The 18th annual free seminar for first-time home buyers, presented by the Greater Vancouver Home Builders' Association, runs from 7 to 9 p.m., April 3 at the Bell Performing Arts Centre, 6250 144 St., Surrey. What home type is best matched to wants, needs and financial resources? What location is preferable? What are the mortgage options? How does the provincial property transfer tax exemption for first-time home buyers work? What are the rules associated with B.C.'s newly announced $10,000 first-time new home buyers bonus? How much can be withdrawn tax-free from RRSPs? How about legal considerations, closing costs and home warranties? What's involved with condo pre-sales? Those and other key questions will be covered by a panel of experts.
Speakers include Robyn Adamache, a senior market analyst with Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation; Wendy Acheson, vice president and registrar of the Homeowner Protection Office branch of B.C. Housing; Narrinder Dhanoya-Bhangu, vice-president of the pacific region for Genworth Financial Canada; Inde Sumal, vice-president of residential mortgages of the B.C. region for RBC Royal Bank; Eugen Klein, president of the Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver; Tom Reeves, assistant vice-president for National Home Warranty; and Aaron Lightman, associate, Farris and Company LLP. Shayne Ramsay, chief executive officer of B.C. Housing will moderate the event. About 750 people attended last year's event. Doors open at 6 p.m. and there will be builder displays and other home-related products and services. Pre-registration is required. Register online at www.gvhba.org or call 7785654288 between 8: 30 a.m. and 4: 30 p.m., Monday to Friday. Registrations will also be accepted via voicemail during evenings and weekends. There is free onsite parking, and public transit is right at the corner. Attendees are asked to bring a food item for the Surrey Food Bank, but admission is free.
