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How to Buy a Home in Vancouver: A Complete Guide for Buyers

Step 1: Get Pre-Approved for a Mortgage
Before you begin house hunting, meet with a mortgage broker or bank to get pre-approved. This helps determine your maximum budget based on your income, credit score, debts, and down payment. In Vancouver, a minimum down payment is 5% for homes under $500,000 CAD, and 10% for the portion between $500,000 and $1 million CAD. For homes over $1 million CAD, at least 20% is required. Pre-approval also strengthens your offer when competing with other buyers.

Step 2: Define Your Needs and Work with a Realtor
Make a list of must-haves (location, size, amenities, school zones) and preferences (views, transit access). Then, hire a licensed Vancouver real estate agent who knows the local market and can guide you through listings, negotiations, and paperwork.

Step 3: Start House Hunting
Begin viewing homes that fit your criteria. Your agent will schedule private showings or open house visits. In competitive markets like Vancouver, be prepared to act quickly when a good listing appears.

Step 4: Make an Offer
Once you find the right property, your agent will help you draft an Offer to Purchase. This usually includes:

  • Offer price

  • Deposit amount (typically 5% of the purchase price)

  • Subject conditions, like financing approval, home inspection, or strata document review

  • Completion and possession dates

Step 5: Conduct Due Diligence
If your offer is accepted with conditions, now is the time to do your homework:

  • Home inspection: Hire a certified inspector to evaluate the property's condition.

  • Financing: Finalize your mortgage with the lender.

  • Strata documents (for condos or townhomes): Review minutes, financials, bylaws, and contingency funds.
    Once all conditions are satisfied, you'll remove subjects—this makes the deal binding.

Step 6: Prepare for Closing Costs
Set aside 3–5% of the purchase price for closing expenses, which may include:

  • Property Transfer Tax (PTT): 1% on the first $200K CAD, 2% up to $2M CAD, and more above. First-time buyers may qualify for exemptions.

  • Legal fees and disbursements: Paid to your lawyer or notary for transferring title (approx. $1,000–$2,000 CAD).

  • Home appraisal: Required by some lenders.

  • Title insurance: Protects against title fraud or errors.

  • GST: 5% on new construction (resale homes are exempt).

  • Foreign Buyer Tax: 20% for non-residents purchasing in Metro Vancouver.

Step 7: Close the Deal
Your lawyer or notary handles final documents, ensures the title is transferred, and registers the sale with the BC Land Title Office. You’ll provide your remaining down payment and sign mortgage papers. On completion day, funds are transferred. On possession day, you receive the keys!

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Step-by-Step Guide for a House Sale in Vancouver BC

Step 1: Prepare Your Property

  • Declutter and Clean: Remove personal items and deep clean the entire home.

  • Repairs and Touch-Ups: Fix leaky faucets, chipped paint, squeaky doors, and any minor issues.

  • Home Staging: Professionally stage or rearrange furniture to make rooms feel spacious and inviting.

  • Curb Appeal: Mow the lawn, clean the exterior, and make the entrance welcoming.

Step 2: Hire a Realtor

  • Choose a licensed real estate agent experienced with house sales in Vancouver BC.

  • Realtors provide a Comparative Market Analysis (CMA), helping you set a realistic and competitive price.

  • They also handle marketing, negotiations, paperwork, and showings.

Step 3: Set the Right Price

  • Review recent comparable sales in your area.

  • Consider market conditions (seller’s vs buyer’s market).

  • Use your realtor’s guidance to avoid overpricing or undervaluing your home.

Step 4: Market the Property

  • High-quality professional photos and videos are essential.

  • Create a compelling MLS listing and feature your home on popular real estate websites.

  • Promote with virtual tours, open houses, and social media advertising.

Step 5: Showings and Offers

  • Be flexible with viewing times.

  • Leave the home during showings to help buyers feel comfortable.

  • Review all offers carefully with your agent and consider conditions (financing, inspection, etc.).

Step 6: Negotiate and Accept an Offer

  • Respond to offers through counteroffers or accept the best one.

  • Once accepted, the buyer may conduct an inspection or appraisal before removing subjects.

Step 7: Legal and Financial Requirements

  • Hire a real estate lawyer or notary to assist with contract review and closing paperwork.

  • Prepare the Property Disclosure Statement (PDS) and Title Search.

  • Be aware of potential taxes: Property Transfer Tax (PTT), capital gains tax (if not your primary residence), and possible speculation/vacancy tax.

Step 8: Closing the Sale

  • Finalize documents with your lawyer/notary.

  • Ensure utilities are transferred or cancelled.

  • Move out and leave the property clean for the buyer.

  • Hand over the keys on the possession date.

Also check this out > https://soldtoday.ca/selling-services.html

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House for Sale in Vancouver: Condos vs. Detached Homes – Which is Right for You?

