In line with financial market expectations, the Bank of Canada announced it is keeping its trend-setting overnight lending rate unchanged at 1.25%. However the Bank reiterated that higher lending rates are still on the way, with financial markets betting the next 25 basis point hike will be at the next scheduled policy announcement on July 11.
In its recent budget announcement, the BC government declared that new legislation will be introduced for an annual real estate speculation tax. This new tax will be effective for the 2018 tax year.
The speculation tax is aimed at foreign and domestic real estate speculators in BC, and will not affect the majority of BC homeowners. Speculators own property that is not occupied by the owner or a recognized long-term rental, placing it outside of BC's long-term housing stock. The tax will also affect satellite families: Households that have high worldwide income but pay little income tax in BC.
In the first year the tax rate will be $5 per $1000 of assessed value. In 2019, the rate will be increased to $20 per $1000 of assessed value. The speculation tax will first be applied to Metro Vancouver, Fraser Valley, the Capital Regional District, the Nanaimo Regional District, Kelowna, and West Kelowna. Learn more.
I have been involved in the Residential, Construction, Marketing and Sales in the Victoria area for over 33 years. I have never seen a fragmented and diversified market as we are experiencing in the current market...
