Brian Johnson : Latest Blog Posts

New property listed in Clayton, Cloverdale

Sun, 15 Apr 2012 04:01:52 GMT

I have listed a new property at 7111 188TH ST in Surrey.

Part of strategic S.W. corner 188 st/72 ave, 1 acre currently zoned RA. Preliminary West Cloverdale NCP draft suggests potential for mixed commercial/residential.

New property listed in Panorama Ridge, Surrey

Fri, 06 Apr 2012 04:01:38 GMT

I have listed a new property at 13124 64TH AVE in Surrey.

See details here

Big Lot with Lane Access. Clean and well maintained 2240 sqft basement home with 2 bedroom unauthorized suite. Lots of updates including windows, flooring, kitchen and energy efficient kitchen appliances. Large 7978 sqft south exposed backyard. Plenty of parking off lane access. Conveniently located to all levels of school, shopping and transit.

New property listed in Salmon River, Langley

Sat, 31 Mar 2012 04:02:22 GMT

I have listed a new property at 25060 40TH AVE in Langley.

See details here

"Fabulous views to Golden Ears and backs onto Poppy Golf Course" High and dry 5.65 acres with well built and spotlessly maintained 3 bdrm, 2 bath basement entry home. Furnace only 3 yrs, updated windows, water purification system with 300gal. storage tank. Also included is a 575 sqft detached garage/1 bdrm unauthorized cottage. Both roofs replaced in 2009. Original owner has this property in tip top condition. The grounds offer numerous fruit trees, 4 walnut trees, flowering shrubs and high yield vegetable gardens. Metal clad 28x36 pole barn with power and water. In-ground cold storage. Very nice property!

New property listed in Fraser Heights, North Surrey

Sun, 19 Feb 2012 04:02:00 GMT

I have listed a new property at 15518 112A AVE in Surrey.

See details here

"Seeking Large Family" 3657 sq. ft. 2 level with 6 bedrooms. Located on a nice quiet street in Fraser Heights. Well maintained home on Big South Exposed Lot (8018 sq ft) The many features of this home include: a fresh coat of paint onmain, hardwood floors, 4 bathrooms, 22 x 19 Sun Drenched Conservatory, Large private covered patio, Plenty of Storage and Lots of Parking with potential for RV. Total sq. ft. includes fantastic 993 sq ft 2 level back addition constructed in 1995 (awaiting your creative ideas) This is a good one!

New property listed in Fort Langley, Langley

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 04:02:29 GMT

I have listed a new property at 8036 232ND ST in Langley.

See details here

"Rare Find in Exclusive Fort Langley" 8 acres of natural beauty and country lifestyle. This is what Ft. Langley's all about...Original character home reno'd with addition in 1999. Open concept with spacious rooms. Over 3400 sq ft on one level. Living room in original portion of house features 9' ceilings, river rock fp and unique equine wall sculpture. Private parklike views from covered verandas. Equestrian area offers 60 x 120 Indoor Arena with 7 attached stalls. 8 stall barn with office space (currently used as vet clinic). 3 ac turnout field, 5 large paddocks, loafing sheds, auto water. Close to Golf, Langley Fine Arts & Trinity Wester U. Excellent opportunity to enhance a fine property with a little TLC Bonus..city water.

New property listed in Fraser Heights, North Surrey

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 04:06:55 GMT

I have listed a new property at 9873 LYNCEAN DR in Surrey.

See details here

Park Like Setting in the Best of Locations! Hard to find, almost square 204 x 217 flat one acre property in Fraser Heights. Well kept 3 bdrm, 3 bath 2 level home over looking lovely manicured gardens. Large detached workshop 24 x 36 serviced with water, gas and 220 power. 800 sq ft loft awaiting your ideas. Excellent opportunity for car buffs or home based business. Enjoy your own country oasis only minutes from Shopping, Schools and Freeway Access while holding for Future Development.

New property listed in Salmon River, Langley

Tue, 10 Jan 2012 04:06:32 GMT

I have listed a new property at 25060 40TH AVE in Langley.

See details here

Exceptional, One of a kind property backs onto Poppy Golf Course with views to Golden Ears. High and dry 5.65 ac with well built and spotlessly maintained 3 bdrm, 2 bath basement entry home. Furnace only 3 yrs, updated windows, high qualitywater purification system with 300 gal storage tank. Also included is a self contained 1 bdrm cottage. Both roofs replaced in 2009. Original owners have this property in immaculate condition. The grounds offer numerous fruit trees, 4 walnut trees, flowering shrubs and high yield vegetable gardens. Metal clad 36x28 pole barn with power and water. In-ground cold storage.

Real Estate 2012

Sun, 18 Dec 2011 15:11:33 GMT

Real Estate with Brian Johnson

Need to Buy or Sell in 2012?

Thinking of selling your home? YOU NEED:

1. A comparative market analysis to establish fair market value for your property.
2. A full explanation of the selling process, including a clear breakdown of the listing agreement and all other relevant paperwork.
3. Valuable tips that could make the difference between a quick sale and a property that lingers on the market.
4. The means to advertise your home through a number of different avenues to achieve maximum market exposure.
5. Someone to pre-qualify prospective buyers.
6. Assistance in all activities starting from listing the home, through to the closing process.

