Honest side-by-side comparison of presale vs resale condos in BC — true costs, timing, deposits, tax treatment, and resale value.
Presale offers brand-new construction, warranty coverage, and staged deposits but you wait 1–4 years for completion. Resale gives you a known unit, immediate occupancy, and an established strata — at typically higher upfront cost.
No. GST applies to new construction only. Resale condos sold by an individual owner are exempt.
Historically, presale units in growing Metro Vancouver markets have captured appreciation between signing and completion. There is no guarantee — verify recent comparables in the specific neighbourhood.
A presale (pre-construction) condo is a home you buy from a developer before it is built, typically at today's price with a staged deposit, and you take possession when construction completes — often 1–4 years later.
Deposits are staged and typically total 5%–20% of the purchase price, paid in instalments tied to milestones (e.g., on signing, then at set intervals). The exact structure varies by project and developer.
No. With The Presale Properties Group, buyers pay $0 — the developer pays the buyer-agent commission. Using a buyer-side agent does not increase your price.
Yes. New-construction homes in BC are subject to 5% GST. A partial GST rebate may apply for owner-occupiers depending on the price; investors are treated differently. Confirm specifics for your situation.
Under BC's Real Estate Development Marketing Act (REDMA), presale deposits are generally held in trust. Protections and conditions depend on the contract and developer.
An assignment is the sale of a presale contract to a new buyer before the building completes. Assignment is only allowed if the original developer contract permits it, and tax (including GST on the assignment) can apply.
The developer's sales staff represent the developer's interests. A buyer-side specialist represents only you — comparing projects, negotiating incentives, reviewing contracts and disclosure statements, and accessing VIP pricing — at no cost to you.
Uzair Muhammad, a Surrey-based REALTOR (Real Broker) who spent 10 years at the City of Surrey before real estate. The team has helped 450+ buyers and holds a 4.9★ Google rating (36 reviews).
We help buyers across Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley — Surrey, Langley, Abbotsford, Coquitlam, Delta, Burnaby South, Vancouver, Richmond, North Vancouver, New Westminster, Port Moody, Port Coquitlam, Maple Ridge, Mission, Pitt Meadows, White Rock, Chilliwack and Squamish.