These resources may not be here for a long time, but they ARE available now to savvy investors.  We want to pass this great list of grants and rebates to our partners who may also invest in rental property.  This is a great list to print and keep for future reference.

Top 25 grants and rebates for property buyers and owners:

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 $850,000 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 flat rebate of $42,500.

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 eligible for a rebate of 71.43% of the provincial portion of the HST, up to $26,250 per unit.

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

5. BC Property Transfer Tax (PTT) First Time Home Buyers’ 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 Revenuewww.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 Valley regional districts;
• an additional grant of $770 to rural homeowners elsewhere in the province; and
• an additional grant of $275 to seniors aged 65+, those who are permanently disabled and war veterans of certain wars.

8. BC Property Tax Deferment Programs

Property Tax Deferment Program 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 Revenuewww.sbr.gov.bc.ca/individuals/Property_Taxes/Property_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.

http://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 SaverT Mortgage, may qualify for a rebate of $300 to their RBC account.

www.rbcroyalbank.com/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. LiveSmart 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 FortisBC, BC Hydro, and FortisBC. Rebates are for energy efficient products which replace gas and oil furnaces, pumps, water heaters, wood stoves, insulation, windows, doors, skylights and more. The LiveSmart 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.

http://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 EN-ERGY STAR high-performance windows and doors.

http://www.bchydro.com/rebates_savings/windows_offers/current_offers.htm. 604.759.2759 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 EN-ERGY STAR cordless phone. Check for new offers and for deadlines.

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

19. FortisBC Rebate Program

A range of rebates for home owners include a $50 rebate for upgrading a hot water tank, $300 rebate on an Ener-Choice 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. FortisBC 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.

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