Sunday, September 30, 2012

Top 25 Grants and Rebates for Property Buyers and Owners

Did You Know All These Rebates are Available from the Government for Home Owners?
(Too much to read? Stay tuned, we will bring you each of these rebates info in more detail one by one as the days pass .... there's lots of gold here though, so worth a read! )

 

HERE'S YOUR TOP 25!

1) Home Buyers’ Plan

Qualifying home buyers can withdraw up to $25,000 (couples can withdraw up to $50,000) from their RRSPs for a down payment.
Home buyers who have repaid their RRSP may be eligible to use the
program a second time.
 


 Canada Revenue Agency
www.
cra.gc.ca
Enter ‘Home Buyers’Plan’ in the search box. 1.800.959.8287


 

2) GST Rebate on New Homes

New home buyers can apply for a rebate of the federal portion of the HST (the 5% GST)
if the purchase price is less than $350,000. The rebate is up to 36% of the GST
to a maximum rebate of $6,300. There is a proportional GST rebate for new homes costing

between $350,000 and $450,000.

Canada Revenue Agency
www.cra.gc.ca
Enter ‘RC4028’ in the search box.1.800.959.8287


3) BC New Housing Rebate (HST)

Buyers of new or substantially renovated homes priced up to $525,000 are eligible
for a rebate of 71.43% of the provincial portion (7%) of the 12% HST paid to a maximum rebate of $26,250. Homes priced at $525,000+ are eligible for a rebate of $26,250.

www.hstinbc.ca/making_your_ choice/faqs/new_housing_rebate 1.800.959.8287


4) BC New Rental Housing Rebate (HST)

Landlords buying new or substantially renovated homes are Valley regional districts;
an additional grant of $770 to rural homeowners else-where in the province; and an
additional grant of $275 to seniors aged 65+, those who are permanently disabled and war veterans of certain wars.
 

BC Ministry of Small Business and Revenue
www.rev.gov.bc.ca/hogor contact your municipal tax office.

5) BC Property Transfer Tax (PTT) First Time Home Buyer's Program

Qualifying First-time buyers may be exempt from paying the PTT of
1% on the First $200,000 and 2% on the remainder of the purchase price of a
home priced up to$425,000. There is a proportional exemption for homes priced up to

$450,000.

BC Ministry of Small Business and Revenue

www.sbr.gov. bc.ca/business/Property_Taxes/Property_Transfer_Tax/ptt.htm
250.387.0604



6) First-Time Home Buyers’ Tax Credit (HBTC) 

This federal non-refundable income tax credit is for qualifying buyers of detached, 
attached, apartment condominiums, mobile homes or shares in a cooperative housing corporation. The calculation: multiply the lowest personal income tax rate for the year (15% in 2011) x $5,000. For the 2011 tax year, the maximum credit is $750. 

Canada Revenue Agency
www.
cra-arc.gc.ca/tx/ndvdls/tpcs/ncm-tx/rtrn/cmpltng/ddctns/lns360-390/369/menu-eng.html
1.800.959.8281


7) BC Home Owner Grant

Reduces property taxes for home owners with an assessed value of up to
$1,285,000. The basic grant gives home owners a maximum reduction of $570
in property taxes on principal residences in the Capital, Greater Vancouver and Fraser



8) BC Property Tax Deferment Programs 

-Property Tax Deferment Pro-gram for Seniors.
Qualifying home owners aged 55+ may be eligible to defer property taxes.
Financial Hardship Property Tax Deferment Program.
Qualifying low-income home owners may be eligible to defer property
taxes.
-Property Tax Deferment Program for Families with Children.
Qualifying low income home owners who financially support children under age 18 may be eligible to defer property taxes. 

BC Ministry of Small Business and Revenue
www.sbr.gov.bc.ca/
individuals/Property_Taxes/Prop-erty_Tax_Deferment/ptd.htm

 

9) Canada Mortgage and Housing (CMHC) Residential Rehabilitation Assistance Program  (RRAP) Grants.

This federal program provides financial aid to qualifying low-income home 
owners to repair substandard housing. Eligible repairs include heating, structural, 
electrical, plumbing and fire safety. Grants are available for seniors, persons
with disabilities, owners of rental properties and owners creating secondary and 
garden suites.

www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/en/co/ prfinas/prfinas_001.cfm
1.800.668.2642 | 604.873.7408 



10) CMHC Mortgage Loan Insurance Premium Refund 

Provides home buyers with CMHC mortgage insurance, a 10% premium refund 
and possible extended amortization without surcharge when buyers purchase an
energy efficient mortgage or make energy saving renovations.

www.cmhc.ca/en/co/moloin/moloin_008.cfm#reno 
604.731.5733 



11) Energy Saving Mortgages 

Financial institutions offer a range of mortgages to home buyers and
owners who make their homes more energy efficient. 
For example, home owners who have a home energy audit within 90 days 
of receiving an RBC Energy Saver™ Mortgage, may qualify
for a rebate of $300 to their RBC account. 

www.rbcroyalbank.com/products/mortgages/energy-saver-mortgage.html
1.800.769.2511 


12) Low Interest Renovation Loans

Financial institutions offer ‘green’ loans for home owners making energy efficient upgrades. Vancity’s Bright Ideas personal loan offers home owners up to $20,000 at prime + 1% for up to 10 years for ‘green’ renovations. RBC’s Energy Saver loan
offers 1% off the interest rate for a fixed rate installment loan over
$5,000 or a $100 renovation on a home energy audit on a fixed rate
installment loan over $5,000. 

