2020

All posts from 2020

Surrey Housing Market Looking Stable

by Bevony on 11 March 2020 Comments Off on Surrey Housing Market Looking Stable

With a lack of real estate investors in Surrey, there has now come to be a more stable housing market. Many houses in Metro Vancouver’s high-status neighborhoods are now looking more affordable than they have been in years.

Housing Market

With Surrey not on the radar of wealthy domestic and offshore investors, the prices have benefited from this. The city continues to grow rapidly though. The majority of the market is made up of new immigrant buyers. This is followed by native-born immigrants simply searching for a place to call home. In contrast, other high-end neighborhoods have seen a lot of instability since 2017.

The statistics show that house prices in posh neighborhoods dropped approximately 1/5th in one year. This was also true for a variety of neighborhoods in Richmond. In contrast, the housing prices in Surrey remained very stable. This is especially true for the Northern Section where homes often sell for lower than $1 million.

Other Stable Neighborhoods

When prices fell up to 25% this year, luxury homes in some West Vancouver neighborhoods fell. These included Upper Caulfield and Chartwell prices in other North Surrey neighborhoods. The prices only dropped between 1 and 5 percent. Surrey wasn’t the only neighborhood to escape the ridiculous price drops. Other neighborhoods that remained stable include:

  • North Delta’s Kennedy West
  • The District of Langley’s Brookswood
  • Fort Langley
  • New Westminster’s Queensborough
  • Brow of the Hill
  • Lynn Valley
  • Seymour Heights

North Surrey Housing Market

North Surrey stood out among everybody thanks to the fact that their stability in prices was seen all across the board.  The affordability of the area is one of the biggest factors. This is a factor that is good for both buyers and sellers. With a population larger than half a million, the area is one of Canada’s fastest-growing municipalities. Each year the area expands by approximately 2%.

The Surrey market is largely made up of locals, but it is not the same for the West Vancouver market. While South Asian immigrants also find the affordability of houses here desirable this is not driving up prices as they don’t want a 20 million dollar home. Figures from Census Canada show that the residents of North Surrey that have roots in India are between 40 and 60%. This is especially true in Kennedy, Fleetwood, and Newton.

The area is attractive to immigrants from Pakistan and India because of the cultural diversity of the area. The area allows them a certain amount of familiarity and satisfies the needs of their culture. They will find temples, mosques, and gurdwaras. They will also be more likely to have family in these areas as well. Coming here and finding real estate for sale at an affordable price means they can lay down stakes sooner and integrate into society faster and easier. Houses can be purchased with smaller down payments which is great for first-time homeowners who often are left vulnerable to the financial stress test of the government to determine their eligibility for a mortgage.

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BevonySurrey Housing Market Looking Stable

What is Mortgage Default Insurance?

by Bevony on 4 March 2020 Comments Off on What is Mortgage Default Insurance?

So you’ve heard about it and now you want to know what is mortgage default insurance. This is one requirement placed upon first time home buyers by the Government of Canada. Who is required to pay this?
Persons that are first-time homeowners.

Persons with a downpayment of less than 20%

Banks are allowed under the Bank Act to lend a maximum of 80% of the purchase price of a home. If you have your 20% downpayment there is no need for mortgage default insurance. If you have your 20% downpayment you will qualify for a conventional mortgage. When you don’t have the required deposit amount you can be granted a high ratio mortgage. In such a case, the insurance company will compensate the mortgage lender in the event that you default on your mortgage.

How to Qualify for Mortgage Default Insurance

If you think you may be eligible for mortgage default insurance, first contact your bank. Find out what are the usual qualifications for a mortgage and find out what the underwriting standards are for your mortgage insurer. Not sure where to find this type of insurance? Contact the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions. They can give you a list of their approved insurers offering this type of insurance. Each insurer from this list will have their own criteria of evaluation so you need to check out if you meet their qualifications as well as if the property you are interested in meets their qualifications for this insurance as well.

Benefits of Mortgage Default Insurance

The primary purpose of mortgage default insurance is to protect the lender. The insurance protects them in the event that you default on your mortgage payment. But it also benefits you. With this insurance, you now are able to purchase your home a lot sooner and with a downpayment as low as 5%.

