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 Sandy and Judy Hines 902-877-4668 902-489-4663 sandy@sandyhines.com |
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Welcome
RCMP members!!
The purpose of this section is to have a section just for RCMP transfers
who are moving to the Halifax area to either the Halifax, Lower Sackville,
Cole Harbour, Tantallon or Enfield RCMP detachments. It includes some basic
information about the RCMP relocation package as well common questions that
the many RCMP buyers that I have dealt with over the years have asked. It
also includes some information about your House Hunting Trip and provides
links to RCMP services available in Halifax Regional Municipality.
Servicing RCMP members that are moving in and out of the Halifax area is
a major part of my real estate business. Every year I deal with members
moving into and out of the area. Hopefully the information below will help
you understand the process better. The information provided is in no way
your relocation package. It is meant to highlight of some important parts
of the package. It is a list of some of the common expenses you may incur
in your move. For a complete list and extensive detail of the IRP program
you will meet with an IRP rep who will explain the program. You can also
click here to obtain a copy of the IRP Program that is posted on the Royal
LePage Relocation Website - Download RCMP IRP Program.
I am not an IRP rep and although I am knowledgeable about the program any
questions on what is covered or not covered should be directed to your IRP
rep. More information is also available on IRP
Policy Website
If you are looking for an agent I would appreciate you considering me for
the job. If you click the "Request a
package of homes be sent to you" below and fill out
the form you will be sent a a complete Homebuyer's Package package that
will include a list of properties that fit your requirements. You will also
set you up on the MLS Prospector program so that you are emailed properties
that fit your criteria as soon as they are listed on MLS. All MLS listings
are eventually posted to Realtor.ca but using prospector you are notified
well in advance of them being posted.
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Brief Description of the IRP
Military Relocation Package
Your relocation package will consist of three components Core, Custom and
Personalized. The Core component covers items that are considered essential
for your move such as cost to sell your existing property or dispose of
your rental unit, cost o your House Hunting Trip (HHT) etc. The Custom component
cover items that enhance your move such as marketing incentives on your
existing property to help it sell, bridge financing and costs associated
with your extended family. The last component is non essential but attributable
to your move such as a Movement Grant, Posting Allowances and others. Below
is a description of the components, some examples of what the component
covers and what happens if they are not used.
| Component/ Envelopes | Overview | Examples of items covered | What happens if not used |
| Core | Core benefits are essential to a move. All core benefits are funded directly by the Department. A member is not required to use these benefits, however any unused benefits cannot be exchanged or assigned any monetary value to pay for any other benefits or expenses. | - Disposal of your rental unit. Pay for getting
out of lease |
If you don't use you forfeit them |
| Custom | Custom benefits enhance a move. Custom funding is based
on the factors of type of accommodation, distance traveled and family
size. The custom funding formula is used by the member to pay for these custom benefits only and cannot be used for any other type of benefit. |
- Building Inspection on your existing property |
Choose it and use it or lose it |
| Personalized | Personalized benefits are non-essential expenses but
are attributable to a move It is within the member’s discretion
to use personalized benefits. The personalized funding formula is available for use in three ways: • it can pay for any personalized benefits; • it can pay for additional custom benefits beyond what can be covered by the custom-funding formula; and • remaining funds can be cashed out and paid directly to the member. |
- Movement Grant: Members receive a non-accountable
grant in an amount of $650. This allowance is intended to offset
various losses or expenses incurred but not |
Remaining funds can be cashed out and paid directly to the member. |
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RCMP FAQ
Below are a few common questions that RCMP transfers to the Halifax area
have asked me in the past. You can also click here to download a copy
of the RCMP - 2007 IRP Policy - Download RCMP
IRP Program. (Important note: Scroll to page 12 using arrows on bottom
left hand side of page of downloaded document and begin there. The links
on the PDF document found on pages 1-11 don't direct users to anywhere
for some reason). More information on the program can be found at Royal
lePage RCMP IRP.
At the bottom of the page are useful links to sites that you might find
helpful.
I have sold many houses to members in the RCMP since 1982 when I first
started real estate. As an agent with Royal LePage I am very familiar
with the RCMP relocation package. This can make your move easier. If you
would like for me to send you a package of homes and other related information
click here REQUEST HOUSE
PACKAGE and fill out my request form. You can also visit my homepage
where you will find in depth information about all of HRM including detailed
information about almost 100 subdivisions in HRM. Click
here.