For information visit your Financial institution. 
www.vancity.com/Loans/BrightIdeas and
www.rbcroyalbank.com/products/ personalloans/energy-saver-loan.html
 

13) Live Smart BC: Efficiency Incentive Program 

Home owners improving the energy efficiency of their homes
may qualify for cash incentives through this provincial program
provided in partnership with Fortis BC, BC Hydro, and Fortis BC.
Rebates are for energy efficient products which replace gas and oil
furnaces, pumps, water heaters, wood stoves, insulation, windows, doors, 
skylights and more.
The Live Smart BC program also covers $150 of the cost of a home
energy assessment, directly to the service provider. 
 
www.livesmartbc.ca/rebates  
1.866.430.8765 



14) BC Residential Energy Credit

Home owners and residential landlords buying heating fuel receive a BC government
point-of-sale rebate on utility bills equal to the provincial component of  the HST. 

www.sbr.gov.bc.ca/business/consumer_taxes/residential_ energy/residential_energy.htm
1.877.388.4440 


15) BC Hydro Appliance Rebates

Mail-in rebates for purchasers of ENERGY STAR clothes washers, refrigerators,
dishwashers, or freezers. 

www.bchydro.com/rebates_savings/appliance_rebates.html 
1.800.224.9376 


16) BC Hydro Fridge Buy-Back Program

This ongoing program rebates BC Hydro customers $30 to turn in spare fridges in working condition.

www.bchydro.com/rebates_ savings/fridge_buy_back.html
604.881.4357


17) BC Hydro Windows Rebate Program

Pay no HST when you buy ENERGY STAR high-performance windows and doors. 

www.bchydro.com/rebates_ savings/windows_offers/current_offers.htm
604-585-2020 for a free in-home estimate. 


18) BC Hydro Mail-in Rebates / Savings Coupons 


To save energy, BC Hydro offers rebates including 10% off an ENERGY STAR cordless phone. Check for new offers and for deadlines.

www.bchydro.com/rebates_savings/coupons.html 
1.800.224.9376 


19) Fortis BC Rebate Program 

 A range of rebates for home owners include a $50 rebate for upgrading a hot water tank, $300 rebate on an EnerChoice fireplace and a $1,000
rebate for switching to natural gas (from oil or propane) and installing an ENERGY STAR
heating system. 

www.fortisbc.com/NaturalGas/Homes/Offers/Pages/default.aspx
1.888.224.2710 


20) Fortis BC Efficient Boiler Program

For commercial buildings, provides a cash rebate of up to 75% of the purchase price
of an energy efficient boiler, for new construction or retrofits. 

www.fortisbc.com/NaturalGas/Business/Offers/Pages/default.
aspx  
1.888.477.0777 


21) City of Vancouver Rain Barrel Subsidy Program

The City of Vancouver provides a subsidy of 50% of the cost of a
rain barrel for Vancouver residents. With the subsidy, the rain
barrel costs $75. Buy your rain barrel at the Transfer Station at:

377 W. North Kent Ave., 
Vancouver, BC. 
Limit of two per resident.
Bring proof of residency.
http://vancouver.ca/engsvcs/watersewers/water/conservation/ programs/rainbarrel.htm604.736.2250
Other municipalities have similar offers. 


22) City of Vancouver Greenest City 2020 Pilot Home Energy Loan Program

The City of Vancouver in cooperation with Vancity, Fortis BC, BC Hydro and Natural Resources Canada offers access to loans for energy retrofits including heating systems, insulation and air sealing. The Home Energy Loan from Vancity is a 12 month pilot
program that will end October 21,2012. For more information attend a workshop (see third link below).The goal is 500 homes and loans are offered at 4.5% fixed rate over
10 years. The program also helps with accessing grants from the federal ecoENERGY program, the provincial LiveSmart BC program and Fortis BC.
www.vancouver.ca/energyloan
and
www.vancity.com/Loans/homeenergy
and
http://energyloan.eventbrite.com 

Email: energyloan@vancouver.ca 604.374.0507. 


23) Vancity Green Building Grant

In partnership with the Real Estate Foundation of BC, Vancity provides grants up to
$50,000 each to qualifying charities, not-for-profit organizations and co-operatives for projects which focus on building renovations/retrofits, regulatory changes that advance green building development, and education to increase the use of practical green building strategies. The deadline for applications was January 23, 2012.
If you are still interested in this grant open the link, and consider
contacting Vancity to express your interest. 

www.vancity.com/MyCommunity/NotForProfit/Grants/ActingOnClimateChange/GreenBuildingGrant
604.877.7000 

24) Local Government Water Conservation Incentives

Your municipality may provide grants and incentives to residents to help save water. For example,the City of Coquitlam offers residents a $100 rebate and the City of
North Vancouver, District of North Vancouver, and District of West Vancouver offer a $50 rebate when residents install a low-flush toilet.
Visit your municipality’s website and enter ‘toilet rebate’ to see if there is a program.

25) Local Government Water Meter Programs

Your municipality may provide a program for voluntary water metering, so that you pay only for the amount of water that you use. Delta, Richmond and Surrey have programs and other municipalities may soon follow. Visit your municipality’s website and enter ‘water meter’ to find out if there is a program.


For a full document of these rebates please visit: 
http://www.scribd.com/doc/82213899/Top-25-Grants-and-Rebates-for-Homeowners

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