Resources, links, and contacts for finding a home to buy in Metro Vancouver.
Visit our relocating to Kelowna page for helpful information on buying a home in Kelowna.
Vancouver on-campus leasehold homes
Long-term leasehold homes (up to 99 years) on campus are available for purchase by the general public, including faculty and staff at UBC. These units can be purchased new at market rates from private developers or privately on a resale basis directly from current unit owners.
Information on new and resale listings can be found through the same resources available for off-campus purchases below.
You may also visit UBC Properties Trust for information on new on-campus projects under development.
Faculty members approved for Faculty Home Ownership Program loans from the University may use their loans towards a purchase of a home on campus.
Vancouver off-campus homes
The Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver provides information on housing prices by municipality and dwelling type, as well as tips on selling and buying a home.
The Canadian Real Estate Association’s Multiple Listing Service (MLS), RealtyLink, and REW contain comprehensive real estate listings for Vancouver and surrounding areas.
The Livabl catalogues all new residential developments in British Columbia including Vancouver and surrounding areas.
Additional Property Transfer Tax
If you are a foreign national (i.e. you are not a Canadian citizen or permanent resident of Canada), you are required to pay an additional property tax on the fair market value of the property, in addition to the general property transfer tax.
There are some exemptions available. Please visit Government of B.C for further information.
The information provided is for general information purposes only and does not constitute legal or other professional advice. It is recommended to consult a real estate lawyer before purchasing a home in B.C.
The Prohibition on the Purchase of Residential Property by Non-Canadians Act
The Federal Government has passed new legislation that has implications for non-Canadians who are interested in purchasing a home in Canada. The Prohibition on the Purchase of Residential Property by Non-Canadians Act prevents non-Canadians and corporations controlled by non-Canadians from purchasing residential property in Canada until January 1, 2027. The Act and Regulations provide exceptions for work permit holders if they have 183 days or more of validity remaining on their work permit or work authorization at time of purchase, and they have not purchased more than one residential property.
The Act is not to be confused with BC’s Additional Property Transfer Tax (APTT) of 20% when buyers are not Permanent Residents or do not hold a British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BCPNP) nomination.
For further information, please visit the link provided above for the legislation or visit the CMHC website for a summary and highlights of the legislation.
The information provided is for general information purposes only and does not constitute legal or other professional advice. It is recommended to consult a real estate lawyer before purchasing a home in B.C.
Realtors
Use the links below to search for realtors in your area. Many of these sites also offer helpful tools for home-buyers, including mortgage calculators, tips on choosing a realtor, and general home buying guides.
Banks and mortgages
When buying a home, you may rely on a lender for a mortgage to finance the purchase of your home. It is important that you obtain a mortgage pre-approval to understand how much you can borrow (i.e. your purchasing power) before you start looking at properties. You can work with banks and credit unions directly, or work with a mortgage broker, who will help you find the best mortgage package.
Here are links to most of the major banks and credit unions in B.C.:
CIBC | RBC | BMO | TD | VanCity | Coast Capital Savings
If you are using one of the home ownership programs offered by UBC, you may be restricted by which lenders you can use. Please visit Faculty Home Ownership Program for further information.
Real Estate Lawyers
It is important to research and secure a lawyer as early as possible to review contracts and represent you in final closing details.
You may find the following resources helpful when buying a home in BC and understanding the important legal considerations involved:
- BC Financial Services Authority
- Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) Home-buying step by step and Home-buying for Newcomers to Canada Guides
Costs of buying a home
In addition to the actual price of the home, there are other costs involved in buying a home. These include:
- Appraisal fee;
- Home inspection fee;
- Goods and Services Tax (GST) of 5% applicable on a purchase of a new home;
- Property Transfer Tax;
- Legal fees.
Please visit REBGV for further information on these costs.
Vancouver neighbourhood profiles
Please visit our Rental Housing webpage to access handy overviews of Vancouver neighbourhoods, which include approximate commuting times from the UBC campus, to help you decide where you’d like to live.