Important points to note about mortgage default insurance;

  • This does not provide protection to you or your interest in the property purchased in the event that you default, you will lose all.
  • You don’t have coverage for a mortgage payment under this insurance policy. If you are unable to make your payment or if you pass away your mortgage goes into default.
  • This insurance is only available for homes that are priced at less than $1,000,000.
  • Your premium will be calculated as a percentage of the borrowed amount.
  • You can have a lower premium if your down payment is bigger.
  • Payments can be made over a period of 25 years and these can be combined with your monthly mortgage payments.
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What you Missed at the B.C. Home and Garden Show

by Bevony on 26 February 2020 Comments Off on What you Missed at the B.C. Home and Garden Show

The British Columbia Home and Garden show was held from February 19 to 23, 2020. If you weren’t able to attend we have got you covered. We know that this winter weather has been unpleasant and we are all looking towards the change in seasons. The show gave attendees something to look forward to. There were lots of tips and ideas on how to spruce up your landscape.

The show was enjoyed by both attendees and presenters. All got the chance to check several horticultural boots sporting different themes. Some things you missed include;

  • Professional landscapes
  • Unique outdoor patio displays
  • Innovative ideas on growing
  • New and upcoming garden accessories
  • New styles of greenhouses.

What the BC Home and Garden Show is All About

The show is not just about outdoor living, it incorporates indoor living as well. It showcases collections of products and trends that are interesting, upcoming and relevant. You find everything from new styles of kitchens to art, the latest in sleeping comfortably to innovations in food preparation. You even missed some newer, more environmentally friendly cooling and heating units as well as a range of fixtures that can help your family to be more efficient with your water usage.

Presentations You Missed

The show included several informative seminars as well. These included the following;

  • On the 20th, there was a panel discussion on the Main stage at 6 pm. This was sponsored by the Homebuilders’ Association of Vancouver. Panelists included pros in the renovation and construction field and their topic was outdoor/indoor living with a major focus on outdoor living.
  • Victory Gardens’, Lisa Firoday presented on eco landscaping with a focus on how to make the most of your usable land.
  • Janis Matson from Shoreline Landscape Design did a presentation on “Drought Tolerant Gardening”. This provided useful information for when we get into the hot summer months and have water restrictions to contend with.
  • Alex Augustyniak from West Coast Seeds discussed how we can grow foods all year in our Canadian Climate.
  • Carissa Kasper from Seed and Nourish gave a presentation on “Seasons o Growth: The Future Garden”. She noted how changes in climates affect gardening practices and looked into the future of what gardens may look like a couple of years ahead.
  • Reiner Van de Poll from the Van de Poll Garden Design company did a presentation on how to create a natural patio setting.
  • Shelley Levis from Sow and Dipity presented on countertop gardens and the trends in this industry.
  • Leanne Johnson from GardenWorks explained plant parenting in her presentation on indoor gardening and the millennial generation.

BC Home and Garden Feature: GROW!

This year’s BC Home and Garden Show had a new feature called “GROW!” the feature was an interactive and informative one. It covered how to plant as well as what, where and when to plant. The feature was brought on by West Coast Seeds.

Gardening was not a major part of the show but there was a very significant gardening presence at the show. Art’s Garden Market had a range of plants on sale so that attendees could go home with something in hand. There was also a booth by B.C Nursery and Landscape Association.

We hope you didn’t miss the 2020 BC Home and Garden Show, and if you did, we hope to see you there next year.

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BevonyWhat you Missed at the B.C. Home and Garden Show

Benefits of Having Houseplants in your Home

by Bevony on 19 February 2020 Comments Off on Benefits of Having Houseplants in your Home

Having plants around will have a positive effect on your mood and your brain. They can help you to be more relaxed and to feel better. Walking into a house full of lush houseplants can take the edge off after a long and hard day. They call it Biophilia, according to Dr. Edward O Wilson. He theorizes that all humans want and seek connections with other life forms including nature. His definition of biophilia as “the urge to affiliate with other forms of life”.

We can all agree that bringing plants indoors brings a significant acoustic element. When you make use of plants such as moss that have natural textures the acoustics of the room are heavily impacted.

