Real Estate FAQ for Buyers & Sellers

Start with a mortgage pre-approval, so you know your budget before you start looking. From there most BC purchases follow the same steps: search, offer with subjects, subject removal, completion and possession. See the six steps.

Subjects are conditions in your offer, such as financing and an inspection, that give you time to check the details. Once you’re satisfied, you remove them in writing and pay the deposit, and the deal becomes firm.

Yes, BC and federal programs exist for first-time buyers. Eligibility rules change, so check with your lender, lawyer or accountant about what applies to you.

A strata is a property where owners have their own unit and share common areas, such as hallways, roofs and grounds. Owners pay strata fees and follow the strata’s bylaws.

You sign a contract to buy a home before it’s finished, pay deposits set by the developer and complete when the building is done. You also receive a disclosure statement and have a short period to rescind after signing. More on presales.

Since November 2022, BC strata corporations can’t ban long-term rentals, but they can still restrict short-term rentals and set other bylaws. I check the bylaws and strata documents with you before you commit.

It depends on your search and the dates in your contract. Resale purchases usually complete within weeks or months, while presales can take years.