自2010年以来AVENUE杂志就和Leger一起协办评选卡尔加里的最佳居住社区。2017年的社区名单是
1, Varsity
2, Beltline
3, Edgemont
4, Brentwood
5, Signal Hill
6, Huntington Hills
7, Bridgeland/Riverside
8, Arbour Lake
9, Downtown Commercial Core
10, Crescent Heights
总体来说都是市中心往北的人投票去了:):)。也有西南的从Signal Hill参与的投票人，东南的人全都不上电脑，去小区湖里玩了。东北的人干脆都去新移民协助站了、或者去Temple礼拜了:):)。
具体调查信息链接如下：
Calgary Top 10 Neighbourhoods
Both Calgary and Edmonton saw strong year-over-year increases in total dollar value of commercial property sales during the first half of 2017 as a result of the ongoing stabilization of the oil sector. In contrast, total dollar value of commercial real estate sales in Greater Vancouver declined by 37.5 per cent during the second quarter, indicating a return to market activity levels seen prior to 2016, which was a year of record-setting activity. Winnipeg’s commercial market remained strong with high demand across almost all property types, while Regina and Saskatoon slowed due to the ongoing downturn in the commodity sector.
With the worst of Alberta’s recession appearing to be over, the province’s two largest markets have seen strong commercial property investment in 2017. The total dollar value of commercial real estate sales in Calgary in the first half of the year was $1.43 billion, an increase of 55 per cent over the $932 million total in the first half of 2016. Alberta’s capital city also saw significant year-over-year growth in total sales value for commercial properties of 39 per cent, topping $1 billion at the mid-year point for the first time in three years.
In contrast to growth in Alberta, Greater Vancouver’s commercial property market slowed during the first half of 2017 after significant total dollar value and activity increases during the same period in 2016. There were 595 commercial property sales in the second quarter of 2017, compared with 875 sales during the same period last year. The slowdown in activity is due to a lack of supply across the market, limiting opportunities for investors. New development projects around the waterfront and BC Place are anticipated to alleviate some of the pent-up demand in Greater Vancouver in the coming years. Demand continues to be primarily driven by local investors, but there is also strong interest from offshore buyers from Europe, Asia and the United States.
Virtually all commercial property types in Winnipeg are in high demand and investors view properties with passive income streams as most desirable. Continued low interest rates have fueled demand, and recent rate hikes from the Bank of Canada are unlikely to slow activity in the market as rates remain relatively low. Overall, the outlook for Winnipeg’s commercial property market for the remainder of 2017 and 2018 is positive, with strong anticipated demand moving forward.
Similarly, there is optimism in Regina and Saskatoon’s commercial markets despite slowed activity in 2017 due to the prolonged effects of the downturn of Saskatchewan’s resource sector. The positive outlook for 2018 is fueled by the stabilization of the oil sector and the potash industry showing signs of growth over the last few months combined with a variety of development projects currently underway in both cities.
I am going to show buyer one listing with asking price in between 1-1.5M today. I am not so sure about if it is the right decision to choose that community in order to keep the value of the house. At least that community would be one of my primary choices. So I look through sold properties info, her you go. Which communities did home owners bought for 1-1.5M in 2017? I chose communities with at least 5 sold properties.
