Buying presale — a home in a building that isn't finished, or sometimes not yet started — is a different transaction from buying resale. The upside is getting in early at today's price on tomorrow's home; the trade-offs are time and uncertainty.
The disclosure statement and rescission period
In BC, developers must provide a disclosure statement, and you get a 7-day rescission period after receiving it (or signing) to change your mind and get your deposit back, no reason required. Use it: read the disclosure statement carefully, ideally with a lawyer.
Deposits are staged
Presale deposits are larger than resale and paid in stages — often 5% on signing, then further instalments at set milestones, totalling 15–20%. Your deposit is held in trust. Make sure you understand the schedule before you commit.
Completion is an estimate
The completion date is an estimate that can move by months or more. Developers build in an outside date by which they must complete or you can walk. Your financing needs to survive that timeline — a rate hold that expires before completion is a real risk.
Assignment
Life changes over a multi-year build. Check whether the contract allows assignment (selling your contract before completion) and on what terms and fees — many developers restrict or charge for it.
GST and taxes
New construction is subject to 5% GST (with a partial rebate below certain price thresholds), unlike resale. Factor it into your real cost, and be aware of the property transfer tax exemption for qualifying newly-built homes.
International presales
For clients buying presale abroad — Mexico or Belize, for instance — the fundamentals still apply but the legal structures differ significantly. We work with trusted local partners and legal professionals so the transaction is structured responsibly.
Interested in presale opportunities? Contact us and we'll share what's coming.