Your Presale Guide

Make Presales Simple, Profitable, and Stress Free

What is a Presale?

“Presale” (a.k.a. pre‑construction) means purchasing a home before it’s built—directly from the developer—at today’s price with a staged deposit structure. You secure a unit, the developer builds, and you complete at occupancy when the building is finished.

Timeline

Typically 12–36 months from contract to completion depending on project size and approvals.

Timeline

Typically 12–36 months from contract to completion depending on project size and approvals.

Timeline

Typically 12–36 months from contract to completion depending on project size and approvals.

Contract

You sign a Disclosure Statement and a Contract of Purchase & Sale with a rescission period (buyer’s right of cancellation) per provincial rules.

Contract

You sign a Disclosure Statement and a Contract of Purchase & Sale with a rescission period (buyer’s right of cancellation) per provincial rules.

Contract

You sign a Disclosure Statement and a Contract of Purchase & Sale with a rescission period (buyer’s right of cancellation) per provincial rules.

Deposits

Paid in stages (e.g., 5% at writing, 5% at 90 days, 5% at 12 months). Held in trust—no mortgage until completion.

Deposits

Paid in stages (e.g., 5% at writing, 5% at 90 days, 5% at 12 months). Held in trust—no mortgage until completion.

Deposits

Paid in stages (e.g., 5% at writing, 5% at 90 days, 5% at 12 months). Held in trust—no mortgage until completion.

Benefits & Risks (At a Glance)

Benefits

  • Entry today with staged deposits—mortgage later at completion.

  • Brand‑new home with warranty and modern finishes.

  • Potential price growth during construction; early floor‑plan selection.

  • Developer incentives, credits, and VIP pricing when you register early

Benefits

  • Entry today with staged deposits—mortgage later at completion.

  • Brand‑new home with warranty and modern finishes.

  • Potential price growth during construction; early floor‑plan selection.

  • Developer incentives, credits, and VIP pricing when you register early

Benefits

  • Entry today with staged deposits—mortgage later at completion.

  • Brand‑new home with warranty and modern finishes.

  • Potential price growth during construction; early floor‑plan selection.

  • Developer incentives, credits, and VIP pricing when you register early

Risks

  • Market conditions may change before completion.

  • Construction delays can extend timelines.

  • Interest‑rate and qualification risk at completion.

  • Assignment restrictions or fees may apply—read the contract.

Risks

  • Market conditions may change before completion.

  • Construction delays can extend timelines.

  • Interest‑rate and qualification risk at completion.

  • Assignment restrictions or fees may apply—read the contract.

Risks

  • Market conditions may change before completion.

  • Construction delays can extend timelines.

  • Interest‑rate and qualification risk at completion.

  • Assignment restrictions or fees may apply—read the contract.

Step‑by‑Step Process

Discovery & Pre‑Approval

Clarify goals (investor vs. end‑user), budget, and timeline. Secure a mortgage pre‑approval or proof of funds

Discovery & Pre‑Approval

Clarify goals (investor vs. end‑user), budget, and timeline. Secure a mortgage pre‑approval or proof of funds

Discovery & Pre‑Approval

Clarify goals (investor vs. end‑user), budget, and timeline. Secure a mortgage pre‑approval or proof of funds

Construction Updates

We monitor milestones, amendments, and design center selections; you prepare for completion

Construction Updates

We monitor milestones, amendments, and design center selections; you prepare for completion

Construction Updates

We monitor milestones, amendments, and design center selections; you prepare for completion

Write the Offer

Negotiate incentives, parking/storage, and assignment terms. Sign disclosure and CPS with cooling‑off rights.

Write the Offer

Negotiate incentives, parking/storage, and assignment terms. Sign disclosure and CPS with cooling‑off rights.

Write the Offer

Negotiate incentives, parking/storage, and assignment terms. Sign disclosure and CPS with cooling‑off rights.

Completion & Possession

Finalize mortgage, sign with your lawyer/notary, pay closing costs & taxes, and get your keys.

Completion & Possession

Finalize mortgage, sign with your lawyer/notary, pay closing costs & taxes, and get your keys.

Completion & Possession

Finalize mortgage, sign with your lawyer/notary, pay closing costs & taxes, and get your keys.

Deposits

Paid in stages (e.g., 5% at writing, 5% at 90 days, 5% at 12 months). Held in trust—no mortgage until completion.

Deposits

Paid in stages (e.g., 5% at writing, 5% at 90 days, 5% at 12 months). Held in trust—no mortgage until completion.

Deposits

Paid in stages (e.g., 5% at writing, 5% at 90 days, 5% at 12 months). Held in trust—no mortgage until completion.

Deposits in Trust

Follow the staged deposit schedule; funds are held in trust as per BC requirements.

Deposits in Trust

Follow the staged deposit schedule; funds are held in trust as per BC requirements.

Deposits in Trust

Follow the staged deposit schedule; funds are held in trust as per BC requirements.

