Relocation services for British Columbia, Canada

Housing information

If you are still in the UK, you can easily research the housing market as all properties for sale are held in a central list: the Multiple Listing Service (MLS). Unlike the UK, where each agent has only some of the houses for sale in the area, every REALTOR® has access to all listings within their real estate board.

House buying

For information on the house buying process and links to the various BC real estate boards, see our house buying page. You will also probably want to read about the other costs involved in buying a home in Canada.

We have also got a guide to the different house styles that you can find in BC. They are different from the UK.

Property tax and assessment

You can’t escape taxation! In Canada your property is assessed on it’s market value and this is done annually. So when house prices go up, as they are currently in much of BC, your property’s assessed value will be going up... and so will your tax.

We have a couple of articles on this subject:

• property assessment
  this looks at the assessment and how you can look at the assessed value of your, or anyone’s home. It also includes information on the home owner’s grant - some relief against tax.
• property tax
  this gives some examples of the property tax levels payable - based on 2004 figures in the Vancouver area.

House buying tips

West Vancouver shore line
near Eagle HarbourThese are just a few questions to think about when buying a house or apartment:

• Get the basics right: how many bedrooms, bathrooms, garage?
• Is there a rec room for the kids?
• Is there a suite that you could rent out for extra income? Is it a legal one?
• Do you need an enclosed yard - e.g. for the dog?
• What are the local schools like?
• Is there a school bus route nearby?
• Are you planning to commute to work? What is the drive like? Is there public transport?
• What is there for kids to do in the area?
• Can the teens use public transport to get to the movies, shopping mall or leisure center?
• Can you get pizza delivered?
• Is the house above the snow line?
• Are there bears, cougars or other wild animals in the area? (You would be surprised!)
• Will you need a All Wheel Drive car to get up your drive?
• Is there a view? Could it become obscured by someone else’s trees?
• If this is to be a rental property, are rentals permitted by the strata council?
• What guarantees does the house or building have?
• Appliances are usually included, so are they in good condition?

Spectacular ocean views from this
modern house in Victoria, B.C. These questions may help you when you are here and are considering various areas to live in. Your REALTOR® should be able to help you with most of these questions.

If you are coming to B.C. and particularly to Vancouver, then Sue would be pleased to help you to find the perfect house or apartment. She is not only a licensed REALTOR®, but has also gone through this whole process and knows it from inside out. And her experience in international relocation can be put to your use. When you are ready get in touch: sue@relocation2BC.com