VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA · UPDATED AUGUST 3, 2026
Vancouver Real Estate & Mortgage Guide
A sourced planning guide for buying, selling, financing or refinancing a Vancouver home—connecting the property decision with qualification, closing costs and long-term affordability.
Current context
June 2026 market snapshot
Greater Vancouver REALTORS® reported stronger year-over-year activity in June, while total sales still remained below the ten-year seasonal average. These are regional figures—not a valuation for a specific Vancouver property—and neighbourhood, property type, condition and price band can behave differently.
Metro Vancouver sales
Residential sales recorded in June 2026.
Year-over-year
Change from the 2,181 sales recorded in June 2025.
Versus the 10-year average
June sales remained below the 10-year seasonal average.
Choose deliberately
Match the area to the plan
Vancouver West: compare land value, school catchments, transit, renovation potential and carrying costs rather than relying only on city-wide averages.
Vancouver East: examine zoning, secondary-suite use, lot characteristics, transit and redevelopment context property by property.
Downtown and central condos: give extra attention to strata insurance, building history, depreciation planning, levies, rental rules and the total monthly cost.
Property strategy
Comparable sales, neighbourhood fit, offer terms, strata or title review, inspection and closing coordination.
Explore real estate services →Mortgage strategy
Income, down payment, credit, debts, property costs, rental income and lender options reviewed together.
Explore mortgage solutions →One affordability plan
Compare the home price with closing costs, monthly ownership costs and a suitable financing structure before committing.
Begin securely →First home
Programs worth checking
The federal FHSA provides $8,000 of participation room in the first year an account is opened, with a $40,000 lifetime contribution limit. Qualifying withdrawals can be tax-free. The federal Home Buyers' Plan currently allows eligible buyers to withdraw up to $60,000 from an RRSP, subject to its rules and repayment requirements.
BC's First Time Home Buyers' Program may reduce property transfer tax for qualifying buyers and homes. The Province states that a qualifying home valued at $835,000 or less can receive an exemption on the tax for the first $500,000; a partial exemption may apply above that threshold up to $860,000. Eligibility must be confirmed for the buyer and property.
Vancouver ownership
Costs beyond the mortgage
- Property transfer tax, legal costs, inspection, appraisal and applicable insurance.
- Annual property taxes, utilities, maintenance and strata fees where applicable.
- Possible special levies or future capital projects in a strata corporation.
- Vancouver's annual Empty Homes Tax declaration and any applicable exemption documentation.
- A cash reserve for repairs, rate changes and unexpected ownership expenses.
Local questions
Vancouver real estate and mortgage FAQ
Should I arrange mortgage financing before viewing Vancouver homes?
Yes. An early review of income, down payment, credit, debts, strata fees and property taxes can establish a realistic range. A pre-qualification is an estimate and is not a guarantee of approval.
What should I review when buying a Vancouver condo?
Review the strata plan, bylaws, minutes, financial statements, Form B, insurance, depreciation report, current and proposed levies, parking and storage. Use appropriate professional advice and subjects before removing conditions.
Can rental income help me qualify for a Vancouver property?
Potentially. Lenders may use rental income through an add-back or offset calculation. Treatment varies by lender, property type, occupancy, lease evidence and current guidelines, so the numbers should be reviewed before an offer.
Does Vancouver have an Empty Homes Tax?
Yes. Vancouver residential owners must make an annual property-status declaration. The City states that properties deemed or declared empty for the 2025 reference year are subject to a tax equal to 3% of assessed taxable value, subject to exemptions.
Can Majid help with both the purchase and the mortgage?
Majid is licensed as both a Realtor and Mortgage Broker. The real-estate and mortgage services are separate regulated services and are coordinated only with the required disclosures and client consent.
Primary sources
Verify the current rules and data
Programs, tax rules and market conditions change. These sources were checked for this guide.
- Greater Vancouver REALTORS® — June 2026 market releaseJuly 3, 2026
- Province of BC — First Time Home Buyers' Programaccessed August 3, 2026
- Canada Revenue Agency — First Home Savings Accountupdated February 2, 2026
- Canada Revenue Agency — Home Buyers' Planupdated February 17, 2026
- City of Vancouver — Empty Homes Taxaccessed August 3, 2026
Build your Vancouver plan
Call 778-928-4884 or email majidsharifkhah@gmail.com for a confidential initial conversation about the property and the financing.
General information only; not legal, tax, accounting or financial advice. Market statistics do not predict future results. Mortgage approval and rates are subject to lender criteria, qualification and property review.