Plain-English answers
BC real estate Q&A
62 answers to the questions BC buyers and sellers actually type into Google. Each one is 100–250 words, cites the government source by name, and ties back to the Fact Bank so the date and provenance are visible. Grouped by domain below; the full Glossary and the Codex carry the underlying definitions.
Tax (PTT, FBT, SVT, GST, flipping, capital gains)
- Are presale condo assignments taxed in BC?
- Can I claim the BC FTHB exemption if I owned a home in another country?
- Do I owe BC PTT if I inherit a property from a parent?
- How does the BC Newly Built Home PTT exemption work?
- How does the BC Speculation and Vacancy Tax declaration work for snowbirds?
- How much GST do I pay on a new BC condo?
- How much Property Transfer Tax does a first-time buyer pay in BC?
- Is GST charged on resale homes in BC or only new construction?
- Is Maple Ridge cheaper than Surrey for detached homes and why?
- Is South Surrey a separate municipality from White Rock?
- Is the BC Speculation and Vacancy Tax mandatory?
- Should I buy in Willoughby/Yorkson or Bedford Landing/Fort Langley?
- What happens if I miss the BC SVT declaration deadline?
- What is FHSA contribution room and how does it work?
- What is the BC Home Flipping Tax?
- What is the federal anti-flipping rule?
- What is the principal residence exemption in BC?
- What is the typical price for a Fort Langley townhouse in 2026?
Mortgage (deposits, stress test, CMHC, OSFI)
- Can I get a 30-year amortization in BC as a non-first-time buyer?
- How does the OSFI stress test affect my pre-approval at renewal?
- How is the OSFI B-20 mortgage stress test calculated?
- How much deposit do I need for a BC mortgage?
- What credit score do I need for a BC mortgage in 2026?
- What is a HELOC and how does it work for BC homeowners?
- What is the BC CMHC mortgage insurance cap?
- Who is eligible for a 30-year CMHC amortization in BC?
Legal (HBRP, agency, disclosure, builders' lien, MLS)
- Can a BC seller back out after accepting an offer?
- Do BC sellers have to fill out a Property Disclosure Statement?
- Do BC strata buyers need a lawyer or a notary?
- How does a BC foreclosure (court-order sale) work for buyers?
- How long does a BC builders' lien stay on title?
- What are the BC MLS Rules of Cooperation?
- What is a Form A in a BC strata transaction?
- What is a Material Latent Defect in BC real estate?
- What is BC's home buyer rescission period?
- What is dual agency in BC and is it legal?
- What is the BC Designated Agency rule?
Foreign buyer (federal ban + BC APTT)
- Can a foreign buyer take title with a Canadian spouse in BC?
- Can a non-resident own a BC vacation property?
- Can a US citizen buy a vacation property in BC under the Foreign Buyer Ban?
- Can foreign buyers buy presales in BC?
- How does the BC PTT 20% Foreign Buyer Additional Tax stack with the federal Foreign Buyer Ban?
- Is the federal Foreign Buyer Ban still in effect?
- What happens to the Foreign Buyer Ban after January 1, 2027?
- What is BC's 20% Foreign Buyer Additional Property Transfer Tax?
Strata + zoning (Form B, depreciation, Bill 44, TOD, ALR)
- Can I buy ALR land in BC and build on it?
- What did BC Bill 44 (2022) change about strata rental and age restrictions?
- What is a BC Form B Information Certificate?
- What is a Vancouver Special and how is it different from a regular BC house?
- What is BC Bill 44 SSMUH zoning?
- What is BC's TOD Areas Act?
- What is Bylaw 6195 in Brookswood and why does it matter for buyers?
- What is the BC strata depreciation report 5-year cycle?
- What is the BC strata depreciation report rule?
- Which Walnut Grove enclaves are in the Alex Hope Elementary catchment?
- Why are there almost no condos in Walnut Grove or Fort Langley?
- Will the Surrey-Langley SkyTrain extension affect home prices in Willoughby?
Rental (rent caps, RTA, short-term rental)
Calculators + worked examples
Related
Bronson Job PRECREALTOR® · Royal LePage Ben Gauer & AssociatesGVR Member #6015742 · FVREB Member #FJOBBR · Royal LePage Top 35 Under 35 (2021) · Royal LePage Red Diamond Award