enjoy a well kept 2 bedroom 2 bathroom unit in college gardens. this apartment features a large balcony with mountain views one of the rare balconies to have 2 sides enclosed.the unit is in move in condition and features a large living and dining areas. kitchen features a large amount of counter space with slide out drawers in cabinetry.there is a separate laundry room and storage room in unit. all appliances including fridge stove dishwasher microwave washer and dryer plus all window coverings and white storage cabinet in bathroom. walk to MOUNT ROYAL UNIVERSITY
生活在加拿大的朋友都知道，过了劳动节的长周末，就算是秋天了。加拿大的秋天通常都很短暂，但这正是我们房屋最需要保养，也最适合保养的时节。因为一旦错失了这个机会，一个漫长而寒冷的冬季会让房屋修缮变得更加困难。而且即便是为了保证自己和家人的安全，我们也建议屋主们能在秋天多抽些时间出来，赶在冬季到来之前，好好检查一下屋子里的电力和供热系统。同时因为冬季的风雪天气可能相当恶劣，大家也一定要检查一下，室外的布置是否安全。
那就让我们来看一下在秋天修缮房屋需要做哪些工作。希望这些建议，能让大家度过一个温暖而舒心的冬季。
1、修剪树枝和灌木
这是很多朋友都会忽略的一个问题，但如果你询问专业的房屋养护人员，那他们一定会告诉你，“在秋天，如果屋主想要养护房屋，那么他/她最重要的工作就是修剪树枝。”因为冬天可能会有严重的暴风或暴雪天气。如果您的庭院里栽种着树木，却没有注意养护，那么在遭遇极端天气时，很可能会发生危险事故。如果您庭院里的树木十分茂盛，或者十分高大，个人建议可以在冬天到来前，聘请专业的园艺工人来处理。他们可以及早发现树木可能存在的问题，并且知道如何适当的修剪树枝，以防危险。
除了要应对严冬可能造成的麻烦，秋天修剪树木还有着另一个好处——它有利于保护树木。因为在秋天，多数植物都处于休眠状态，它们生长缓慢，也不太容易发生疾病。如果某株树木已经发现有疾病，或者需要特别预防某一类疾病，则需要在秋天注射一些药剂。当然，由于植物在秋天的生长会很缓慢，秋天栽种的树木，树根往往很难长成。所以不建议在秋天栽种新树。
出于保护树木的需要，秋天也很适合观察树木的生长和健康情况。树叶颜色的变化时间提前，大量叶子形状异常，或者出现大量的枯枝，这些都有可能是植物发生病变的征兆。当然，我们普通人很难充分了解每一种植物的特征。因此必要时，屋主们依然可以考虑聘请专业人士来帮助检查。这不仅是为了养护树木和房屋，更是为了保证自己与家人的安全。
2、清扫落叶
秋天到了，满地金黄的落叶可能会显得很漂亮。但是在冬天，如果雪地里积存了太多的落叶没有清理，那么来年春天，植物生长会受到很严重的影响。所以，趁着秋季，天气还算不错的时候赶紧把这些落叶清理掉，而且越快越好。等到冬天后院被雪盖上了，那就来不及了。
3、清理排水沟和落水管
有过房屋养护经验的朋友都知道，清理排水沟和落水管可不是一件轻松的活。但在每年秋天，这又是一件必不可少的事。如果排水系统养护不当，那么一旦遭遇暴风雪天气，就很有可能造成排水沟的堵塞，并且还会损坏屋顶或房屋的侧壁。所以趁着秋天，一定得好好检查，千万不要怕麻烦，否则后果可能会麻烦得多。
4、修缮室外设施
在你的房子周围走走，仔细检查一下屋顶、侧壁，还有地基，看看有没有什么损坏的迹象。如果你发现任何需要修理的东西，那么最好在冬天来临之前把它们修好。
5、堵上房屋的缝隙，别让动物们进来
在加拿大，很多聪明又可爱的小动物总会让屋主们又爱又恨。每当寒冬到来，像浣熊，松鼠，这些小动物总会试着找些温暖的地方过冬。这个时候一定要把屋子的缝隙堵上，不然放了这些喧宾夺主的小动物进来可不是闹着玩的。另外，一些看似细小的缝隙也不能漏掉，不然像老鼠这样的动物就会趁虚而入。
