What to Expect
Buying your first home involves more steps than most people anticipate. From securing financing to navigating legal documents, the process can feel overwhelming without a clear picture of what's coming.
Understanding each stage ahead of time reduces stress and helps you make more confident decisions. This guide breaks the entire journey into nine steps, from your first pre-approval meeting all the way through to receiving your keys.
Step1
Get Pre-Approved
Understand what you can borrow before you start shopping.
Step2
Define Your Priorities
Needs vs. wants, property types, neighbourhoods.
Step3
Work with a REALTOR®
Representation agreements and what buyer agency means.
Step4
The Home Search
How to evaluate properties and what to look past.
Step5
Making an Offer
Offer structure, deposit, conditions, and strategy.
Step6
The Subject Period
Inspection, financing confirmation, document review.
Step7
Removing Subjects
What going firm means and why it matters.
Step8
Preparing for Completion
Legal, insurance, title, and final walkthrough.
Step9
Completion Day
Adjustments, key release, and what to expect.
Get Pre-Approved
Before you start seriously looking at homes, getting pre-approved for a mortgage is a common first step. It shows sellers you're a credible buyer and gives you a clearer picture of what you can afford before you fall in love with something outside your range.
Pre-Qualification vs. Pre-Approval
Pre-qualification is a rough estimate based on self-reported information. Pre-approval involves document verification and a credit check and typically carries more weight with sellers.
What Lenders Review
Income and employment history, credit score, down payment source and amount, existing debts, and your overall debt-to-income ratio.
Why It Matters
Sellers tend to take pre-approved buyers more seriously because financing is likely in place. In competitive markets, a pre-approval can make a meaningful difference in a multiple-offer situation.
A pre-approval is not a mortgage guarantee. It is an assessment based on your situation at the time. Changes to your income, credit, or debt load between pre-approval and completion can affect your final mortgage. Work with a qualified mortgage professional and keep your financial situation stable until closing.
Define Your Priorities
Taking time to clearly separate what you need from what you want can help prevent the decision fatigue that affects many first-time buyers. It also tends to make your agent's job easier and your search more focused.
Needs
Number of bedrooms and bathrooms required. Maximum commute time. Budget ceiling and comfortable monthly payment. Must-have accessibility or layout features.
Wants
Finishes, style preferences, specific neighbourhoods. Features you'd love but can live without. Upgrades you could add over time. Nice-to-haves that should not kill a deal.
Property Types in BC
Detached
Freehold ownership with land. Maximum privacy and control over modifications. Typically the highest price point in most markets.
Strata / Condo
Shared ownership with common areas managed by a strata council. Monthly strata fees cover maintenance and amenities. Reviewing strata documents carefully before buying is common practice.
Townhouse
Often strata ownership. Combines elements of detached living with shared common areas and typically lower maintenance responsibilities than a full detached home.
Greater Vancouver and the Fraser Valley offer diverse communities at significantly different price points. Factor in commute times, local amenities, school catchments, and any planned development in the area before settling on a neighbourhood.
Working with a REALTOR®
In British Columbia, buyer representation is formalized through a signed Representation Agreement. This is a legally binding document that defines your agent's duties to you and establishes the terms of the relationship.
Buyer Agency Duties
A buyer's agent has a fiduciary duty to represent your best interests, provide honest advice, maintain confidentiality, and negotiate on your behalf.
What the Agreement Covers
Your agent's responsibilities, commission structure, agreement duration, and the geographic areas covered.
First Consultation
Discuss your goals, budget, timeline, and neighbourhood preferences. Bring your pre-approval letter and any questions about the process.
How buyer agents are compensated changed in BC in 2024. In many transactions, the buyer agent commission is still offered by the seller through the listing, but this is not automatic. Ask your agent to explain how they are compensated for any transaction you are considering. Commission is negotiable and not set by law.
The Home Search
The search phase typically requires patience. Most buyers view many properties before finding the right one. Learning to evaluate homes objectively rather than purely emotionally is one of the more useful skills to develop during this stage.
Setting Up MLS Alerts
Automated alerts help you see new listings quickly. In active markets, well-priced properties can receive offers within days of listing. Your agent can set these up filtered by your criteria.
What to Focus On
Structural condition and age of major systems. Layout and flow. Natural light. Storage. Parking. Features that are expensive or difficult to change.
Look Past the Staging
Professional staging and fresh paint can make any home look appealing. Focusing on structure, layout, location, and potential is generally more useful. Cosmetic updates are typically easier than structural issues.
Red Flags to Watch For
Signs of water intrusion. Foundation cracks. Outdated electrical. Strong odours. Cosmetic work that may be concealing defects.
Making an Offer
When you are ready to make an offer, your REALTOR® prepares a Contract of Purchase and Sale. Price is one element — understanding the full structure is important.
01
Offer Price and Strategy
Your agent will typically review comparable sales, assess current market conditions, and discuss an offer strategy based on the listing and your goals.
02
Deposit Amount
Typically held in the listing brokerage trust account. It demonstrates commitment and is applied to your purchase on completion. It is commonly refundable if your conditions are not satisfied within the subject period.
03
Conditions or Subjects
Common conditions include financing approval, home inspection, and title review. For strata properties, review of strata documents is a key consideration.
04
Completion and Possession Dates
Completion is when ownership transfers and funds change hands. Possession is when you receive keys — these dates are negotiated and are often the same day or the day after completion.
