Should I Buy a Presale or Wait? (2025 Market Breakdown)

It’s one of the most common questions I get right now:
“Uzair, should I buy a presale now… or wait until rates drop?”

I get it. The market feels uncertain. The headlines say things are slow, developers are offering incentives, and everyone’s wondering if prices will fall further.
But here’s the truth — presales are designed for buyers who think long-term. And waiting often costs you more than acting strategically.

Let’s break it down.

1. What’s Actually Happening in the Presale Market Right Now

Developers across the Fraser Valley and Greater Vancouver have adjusted — not collapsed.

Here’s what’s changed in 2025:

• Prices have flattened compared to 2021–2022 peaks.

• Incentives and decorating allowances are back.

• Deposit structures are flexible — often just 10% total (5% now, 5% later).

• Completion timelines are longer — giving you 2–3 years to prepare.

That combination has quietly created the best buying environment for serious buyers since 2018.

2. The Real Question Isn’t “Should I Buy?” — It’s “What’s My Timeline?”

Presales aren’t a short-term play. You’re not buying to move in next month.
You’re buying today’s price for tomorrow’s home.

If you’re planning to:

• Own your first home in 2–3 years, or

• Invest with a medium-term horizon,

then presales make sense because you’re locking in value before the next cycle.

Waiting for rates to drop means you’ll likely buy at higher prices when everyone else rushes back in.

3. The Math Behind Waiting

Here’s the risk of waiting:

Let’s say a presale 2-bed in Langley costs $650,000 today.
If prices rise just 3% per year, that same home will cost about $710,000 by 2027.

You’d lose $60,000 in potential equity — and likely pay a higher mortgage rate when completions peak in a busy market.

Meanwhile, presale buyers who locked in early can ride that appreciation without carrying a mortgage for years.

4. Presales Give You Leverage and Flexibility

The presale model lets you:

• Secure a unit with a small deposit (as low as 5–10%)

• Defer your mortgage qualification until completion

• Sell via assignment (if allowed) before you ever close

It’s control without commitment — and that’s powerful when used right.

If your goal is to grow wealth or enter ownership without overextending yourself, presales are the bridge.

5. But Presales Aren’t for Everyone

Here’s me being real — presales are not for you if:

• You need to move in immediately

• You’re uncomfortable with future uncertainty

• You don’t have a financial buffer for closing costs or market shifts

But if you’ve got a 2–3 year plan, stable income, and long-term mindset, presales are one of the smartest moves you can make in a transitioning market.

6. Why I’m Helping Clients Buy Now

I’ve helped over 70+ buyers and investors lock in presales at or below resale pricing in 2025 — something that hasn’t happened in years.

We’re seeing:
✅ Below-average launch prices
✅ Assignment flexibility
✅ Bonus decorating allowances
✅ Developer incentives worth thousands

That’s not what you get when the market heats up again — and it will.

7. Final Thoughts: Timing vs Strategy

You don’t need to time the market.
You need to understand where we are in the cycle.

We’re in the window where developers need buyers, not the other way around.
And that window doesn’t last long.

So, should you buy a presale or wait?
If you’re thinking long-term — buy.
If you’re waiting for “perfect timing” — you’ll probably be buying at higher prices later.

Ready to Explore Presale Opportunities?

Start your search and explore the latest presale condos and townhomes across Surrey, Langley, and Burnaby.

👉 Search Active Projects on PresaleProperties.com

If you want help comparing projects, negotiating incentives, or building a buying plan — I’ll walk you through it step by step.