6、检查人行道、栏杆、台阶，以及车道等等
为了自己和家人的安全，一定仔细检查这些设施，尤其是在冬天来临之际。一旦室外被冰雪覆盖，仅仅从门口走到车道都可能变得无比艰难。所以一定要记得检查路面是否平整，扶手又是否结实。否则一旦在冰雪里滑倒，那可不是闹着玩的。
另外，住在独立屋的朋友们请记得，冬天一定要铲雪啊。相信每一位住在加拿大的朋友对冬天铲雪的艰辛一定体会都很深。检查这些设施完好，其实也能让铲雪工作变得更安全，也更容易。
7、储备冬日必需品
每年冬天，到了大雪封路的时候谁都不愿意出门。可是有些活又不得不干，所以大家趁着秋天赶紧做好准备吧。比如，冬天我们得铲雪，那么我们就得在秋天看看雪铲和冰铲是否要换。如果该换了，千万不要犹豫。另外，还得为家人准备急救包，以防滑倒摔伤。冬天也是汽车故障的高发时节，我们还得为汽车准备好维修设备。
8、关掉室外水龙头
加拿大冬天寒冷，为了保护室外的水龙头和地埋灌溉系统不因冻结而爆裂， 一定要在冬天来临之前采取措施。关闭室外水龙头的供水总闸，然后打开室外水龙头将期管道中残留的水排干。如果你没有供水总闸，也没有防冻型的水龙头和水管，那么大型家具商场所售的“Styrofoam faucet covers”应该可以帮到你。此外，要保障地埋灌溉系统能够安全度过冬季，按照制造商说明书上的程序，排干剩余水也是必不可少的一步。
9、加装防风雨条（weatherstrip）
在冬天，防风雨条不仅可以加固门窗和玻璃，更重要的是可以封堵上门窗的接缝处，从而提高取暖效率，节省能源。此外，建议在门底加装门刷（door sweeps），这样能在保证通风的同时最大限度的保证室内温度，同时隔绝室外的冷空气。
10、检查安全装置
冬天大家都爱待在家里，因此安全问题就尤为重要。为此一定要测试房屋里的烟雾探测器和一氧化碳探测器，而且要记得更换电池。
另外，还要检查灭火器，尤其是灭火器是否过期。很多人不知道，灭火器也有使用年限，一般为六年，如果过期，一定要及时更换。最好在购买灭火器时用记号笔记下购买日期。
检查灭火器时，要注意检查压力表指针，以确保灭火器完好。请确保锁销是否完好，并检查排放喷嘴是否堵塞。清洁灭火器并检查是否有凹陷，划痕和腐蚀。如果损坏严重请及时更换。
此外，秋天还要注意检查室内的氡气情况。氡是一种稀有气体，过量的氡会对人的身体造成伤害。随着天气的转冷，氡气更有可能被滞留在室内而难以挥发。关于氡气的检测和处理，涉及到许多专业知识，因此建议寻求专业人员的帮助。
11、移除室外空调挂机
如果你家用的是室外空调挂机，那么在冬天到来前最好把它移除，然后用密封材料把装挂机的部分都给堵上。否则等天一冷，冷空气就会从窗口进来，那样这个冬天就太难熬了。
12、清洁烘干机通风口
如果烘干机的通风口被堵塞，那将会降低其工作效率，严重的甚至可能引起火灾。这件事情甚至不能等到冬天快到时再做。因为秋天干燥凉爽的天气很容易导致静电。而如果烘干机通风口长期得不到清理，静电则有可能会点燃衣物纤维，最终酿成大火。
你可以找专门负责管道维护的公司来清洁，也可以自己动手。如果您要自己动手，那么请记住以下步骤：
拔掉烘干机的电源。
如果您用的是气燃型的烘干机，那么一定要关掉煤气。
把烘干机从墙上拉开。
松开夹住软管的夹子。
以防静电，请用棉毛刷清洗通风口和软管。
把烘干机放回原处，一定要轻，不要压碎软管。
13、清洁厨房
最好在冬天到来前，花上一天的时间最厨房进行深度清洁。
14、制定一个能源审计表
每年冬天，能源开支都会是一个大头。冬天到来前，可以好好估算能源的消耗情况，并且看看有什么地方可以改进的。如果电器已经老化了，那么不要犹豫，换个新的吧。老旧的电器不仅工作效率低下，而且容易发生事故。更新电器的钱，几个冬天就能省下来。还有房屋阁楼里的隔热层，以及防风雨条，这些细小保暖设备也都需要在冬天来临前好好检查一下。
15、清洁烟囱、壁炉，并且养护供热系统
在打开暖气或者使用供暖设备前，一定要确保烟囱、壁炉和锅炉能够正常运作。这不仅关系到这个冬天是否温暖，而且是保证房屋安全所必不可少的一件事。另外，冬天了，千万不要忘记给烟囱加一个烟囱帽。不然浣熊和松鼠就要顺着烟囱来你家冬眠了。
至于整个房屋采暖设备的检查养护，以及如何确保它们正常运行，因为比较专业，有关这方面的小贴士，您可以咨询专业人士.
