| Recent Blog Posts by Jason Neumann | ||
Big News from BC Ministry of Finance regarding HST Rebates
The B.C. government is giving home buyers and builders a more solid foundation for the transition out of the harmonized sales tax, and says it will officially return to the provincial sales tax by April 1, 2013.
In the meantime, the government will raise the HST rebate threshold for new home buyers to $850,000, up from the current $525,000. That means more than 90 per cent of newly built homes ...
Posted by Jason Neumann
on February 18, 2012
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Does renting really make sense in today's real estate market?
The idea of paying someone else's mortgage and helping them build equity in their property really doesn't make a lot of good financial sense! As a long term renter, you are literally throwing away tens of thousands of dollars of your hard earned money instead of creating a forced savings plan by way of having a mortgage. I have chatted with many renters over the years ...
Posted by Jason Neumann
on March 23, 2010
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The Dangers and Pitfalls of Overpricing Your Home
There are potential dangers and pitfalls when it comes to pricing your home in any kind of real estate market. Sellers can be reluctant to price their home in line with the marketplace as they feel they may be giving away too much of their home equity. The reality is pricing your home right from the start will get the net result you are looking for as a seller. Here ...
Posted by Jason Neumann
on March 20, 2010
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New Canadian mortgage rules take effect April 19,2010I was recently sent this article by Karen Shale a local mortgage broker with LendingMax here in Kelowna. Karen offers a straight to the point and excellent explanation of each of the new federal lending rules that were recently announced by Jim Flaherty, Minister of Finance. These new lending regulations take effect April 19,2010. Here's the article:
Here is the official announcement ...
Posted by Jason Neumann
on February 21, 2010
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Some great Stock Market insights for Canadian InvestorsCentral banks around the world have pushed their lending rates to historic lows in an effort to stave off a total global financial and economic collapse. As a result interest rates have remained for the most part at these low levels with many investors trying to take advantage of other's mistimed purchases.
2010 will likely be the year when everything changes...
Here’s ...
Posted by Jason Neumann
on January 11, 2010
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Bank of Canada lowers its key lending rate by another 0.5%, good news indeed!
Well, the speculation and anticipation of yet another rate decrease by the Bank of Canada became a reality today! The Bank of Canada reduced its key lending rate to a historical low of 0.5%. The move is intended to help jump start a rather fragile Canadian economy and get consumers out there spending again. Bottom line here is if you have a variable rate mortgage loan, you are ...
Posted by Jason Neumann
on March 3, 2009
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Proposed 85-acre Reservoir in Black Mountain will be brought before the public soon.Water shortages seem to plague the headlines each year as we move from Winter to Spring in the Central Okanagan. The newly proposed water reservoir in Black Mountain may just help with the constant water shortages we seem to be facing. Recently, there was an opportunity to view the proposed 85 acre reservoir at Black Mountain Elementary, there is no feedback reported on the public's ...
Posted by Jason Neumann
on February 17, 2009
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Conservatives offer billions in tax cuts and incentives in newly reworked budget
Well Steven Harper and his minority Conservative Government announced billions in tax credits for Canadians today! Finance Minister Jim Flaherty gave Canadians some good news as he went over the Federal Government's plan to kick start the stalled out economy. The proposed tax cuts and relief are aimed at getting consumer spending back up and instilling some confidence in the future. ...
Posted by Jason Neumann
on January 27, 2009
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The Mission Aquatic Centre may have a new name soonI read this article and I am still scratching my head over the reasoning behind the name change. I can understand that The City of Kelowna needs to secure some corporate sponsorship to bring in an additional revenue stream. I also understand that whatever company steps up to sponsor the new pool would want their name prominently featured in the official name given to the facility. ...
Posted by Jason Neumann
on January 13, 2009
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Obama's Harmony of Intellect and Intuition by U2 frontman BonoWithout getting too political here is a heartfelt and well written blog-post by U2's Bono. There is so much anticipation of what President Elect Obama will do during his first four years of office and the administration he will ultimately bring to the table. I have always been a big fan of U2 and I feel Bono captured in words beautifully what so many are thinking, feeling and ...
