Presale vs. Resale: Which Is Right for You? (The $900K Townhome Showdown)

When you finally have your down payment saved up, the biggest decision you face is whether to buy a brand new presale home or an existing resale property. For years, the conventional wisdom was that resale was always cheaper because you avoided paying the 5% GST. But in 2026, the rules changed completely. With the new federal and provincial tax exemptions for first-time home buyers, the math has flipped. If you are a first-time buyer looking at townhomes in the Fraser Valley, you are probably seeing older, 15-year-old units listed around $900,000, right next to brand new presale townhomes for the exact same price. Which one should you buy? Let us break down a real-world scenario of a first-time buyer purchasing a $900,000 townhome in Langley. We will look at the exact numbers, the hidden costs, and why the new tax rules make presales the undisputed winner in 2026. The Scenario: Sarah & Mike's $900K Townhome Search Sarah and Mike are first-time buyers. They have been renting a 1-bedroom condo in Surrey, but they are ready to start a family and need more space. They have a budget of $900,000 and want to buy a 3-bedroom townhome in Willoughby Langley . They are looking at two options: - Option A Resale : A 15-year-old townhome listed at $900,000. They can move in next month. - Option B Presale : A brand new townhome listed at $900,000. It completes in 18 months. At first glance, the prices are identical. But when you look at the closing costs, the taxes, and the long-term maintenance, the numbers tell a very different story. The Math: Breaking Down the Costs Let us look at exactly what Sarah and Mike will pay out of pocket to close on each property, factoring in the new tax exemptions for first-time buyers. Option A: The 15-Year-Old Resale Townhome Because this is a resale property, Sarah and Mike do not have to pay GST. However, the BC Property Transfer Tax PTT first-time buyer exemption completely phases out at $860,000. Because the purchase price is $900,000, they have to pay the full PTT. | Detail | The Resale Numbers | |---|---| | Purchase Price | $900,000 | | Down Payment 10% | $90,000 | | GST 5% | $0 | |…

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.