How Much Cash You Actually Need to Buy a Presale in BC

To buy a presale condo in BC in 2026 you need enough cash for the staged deposit — usually 15–20% of the price paid in instalments during construction — plus roughly $4,000–$6,000 in closing costs at completion. On a $750,000 new presale, that's about $150,000 in deposits over ~18 months and ~$4,500 at the keys. The big variable is tax: knowing the newly-built home and first-time-buyer exemptions can save you close to $50,000. The single most common question I get from first-time buyers is some version of: "What do I actually need in the bank to do this?" Presales confuse people because the money comes in stages, not one lump sum — and because the deposit, the down payment, and the closing costs are three different things that arrive at three different times. Here's the honest, line-by-line breakdown for 2026, with a full worked example. Deposit vs. down payment — they're not the same thing Your deposit is what you pay the developer during construction to secure the unit. Your down payment is your equity in the home when the mortgage funds at completion. In most presales the deposit you've already paid counts toward your down payment — but the timing is what trips people up. You're handing over real cash 1–3 years before you ever get a mortgage. Deposits in the Fraser Valley are typically staged. A common structure is 5% on signing, then 5% every six months until you reach 15–20%. Lower-deposit programs 10% total exist and are great for cash flow — but if your deposit is under 20%, expect to need either more cash at completion or mortgage default insurance. The full cash timeline on a $750,000 presale Let's walk a real example: a first-time buyer purchasing a $750,000 new condo as their principal residence, on a 20% staged deposit 5% × 4 . Here's every dollar, and when it leaves your account. When What Cash out of pocket Signing after 7-day rescission Deposit 1 — 5% $37,500 ~6 months Deposit 2 — 5% $37,500 ~12 months Deposit 3 — 5% $37,500 ~18 months Deposit 4 — 5% $37,500 Completion Mortgage funds the $600,000 balance 80% $0 financed Completion GST 5% = $37,500 $0 — fully rebated Completion Property Transfer Tax $0 — exempt Completion Legal/conveyancing…

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.