By Urban Upgrade
There are a number of advantages to investing in real estate, especially if you choose your properties wisely. We work with many types of investors and often get asked whether it is best to buy into the single family, townhouse, or apartment markets - the truth is that each comes with its own advantages and disadvantages, so there often is no simple "right" decision that works for everyone.
Below, a good old fashioned pros and cons list to help to outline the main benefits and drawbacks for each type of rental property:
Pros:
No Condo Fees: Owning a single family home, be it a detached home or a semi-detached home, means no condo fees, which means that monthly overhead is reduced, allowing for better cash flow and more money in your pocket.
Tenants Pay Utilities (Usually): In single family rentals, most often utility costs are the tenant’s responsibility, although with some suited homes, and many executive rentals, these are included for convenience. With utility costs covered by the tenant, monthly carrying costs are more predictable, and generally lower anyways - most renters pay closer attention to utility usage when they are footing the bill!
Higher Stability for Resale: This is true in the current market at least, but may not necessarily hold true in the long run. While it can be slightly more difficult to market a previously rented property (especially if you had careless tenants), right now single family homes are simply selling better than condos in Calgary. In fact, in some inner-city communities, single family homes on larger lots (50-ft +) are extremely coveted, and selling very quickly.
Cons
Seasonal Upkeep: Your tenants may not consistently shovel the walk, or mow the lawn. With careless renters, a previously well maintained home can quickly turn into an eyesore, leading to neighbour complaints and fines from the City.
Exterior Maintenance: As the Landlord, this often falls under your jurisdiction. Fixing downspouts, repairing broken gates, painting trim and windows (all of the things you hate doing at your own house…) multiply it by two because this is your responsibility, not your tenant’s.
Repairs: Once again, all repairs are 100% yours to pay for, out of pocket, and completely your responsibility to source, manage and coordinate. If you go this route, make sure to budget money every year for minor repairs and upkeep, and allocate some funds for larger ticket items like furnaces and roofs… It is important to keep the house in good working order, when it comes time to find new tenants OR to sell.
$$$$: Generally, this is the most expensive market to buy into, meaning the purchase cost will be higher initially, and you will need a larger down payment.
Pros
More Attainable Price Point: Typically, townhomes are less expensive to buy than a single family homes, meaning more cash in your jeans, and likely a more attractive rental price to prospective tenants.
Less Exterior Maintenance: Most townhomes include landscaping and snow shovelling, meaning you don’t need to rely on your tenants to be responsible with respect to this.
Lower Condo Fees: Condo fees are usually less than in an apartment condo and typically cover professional management and maintenance which makes your life easier as a Landlord.
Less "Large Ticket" Expenses: Condo fees also typically cover building insurance and reserve contributions, meaning your insurance costs are much less every month, and there should* be money for large repairs when they come due. (*Just because there should be money for large repairs, doesn’t mean there will always be enough - Just as you would for a single family home, expect the unexpected and budget some funds for larger repairs.)
Cons
Condo Fees: Wait, but weren’t the condo fees just listed above as a “pro”? Yes. Although generally lower than apartments, there are still condo fees, and condo fees do have a risk of rising over time.
Risk of Special Assessments: If a large repair is required, and there isn’t enough money in the reserve fund to cover, there is a chance that you will see a cash call from the condo board.
Bylaws: Most townhome dwellers appreciate the private entrances, courtyards, and ease of pet ownership. That said, all renters must follow the bylaws or the owners can get fined, so you need to ensure that these rules are understood. Not all complexes will allow pets without board approval.
Pros
$$$$: Generally the most affordable option, allowing you to get in to the investment market without breaking the bank.
Less Responsibility: Generally, investing in an apartment/condo requires very little maintenance from the owner (you). The building generally takes care of anything outside the unit, and often will take care of a few items inside like smoke alarm tests and filter changes.
Utilities May Be Included in the Condo Fees: Meaning you can advertise your rent as being more “inclusive” of extras. Always make sure to verify exactly what is covered in the condo fees however, as this can vary from building to building - most include gas and water, but not electricity.
Desirable Locations: Apartment buildings are typically located close to amenities, shopping, groceries, transit and other things that tenants love, which in turn makes your property more marketable to prospective renters.