Some homeowners welcome plants and look forward to all the care and maintenance tasks that come along with them. There are others that like the idea of plants but don’t have the time or the interest to care for them. The latter will be happy to find that there is a new market of plants just for them. Enter the era of preserved plants. These plants have had their growth stopped. They are then treated with preservatives and color enhancers to keep them in tip-top condition. They won’t need sunlight or water so they are easy.

For those who want to care for their plants, many have a lot of trouble as they try to keep their plants alive. One of the biggest mistakes people tend to make is to overwater their plants. Then they forget to put the plants where they can get natural light which is equally as important as giving your plants adequate amounts of water. If you are worried about your plant getting too much of the sun’s rays you can easily place it at a window and leave a sheer curtain to take off some of the rays.

Caring For House Plants

Instead of following a watering schedule, you want to look at the soil your plant is in. 

  • If you have cacti or succulents you wait until the soil is completely dry then give it a good soaking and leave it alone.
  • If you have classical tropical foliage you need to place them where they can get the right amount of light. You want to hold off watering until the soil is partially dry up to three inches down.
  • For all other types of plants, you want the soil to be moisty evenly. Check the soil every day and only water when it feels dry.

With that said, you can add some houseplants to your space to bring it to life. Treat them well and enjoy their presence. If you are not sure if you will be able to care for your plants, try out one and see how it goes then you can commit to more plants for your home.

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BevonyBenefits of Having Houseplants in your Home

New Listings at a 10 year Low

by Bevony on 12 February 2020 Comments Off on New Listings at a 10 year Low

2018 was quite a disastrous year when looking at the performance of the housing market. In 2019, it looked a lot better with sales going up by approximately 22%. With sales hover above 10-year averages, the home price index is higher. It has increased by 3.5% from last year’s numbers and the trend is for it to continue increasing.

Homeowners are no longer listing their homes up for sale and this is the phenomenon that is driving this resurgence. With not many new listings, there is a decline in inventory. In December of 2019, the sales to new listing ration went up to 67%. This is the highest this has been since October of 2009. A ration of 40% to 60% is considered balanced and anything above 60% will put pressure on prices, causing them to rise. When looking at the statistics on a deeper level we see that listings haven’t been this low since February of 2010.

Why Are Canadian Homeowners not Listing Homes for Sale?

You will find that most places in the country are seeing an all-time high in prices. Canadian housing is on an almost 30-year bull market. So most homeowners are thinking that with prices continually rising there is no need to sell right away. In the meantime, any amount of correction in the market is met by global central banks’ ample liquidity. Banks aren’t increasing interest rates this time around. They are actually doing the opposite.

Leveraged buyers are finding incentives for taking more risks. Hoarding assets are now more attractive to homeowners even more so than putting money into bonds, savings accounts or GIC’s. The current market is not triggering or incentivizing Canadians to cash out and so new listings dot go onto the market unless it is extremely necessary.

What Does This Mean for First Time Home Buyers?

While there are not a lot of listings going up on the market, first time home buyers can find affordable housing solutions. Here at SilverBeam Homes, we are custom home builders that can help you make your dream of owning a home a reality. Give us a call, or send us a message. Let us set up a consultation and show you how you can own a home in a housing market that seems it is not going to be kind to you.

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BevonyNew Listings at a 10 year Low

Things Looking iffy for Luxury Builders in Vancouver

by Bevony on 5 February 2020 Comments Off on Things Looking iffy for Luxury Builders in Vancouver

We are looking at New York City luxury condos that are going unsold underneath a real estate market decline. In Manhatten we see almost 50% of luxury condos built and which remain unsold up to 5 years after their build date.

The future for Vancouver is looking similar as well. In the past decade, prices have risen three times faster than those in New York. With such high prices, we find that middle-class young people are finding their dreams of owning a home are getting slimmer and slimmer.

New York Vs Vancouver

Yes, the markets in New York and Vancouver are different. But both these cities are often ranked as some of the most sought after destinations in the world. So they do have a lot of similarities, enough to make the comparison useful. East and West Coast cities are also seeing a similar downward trend.

While the luxury condos and flashy highrises in New York are staying unpurchased. We over here are seeing the same. In Vancouver, our more expensive homes are going unpurchased too. Since the peak in 2017, prices have plunged more than a quarter. Single-family high-end residences in Vancouver are also seeing a plunge in prices as sellers try to get their houses off the market.