Question: Where do RCMP members like to live in the
Halifax metro area?
Answer: Most members try to live close to their detachment. Here are some
areas member's have chosen to live for different detachments.
| RCMP Detachment | Preferred Areas RCMP members like to buy houses |
| Lower Sackville RCMP | Sackville RCMP members usually buy houses in Lower Sackville, Middle and Upper Sackville, Beaverbank, Windsor Junction, Fall River, Waverley, Bedford and Hammonds Plains |
| Tantallon RCMP | Tantallon RCMP members usually buy houses in Tantallon, Hammonds Plains, St. Margarets Bay, Halifax, Bedford, Sackville |
| Cole Harbour RCMP | Cole Harbour RCMP members usually buy houses anywhere in city of Dartmouth, Cole Harbour (Colby Village and Forest Hills are closeby), Lawrencetown, Lake Echo, Porter's Lake, Eastern Passage |
| Halifax RCMP | Halifax RCMP members usually buy houses anywhere in Halifax city, Clayton Park, Timberlea, Bedford. |
| Enfield RCMP | Enfield RCMP members usually buy houses in Fall River, Waverley, Bedford, Sackville, Enfield, Grand Lake, Wellington |
Question: How far ahead of my start date should I plan my house hunting
trip?
Answer: 8-9 weeks would be a good time given the fact that the average
closing date is two months here.
Question: What is a usual closing date in the Halifax area?
Answer: 6 weeks to two months but it varies depending on time of year.
In January until June we see a lot of sellers who would like to close
end of June so closing dates could be a little longer.
Question: Regarding lot size the policy reads that the member will only
be covered for expenses for properties that are 1.25 acres or less unless
the zoning
in the area requires it in which case a lot size of up to 4 acres is covered.
What does this mean?
Answer: In the outlining areas of HRM in such areas as Hammonds Plains,
Fall River, Porter's Lake and many others the lot size is large because
the properties do not have municipal sewer and therefore require a septic
system. These lots are usually 1/2 acres or larger. If you buy one of
these lots the lot size policy could affect you.
The policy states you cannot buy a property over 4 acres if you want to
have your costs covered. This is really the limit for lot size for you.
If you buy a property that is less than 1.25 acres nothing has to be done.
The lot fits within the policy. Almost all lots on municipal water and
sewer will be less than this size. If the you buy a property that is larger
than 1.25 acres you will have to provide written proof that the size is
required by the municipality. What you will require will depend on your
IRP rep. Some will accept a letter from the real estate agent stating
that the lot size is normal for the area and is required to be as large
because of the septic system. Some will require a letter from the municipality
stating that the property conforms with zoning by laws. If you require
this letter from the municipality there is a cost of between $60 and $100
to you and this cost will not be reimbursed. In the Halifax Regional Municipality
planning department there is a policy not to provide these letters unless
it is a commercial property. However they will provide the letter for
military and RCMP postings. If you are considering buying in the outskirts
of HRM you should ask your IRP rep what they will require from you.
Question: Should I do a house inspection, what does it cost and does
my plan cover it?
Answer: Yes. Yes. Yes. There may certain circumstances where the inspection
is not covered but in all sales I have been involved the inspection was
covered. You must use an approved inspector and the cost is limited to
the approved cost. I am very aware of the approved inspectors and can
help you choose.
Question: Are there any other inspections I should do?
Answer: Yes You should do a Radon Gas test. The recommended limits for
Radon has dropped significantly. As a result properties that once passed
are now failing. If the property is on a well and has a septic you will
need to test these as well. You will test the well to make sure that the
levels of bacteria, arsenic and uranium are within allowable limits. This
is a requirement for your mortgage. You should also do a Flow Test on
the well to determine how much water the well is currently producing.
Finally you should do a septic inspection. All these inspections will
be covered by IRP but you must ask the house inspector to recommend these
tests in the inspection report and then you will give this report to your
IRP rep.
Question: My house hunting trip is a week. How many days should I spend
actually looking for a house?