Cons
Higher Condo Fees: Condo fees are inevitable and tend to be highest for this type of property. That said, they often include utilities like heat and water.
Tougher Resale Market: It is no secret that the apartment sector is struggling in Calgary right now. Price reductions are occurring all over the city and with a huge over supply and even more high-rise building under construction (especially in the Downtown area) it doesn’t look like these conditions are going to change any time soon.
Risk of Special Assessments: Similar to townhomes, if a large repair is required, and there isn’t enough money in the reserve fund to cover, there is a chance that you will see a cash call for owners. Once again it is important to remember that these issues would arise with other types of properties too, and would likely be more costly anyway.
Condo Bylaws: All renters must follow the bylaws or the owners can get fined, so you need to ensure that these rules are understood and that you trust your tenants.
Investor Tip: Regardless of the type of rental you choose, be prepared for the time and expense that comes with maintaining a home you don’t live in. When it comes time to sell your property, be forewarned that it isn’t always easy to sell a rental property: tenants are messier and less flexible with showings, and rental properties typically see more wear and tear than non-rentals.
If you’re thinking about investing in Calgary, we would love to help you out. Give us a call anytime so that we can get you on your way to becoming someones favourite Landlord (or Landlady). We help our clients assess the right investment for them after discussing budget, holding period, cash flow requirements, appreciation expectations, and need for liquidity.
加拿大金融机构监管办公室（OSFI）于10月17日发布消息，正式发布房屋按揭申请操作与程序的最新指引（B-20），并宣布新指引将于2018年1月1日生效，适用于所有接受联邦规管的金融机构。明年起， 将以更高的利率、更严苛的规则来测试买家的还款能力，在同样收入情况下，买家能够借出的钱将大幅减少。据媒体估计，加拿大中位数收入的家庭购买力将减少25%。
B-20新指引中与我们关系最紧密的改变即是“压力测试”。此前，只有首付款在20%以下、购买了贷款保险的借贷人才需要进行压力测试。在新规下，首付款在20%及以上的未购买保险的房贷申请者也必须进行压力测试。
贷款保险主要是保护放贷方，一般为贷款总额的0.6%-4.5%不等。如果未来借贷人无法偿还贷款，贷款保险可以保证放贷方的利益。
OSFI的新闻稿称，B-20指引要求在联邦规管下的金融机构对按揭审批保持警惕，强调无保险按揭的最低合资格利率要求，贷款价值比（loan-to-value，LTV），以及禁止企图绕开LTV的交易。新指引将于2018年1月1日正式生效，适用于所有接受联邦规管的金融机构。
B-20最新指引具体有以下三点：
1. 对无保险按揭贷款，OSFI设立新的最低申请利率，即“压力测试”：
B-20指引现在要求，按照加拿大央行公布的五年期利率（现为4.89%），或在合同利率基础上再追加2%来审批首付超过20%的无保险按揭。
2. 要求按揭机构设立并且严格执行最高贷款价值比（LTV），在房屋市场和经济环境变动时，体现最新的市场风险。
3. 禁止部分企图绕开LTV的交易：禁止联邦规管的金融机构为了绕开LTV限制，与其他贷款商合作安排提供按揭或其他贷款产品。
何为LTV：
按揭更新（renew）时银行会计算LTV，确保LTV<80%，如果超过客户就要买保险。如果原来的房子交易价100万，首付20万，按揭80万，几年后房子市场价80万，银行最多只能贷80万的80%，也就是64万，客户要补齐差额也就是80万-64万=16万！
新指引不仅影响到新申请的按揭，对于大批按揭到期，需要与银行续约更新按揭的房屋业主，也将产生重大影响。可以预见的是，在此政策下，买家购买力的直接下降。受影响最大的将是房屋价格最高的多伦多和温哥华两大城市。
以多伦多为例，当前一个收入中位数家庭（年收入7.8万加元）要在多伦多买一个基准价格的房屋（75.5万加元），在当前的政策下，大约可以借出52.6万加元。新政策之后，只能借出大约39万加元。这意味着收入中位数的买家，需要多准备首付15万左右。
房屋按揭新政，比今年两次加息还狠
道明经济的高级经济师Brian DePratto指出：“扩大压力测试可能导致房市进一步放缓，一旦新政实施，5%至10%的房屋需求被抑制，其中一部分影响在1月1日新规生效之前就可能出现。房价也会受到影响，预计2018年房价涨幅将被拖累2至4个百分点。”
不过华人地产界人士有不同的看法，一华人地产公司总裁向媒体表示，联邦政府新的按揭措施对华人的影响并没有那么大，主要是因为华人投资风格一向比较保守，不会太冒进。
他解释，以20%首付为例，极少华人买家首付只有20%，华人比较喜欢支付30%以上的首付，甚至有不少人支付50%的首付，而且华人衡量自己的还款能力，往往比银行还严格，通常有比较大的还款空间，很少出现断供的现象，反而西人买家首付通常低于20%，甚至更低，所以新的压力测试政策对西人买家的影响更大。
这一贷款新政实施，对于在海外买家税下已经降温的多温楼市是又一次考验，卖家也面临着不小的压力。买卖双方都应该尽快咨询相关信息，做好应对措施。
From MoneySense
Today, the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions (OSFI) introduced new rules on mortgage lending to take effect next year.