As you browse for a house for sale in Vancouver, one key decision is whether to pursue a condo or a detached home, since they differ widely in cost, lifestyle and long-term value. In early 2025 the average Vancouver detached house was about $2.0M CAD versus roughly $805K CAD for a condo, so condos (around $700–800K for first-time buyers) are much cheaper upfront, while houses (often $1.2–1.5M CAD) cost significantly more. Condos typically sit in central locations with amenities like gyms and pools, and require little maintenance (strata fees cover building upkeep). By contrast, detached homes provide more space and private yards, but they also carry higher utility and repair costs since owners must handle all upkeep. Investors note houses tend to appreciate faster over time (reflecting scarce land), though condos in prime spots still build equity in Vancouver’s strong market. Affordability remains a challenge – a late-2024 report found a Vancouver household needed ~96.7% of its income to afford a typical home – so many buyers are drawn to lower-priced condos despite tradeoffs. In summary, condos win on upfront affordability and urban convenience, while detached houses win on space, privacy and long-term land value; weighing these pros and cons against your budget, maintenance tolerance and lifestyle (downtown vs suburban) will help determine which property type is right for you.

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Luxury houses for sale in Vancouver area are concentrated in prestigious enclaves like Point Grey, West Vancouver and South Granville, where ocean‐view estates on sprawling lots and architect‐designed mansions command top prices

In 2025, industry reports show that high‐end home values have held firm (Greater Vancouver’s detached average is around $4.2 million CAD, up modestly year‐over‐year) even as listings remain scarce. West Side properties remain at the apex of the market – for example, Point Grey houses now list at a median near $7.95 M CAD and West Vancouver homes around $7.63 M CAD – reflecting their luxury finishes, sweeping water/mountain views and custom architectural pedigree. South Granville’s elegant family homes (renowned for stately lots and cultural flair) also trade in the multi‐million bracket, with median house list prices around $5.2 M CAD. Although ultra‐luxury sales volume has cooled slightly (detached sales over $3 M CAD fell by roughly 21% in early 2025) amid higher borrowing costs and local taxes, demand remains resilient. Both well‐heeled locals and international buyers continue to prize Vancouver’s lifestyle appeal and stable investment potential, and experts say global interest is likely to persist through 2025 as trophy waterfront properties and smart, sustainable homes retain their allure. Overall, market watchers see Vancouver’s luxury housing segment staying attractive, buoyed by renewed buyer confidence and the city’s unique blend of natural beauty and urban prestige.  Want to check out luxury homes which are $10M CAD and up? https://soldtoday.ca/luxury-homes.html

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Affordable Homes in Vancouver for Sale: Best Areas for First-Time Buyers

First-time buyers looking for affordable homes in Vancouver for sale often target neighborhoods such as East Vancouver, Burnaby, and New Westminster, where prices and community amenities tend to be more budget-friendly. East Vancouver offers diverse housing options from condos to small detached homes at prices below the city’s west side, and it boasts abundant parks, schools and local shops. Burnaby’s market is similarly attractive – typical condos range from about $650,000 CAD to $850,000 CAD and townhomes around $1.1M CAD – and its excellent transit links to downtown (via the SkyTrain) plus big malls and parks give it a suburban feel with urban convenience. New Westminster is also popular for first-timers, with condos around $700,000 and townhouses near $1M CAD; its family-friendly waterfront, heritage architecture and strong transit connections give it a “small-town” vibe while new developments and amenities keep it on an upswing. Each of these areas combines SkyTrain or Canada Line access, parks and community services with planned growth projects (like the Broadway subway extension and Brentwood redevelopment), making them appealing for long-term value. With many listings under $1M CAD, they stand out for budget-conscious first-time buyers entering Metro Vancouver’s market. Let’s start searching for your dream home here > https://soldtoday.ca/

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Top 5 Most Desirable Neighborhoods for Real Estate in Vancouver BC

For luxury buyers, families and investors alike, real estate in Vancouver BC is epitomized by neighborhoods like Kitsilano, West End, Shaughnessy, Yaletown, and Mount Pleasant. Kitsilano is a beachside enclave with a laid-back lifestyle, top-rated schools and boutiques just minutes from – its median home price is about $1.6M CAD. The West End blends urban convenience with scenic amenities (Stanley Park, English Bay and Davie Village) and strong community, while homes average roughly $845K CAD. Shaughnessy delivers stately heritage mansions and tree-lined streets for the truly upscale (with average prices near $3.8M CAD). Downtown Yaletown offers trendy waterfront condos and dining hotspots popular with professionals, with condo prices around $1.14M CAD. Finally, Mount Pleasant combines a creative, walkable vibe – breweries, shops and SkyTrain – with strong demand and average home values near $942K CAD. Each of these high-demand markets offers exceptional amenities, quality schools or lifestyle perks and reflects current positive market trends, making them prime picks for upscale living and savvy investment in Vancouver’s booming luxury housing market. Let’s start searching for your dream home here > https://soldtoday.ca/

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Welcome to SoldToday.ca – Your Trusted Partner in Real Estate

We’re thrilled to welcome you to SoldToday.ca – your go-to destination for reliable, up-to-date real estate information, market insights, and expert guidance.

Whether you're buying your first home, selling your current property, or simply exploring the market, we’re here to help you make informed, confident decisions. At SoldToday.ca, we combine deep local knowledge with a passion for helping people achieve their real estate goals. Our website offers valuable tools, listings, and resources tailored to meet the needs of today’s home buyers and sellers.

Take a look around – explore recent sales in your area, check out new listings, or read through our blog for helpful tips and market updates. And when you're ready, our experienced team is just a click or call away.

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