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

*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.*

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

Maria Mak - Burnaby Realtor - Proven ways to increase the value of your home

1. Stage and declutter your home

Do all the work necessary to make your property look good, not through expensive changes but through excellent staging, your agent should be able to provide proper advice and even bring in a professional.

That means clearing out clutter.

It’s remarkable what regular home maintenance, cleanliness, and minimizing clutter in your everyday life can do for you when it comes time to sell.

Staging a home is very different from designing or decorating. It’s a tough thought, but not everyone likes your pets, hobbies, sports teams, or religion.

2. Clean it up!

If it’s dirty, it will not sell — even if it’s a great place.

In fact, surprisingly, most of the agents we spoke with focused on overall cleanliness and space in the home as the biggest factor in selling your home.

And cleanliness pays off, according to Consumer Reports: cleaning and decluttering can deliver a 3% to 5% return on investment, and this is something you can do yourself.

3. Enhance your curb appeal

First impressions sell your home. As soon as a potential buyer drives up to your house, she’s making judgments — and a yard in disarray or untrimmed bushes could cost you.

4. Pay attention to details

The details that you may believe are minor can turn out to pack a wallop for your home’s sale. That includes everything from paint touch-ups throughout the house to a full redo of public rooms.

Wash your windows, replace compact fluorescent bulbs with incandescent or halogen, and remove or minimize personal photographs.

If you have a little money to invest, upgrading to energy-efficient windows, appliances in the kitchen, and adding solar. These are always the things that bring in more money.

5. Refresh your kitchen and bath

Don’t forget the most important rooms in your home: the kitchen and bathroom. Consumer Reports estimates that you can increase your home’s value by as much as 7% by renovating these rooms.

If you don’t have renovations in your budget, some fresh paint, a low-hanging opportunity to freshen up your space and potentially lift your asking price.

Choose a neutral palette to increase the appeal to as many tastes as possible; buyers need to be able to easily visualize themselves living in the home. But don’t invest too much time or personality in things like paint and new carpeting.

The worst thing you can do is put lots of money into things like carpet, paint, and other aesthetics that a new homeowner will likely want to change.

6. Invest in good photos

When it comes to the listing, make sure your real estate agent offers great photos that show your home in its best light. First impressions can make all the difference to someone sitting at home on the computer.

And when it comes to open houses and showings, you “absent yourself” because sellers can sometimes get in the way of a sale by taking things too personally.

7. Try not to take it personally

While this tip won’t necessarily increase your home’s value, it will certainly speed up the sale. 

Whatever comments are [made] about your home, they’re never intended as a personal affront. Remember, everyone has different tastes, but clean and well maintained never goes out of style.

Contact Maria Mak and her team @ www.mariamak.com for all your premium real estate services.

Photo by Maria Mak - Burnaby Realtor