OSFI is setting a new minimum qualifying rate, or “stress test,” for uninsured mortgages (mortgage consumers with down payments 20% or greater than their home price).
The rules now require the minimum qualifying rate for uninsured mortgages to be the greater of the five-year benchmark rate published by the Bank of Canada (presently 4.89%) or 200 basis points above the mortgage holder’s contractual mortgage rate. “The main effect will be felt by first-time buyers,” says James Laird, co-founder of Ratehub.ca. “No matter how much money they put down as a down payment, they will have to pass the stress test.” The effect of the changes will be huge, resulting in a 20% decrease in affordability, meaning a first-time homebuyer will be able to buy 20% less house, explains Laird.
In this case, the family’s mortgage rate, plus 200 basis points, is less than the Bank of Canada five-year benchmark of 4.89%.
According to Ratehub.ca’s mortgage affordability calculator, a family with an annual income of $100,000 with a 20% down payment at a five-year fixed mortgage rate of 2.83% amortized over 25 years can currently afford a home worth $726,939.
Under new rules, they need to qualify at 4.89%
They can now afford $570,970
A difference of $155,969 (less 21.45%)
In this case, the family’s mortgage rate, plus 200 basis points, is greater than the Bank of Canada five-year benchmark of 4.89%.
According to Ratehub.ca's mortgage affordability calculator, a family with an annual income of $100,000 with a 20% down payment at a five-year fixed mortgage rate of 3.09% amortized over 25 years can currently afford a home worth $706,692.
Under new rules, they need to qualify at 5.09%
They can now afford $559,896
A difference of $146,796 (less 20.77%)
If a first-time homebuyer doesn’t pass the new stress test, they have three options, says Laird. “They can either put down more money on their down payment to pass the stress test, they can decide not to purchase the home, or they can add a co-signer onto the loan that has income as well,” says Laird. The stress test will be done at the time of refinancing as well, with one exception. “If on renewal you stay with your existing lender, then you don’t have to pass the stress test again,” says Laird. “However, if you change lenders at mortgage renewal time, you may have to pass the stress test but it’s not crystal clear now if this will be the case for those switching mortgage lenders.”
So if you’re a first-time homebuyer, it may mean renting a little longer and waiting for your income to go up before you’re able to buy your first home. Alternatively, some first-time buyers will buy less—maybe a condo instead of a pricier detached home. Or, the new buyers may opt to get a co-signer to qualify under the new rules.
But whatever you do, if you’re a first-time buyer, make sure you understand what you qualify for using the new regulatory rules, and get a pre-approved mortgage before you start house-hunting. “This shouldn’t be something that shocks you partway through the home-buying process,” says Laird.
And finally, do your own research and run the numbers on your own family’s income numbers. You can use Ratehub.ca’s free online mortgage affordability calculator to calculate the impact of the mortgage stress test on your home affordability.
The top reason foreign buyers from China want to get into the Canadian housing market is education, not investment, according to data from a popular global real estate listings website.
CP, THE CANADIAN PRESS
Figures released Tuesday by the Chinese website Juwai.com in partnership with Sotheby’s International Realty Canada found schooling was the primary motivation for potential Chinese homebuyers who viewed property listings in major Canadian cities in 2016.