Posted by Jason Neumann
on November 13, 2008
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Kelowna Internatinal Airport runway expansion has now been completed
Runway expansion complete by Wayne Moore - Story: 42999Nov 7, 2008 / 5:30 pm"The $8 million expansion of the runway at Kelowna International Airport is complete. Airport General Manager, Sam Samaddar, officially opened the runway during a ceremony Friday afternoon. While the additional 1,600 feet of runway was the main attraction, a DC10-30F, the largest plane to ever land at the airport, was the ...
Posted by Jason Neumann
on November 8, 2008
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BCREA Fall Housing ForecastOctober 29, 2008
BCREA Fall Housing Forecast: Consumer Confidence Key to Housing Market Conditions
Vancouver, BC -The British Columbia Real Estate Association (BCREA) released its fall 2008 Housing Forecast today.
"BC Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) residential sales are forecast to decline 28 per cent from 102,805 units in 2007 to 73,700 units this year. A modest 4 per cent increase to 76,500 ...
Posted by Jason Neumann
on November 2, 2008
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New Westside Municipality is looking at sewer levy once againWestside gives sewer second look by Wayne Moore - Story: 42790Oct 31, 2008 / 12:30 pmWestside landowners scheduled to receive sewer service over the next six years got a break from the municipality. A week ago council decided to go ahead with the entire sewer extension project, despite the fact government grants would be a lot lower than originally anticipated. It was anticipated the municipality would ...
Posted by Jason Neumann
on November 1, 2008
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Liberal Government of Ontario attempting to ban cellphone use. Could BC be next?
Ont. to ban cellphone use while driving: reports - CTV.ca
Additional story from CTV.ca
Updated Mon. Oct. 27 2008 8:56 AM ET
The Canadian Press
TORONTO-- "Media reports say Ontario will join Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia and Quebec in banning cellphone use while driving.
There are several media reports that the Liberal government will introduce a bill to ban electronic distractions ...
Posted by Jason Neumann
on October 29, 2008
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Kelowna is BC's second greenest city!!!It is always nice to be recognized for your efforts, and The City of Kelowna has put itself on the "Green Map" so to speak. I must admit I was not aware of the number of things that the city has been doing in order to achieve this award. I did see a few of the solar powered cross walks operating in various areas of town. I applaud all those that have made the efforts to ...
Posted by Jason Neumann
on October 29, 2008
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Voter turnout drops to record low for recent electionI came across this story and have to admit that I was very surprised by it! The numbers for voter turnout in British Columbia were approximately 61.0% of total registered voters. On the surface that statistic seems to represent a decent show of voters but compared to prior election years it is considered low. Well, at the end of the day these are just statistics and ...
Posted by Jason Neumann
on October 17, 2008
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2.7 million Canadians register on the Do Not Call list in the first weekCanadians rushed, no I would say sprinted to their collective computers and telephones to register for the national "Do Not Call List." At one point on the first day the website crashed due to the massive simultaneous registrations taking place, see CBC article. In fact, the CRTC stated that there were 1,562 calls a minute to register for the list on the first day as well. ...
Posted by Jason Neumann
on October 9, 2008
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Canada's housing bubble could soon burst according to Merrill Lynch Canada Economist! Truth or Sensationalism???Well, here it is once again a headline just begging for some attention, or at least a guy trying to get fis five minutes of fame! It would seem that if the media isn't reporting a complete real estate meltdown, then economists are chucking more fuel onto the fire they are creating amongst those that own real estate. Canwest News Service published an article which quotes Merrill ...
Posted by Jason Neumann
on September 27, 2008
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The Zero Money down 40 year Amortization Mortgages run out effective October 15,2008.In an effort to protect and strengthen the Canadian housing market, the Governement of Canada has put a deadline on 40 year amortized mortgages. As of October 15,2008 it will a little more difficult for first time buyers to qualify for larger mortgages. It would be a massive understatement to suggest that this measure is being taken to avoid a similar crisis as the US real estate market ...
Posted by Jason Neumann
on September 26, 2008
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