Category: Legal and Accounting

Legal Process for Completing the Sale

This post explains the legal process for the completion of the contract. It is the Buyer’s lawyer who prepares the documents for closing. Hence the reason it costs more in legal closing costs for a Buyer than for a Seller. In addition, the cost is higher if there is a mortgage involved.

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What is the Home Buyer Recission Period?

The Home Buyer Rescission Period was developed by the British Columbia Financial Services Authority (BCFSA). The BCFSA is the governing body for BC real estate agents. The HBRP was implemented in response to the multiple offer situations in 2020-2022. During that frenzy, buyers were writing overpriced offers with no subjects, and then upon acceptance of their offer, regret set in as there was no “easy” way out of the transaction. The HBRP is also known as a non-negotiable, “cooling off period”.

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Is there Tax on Furniture Included in the Sale?

When buying a property in Whistler and furniture is included, Property Sales Tax (PST) is applicable. This 7% PST is charged on used furniture and has to be accounted for. This tax will be of most concern to the buyer who is financing the purchase as the mortgage company will not finance furniture.

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When is an Offer not an Offer?

The following explanation is courtesy of my broker, Sutton Group-West Coast Realty:

“In an environment of multiple offers, a listing agent might be presented with an offer containing what is generally referred to as a ‘‘referential purchase price clause’’ (RPPC). The RPPC is a means by which a buyer endeavors to establish a purchase price by reference to prices contained in competing offers. The thrust of the RPPC is for a buyer to piggyback on the next highest bona fide offer which is acceptable to the seller. Such a clause might read as follows:

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