The housing boom in Canada’s hottest cities has spilled over into the suburbs, where builders say they are working as fast as they can to meet soaring demand and get homes to market before a much-feared housing bust. READ MORE.
Homebuilders struggle to keep up with Canadian boom
The GVHBA has concerns over the retroactive nature of the proposed PPT
The GVHBA has concerns over the retroactive nature of the proposed PTT. In new housing construction, pre-sale and custom build contracts are agreed to months, if not years in advance of completion.
These contracts are entered into in good faith, and on full disclosure of costs, fees and taxes. The retroactive nature of the new tax will create an unfair and punitive burden to purchasers holding presale and custom-build contracts that close after August 2nd.
We would urge the provincial government to amend the proposed policy to exempt all contracts signed prior to August 2nd.
Regulation focuses on owner-built homes
It seems lately that most of the headlines about housing and real estate in Metro Vancouver have been about ever higher prices, factors driving supply and dmand, and what government plans to do about it. Read More.
GVHBA welcomes these new members
Exorbitant Duty on Drywall Harms Business, Home Buyers
Ottawa – September 16, 2016 – The Canadian Home Builders’ Association (CHBA) today expressed extreme concern over the recently announced provisional duties on gypsum board (drywall) by the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA). CBSA invoked the Special Import Measures Act on September 6th, making a preliminary determination of alleged dumping with respect to certain gypsum board originating from the United States to Western and Northern Canada. Unfortunately, the ensuing duties, effective immediately, will have far reaching detrimental effects on struggling Canadian businesses and economies.
GVHBA welcomes these new members
“Renovate or Relocate” from the North Shore News features GVHBA member Kemp Construction and Klondike Contracting
Read the latest North Shore News “Renovate or Relocate” section, featuring GVHBA members Klondike Contracting and Kemp Construction. Click here.
GVHBA welcomes these new members
Coats for Kids Launches today!
ANNUAL COATS FOR KIDS CAMPAIGN GENERATES A REACTION.
The Greater Vancouver Homebuilders’ Association members have been providing drop-off locations for people to donate lightly used and new coats since 1995, in support of the Lower Mainland and Surrey Christmas Bureaus, serving families in need.
This year the campaign runs from Monday, November 14 through to Thursday, December 1st, with 48 GVHBA member companies offering 63 drop-off locations across 13 municipalities.
More than just keeping a child warm, every coat donated warms the hearts of many people along the way.
“The simple act of donating a coat to keep a child warm connects people contributing to a good cause. You can see the warmth and kindness shared between people as the coats are dropped-off and collected, and I think this is a reaction worth spreading”, said GVHBA Chair Darren Cranston of Polygon Homes.
Last year the response to Coats for Kids was heartwarming as Lower Mainland residents donated more than 3,000 gently used and new coats, scarves, gloves, blankets, and new toys for distribution to children of all ages.
Speaking with the Vancouver Christmas Bureau Executive Director Chris Bayliss, he said, “this year in particular, we are seeing more demand with the increase in refugees, and migration of workers and their families from Alberta, noting all those in need provide income statements and proof of residency. ”
Chris continued, “The needs are real, and clothing is often overlooked. People think of toys and food around this time of year, but keeping kids warm is an essential need for every parent too; especially during the colder winter months.” He said “watching the relief on a parent’s face who finds a size-appropriate coat for their child is a good feeling.”
Coats for teens are always in high demand. Even though some teens fit adult sizing, the coats need to appeal their age group (hoodies are always a popular choice). Buying new items for donations is also an option, along with donating scarves, hats, gloves, and new unwrapped toys (hockey sticks, soccer and basketballs, and art supplies are always a hit).
Drop-off locations for the Coats for Kids campaign can be found here.
GVHBA welcomes these new members
On November 15, 2016, the Greater Vancouver Home Builders' Association welcomed 15 (fifteen) new members:
25 years young: Finalists announced for the 25th Anniversary Georgie Awards®
GVHBA welcomes these new members
On December 20, 2016, the Greater Vancouver Home Builders' Association welcomed 18 (eighteen) new members: Viceroy Construction Ltd., The New Home Warranty Insurance (Canada) Corporation, Monolith Design Build Ltd., Karoleena Inc., Vancouver Premier Contracting Ltd., Cooper Roofing Inc., D3 Dimension Drafting and Design Inc., Azara Homes Ltd., TBW Custom Homes, ServiceMASTER Restore of Vancouver, Saggu Homes Inc., G5 Industries, Teklar Enterprises Ltd., DINOVO Homes and Renovations, Kabuni Technologies Inc., Cambria Canada, Marzstone Contracting Ltd. and Kingswood Real Estate Management Inc.
Dry Wall Tariff Update
As many of you already know, the Canadian International Trade Tribunal (CITT) announced its decision on the recently imposed drywall tariff this past Wednesday. As expected, it was a compromise but one that will have a significantly reduced impact on homebuyers and our industry.
GVHBA welcomes these new members
On Janaury 17, 2017, the Greater Vancouver Home Builders' Association welcomed 12 (twelve) new members: LSTAR Construction Ltd., J&R Excavation & Demolition Ltd., Moore & Sons Contracting Inc., Westwood Fine Cabinetry, Avrio, Headland Construction, Aedis Design and Construction Inc., Tandem-North Construction Ltd. dba Tandem Construction Ltd., Germanhaus, Coastec Industrial Paints, Aedifex Construction Inc. and Brock White Construction Materials.
