Presale Condo vs Townhome for Investors in BC (2026): The Real Numbers

In 2026, presale condos are the better cash-yield play — a Surrey 2-bed rents at roughly a 5.2% gross yield versus about 4.5% for a 3-bed townhome — but townhomes are holding their value better −7.3% year-over-year versus −9.1% for condos and attract longer-staying family tenants. The right answer depends on whether you're optimizing for entry cost and yield, or for scarcity and resale demand. Here's the honest math on both. Where each market actually sits June 2026 The Fraser Valley Real Estate Board's June numbers show both product types deep in buyer's-market territory — but they are not falling at the same speed. Metric FVREB, June 2026 Condo Townhome Benchmark price $476,400 $764,100 Change, year-over-year −9.1% −7.3% Change, month-over-month −1.5% −0.7% June sales 293 −14.1% YoY 317 +1% YoY Read that sales line again: townhome sales are up year-over-year while condo sales fell 14%. Family demand for ground-oriented homes is the most resilient segment of this market, and almost every municipality's zoning push small-scale multi-unit housing still isn't producing enough of them. Condos, meanwhile, have more supply, more competition from assignments, and a deeper discount — which is exactly why the entry math looks better. The tax bill: investors pay full freight on both Neither product escapes the investor tax wall. The new first-time-buyer GST rebate doesn't apply to investors, the CRA's rental rebate NRRP pays $0 above $450,000 of fair market value, and BC's newly-built PTT exemption is principal-residence-only. On a presale you'll pay 5% GST plus full property transfer tax 1% on the first $200K, 2% to $2M at completion. Cash to completion 20% deposit $520K condo $780K townhome Staged deposit 20% $104,000 $156,000 GST 5%, unrecoverable above $450K FMV $26,000 $39,000 Property transfer tax $8,400 $13,600 Total cash in ≈ $138,400 ≈ $208,600 The townhome needs roughly $70,000 more cash to control. That's almost enough to carry a second condo deposit — one reason yield-focused investors in the $500K–$1M range still default to condos. The worked example: what each one costs you monthly in 2028 Assume completion in 2028, 20% down, a 25-year amortization at today's best 5-year fixed of 3.94%, and current Surrey asking rents 2-bed condos around $2,200–$2,300; 3-bed townhomes around $2,900 . $520K condo 2-bed Mortgage ≈ $2,175 + strata ≈ $450 +…

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.