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Canada Real Estate Practices

Overview

Canadian real estate agents work in much the same way in all of the provinces and territories. However, educational and licensing requirements vary provincially and agents are licensed by their provincial regulators.

The majority of Canadian real estate agents are Realtors®- i.e. are members of the Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA). Canadian Realtors place almost all of their property listings on the Multiple Listing Service (MLS), and as a result property listings are available to view by all Realtors in the marketplace.

Both the Land Titles (Torrens) System and Registry System are established and maintained through provincial legislation. While the Land Titles System provides a certified, accurate land record and guarantees title; the Registry system requires buyers to search titles based on a history of conveyances and satisfy themselves. Regardless of the system used, the information is computerized and publicly accessible in exchange for a user fee which varies with the municipality.

Real Estate Practices

Generally speaking, one Realtor will act on behalf of a seller and another will represent a buyer. Sellers typically pay the broker's commission and costs relating to the closing. Legal fees are shared by the buyer and seller.

The Realtor will draft the Contract of Purchase and Sale (the Offer), and do the negotiating between buyer and seller via the seller's Realtor. Typically, they then provide the contracts to the lawyer/notary who handles the legal aspects of the transfer of title. Along with the offer, the buyer brings a deposit to show good faith to the seller. The seller's agent is obligated to bring all offers to the seller's attention. If the offer is accepted and all the conditions are met, the offer becomes binding between the buyer and seller.

Mortgages are commonly used to purchase real property and second, third and fourth mortgages are permissible in Canada. Mortgages are available primarily from banks and lending institutions and the typical maximum term is 10 years, although the average consumer is usually in a 5-7 year term mortgage. At the end of the term, the outstanding balance is due but is usually renegotiated for a further term at the then current rate of interest.

Interest paid on a mortgage in Canada is not tax-deductible. And unless one has at least 25% of the purchase price of a home to put down or 50% for vacant land, mortgage insurance is charged by the lender. The percentage charged on the mortgage varies, depending on the amount put down, but starts at 3.25% for those putting only 5% down. Usually, the payments are simply worked into one's mortgage payments. Given that non-resident borrowers are limited to borrowing 65% of the property value; this added cost is non-applicable to a foreign buyer.

The closing process typically occurs less than 60 days following execution of the contract on resale property. Although there is no legal requirement to do so, the closing usually occurs through both the buyer's and seller's legal counsel.

All Realtors in Canada must pay a federal tax of 5%, called the Goods and Services Tax, on commissions earned, and in some provinces a provincial tax is levied as well. The seller pays for these taxes. Resale homes are not subject to the 6% federal tax, although one must pay it on new homes. If the new home is to be a primary residence, a rebate is offered.

Capital gains is payable on homes sold by non-residents. A capital gains tax of 25% is charged on the gain and, if not paid, the buyer's Realtor must withhold anywhere from 20 to 25% of the total sales price from the seller in order to ensure payment is made.

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Previous quarter's home sale average by city. Click city to view homes for sale.

Total
Sold

Median
Price

Average
Price

Acme, WA4$178,250$198,250
Anacortes, WA351$272,599$327,008
Bellingham, WA1,578$260,083$310,644
Birch Bay, WA401$210,501$254,060
Blaine, WA401$210,501$254,060
Bow, WA25$265,000$313,255
Custer, WA35$227,500$250,135
Deming, WA37$225,000$224,076
Eastsound, WA30$342,500$395,246
Edison, WA25$265,000$313,255
Everson, WA111$217,123$274,005
Ferndale, WA279$238,000$250,727
Friday Harbor, WA85$380,000$459,831
Guemes, WA350$273,000$327,564
Guemes Island, WA350$273,000$327,564
Lopez Island, WA20$390,500$440,083
Lummi Island, WA20$277,000$321,952
Lynden, WA264$239,000$248,073
Maple Falls, WA88$96,000$100,324
Nooksack, WA111$217,123$274,005
Point Roberts, WA39$184,000$206,366
Roche Harbor, WA85$380,000$459,831
Samish Island, WA25$265,000$313,255
San Juan Island, WA85$380,000$459,831
Sumas, WA32$155,000$168,988
Show Local Businesses in:

BANKS

Bank Of America277 G St
Bank Of The Pacific4850 Goldstar Dr
Bank Of The Pacific4880 Beachcomber Dr
Banner Bank435 Martin St # 1000
Sterling Savings Bank271 H St
Us Bank280 H St
Washington Federal Savings400 H St

EMERGENCY SERVICES

Blaine Police Dept322 H St
North Watcom Fire & Rescue 214581 Birch Bay Lynden Rd

LIBRARIES - PUBLIC

Blaine Library610 3rd St

MISC ATTRACTIONS

Camp Horizon7506 Gemini St
Lions Camp Horizon Park7506 Gemini St

PLACE OF WORSHIP

Assembly Of God-peace Arch549 Cherry St
Birch Bay Bible Community Chr7039 Jackson Rd
Blaine Christian Fellowship902 Adelia St
Christ Episcopal Church382 Boblett St
Christ's Community Church4310 H Street Rd
Freedom Fellowship289 H St # 201
Grace Lutheran Church702 G St
Lighthouse Baptist Church8373 Harborview Rd
North Bay Christ The King4895 Birch Bay Lynden Rd
2 Real Estate companies have been found with properties in or near Tsawwassen