It found housing needed for educational purposes was the most cited reason 46 per cent of Chinese users were looking at properties in Montreal, followed by 44 per cent in Vancouver, 41 per cent in Toronto and nine per cent in Calgary.
The second most common motivator was “own use,” which could mean the home would be used as a second or third property. Sixty-two per cent of those looking for homes in Calgary cited this was their main reason, followed by 37 per cent for Toronto, 25 per cent for Vancouver and 34 per cent for Montreal.
Investment was the top reason listed by a quarter of home seekers, with 27 per cent saying it was the main reason for their property searches in Vancouver and Toronto, 23 per cent in Montreal and 21 per cent in Calgary.
Brad Henderson, president at Sotheby’s International Realty Canada, says the figures show that there have been misconceptions about why Chinese homebuyers look to Canadian real estate.
“I really think a lot of perception that people have around foreign buyers and specifically buyers from mainland China are informed by more anecdotal information and not statistics,” he said.
The data also indicated the majority of Chinese property searches were for Canadian homes priced below $655,050.
“While home buyers from mainland China have been identified as a notable segment of foreign purchases within the luxury property markets of Vancouver and Toronto, Juwai.com data dispels the assumption that Chinese interest is limited to the high-end segment,” said the report.
“Instead, it implies that conventional real estate dominates demand.”
The figures also found the implementation of a 15 per cent foreign-buyers tax last August in Vancouver had a swift impact on the interest of those searching for Canadian properties.
Juwai.com says that immediately following the announcement of the tax in July, its listing inquiries for Vancouver plummeted 81 per cent year-over-year and 78 per cent in August year-over-year when the tax came into effect.
It also saw that listing searches increased in other Canadian cities, with property inquiries soaring 1050 per cent and 420 per cent year-over-year in Calgary during August and September.
Even so, Henderson says he anticipates the number of Vancouver searches to pick up again, citing a modest increase in the number of inquiries in the last quarter of 2016 which he attributed to prospective buyers having digested the impact of the foreign-buyers tax.
“So we believe that in 2017, we’ll probably see an increased interest in properties in Vancouver.”
The data also found that Canada ranked third by users as the most popular destination for international homebuying, after the United States and Australia.
Juwai.com says the data was compiled over the course of 2016 from its more than two million monthly Chinese visitors.
请注意了，其实不是在出租房子卖掉以后才有办法，而是如果这套房子曾经是你的主要居住房子，并且居住时间超过7年+1以上的话。具体请看看下面的问答：
Q: I own a house in Quebec, which is rented and I rent a townhouse in B.C. (I’ve been away since Oct. 2013—I’m an imported grandmother). The house is up for sale. Will I have to pay capital gains tax when I sell the house? Is there a way around it? I will make about $25,000 in gains as the market is poor in my neighbourhood in Quebec. I’ve owned the house since 2006. Any advice is appreciated. —Wendy T.
A: Hi, Wendy. Sounds like the draw of family pulled you out west but I’m sure the great west coast weather helped keep you in British Columbia, which is why you’re selling your Quebec house. The good news is you will be required to pay capital gains tax on the sale of this home. Why is this good news? Because it means you made money on the sale and purchase of this asset.
Based on what you’ve told me, you estimate about a $25,000 gain between the purchase price and the sale price. If we ignore all other factors, this means you’ll pay your marginal tax rate on $12,500. If you earn less than $38,000 per year, this translates into an extra $1,255 in income tax during the year you sold the home.
But things aren’t equal. The Canada Revenue Agency offers a tax exemption on the sale proceeds of each family’s primary residence. In simple terms, this is calculated based on the number of years the home was your primary residence, plus one year. In your case, you can exempt eight years of the total 11 years you owned the home (seven years of living in the home, plus one makes eight years that qualifies for the exemption.) That reduces the income tax owed from $1,255 to just under $350.Better still, if the home is mortgage-free you get to pocket the entire proceeds of the sale, minus $350 and any transactional costs. You could use this money as part of your retirement fund, to put a down payment on another home in B.C., or simply as fun money. All in all, not bad situation to be in.Of course, it’s always a good idea to pay a professional to get precise, personalized advice before tackling any tax saving strategy. All the best and have fun on the west coast.