In the past two years across West, Vancouver prices have dropped more than 25%. This municipality is known for being one of the highest per capita income in the country. Vancouver and many of its suburbs are experiencing a similar dip were in 2019, values went down more than 11%.

What it All Means

While the luxury house market in Vancouver is not as badly hit as the one in New York it is undergoing a considerable amount of struggle. We see this very evident in the Oakridge neighborhood of Vancouver alone. Hundreds of units with price tags in the millions do not have buyers. With prices over $2400 per square foot, local wage earners cannot afford to own a home. Prices like these are very common as the city becomes more and more known as one of the most unaffordable cities in Canada. The truth is that the gap between the median wages and housing costs in Vancouver is even larger than those in New York City. 

Global Real Estate Consultants at Knight Frank estimates that there will be a price fall of approximately 10% in house prices in Vancouver. So sellers stand to lose more. Even with a decrease some buyers will still see certain homes out of their reach.

What Are Your Options?

Are you a potential homeowner with dreams that are looking out of your reach right now? Why not give us a try? Let us help you make your dream a reality. We can get you a custom-built home tailored to your housing needs and your housing budget. We may not be able to get you into the fanciest neighborhood in town but we have the expertise necessary to make your dream come through.

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BevonyThings Looking iffy for Luxury Builders in Vancouver

Rent to Own Housing Solutions

by Bevony on 29 January 2020 Comments Off on Rent to Own Housing Solutions

Metro home builders are catching on to the rent to own housing solution. The rental vacancy rate in Vancouver is lower than 1 percent and buying a home is a very expensive endeavor. Some of us just aren’t ready for that just yet. There are a number of options available for rent to won in the city though. You will find that on the outskirts of the metro Vancouver area there are a number of places where you can find rent to own homes.

Metro home builders are catching on to the rent to own housing solution. The rental vacancy rate in Vancouver is lower than 1 percent and buying a home is a very expensive endeavor. Some of us just aren’t ready for that just yet. There are a number of options available for rent to won in the city though. You will find that on the outskirts of the metro Vancouver area there are a number of places where you can find rent to own homes.

This is a great idea. Think about it, you don’t have to be paying rent and saving at the same time. Construction of all the units in this project is not complete as yet and is slated for completion in 2021. The projected rent at that time will be $1000 per month for one-bedroom units or $1250 per month for a two-bedroom unit. The one-bedroom units will be 643 square feet and will have buying prices starting at $469,900. Two-bedroom units can be purchased at a starting cost of $649,900.

Qualifying for Rent to Own

  • Must be a first time home buyer
  • Currently, work/live in Port Moody
  • Must live on the premises of the agreement
  • Cannot assign agreement of purchase to anybody else

Due to the many applications they received, they went for a lottery-like selection in March of 2019. Some were excited about this while others weren’t too happy about it.

We consider this to be a great option for first-time homeowners who are not able to afford a home in the traditional way. Panatch has inspired other home builders to offer solutions that are similar to this for persons who would love to purchase a home but may not be able to afford to do so in a traditional way.

In April of 2019, we saw Ledcor offering renters the opportunity to apply 25% of their monthly rent to go towards them being able to purchase a new home in Lanford’s Belmont Residences Project.

SilverBeam Homes is proud to be a part of an industry that allows people the opportunity to make their dreams of owning a home a reality.

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2020 Stone And Tile Trends

by Bevony on 22 January 2020 Comments Off on 2020 Stone And Tile Trends

2020 is seeing a lot of colors when it comes to home design and decor trends. Trends feature punches of indigo blue, minty greens, burgundy, forest green, and black. When it comes to patterns, natural richness and opulent patterns are coming to life. Gone are the trends for neutral stone and ceramic tiles. 2020 will see trendier homes with bold colors, unique shapes, luxurious patterns, surprising textures, and richer veining. 2020 in-home design is all about upping the ante. This was seen in the unveiling of ceramic and stone products from Ciot Inc with its 2020 product line.

There was a time when stone and ceramic products were about functionality, nowadays they serve much more than function. They are making fashion statements in 2020. With the trends that are coming out, your tile and stone ca provide your decor with an elevation in elegance and character. Many of the on-trend options for 2020 mix ultra-stylish looks and natural elements. The trends pave the way for an artful masterpiece and a one of a kind look that will work now and into the future.

