With so many factors to consider when buying a new home, particularly in the Metro Vancouver region, it is no surprise first-time home buyers need a little help de-mystifying the process.
What home type is best matched to wants, needs and financial resources? What are the mortgage options? How does the provincial property transfer tax exemption for first-time home buyers work? How much can be withdrawn tax-free from RRSPs? How about legal considerations, closing costs and home warranties?
Those and other key questions will be covered by a panel of experts at the 19th annual Seminar for First-time Home Buyers, presented by the Greater Vancouver Home Builders’ Association (GVHBA) on Tuesday, March 19 from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Bell Performing Arts Centre, 6250 144 St. The exhibit area, featuring new home builders and home-related products and services, is open from 6-7 p.m.
Speakers are Robyn Adamache, senior market analyst, Canada Mortgage & Housing Corp.; Narrinder Dhanoya-Bhangu, vice-president, Pacific region, Genworth Financial Canada; Bill Macklem, president, Dominion Macklem Mortgages; Sandra Wyant, president-elect, Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver; Tom Reeves, assistant vice-president, National Home Warranty; Michael Liu, Energy Solutions Manager, FortisBC; and Gregory van Popta, partner, McQuarrie Hunter LLP;. Seminar moderator is Shayne Ramsay, chief executive officer of BC Housing.
“With interest rates still incredibly low and builders offering many new home product choices, this is a great time for first-time buyers to consider taking that critical first step onto the property ladder,” said GVHBA CEO Bob de Wit.
“Real estate continues to be a hot topic in Metro Vancouver, so seminar attendance is expected to be as many, or greater than, the 750 people who attended last year’s event. This is a one-stop information shop for first-time home buyers, so anyone considering buying a home should come to this free seminar,” he said.
Pre-registration is required. Register online at www.gvhba.org or call 778-565-4288. There is ample free on-site parking, and public transit is right at the corner. Although the seminar is free, attendees are asked to bring a food item for the Surrey Food Bank.
Admission to the seminar is free thanks to the generosity of the presenting sponsor, the provincial Homeowner Protection Office, branch of BC Housing; patron sponsor Dominion Macklem Mortgages; media sponsor Glacier Media, and corporate sponsors Canada Mortgage & Housing Corp., FortisBC, Genworth Financial Canada, National Home Warranty, Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver, The Vancouver Sun, The Province, CKNW, 99.3 The Fox, AM730 and Classic Rock 101.
