If buying new, buy what you need to beat the HST

The tax on new construction priced less than rebate threshold of $525,000 will be no greater after July 1 than it is today

The excitement is building. There are only five more sleeps until HST becomes a reality in B.C.

Facetiousness aside, and despite the relentless protests against the harmonization of the federal and provincial sales taxes in this province, get ready to dig a little deeper into your pockets on July 1.

Great way to celebrate Canada Day and the start of the summer vacation season, huh?

Regarding new homes, there are some misconceptions about the new tax. First off, the HST, like the GST, will not apply to existing homes. Second, if the new home is priced below the rebate threshold of $525,000, buyers will pay no more tax after July 1 than they currently pay under GST.

And although it might be obvious that five per cent GST and seven per cent PST equal 12 per cent, buyers of new homes priced above $525,000 will not pay the full 12 per cent for their homes because various rebates and tax credits apply. But make no mistake, some homebuyers are still going to feel the sting…

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Posted by: Peter Simpson
Date: June 26, 2010

Vancouver becoming destination for house-hunting tours from China

Vancouver has beautiful scenery and attracts lots of visitors all over the world each year. Now it seems like the goal of some tourists isn’t to visit popular destinations around the city but to scout for housing deals.

VANCOUVER — Chinese interest in Vancouver-area real estate is so strong that it’s fuelling a market for real estate tourism, with groups of wealthy travellers scheduling visits to the city for the sole purpose of house hunting.

China-based Internet sales company SouFun is organizing two tours — groups of about 20 each from Beijing and Shanghai — which will visit Vancouver and Toronto in August on the hunt for “million-dollar or multi-million-dollar” listings.

First reported in Vancouver’s Ming Pao Daily News, and repeated on the news blog Chinese in Vancouver, a SouFun spokesman said potential buyers are particularly drawn to neighbourhoods with “famous” schools or ocean views.

Ming Pao reporter Eric Chan said SouFun drew a lot of participation for the tours from areas around Shanghai…

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VictorEric Design Group

Posted by Derek Penner
Date: June 28, 2010