2020 Tile Trends

Eye-Catching Color

Minty greens and pale roses; pastels that warm up a room are more suitable for those who are looking for a muted decor. For those not afraid of color, stronger tones will add much character to your room.

Trending tile collections include Colorplay, Crackle, Bowl, Urban Atelier and Let it, Bee.

Striking Finishes

Tiles made with imitation cement boast colorful patterns that are becoming increasingly popular since they have the ability to add visual interest to your home. With neutral textures, you can add a Bohemian or a Mediterranean vibe. For your floor tiles, you can go for a conservative tone on tone choice. Bright and glossy tiles with a lacquered looking finish will also be on trend this season.

Dynamic Shapes

The trend is for a lot of compelling shapes from diamonds, hexagons to fish scales. Anything that can be considered fun and free-spirited is being embraced for their ability to elevate the room.

You will even see computer-generated 3D patterns or effects that will create tile designs that are complex enough to play on shadows, light and provide futuristic palettes.

Large Tiles

Bigger is better for 2020 when it comes to tiles. The new standard tile size is 60 by 60 cm. You can even find large rectangular tiles measuring 60 by 120 cm. These provide a very upscale look and can not only be used on floors but can also be used on walls as well. Using these larger tiles on walls will provide a modern and sleek vibe.

Metallic Finishes

Natural gold, brass highlights, and copper will be on trend this year making for reflective surfaces that will glisten in natural lighting. These are best used as wall coverings. Deeper shades will leave an organic feel.

Distressed Looks

2020 has old looking new again for both walls and floors. Old looking marble floors create a warm charm.

2020 Stone Trends

Stone Wrapping

In this trend, entire rooms are enveloped with sophisticated and elegant stone slabs. This provides a truly one of a kind decor. Imagine an entire kitchen island or entire wall from floor to ceiling complete with stone slabs. Stone wrapping can be used for cocooning floors and stairways etc to provide a striking ambiance.

Color Infusion

Warm whites now have ints of gold and grey while burgundy, jade green, rose and icy blue makes a comeback as suitable choices for all types of rooms. You will also find black mixed with gold and white veining to provide an ultra-chic and mysterious appearance.

Bright & Bold Veins

You will find marble with active wine red veins taking over grey veining. You will also see bright blues and emerald greens making these surfaces work of arts in and of themselves.

Natural Richness

Imagine finishes that look like raw materials from mother nature to include concrete looks, terrazzo look and marble looks inside.

Whether you are using tile or stone you can get away with combining finishes, colors, and patterns in 2020 to create an extremely on-trend and unique room. The trend is seemingly holding its own and is expected to hold its own into the future of design and decor.

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Bevony2020 Stone And Tile Trends

Why You Need an Interior Designer for Your Custom Home

by Bevony on 15 January 2020 Comments Off on Why You Need an Interior Designer for Your Custom Home

If you are considering building a custom home in Victoria, we can help you with everything you need. We have a team of professionals that can help make your dream a reality. Among the team members are capable and expert Interior Designers. They can take your vision and turn it into a reality when we are done building your home.

An interior designer can help to bridge the gap between your vision and the home. This way, we the builders know exactly what the end product will be like. When you have this input early on in the building game it ensures a better quality build in the end.  A designer can ensure that your needs and wants work for you and your family. While also ensuring they work with the building restrictions of the area, the geography of your lot and any municipal bylaws that may apply along with any neighboring homes close by. 

What Does an Interior Designer Do?

An interior designer is not the same as an interior decorator, but the two are often confused. The interior designer does a lot more than an interior decorator. They are involved in the build process whereas an interior decorator is involved after the completion of the building. The interior designer ensures that design spaces are safe, functional and finished in a way that is aesthetically pleasing according to the homeowner’s vision. 

An interior designer will work very closely with the team of architects, engineers and the contractor that is building your home. They will ensure that the spaces that are being created will meet all of your needs. An interior designer can work with you to give you an idea of what different colors and textures will look in a room. They can inform you of how these colors, spaces, lighting, and furniture can all work together. 

