Assignment Sales in BC (2026): The Real Process, Fees, and Taxes

An assignment sale is selling your presale contract — not the condo — before completion. In BC in 2026 it's legal, common, and heavily taxed: expect a developer consent fee of roughly 1–3%, 5% GST on your profit, the BC home flipping tax if you're inside 730 days of signing, and CRA treating the gain as fully taxable business income. On a typical $60,000 lift, most assignors keep well under half. Why 2026 is an assignment-heavy market The Fraser Valley benchmark condo price sat at $476,400 in June 2026 — down 9.1% year-over-year — with condos averaging 38 days to sell and 10,377 active listings across the board. Buyers who signed presale contracts at 2022–2023 pricing are now approaching completion into a softer market, and some can't or don't want to complete. That's why assignment inventory is up — and why, if you're on the buying side, some of the best-priced new inventory in the Fraser Valley right now isn't at a presentation centre at all. Both sides of the table: we only represent buyers, so this post gives you the honest version of both roles — what it really costs to assign, and what to check before you buy someone's contract. How an assignment actually works 6 steps Every assignment runs through the original presale contract, so step one is always the paperwork you signed at launch. 1. Read your assignment clause It sets the developer's consent right, the assignment fee typically 1–3% of the original price, sometimes a flat amount , and marketing restrictions — many contracts ban MLS listings or public advertising until the developer lifts them. 2. Get developer consent The developer can usually say no, or delay until they've sold their remaining inventory. Consent, the fee, and any conditions come in writing. 3. Price it against today Your competition is the developer's unsold units, other assignments in the building, and resale condos at a $476,400 benchmark. 2022 pricing is not the market. 4. Find the assignee Usually through an agent's network — remember the marketing restrictions. The buyer must be strong enough to satisfy the developer and complete on your original terms. 5. Paper the deposit split The assignment agreement should state, in writing, how much of the price reimburses your deposits versus profit —…

This article is part of the PresaleProperties.com BC real estate guide library. It is intended for buyers comparing presale condos, townhomes, assignments, deposits, completion timelines, neighbourhoods and developer incentives across Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley.

Because presale information changes quickly, readers should verify current project pricing, floor plans, incentives and availability before signing contracts or submitting deposits. For direct help, call 672 258-1100 or request VIP access on the relevant project page.