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Canadian housing starts increased 7.2 per cent in November to 211,916 units at a seasonally adjusted annual rate (SAAR).  The six-month trend in Canadian housing starts of 208,401 units SAAR has risen for several months and is currently above the rate of household formations in Canada, a sign that new home construction could slow next year. Housing starts in BC fell 24 per cent follo…

Vancouver, BC – December 14, 2015. The British Columbia Real Estate Association (BCREA) reports that a total of 8,032 residential unit sales were recorded by the Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) in November, up 34.5 per cent from the same month last year. Total sales dollar volume was $5.38 billion, up 56.4 per cent compared to the previous year. The average MLS® residential price in the pro…

The Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose 1.4 per cent in November compared to the same month last year. While the transportation component, which contains gasoline prices, edged lower, prices were up in seven of the eight major index components. The largest increase came from food prices, which rose 3.4 per cent. The Core CPI, which excludes the volatile components like food and gasoline, was right on…

Canadian housing starts closed the year down close to 20 per cent, falling from 212,028 units at a seasonally adjusted annual rate (SAAR) in November to 172,965 units SAAR in December.  The six-month trend in Canadian housing starts of 203,500 units SAAR was also down. For the year 2015,  total Canadian housing starts were up 6 per cent over 2014.  Large declines in oil-producing provinces such a…

Vancouver, BC – November 12, 2015. The British Columbia Real Estate Association (BCREA) reports that a total of 8,725 residential unit sales were recorded by the Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) in October, up 14.1 per cent from the same month last year. Total sales dollar volume was $5.8 billion, up 32.3 per cent compared to the previous year. The average MLS® residential price in the province r…

Vancouver, BC – November 25, 2015. The BCREA Commercial Leading Indicator (CLI) declined for a second consecutive quarter, falling 0.2 index points in the third quarter to 120.0. The index was still 1.2 per cent higher year-over-year, due to strong momentum from 2014 that carried into the early months of this year.Third quarter jitters in financial markets and modest employment losses overwhelm…

From a Health Care ProviderWritten by Joanne on April 30, 2013Dear Joanne,If a capable adult signs a Representation Agreement appointing one of his or her children as a representative, and there is a disagreement between the adult and the representative, can the family member’s wishes override the wishes of the adult?  For example, if an adult’s Occupational Therapist recommends a piece of e…

Written by Joanne on January 3, 2013Why do people continue to believe that an Enduring Power of Attorney covers decisions about health care?This question highlights one of the persistent myths about Power of Attorney and Enduring Power of Attorney. These documents can give authority for someone to act on your behalf for financial and legal affairs. Only a Representation Agreement can give aut…

Written by Joanne on June 10, 2013Dear Joanne,In 2012 my Mother appointed me as a representative under a Representation Agreement Section 7 (RA7). It was decided this was the most comprehensive document to obtain as she requires assistance to manage her finances, personal care and healthcare decisions. She is elderly and is in the early stages of dementia. She has no real estate or assets.A…