Your interior designer will be reading blueprints. They will be knowledgeable of all the latest trends. They are aware of municipal building bylaws. An interior designer is up to date with local building codes and know about the universal accessibility standards. An interior decorator does not require knowledge of all these things to do their job.

Why You Need an Interior Designer?

If you are renovating or building a new home from the ground up you will find that having an interior designer can be very advantageous. That is why when you hire SilverBeam Homes you are hiring a team that includes a skilled interior designer to assist you all the way. Our designer will be your liaison between the build team and yourself. This will help to ensure that your vision does not die in the hands of the builders. Here is how you can benefit from having our interior designer on your side. 

Stay Within Your Budget

We all understand the importance of staying within your budget. Our designer will not only help you to stay within your budget but will also advise you on ways that you can save money. With their knowledge of building codes and average material costs, they can even help you stay abreast of what is best if you ever want to resell your house later on down the road. 

Our designers have years of experience and they can use that experience to help you to prevent costly mistakes. They know about how materials will stand up to the BC climate and geography and have a wealth of knowledge to impart so you can make the best decisions when spending your money.

Save Time

When building a custom home you want to get it done right the first time. The whole point of a custom home is so you don’t have to have things redone. Your designer can help you save time by ensuring that your design works for now and for the future of your family and what those future needs may be. An interior designer will ask the questions that matter at all the right stages to ensure that obstacles are seen from afar and dealt with so they don’t mess up your timeline. 

Get Honest, Expert Opinions

It can be so easy to get overwhelmed in the design process as there are many choices. When you work with a designer they can narrow down these choices so that the ultimate decision is a lot easier to make. As a neutral third party, they can make the process of decision making even easier.

Protect Your Interest

When you are working with a professional interior designer you are less likely to get ripped off. They will work with their usual suppliers and partners to provide you with all you need. This way you don’t even have to be very involved in the sourcing of suppliers and supplies.

Get You Better Deals

With a track record of success, an interior designer will have their regular suppliers as mentioned above. As such they may be able to get you deals you would not get otherwise.

When you are creating a dream home, you need to have an interior designer on your team. We understand the importance of this professional and we want you to understand this as well. Now that you have purchased the land and you know what you want your layout to be like, it is time to talk to an interior designer. Let us get you to the next step in creating your custom home here at SilverBeam Homes.

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BevonyWhy You Need an Interior Designer for Your Custom Home

Getting a Mortgage When You’re Self Employed

by Bevony on 8 January 2020 Comments Off on Getting a Mortgage When You’re Self Employed

As a self-employed individual, you work hard. However, you may have already experienced hardships in obtaining credit, whether it is for a credit card, any type of loan or a mortgage. This is especially true if your business is new. Why? Because as a self-employed individual you won’t have a standard regular income that a regularly paid employee will have, some institutions will see you as a high risk. There are, however, institutions that have special lending programs just for you.

One example of this is a lending program that allows an eligible self-employed individual to qualify for mortgage financing. In such a case, they use what they call “reasonable stated income” to frame the terms of the loan. This is mainly because some self-employed people choose to reduce their personal income in an effort to grow their business or to be beneficial for tax purposes. Under this type of program, you will be able to access a mortgage that allows up to 65% financing of the purchase price. There is also the confirmed down payment that is necessary as well as a good credit rating. With the last two in place, you can own home as a self-employed individual.

Documents Necessary for Your Application

If you are self-employed, here are some documents you will need for your application for mortgage financing.

  • T1 General
  • NOA – Notice of Assessment
  • Financial Statements for Your Business
  • Articles of Incorporation
  • Business License
  • Business Credit Report
  • GST/HST Return Summary
  • Proof of Other Income if any

In addition to these documents, the mortgage specialist you deal with may ask you for other documents that may be unique to the type of business you offer.

Flexible Mortgage Options

Several entrepreneurs are opting for flexible mortgage options. There are a number of these available including the Homeline Plan from RBC. This is not the only place you can find this type of offering as most lenders have this type of mortgage product. These types of plans allow you to access both your personal and your business credit under one umbrella. If you opt for this you can even customize your mortgage financing and leverage the equity on your current home.

Our team of experts here you can find the financing you need if you choose us to be your custom home builders. Give us a call today and set up a consultation. Let’s show you how our team can help you make your dream a reality.

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BevonyGetting a Mortgage When You’re Self Employed