On subject-free offers: Waiving conditions can increase risk. Removing financing conditions can put your deposit at risk if your mortgage does not complete. Removing inspection conditions means buying without a professional assessment of the home's condition. Consult your agent and legal representative about what you are giving up before agreeing to any subject-free offer.
The Subject Period
Once your offer is accepted, the subject period begins. This is your window to complete due diligence before the contract becomes firm.
Home Inspection
Hiring a qualified inspector to assess the property condition and major systems is common practice. Attending in person is often recommended.
Financing Confirmation
Your lender finalizes approval and may order an appraisal. Submitting documents promptly can help avoid delays.
Title Review
Your lawyer or notary searches title and confirms liens, easements, or encumbrances. Consider consulting a lawyer or notary early in the process.
If buying a strata property: Reviewing strata financial statements, the contingency reserve fund, special levies, bylaws, and council minutes is an important part of due diligence. Minutes often reveal disputes, deferred maintenance, and upcoming expenses not visible elsewhere.
Removing Subjects
Removing subjects means waiving conditions and committing to proceed with the purchase. It is one of the most significant decisions in the entire transaction.
What Going Firm Means
Once subjects are removed, the contract becomes legally binding. Backing out may risk loss of deposit and other legal consequences. There is no cooling-off period for resale properties in BC once you go firm.
Your Deposit at This Stage
After removing subjects, your deposit typically becomes non-refundable except in very limited circumstances. Consult a lawyer or notary if you have any questions before signing.
Before Removing Subjects, Confirm
Financing is confirmed in writing from your lender.
Inspection report is received and reviewed.
Lawyer or notary has reviewed title.
Strata documents are reviewed for strata properties.
You understand the commitment you are making by signing.
Preparing for Completion
With subjects removed, focus shifts to the legal transfer of ownership. Several tasks need to be completed before your completion date.
Legal Representative
Notary or Lawyer
In BC, a notary public or lawyer handles the title transfer, mortgage registration, adjustments, and required filings.
Title Transfer
What They Handle
Prepares transfer documents and registers title in your name at the BC Land Title Office.
Insurance
Home Insurance
Lenders typically require proof of insurance before releasing funds. Coverage is commonly arranged to begin on the completion date.
Final Step
Final Walkthrough
Scheduled shortly before completion to confirm the property's condition and that included items remain.
Completion and Adjustment Day
Completion day is when ownership changes hands. Key release typically happens after funds are received and title registration is complete.
Stage 1
Completion Date
Funds are transferred and title is registered in your name during business hours.
Stage 2
Possession Date
When you receive keys and can occupy the property — often the same day as completion. The timing is negotiated.
Stage 3
Adjustments
Property taxes, strata fees, and utilities are prorated to completion date and handled through your legal representative.
Stage 4
Key Release
Keys are typically released once funds are received and registration is confirmed — often mid to late afternoon.
Adjustment example: If annual property taxes are $3,600 and completion is July 1, and the seller has paid the full year, you would reimburse the remaining portion through the adjustment process. Your notary or lawyer calculates these amounts and includes them in your final statement.
First-Time Buyer Programs in BC
Several provincial and federal programs may reduce costs for first-time buyers. Eligibility and thresholds vary and can change. Verify current details with a qualified professional before relying on any program.
BC First Time Home Buyers Program
Eligible buyers may receive a full or partial exemption from Property Transfer Tax on homes up to certain thresholds. Eligibility requirements apply. Confirm current thresholds with a lawyer or notary.
First Home Savings Account (FHSA)
A federal registered account for first-time buyers. Contributions are generally tax-deductible and qualifying withdrawals are tax-free, subject to program rules and eligibility. Consult a financial advisor for details.
RRSP Home Buyers' Plan
Eligible buyers may withdraw funds from an RRSP for a home purchase and repay over time. Program rules and limits apply. A financial advisor can help you understand repayment obligations.
Mortgage Loan Insurance
If down payment is less than 20% of the purchase price, mortgage loan insurance is typically required. Premiums increase borrowing cost and eligibility depends on lender and insurer requirements.
First-Time Buyer Mistakes to Avoid
These patterns show up regularly in first-time buyer transactions. All of them are avoidable with preparation and independent professional advice.
Skipping the Home Inspection
Waiving inspection can lead to unexpected repairs after purchase. Understand the risk before agreeing to skip it, and consult your agent and legal representative.
Overextending Your Budget
Approval amount is not the same as a comfortable budget. Factor in all ownership costs and leave breathing room for unexpected expenses.
Not Reading Strata Minutes
Minutes can reveal issues not visible in the financials. This is a key due diligence step for any strata purchase.
Underestimating Closing Costs
Beyond down payment: legal fees, title insurance, property transfer tax if applicable, inspection, appraisal, and moving costs. Budget additional funds accordingly.
Forgetting Adjustment Costs
Property tax, strata fee, and utility adjustments can add meaningful costs depending on your completion timing.
Making Financial Changes Before Completion
New debt, job changes, or large purchases before completion can affect mortgage approval. Keeping finances stable until after completion is commonly recommended.
The data relating to real estate on this website comes in part from the MLS® Reciprocity program of either the Greater Vancouver REALTORS® (GVR), the Fraser Valley Real Estate Board (FVREB) or the Chilliwack and District Real Estate Board (CADREB). Real estate listings held by participating real estate firms are marked with the MLS® logo and detailed information about the listing includes the name of the listing agent. This representation is based in whole or part on data generated by either the GVR, the FVREB or the CADREB which assumes no responsibility for its accuracy. The materials contained on this page may not be reproduced without the express written consent of either the GVR, the FVREB or the CADREB.