Thinking of buying a new home? YOU NEED:

1. Someone to help you identify your wants, needs and expectations, so you don't waste your time looking at properties that are not suited to you, or that aren't in your price range.
2. Help getting you financially pre-qualified, to determine what monthly payments fit your budget.
3. Support in finding the home of your dreams within the search parameters you've established – not only within homes already offered for sale, but also in properties not yet listed on the MLS®.
4. Someone to manage the offer, and act as a liaison between you and the seller.

These are just some of the ways your real estate sales representative can make your home buying or selling experience positive and stressfree. Please call today, and let's discuss your 2012 real estate plans. And in the meantime, please enjoy a safe and enjoyable holiday season!

Taxes on Vacant Land

Wed, 21 Apr 2010 08:36:30 GMT

Vacant Land

Whether or not you pay the HST depends on who you purchase the land from.

If you purchase a lot from an individual (not a developer) who has never used it for business purposes, you will be exempt from paying the HST.
If you purchase a lot from an individual who has subdivided it into more than two lots (three or more lots), or from a developer, you will pay the 5% GST if the possession date is before July 2010, even if the title transfers after July 1, 2010. If possession is transferred after July 1, 2010, you will pay the 12% HST.

If you plan to build a home, if the majority (90%) is completed after July 1, 2010, you will pay the HST. You may be able to recover a portion of the HST through the New Housing Rebate.

If you are selling personal use vacant land and the sale is now exempt from the GST, the sale will be exempt from the HST after June 30, 2010.

These are EXAMPLES. Buyers/Sellers/REALTORS® are strongly advised to consult on the rules for land sales with the Canada Revenue Agency at <휴> 1.800.959.8287 1.800.959.8287.

I share Chris Brogans view on success

Fri, 16 Apr 2010 08:57:19 GMT

Everything we do to be successful comes from little victories. When someone takes notice of our success, it looks like something big. It feels like one big moment. But always, and I mean always, it comes from a series of little victories. Look at the successes you’ve had. Did they all come at once? Or did you build up from nowhere to somewhere then to somewhere better followed by a quick fallback then a new success, and then POW!! An overnight success….Right?

The best thing you can do with success is share it. Praise others along the way. Be grateful. Thank others. Share as much of the stage and spotlight as you can. Hoard nothing. Instead, give as much praise away as possible and keep only what you can’t possibly deny to yourself. Your success was made up of many other helping hands. Do what you can to thank them.

Understanding the HST

Sun, 14 Mar 2010 12:09:53 GMT

Understanding HST

The Provincial and Federal Governments will combine the 7% Provincial Sales Tax PST and the 5% Federal Goods and Services Tax GST into the 12% Harmonized Sales Tax on July 1, 2010. The HST applies to new homes. It does not apply to resale homes.

HST rebate: Buyers of new homes will be eligible for a rebate of 71.43% (5%) of the 7% provincial portion of the HST to a maximum rebate of $26,250. Homes prices at more than $525,000 will be eligible for a flat rebate of $26,250.

GST rebate: the old GST rebate rules still apply and are available to a maximum purchase price of $450,000. The rebate is 36% of the first $350,000 and is gradually phased out from there up to $450,000

Property Transfer Tax (PTT) is a separate provincial tax on all property transfers. The rate is 1% on the first $200,000 and 2% on the remainder of the purchase price and charged on the price of the property before the GST/HST is applied. Eligible first-time home buyers may qualify for a PTT exemption.

The only difference in the HST system from our previous tax system is when you buy new construction over the price of $525,000.

For example: If you buy a new home for $600,000 …you will pay $5,750 more in taxes. PTT (1% & 2%) remains the same $10,000. GST (5%) remains the same $30,000. Provincial portion of the HST (7%) is $32,000. less the maximum rebate of $26,250 equals the additional tax you will pay under the new system …$5,750

Where it begins to get more difficult on Buyers is when we creep up into higher purchase prices. On the purchase of a one million dollar home the breakdown is: PTT $18,000 GST $50,000 Provincial portion of the HST (7%) $70,000 less rebate $26,250 …..total tax payable $111,750

Many people are very concerned with the implications the HST could have on new home construction. Changes quite often seem to have a way of evolving into something which becomes a “new normal” although in the short term, I am certain we will see somewhat of a slow down. One market that may go up is resale homes, as demand increases in the event buyers shy away from new.

One of the components I see as having the potential to soften the blow of the HST is in developers being able to recover the HST they paid on building expenses through input tax credits. It may be possible these recoverable taxes could be applied as a credit to the Buyer.

New Mortgage Guidelines

Thu, 04 Mar 2010 11:11:46 GMT

With new lending guidelines in effect in April, mortgage applicants with less than 20% down will have to qualify at the 5 year posted rate as opposed to the 3 year rate previously used. On the down side: This could require applicants to put more down and potentially force them into a lower purchase price range. With historic low interest rates, the fear is rates going up and home owners finding themselves in a position of not being able to afford their mortgages. The upside of the new guidelines will not only protect lenders but offer a built in level of insurance for home owners in the event rates do go up.