Answer: It takes about a day to negotiate a deal. The inspection could
be a couple of days to set up. You should leave a day or so in case something
goes wrong. If you've done some research ahead of time a couple of good
days usually will be enough.
Question: If I find a house on the internet and want more information
can you email me more details?
Answer: Yes. I have the ability to email listings with full details. More
details than is available on the net. I can also set you up on the MLS
Prospector which means you will be emailed all new mls listings that fit
your requirements as soon as they are posted on mls. This may be a few
days ahead of Realtor.ca.
Question? Do you recommend any Home Inspectors, Lawyers or Insurance
Companies?
Yes. Amerispec for house inspection 902-469-1119. Nelson Blackburn for
lawyer 902-835-8544 and Personal Insurance for insurance. All these are
approved by the military. I will also provide you with additional names
at time of your purchase.
Question: What do you do for me when I come to town?
Answer: I will try to clear my schedule when you arrive until you leave.
My goal is to find you a good house in the time you are here. I understand
the time crunch you are under and will work hard with you to find you
a home as quickly as possible. I will recommend inspectors and lawyers
that are on your IRP approved list. I will setup all necessary inspections
etc that you will require. I've done this many times so I know what you
need.
Answer: The Holiday Inn Express is located on the edge of Halifax city between Halifax and Bedford. It is a fairly new hotel that is very clean and well run. It has a pool, hot tub and some exercise equipment. Their phone number is 902-445-1100. I can also recommend Lakeview Inn and Suites which is also located on the edge of Halifax. This hotel is almost new as well and has larger suite type rooms. Call 902-450-3020 or toll free at 1-877-355-3500. Some members have liked the Quality Inn. This hotel is almost new and is located on the edge of Halifax. You can phone them at 902- 444-6700 or toll free at 1-800-424-6423. If you would like a hotel with suites the Radisson Suite Hotel in downtown Halifax is good bet. Call 902- 429-7233 or toll free at 1-800-333-3333.
There are also some answers to more questions
on the Royal LePage RCMP IRP site - FAQ
If you have a question email at sandy@sandyhines.com
or call me at 902-877-4668
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RCMP House Hunting Trip (HHT)
Once posted you are entitled to a House Hunting Trip (HHT).
A standard HHT as a Core Benefit includes up to 5 days and 5 nights at
the new location, for the member, or spouse, or both.
The total duration, including travel time, should not normally exceed
7 days and 6 nights.
Your meals will be reimbursed for the total 7 days of your HHT including
travel days.
Members are entitled to a rental car and all expenses related to it such
as gasoline, insurance and parking while on your HHT. You can pick one
up at airport. You can upgrade your car but the difference it not part
of your Core Benefits.
All your legal and other fees associated with your purchase will be covered.
You will need to use only approved suppliers from your list for such services
as real estate agents, lawyers, house inspectors, surveyors etc. Only
suppliers on the list can be used. Many of these services will be billed
directly to IRP such as legal and house inspectors. You will usually need
to pay for water tests, well and septic inspections and radon gas inspection
etc and be reimbursed later by IRP. If you are buying a property on a
well and septic you should count on about $1000 for the various tests.
What will usually happen on the HHT is that you will arrive one day and
start looking at houses the next. However if you land early enough in
the day you could look at properties that day as well. What I do is setup
a lot of properties for the first day. We will spend at least 3-4 hours
to the whole day looking at properties. You can usually view up to 10
or more properties in a day. If no property is found the first day then
we would go out the second day. This may be a long or short day. It really
depends on availability of properties that suit your criteria. Hopefully
at the end of the second day a short list is created and if time allows
we will view the short list on day two. If a property is decided on an
offer is prepared We will usually hear back on that offer the same day
or the next morning at the latest. Hopefully an agreement will be reached.
Appointments for inspections are setup for the next day if possible. We
will provide you with the names of approved inspectors and will setup
the appointments with the ones that you choose. You will contact your
lender and your insurance company as soon as your offer is accepted because
you will limited time to get these approved. The whole buying process
should be completed by the end of Day 4 at the latest so that if something
goes wrong such as a bad inspection then you have time to move onto your
second choice.
Having dealt extensively with military buyers I know what needs to be
done and will take care of everything for you.
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Useful RCMP and other Links
