Steve Baldwin

REALTOR®

Working with you EVERY Step of the Way! 

Cell: 604.317.7810 |

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A Poem Worth Reading
He was getting old and paunchy
and his hair was falling fast,
and he sat around the Legion,
telling stories of the past.

Of a war that he once fought in
and the deeds that he had done,
In his exploits with his buddies;
they were heroes, everyone.

And 'thou sometimes to his neighbors
his tales became a joke,
all his buddies listened quietly
for they knew where of he spoke.

But we'll hear his tales no longer,
for Sol' Jim has passed away,
and the world's a little poorer
for a Soldier died today.

He won't be mourned by many,
just his children and his wife.
for he lived an ordinary,
very quiet sort of life.

He held a job and raised a family,
going quietly on his way;
and the world won't note his passing,
'thou a Soldier died today.

When politicians leave this earth,
their bodies lie in state,
while thousands note their passing,
and proclaim that they were great.

Papers tell of their life stories
from the time that they were young,
but the passing of a Soldier
goes unnoticed, and unsung.

Is the greatest contribution
to the welfare of our land,
some jerk who breaks his promise
and cons his fellow man?

Or the ordinary fellow
who in times of war and strife,
goes off to serve his country
and offers up his life?

The politician's stipend
and the style in which he lives,
are often disproportionate,
to the service that he gives.

While the ordinary Soldier,
who offered up his all,
is paid off with a medal
and perhaps a pension, small.

It is not the politicians
with their compromise and ploys,
who won for us the freedom
that our country now enjoys.

Should you find yourself in danger,
with your enemies at hand,
would you really want some cop-out,
with his ever waffling stand?

Or would you want a Soldier--
his home, his country, his kin,
just a common Soldier,
who would fight until the end.

He was just a common Soldier,
and his ranks are growing thin,
but his presence should remind us
we may need his like again.

For when countries are in conflict,
we find the Soldier's part,
is to clean up all the troubles
that the politicians start.

If we cannot do him honour
while he's here to hear the praise,
then at least let's give him homage
at the ending of his days.

Perhaps just a simper headline
in the paper that might say:

"OUR COUNTRY IS IN MOURNING,
A SOLDIER DIED TODAY."

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Property Photo: 343 15TH ST W in North Vancouver
New property listed at 343 15TH ST W in North Vancouver.
Beautifully maintained 4 bedroom home with over 3,150 sf including a legal garden suite. Easy 20 minute commute to downtown, perfect for families with schools close by and quality of life that the North Shore has to offer. The main flooris ideal for family and entertaining, with a south facing family room and walk out to large deck. Fully fenced child friendly south facing private yard with great views to downtown, Stanley Park and Lions Gate Bridge. There is an expansive formal dining area and spacious living room both with coffered ceilings. The gourmet kitchen is a chef's delight with granite counter tops, centre island, stainless steel appliances and eating area. Upstairs has three large bedrooms, all with full ensuites.
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Property Photo: 314 1859 SPYGLASS PL in Vancouver
New property listed at 314 1859 SPYGLASS PL in Vancouver.
Compare the value! It doesn't get better than this. 2 bedrooms, 1 1/2 baths and den. Over 9901 SF with a view of False Creek and large open green space. Updated in 2006 with new kitchen and bathrooms. Granite, high end appliances and newcabinets. Situated right on False Creek, walk out your door and stroll the Seawall, take a ferry to downtown or Granville Island,stop at Monk McQueen's for a dinner or a cocktail. Steps from the Canada Line, Olympic Station. This freehold strata also offers a recreation facility which includes indoor pool, swirl pool, gym and games room. Strata has new roof, skylights and upgraded elevators. The unit comes with 1 secured parking, storage and visitor parking.
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New Housing Rebate

Q. Does the HST apply to all housing?
Q. How much tax will I pay on new housing before and after July 1?
Q. Is BC providing a rebate for new housing?
Q. How much is the new housing rebate?
Q. Why isn’t there a rebate for all housing?
Q. Which types of housing are eligible for the rebate?
Q. Is there any rebate for new rental housing?
Q. Who is eligible for the new rental housing rebate?
Q. Which types of rental housing are eligible for the rebate?

Does the HST apply to all housing?

The HST only applies to “new” residential housing; used (i.e., resale) residential housing is not subject to HST.

How much tax will I pay on new housing before and after July 1?

Purchasing a newly built home? Insert the current sale price in the new home calculator to find out how harmonization may affect the cost of a new home and the tax you pay.

Is BC providing a rebate for new housing?

