the home within 92 days of the date the property transfer was registered

- Continued to live in the home as your principal residence for at least one full year after the date the property transfer was registered

You must apply for a refund after the first anniversary of the date the property transfer was registered and within 18 months from the date the property transfer was registered at the Land Title Office.

Supporting Documents

A Canadian permanent resident card is the preferred proof of permanent residency. The following documents are also acceptable if there is no permanent residency card:

- Valid Immigrant Visa and Record of Landing (IMM100)

- Confirmation of Permanent Residence document (IMM5292 or IMM5509) – the confirmation number starts with a T followed by nine numbers

Note: Residency requirements for income purposes may differ from permanent residency requirements for immigration status. Ensure you are meeting the requirements outlined above for the additional property transfer tax.

Audits and Appeals

Property transfers are routinely audited. You can be audited up to six years from the date the property transfer is registered at the Land Title Office.  

If you disagree with an audit or an assessment, you may appeal the decision to the Minister.