Sunday, May 17, 2015

*Maria Mak. Burnaby REALTOR®. Metro Vancouver Real Estate Agent* My name is Maria Mak 麥福玲, a Burnaby REALTOR® / Metro Vancouver Real Estate Agent with Sutton Centre Realty.

*Maria Mak. Burnaby REALTOR®. Metro Vancouver Real Estate Agent*
 
My name is Maria Mak 麥福玲, a Burnaby REALTOR® / Metro Vancouver Real Estate Agent with Sutton Centre Realty.
  
I approach real estate the same way I approach my art...with passion! When it comes to serving my clients, I always come with a big smile and, most importantly, a big heart!
 
For over 25 years I have not only been in the business of real estate but in the business of making dreams come true. This is not just any property, this is your home.
 
Residential, multi-family and project marketing are my specialties. I look forward to serving you in English, Cantonese or Mandarin. Let me take care of your most important real estate assets and I’ll make you smile...that’s a promise.
 
Contact me for my unique Real Estate Marketing Plan and my Cash Back Closing Cost Package. I can leverage the latest technology and marketing systems to maximize profitability and guarantee satisfaction for you in all aspects of Real Estate.

www.mariamak.com

Friday, May 15, 2015

Maria Mak Burnaby Real Estate - Strata disputes, small claim go to new online tribunal


Resolving strata disputes will be faster, more accessible and more affordable thanks to new amendments to the Civil Resolution Tribunal Amendment Act, introduced March 9, 2015.

The amendments, if passed, require parties to resolve their minor strata and small claims disputes using the Civil Resolution Tribunal (CRT), Canada’s first-ever online tribunal available online 24/7.

The CRT is now voluntary but is expected to become mandatory in 2016.

Strata corporations, strata owners and tenants will be able to access tribunal services to help solve disputes including:

 • non-payment of monthly strata fees or fines
 • unfair actions by the strata corporation or by those owning more than half of the strata lots in a complex
 • uneven, arbitrary or non-enforcement of strata bylaws (such as smoking, noise, pets, parking, rentals)
 • issues of financial responsibility for repairs and the choice of bids for services
 • irregularities in the conduct of meetings, voting, minutes or other matters
 • interpretation of the legislation, regulations or bylaws
 • issues regarding common property

The tribunal will also solve small claims disputes of less than $10,000.

Three stages to solve disputes

1.Submit an application describing the claim. The other party can respond. Free service.
2.A mediator seeks a mutually agreed settlement. Fee not yet established.
3.Send the dispute to the tribunal for arbitration. Fee not yet established.

Parties will retain the right to request that a court hear the matter.

Here are 9 Things to Know about the Civil Resolution Tribunal Actchanges.

For all your premium real estate services, contact Maria Mak and her elite team @ www.mariamak.com

Thursday, May 14, 2015

*Maria Mak. Burnaby REALTOR®. Metro Vancouver Real Estate Agent* My name is Maria Mak 麥福玲, a Burnaby REALTOR® / Metro Vancouver Real Estate Agent with Sutton Centre Realty.

*Maria Mak. Burnaby REALTOR®. Metro Vancouver Real Estate Agent*

My name is Maria Mak 麥福玲, a Burnaby REALTOR® / Metro Vancouver Real Estate Agent with Sutton Centre Realty.
  
I approach real estate the same way I approach my art...with passion! When it comes to serving my clients, I always come with a big smile and, most importantly, a big heart!
 
Since 1989 I have made a point of ensuring each satisfied client is not only content with their purchase but does so with a heartfelt smile. While I’m proud to have been honoured with the Sutton President Award, it is more important that I serve and meet all your real estate needs.
 
For over 25 years I have not only been in the business of real estate but in the business of making dreams come true. This is not just any property, this is your home.

*Contact Maria Mak @ **www.mariamak.com for all your premium real estate services.*


Tuesday, May 12, 2015

Maria Mak- Burnaby Real Estate - what's in the 2015 Federal Budget for home buyers and owners*

*Maria Mak- Burnaby Real Estate - what's in the 2015 Federal Budget for home buyers and owners*


Here’s a look at what the federal government’s new budget, Economic Action Plan 2015, offers.

Social housing
$150 million (over 4 years) so co-operatives and social housing providers can prepay, without penalty their long-term, non-renewable mortgage.
$2.3 billion (over 4 years) to support affordable housing. Of this, Canada Mortgage and Housing will invest $1.7 billion to support 570,000 households who depend on social housing.

Transportation
$750 million (over 2 years), starting in 2017 and $1 billion every year after, for a new Public Transit Fund to promote investment in transit.
$5.35 billion per year under the New Building Canada Plan for provincial and municipal infrastructure.

Seniors
A New Home Accessibility Tax Credit of up to $1,500 for eligible seniors and disabled individuals who spend up to $10,000 on home renovations or alterations to age in place.
A reduction in the minimum withdrawal limits for Registered Retirement Income Funds so seniors keep more of their retirement savings.

Families
An increase to the Tax-Free Savings Account annual contribution limit to $10,000 from $5,500.
An extension to Employment Insurance Compassionate Care Benefits to 6 months (from 6 weeks) to Canadians caring for ill or dying family.
The enhanced Universal Child Care Benefit will increase to $160 per month for families with children under six, and add a benefit of $60 a month for children ages 6 -17.

A tax break with a $1,000-increase to the maximum amount that can be claimed under the Child Care Expense Deduction, which comes into effect next year.

Small business
A reduction in the small business tax rate to 9% from 11% by 2019.

Did you know?
A typical two-earner Canadian family of four will receive tax relief and increased benefits of up to $6,600 in 2015 due to tax cuts and increased benefits.

Exempting donations of Shares of Private Corporations or Real Estate from Capital Gains Tax. As of 2016, the Economic Action Plan 2015 proposes to exempt individual and corporate donors from tax on the sale of private shares or real estate to an arm’s length party if:

cash proceeds from the disposition of the private corporation shares or real estate are donated within 30 days after the disposition; and
the private corporation shares or real estate are sold to a purchaser that is dealing at arm’s length with both the donor and the qualified donee to what cash proceeds are donated.

If a portion of the proceeds is donated, the exemption from capital gains would apply to that portion.

These budget proposals do not have the force of law until passed by Parliament. This is unlikely to take place before the federal election in the fall. The proposals should therefore be considered part of the Harper government's election platform.

For information, see Economic Action Plan 2015, pages 270, 453, 454.


Photo by Maria Mak- Burnaby Real Estate Agent 
www.mariamak.com