The Bureau
Oakwyn Realty Ltd.

Residential buying

Buy a home in Greater Vancouver

In BC the seller pays both sides of the commission, so buyer representation costs you nothing. We search MLS® listings across Metro Vancouver, read the strata documents, and apply every transfer tax exemption you qualify for.

The buying process

01

Pre-approval

Before you search, understand your budget. We connect you with trusted mortgage professionals to get pre-approved and lock in your rate.

02

Property search

We search MLS® and our network for properties that match your goals on location, lifestyle, and investment potential.

03

Offer & negotiation

When you find the right home, we craft a competitive offer and negotiate on your behalf to achieve the best possible outcome.

04

Conditions & close

We guide you through inspection, financing, and legal requirements, right through to possession day.

MLS® listings

Current listings

Detached homes, townhouses, and condos on the market across Metro Vancouver.

Buyer resources

Mortgage calculator

Estimate your monthly payments and understand your affordability.

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Affordability calculator

Find the highest price a lender will approve, and what is holding it back.

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Rent vs buy calculator

Compare renting and buying on net worth, not just the monthly payment.

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Market reports

Stay informed with monthly Greater Vancouver real estate data.

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Pre-sales

Explore new development opportunities across the region.

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Community guides

Learn about each neighbourhood before you decide where to buy.

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FAQ

Common questions

What buyers ask us most before starting a search in Greater Vancouver.

Nothing to the buyer. The seller's listing contract pays both the listing and the buyer's brokerage, so buyer representation costs you nothing out of pocket.

5% on the first $500,000, 10% on the portion between $500,000 and $1,500,000, and 20% at $1,500,000 and above. Anything under 20% requires CMHC mortgage default insurance, and BC charges 7% PST on that premium at closing.

Property transfer tax is the largest. Beyond that, budget roughly $1,600 for legal fees and disbursements, $300 for title insurance, $700 for a home inspection, $400 for an appraisal, and about $100 in land title registration charges.

Only on newly built or substantially renovated homes, at 5%. Resale housing is exempt. The federal New Housing Rebate returns 36% of the GST up to a $350,000 price, phasing out completely at $450,000.

An additional 20% of fair market value, on top of regular property transfer tax. It applies only in the designated regions: Metro Vancouver, the Fraser Valley, the Capital region around Victoria, the Central Okanagan, and Nanaimo.

Start your home search

Tell us your budget, neighbourhoods, and timeline. We reply within hours.

Talk to a buyer's agent today

We reply within hours, not days. Our local experts move fast on the Greater Vancouver market.