最近给老客户购买了一套infill的新建房屋，也就想起来和大家说说new home warranty的事。自从2014年2月1日起，阿尔伯塔省的每套新建房屋都受New Home Buyer Protection Act (NHBPA)保护，分别有1-2-5-10年的不同保护，具体可以看看下面的官方网站。
http://www.anhwp.com/mandatorywarranty/
http://www.homewarranty.alberta.ca/
但是在具体操作时，仍然有些细节。买家看房子时房子已经建好了，出完offer房检后，我们有些地方需要开发商修复了。依据new home warranty，买家100%肯定可以跟进卖家/开发商，但是买家希望交房前就要修好，同时我们要holdback。可是，卖家不同意任何holdback。双方坚持不下，房子第一次没有买成，我们给卖家发送了non-waiver。
后来，因为买家家人对比来对比去，还是更喜欢这套房子，我们有再次催促开发商跟进维修事项。同时，买家家人不想搬进以后有任何跟进事项，我们有要求卖家必须在交房之前安装完毕原来同意的dryer、washer。总之，最后在交房之前卖家把全部事项都修复好了，买家又再次聘请房检人员回来复查，我的买家才满意的解除了我加进合同中的买家特殊条件。
我们现在知道有new home warranty了，但是怎么交接呢？为了保护买家的利益，我在合同中加进new home warranty的事项，确保在交房之前买家知道保险公司是哪家、同时交房当天买卖双方签订completion form。买家交房前一天再次去房子时还是很满意的，completion form也签订了。第二天交房，之后买家/新房主会收到从保险公司发来的new home warranty package。
新房主们要注意了，居住期间任何需要维修的要赶快通知builder。我有另外一买家，因为家人英语不灵光、再加上不好意思file complaint给builder，导致门前的水泥台阶缝隙没有被builder处理掉（因为新房子的地基settling）。我原本要求房主赶快file complaint, 因为他家英语不灵光，其实房主只需同意，我帮助他们发送邮件。但是拖来拖去，等他们真想投诉时，保险公司说需要维修项目属于第一年之内的普通coverage，不像我们普通人认为的是structural方面的问题。保险公司说那属于第一年的coverage，结果投诉时已经过期了，builder不需要跟进维修。
房地产大方向
九月份库存可售房源增加、成交量下降，但是全年至今总体还是好过去年同期水平。
卡尔加里，10月2日– 2017年上半年总体成交量比2016年同期增加7%，仍然比长线平均值低11%，但是挑战还是严峻的因为成交量减少、新挂牌量增加。
目前库存可售房源数量为6,861 单元，公管公寓和连体房在卖单元创下9月份历史最高纪录。
“近期库存可售房源的增加正抑制价格进一步复苏，因为成交量在最近几个月稍微放缓。这倒不是让人大出意料的，因为按照以往的纪录销售量预期保持适中水平，直到更多迹象表明经济大幅回升，” 房地产局首席经济学家Ann Marie Lurie 说到。
“有人认为这是一次挫折，但是很重要的一点是近期的市场表现是因为上半年的市场表现超过了预计。”
9月份新挂牌量为3,266单元，全年至今总量比2016年同期增加10%。 “影响房源上市有几个不同因素，过去两年价格下滑、很多卖家一直等待市场条件改善好挂牌上市。更加稳定的市场条件刺激了很多卖家决定不再等候，伺机挂牌，” 房地产局主席David P. Brown讲到。
“在有些地区，增加的开发商上市房源也影响总体二手房市场供给，最终影响二手房价格。不过，大量供给却同时给买家带来机遇，甚至可以购买到以前可遇不可求的梦想家园。”
9月份市场基准价没怎么变化，目前是$441,500。比上个月低0.2%，比去年同期几乎高1%。几乎全部房地产产品段本月承受价格下滑阻力，好在独立屋产品段年初至今市场基准价和去年差不多。
独立屋产品段价格相对保持了去年水平，公管公寓比2016年降了4%、比2014年高峰低12%。 公管公寓产品段仍然在挣扎，因为供给严重大于需求，导致价格下滑。目前公管公寓在市场上的月份已经超过8个月。