'Healthy home' a new priority
What is a healthy home? In simple terms , it means plenty of fresh air, non-toxic or low-toxic building materials, and proper moisture control. Speaking with Joe Geluch, president of Naikoon Contracting, Joe explains 'a healthy home starts with caring, not money'. Read Bob's January Province column here.
GVHBA welcomes these new members
GVHBA Homebuyer Forum
Wondering how and where to buy in Vancouver's real estate market? Where are the trending neighbourhoods, and what are emerging housing products? Getting ready to buy, gathering market intelligence and finding the home right for you is all part of the home buying process. The Vancouver Sun and The Province feature an overview of the GVHBA's Homebuyer Forum, running today from 3pm - 9pm, with interactive panel discussions at 5pm, 6pm, and 7pm. Featuring industry experts, this is your opportunity to get granular information not readily available on the internet. The Panel discussions will be streamed live. We encourage you to sign up for this FREE opporunity. Empower yourself and buy smart. Read the Vancouver Sun and The Province featuring Zenterra Developments and BCHousing. Register for the event HERE.
Bob de Wit: March 2, 2017 Province Column - Builders' Nexus Lane could expedite delivery of new homes
From a homebuilder’s and homebuyer’s perspective, last week’s provincial budget added little to what was an active year by the B.C. government when it comes to the housing file. There was a reduction, albeit tiny, to the threshold exemption of property transfer tax for first-time homebuyers. More intriguingly, the budget promised to finally work things out with municipalities to deal with the supply side of the housing market equation.
Referring to a Deloitte report, Finance Minister Mike de Jong cited 115,000 housing units — notably from only six of the Lower Mainland’s 21 municipalities — as being held up at various stages of planning. Promised actions include:
• to support improvements to local government capacity, where needed, to process applications in a more timely way;
• to use incentives to reward jurisdictions for achieving efficiencies and target outcomes in the application, approval and permitting processes; and
• to adopt a performance-based approach in providing provincial assistance.
Why is this catching my attention?
As I’ve pointed out before in this space, delays in rezoning and building permits increase the estimated completion time and cost for projects, which ultimately get passed on to the homebuyer. At the same time, this delay in housing inventory continues to drive the price of available housing stock upward as supply lags behind demand.
Supply constraint and its impact on housing affordability is an issue the Greater Vancouver Homebuilders’ Association takes seriously. To address our concern, the association initiated an annual Housing Approvals Study — or HAS — research program in 2014, working with Metro Vancouver cities to examine municipal procedures in an effort to identify best practices to promote efficient delivery of new homes, and to tackle the problem of constrained supply.
Research confirmed city building permit offices are swamped. They are seeing unprecedented volumes of applications, and although there are many reasons for delays, the volume alone is daunting. Adding staff resources is an obvious solution – and one I predict the provincial government will support – but an even more impactful approach will be to consider how current staff resources are being deployed.
Looking at the report findings, it became apparent municipalities treat every applicant equally and as if the city has never encountered the builder before, even when that’s often not the case. The fact is, there are “good” builders and “bad” builders, and it’s the latter group that soaks up staff time at city hall.
A simple recommendation, based on HAS findings, is for planning departments to allow staff to expedite applications from builders with proven track records – like a Nexus lane — freeing staff to appropriately focus their attention on less-experienced builders or those they have reason to scrutinize more closely. Focusing energies where needed can boost staff resources and help to bring housing to the marketplace in a timely manner.
A recommendation such as a builders’ “Nexus lane” is just one of the best practices provided by the HAS research. When it comes to municipal permitting processes, most cities strive to adopt best practices that will improve the processing of new housing applications. After all, our elected city officials and senior staff are citizens too, and recognize the importance of a healthy supply of new housing on the local market.
Just how the Liberal government will accomplish its commitments to working with municipalities was not explained in Minister de Jong’s address, but it is my hope the HAS research — available at gvhba.org/events/gettingtogroundbreaking — is part of the Liberal government’s strategy.
Bob de Wit is CEO of the Greater Vancouver Home Builders’ Association. Email bob@gvhba.org
Georgie Awards® Gala celebrates 2017 winners and 25 years of home building excellence
BURNABY, B.C. (March 13, 2017) - The 2017 Georgie Awards® winners were announced on Saturday, March 11, at the 25th Anniversary Georgie Awards® Gala in Vancouver.
Furthermore, 22 GVHBA members winning in multiple categories including:
Best Environmental Initiative: Portrait Homes for Nelson Peak
Residential Renovator of the Year: My House Design/Build/Team
Custom Home Builder of the Year: Natural Balance Home Builders
Residential Community of the Year: Zenterra Developments for Hyde Park
Single Family Production Home Builder of the Year: Foxridge Homes
Multi-Family Home Builder of the Year: Zenterra Developments
For a complete list of winners, check out www.georgieawards.ca
GVHBA welcomes these new members
On March 21, 2017, the Greater Vancouver Home Builders' Association welcomed these new members: