BC Realtor Relocation Buyers Guide: Working with Out-of-Province & International Buyers (2026)

"Hi [Name], congratulations on the new role — and welcome to Vancouver, even if you haven't made the move yet!

I specialize in helping people relocate to BC, and I know this process can feel overwhelming when you're managing a new job at the same time. My goal is to make the real estate side completely frictionless for you.

Here's what I suggest as a first step: let's schedule a 30-minute video call where I'll walk you through the BC market, the specific areas that fit your priorities, and the timeline we're working with. I'll send you a few neighbourhoods to review ahead of time so we use the call efficiently.

Do you have 30 minutes this week or next?"

"Great question — this is actually one of the biggest adjustments for Alberta buyers, so let me explain how it works here.

In BC, when you make an offer, you include 'subject clauses' — conditions that need to be satisfied within a set period before the deal becomes firm. The most common are subject to financing (typically 5–7 business days) and subject to inspection (typically 5 business days).

Once all subjects are removed, the deal is firm and legally binding — similar to when a conditional offer becomes unconditional in Alberta. The key difference is that we go into the offer with these built in, rather than having a shorter condition period.

The other important one: in some BC markets, you might see multiple-offer situations where subjects are waived to be competitive. I'll always advise you carefully on when that's appropriate and when it's a risk not worth taking."

"In BC, condos and townhouses are almost all 'strata' properties — which means you own your individual unit, but you share ownership of common areas (hallways, amenities, parking structures, roof) with all the other owners.

The strata corporation — governed by an elected strata council of owners — manages the building. You pay monthly strata fees that cover building insurance, maintenance, and contributions to the contingency reserve fund for big repairs.

Before you buy a strata, we review the depreciation report (a 3-year plan for major building expenses), recent AGM minutes, Form B (which shows your specific strata fees, any outstanding levies, and violations), and the rules and bylaws.

The most important thing to check: is the contingency reserve fund adequately funded? Underfunded stratas often hit owners with special levies — unexpected lump sum assessments that can range from $5,000 to $100,000+. I'll walk you through every document before you remove your subjects."

"In BC, the main closing cost beyond your down payment is the Property Transfer Tax — it's a BC provincial tax on every real estate purchase.

For your budget, here's roughly how it works: 1% on the first $200,000 and 2% on the balance up to $2 million. So on a $900,000 home, that's about $16,000.

If you've never owned property before — anywhere in Canada or abroad — you may qualify for the First-Time Home Buyer Exemption, which can save you up to $8,000 if the purchase price is under $500,000, with partial exemption up to $525,000.

You'll also want to budget for: your lawyer or notary ($1,200–$2,000), home inspection ($450–$700), moving costs, and title insurance (~$250).

Total closing costs (excluding down payment) for most buyers in Metro Vancouver: typically $15,000–$25,000. I always recommend buyers be pre-qualified for these costs before we start viewing."

"Absolutely — I work with a lot of out-of-province buyers remotely, and it works really well. Here's how we'll approach it.

First, I'll send you 5–8 pre-screened properties based on our criteria. You review the listings, virtual tours, and floor plans on your own time. Flag 3–4 that feel most promising.

Then we schedule a 90-minute live video tour. I'll physically walk through each property with you on FaceTime/Zoom — opening every closet, checking storage, showing you the neighbourhood from the front door. You ask questions in real time.

At the end, we'll usually narrow to 1–3 favourites. Those are the properties worth flying out to see in person before we put in an offer. I've had buyers purchase after a single 2-day trip using this model — it's very efficient.

When would you like to start? I can have the first batch of listings to you by end of the week."

"Thank you so much for making the trip out — I know it's a big commitment to fly here and back in a few days. I hope you got a much clearer picture of the market and the neighbourhoods.

Based on what resonated and what didn't, I've adjusted my search criteria. I'm now watching for [specific criteria from their feedback] and I'll flag anything as soon as it comes up.

In the meantime, I'd suggest we revisit [Property X] — you mentioned it was your backup, and I think it deserves a second look. I can arrange a video walkthrough this week and we can talk through whether the trade-offs are worth it at this price point.

Market conditions in your target neighbourhood are [stable / moving — describe accurately]. I want to make sure you're not waiting so long that the right property gets away, but I also don't want to rush you into something that's not right. Let's talk this week — does Thursday work?"