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 How much can be withdrawn tax-free from RRSPs?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 at the 18th annual Seminar for First-time Home Buyers, presented by the Greater Vancouver Home Builders' Association (GVHBA) on Tuesday, April 3 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. in the Bell Performing Arts Centre, 6250 144 St., Surrey.

Admission is free, but preregistration is required.

Register online at www. gvhba.org or call 7785654288 from 8: 30 a.m. to 4: 30 p.m., Monday to Friday. Registrations will also be accepted via voicemail during evenings and weekends. There is ample free onsite parking, and public transit is right at the corner.

Although the seminar is free, attendees are asked to bring a food item for the Surrey Food Bank.