BC will provide a rebate for new housing purchased as a primary residence to ensure that, on average, purchasers of new homes up to $525,000 do not pay any additional tax due to harmonization. That is, they will pay no more in provincial HST than is currently embedded as PST in the price of a new home.

The rebate is available whether the new housing is to be owner occupied or rented.

How much is the new housing rebate?

The rebate will be 71.43% of the provincial portion of the HST, up to a maximum rebate of $26,250.

Purchasers of eligible new homes above $525,000 will be eligible for a rebate of $26,250 (i.e. a rebate on the first $525,000 of value).

Why isn’t there a rebate for all housing?

The HST only applies to new housing, so the rebate is only available for new housing.

Which types of housing are eligible for the rebate?

The BC new housing rebate will be available for all types of housing currently eligible for the federal GST/HST new housing rebate and will be subject to the same eligibility conditions.

Qualifying housing generally includes newly constructed and substantially renovated homes used as a primary place of residence by an individual (or qualifying relation of the individual).

Is there any rebate for new rental housing?

To support affordable rental housing in the province, BC will also provide a new rental housing rebate of 71.43% of the provincial portion of the HST, up to a maximum rebate of $26,250 per unit.

Who is eligible for the new rental housing rebate?

The new rental housing rebate will be provided to landlords who construct or substantially renovate their own rental housing and, as a result, are required to self–assess and pay HST under the self–supply rules.

The rebate will also be provided to landlords who purchase newly constructed or substantially renovated rental housing in BC and pay HST on the purchase.

Which types of rental housing are eligible for the rebate?

The new rental housing rebate will be available for all types of new or substantially renovated rental housing currently eligible for the federal GST/HST rebate for new residential rental properties, and will be subject to the same eligibility conditions.

Why isn’t the rebate rate 100%?

New housing is not directly subject to PST (i.e. the purchaser of a new home does not pay PST on the purchase price). However, builders have to pay PST on most construction materials (e.g. wood, cement, plaster, nails, etc.) used to build a home. The PST is part of the cost of building the home and included (embedded) in the total selling price of the home. It is estimated that the embedded PST in new homes in British Columbia is – on average – equal to about 2% of the price.

Unlike with the PST, under the HST there will be no sales tax embedded in the price of new homes because builders, like most other businesses, will recover the HST they pay on their materials through input tax credits. Without a rebate, the provincial tax on new homes would have effectively increased from about 2% on average (embedded PST) to 7% (provincial portion of the HST).

The rebate rate was set to ensure purchasers of eligible new homes up to the $525,000 threshold pay no more provincial HST on average than under the PST.

Rebate rate: (7% BC HST minus 2% embedded BC PST) / 7% BC HST

Rebate rate = 5/7 = 71.43% of provincial portion of HST paid, to a maximum of $26,250.

Total Sales Tax Payable on New Homes

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Kelowna, BC - Residential real estate markets across Canada are set to return to more normal levels of activity after a brief summer pause, but most are unlikely to exceed robust sales posted in the final half of 2009, according to a report released today by RE/MAX.

The RE/MAX Market Trends Report Fall 2010, highlighting trends and developments in 19 major centres, found year-to-date sales (January to August) ahead of 2009 levels in 11 markets (58 per cent).  Prices were up year-over-year in all cities, with five experiencing double-digit gains in 2010 (Vancouver and St. John’s up 16 per cent, Sudbury up 13 per cent, and Winnipeg and the Greater Toronto Area up 11 per cent).  Balanced conditions prevailed in most markets (79 per cent), with St. John’s, Kelowna and Calgary declaring a firm buyer’s market.  By far the most interesting statistic reported was the significant upswing in upper-end sales in both smaller and larger centres between January and August of this year, led by Sudbury at a 193 per cent increase, Kelowna with a 163 per cent increase, Kitchener-Waterloo at 145 per cent, and Winnipeg at 104 per cent.  Last but not least, despite a lot of hype, the threat of higher interest rates, tighter lending policies and the introduction of the Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) in Ontario and British Columbia had a nominal impact on the market.  Economic uncertainty played a much greater role on softer housing conditions over the summer months.

“Conditions are firming up, although comparisons are difficult,” says Elton Ash, Regional Executive Vice President, RE/MAX of Western Canada.   “2009 defied logic in terms of residential housing activity.  It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.   We cleaned up in the first quarter of 2010 because housing activity during the same period one year earlier was dismal.  We’re now comparing the second half of the year to 2009 and falling short of expectations.  Looking at the big picture however, the market remains healthy.”

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