Total Cost Checklist (BC)

Typical Upfront & Closing Costs

  • Deposits (staged 5–20% total depending on project)

  • GST on new homes (5% — potential rebates for qualifying buyers)

  • Property Transfer Tax (PTT) — exemptions may apply for FTHB/New‑Build

  • Legal/Notary fees & title insurance

  • Appraisal & lender fees (if applicable)

  • Strata move‑in & utility connection fees

Typical Upfront & Closing Costs

  • Deposits (staged 5–20% total depending on project)

  • GST on new homes (5% — potential rebates for qualifying buyers)

  • Property Transfer Tax (PTT) — exemptions may apply for FTHB/New‑Build

  • Legal/Notary fees & title insurance

  • Appraisal & lender fees (if applicable)

  • Strata move‑in & utility connection fees

Typical Upfront & Closing Costs

  • Deposits (staged 5–20% total depending on project)

  • GST on new homes (5% — potential rebates for qualifying buyers)

  • Property Transfer Tax (PTT) — exemptions may apply for FTHB/New‑Build

  • Legal/Notary fees & title insurance

  • Appraisal & lender fees (if applicable)

  • Strata move‑in & utility connection fees

Ongoing Costs to Plan For

  • Mortgage payments (after completion)

  • Property taxes & home insurance

  • Strata fees (HOA)

  • Maintenance & contingency planning

Ongoing Costs to Plan For

  • Mortgage payments (after completion)

  • Property taxes & home insurance

  • Strata fees (HOA)

  • Maintenance & contingency planning

Ongoing Costs to Plan For

  • Mortgage payments (after completion)

  • Property taxes & home insurance

  • Strata fees (HOA)

  • Maintenance & contingency planning

BC Incentives & Rebates

GST New Housing Rebate

Potential rebate for qualifying buyers on new homes (presales). We’ll help you evaluate eligibility.

GST New Housing Rebate

Potential rebate for qualifying buyers on new homes (presales). We’ll help you evaluate eligibility.

GST New Housing Rebate

Potential rebate for qualifying buyers on new homes (presales). We’ll help you evaluate eligibility.

PTT Exemptions

Provincial Property Transfer Tax exemptions may apply for first‑time buyers and newly built home purchases.

PTT Exemptions

Provincial Property Transfer Tax exemptions may apply for first‑time buyers and newly built home purchases.

PTT Exemptions

Provincial Property Transfer Tax exemptions may apply for first‑time buyers and newly built home purchases.

FHSA & RRSP

Use First Home Savings Account and RRSP Home Buyers’ Plan strategically to reduce cash outlay.

FHSA & RRSP

Use First Home Savings Account and RRSP Home Buyers’ Plan strategically to reduce cash outlay.

FHSA & RRSP

Use First Home Savings Account and RRSP Home Buyers’ Plan strategically to reduce cash outlay.

FAQ

How much do I need for deposits?

Most projects require 10–20% total, paid in stages (e.g., 5% now, 5% at 90 days, 5% at 12 months). Exact schedules vary by developer.

When do I start paying a mortgage?

You don’t take a mortgage until completion/possession. Prior to that, your deposits are held in trust.

Can I assign my presale?

Often yes, with developer consent and a fee—terms are project‑specific. We’ll review the clause before you write.

What happens if rates change by completion?

We plan ahead with your lender, explore rate holds, and ensure you qualify under conservative assumptions.

How much do I need for deposits?

Most projects require 10–20% total, paid in stages (e.g., 5% now, 5% at 90 days, 5% at 12 months). Exact schedules vary by developer.

When do I start paying a mortgage?

You don’t take a mortgage until completion/possession. Prior to that, your deposits are held in trust.

Can I assign my presale?

Often yes, with developer consent and a fee—terms are project‑specific. We’ll review the clause before you write.

What happens if rates change by completion?

We plan ahead with your lender, explore rate holds, and ensure you qualify under conservative assumptions.

How much do I need for deposits?

Most projects require 10–20% total, paid in stages (e.g., 5% now, 5% at 90 days, 5% at 12 months). Exact schedules vary by developer.

When do I start paying a mortgage?

You don’t take a mortgage until completion/possession. Prior to that, your deposits are held in trust.

Can I assign my presale?

Often yes, with developer consent and a fee—terms are project‑specific. We’ll review the clause before you write.

What happens if rates change by completion?

We plan ahead with your lender, explore rate holds, and ensure you qualify under conservative assumptions.

What's Next

Hire A Blue Chip Presale Expert

What's Next

Hire A Blue Chip Presale Expert

What's Next

Hire A Blue Chip Presale Expert

Presale Success Simplified

20353 64 Ave #103, Langley, BC V2Y 2X3

Please Note: No outside Realtors. Blue Chip Presales acts exclusively as the buyer’s agent. VIP incentives cannot be extended to buyers already represented by another agent. This is not an offer for sale — any such offering can only be made after filing a disclosure statement. E.&O.E.

Copyright 2024-2026

Presale Success Simplified

20353 64 Ave #103, Langley, BC V2Y 2X3

Please Note: No outside Realtors. Blue Chip Presales acts exclusively as the buyer’s agent. VIP incentives cannot be extended to buyers already represented by another agent. This is not an offer for sale — any such offering can only be made after filing a disclosure statement. E.&O.E.

Copyright 2024-2026