Sell Your Property for Top Dollar

The main cost is commission, which is negotiable and agreed with your realtor before listing — there's no fixed rate set by any board. Beyond that, budget for any prep or staging costs, a lawyer or notary for closing, and mortgage discharge fees if applicable. Unlike buying, there's no property transfer tax on the sale side; that's a buyer's cost.

If it was your principal residence for the entire time you owned it, the gain is generally exempt from federal capital gains tax under the Principal Residence Exemption. If you sell within 730 days of buying, BC's home flipping tax may also apply — up to 20% of the profit in year one, sliding to zero at the two-year mark, with only a capped $20,000 deduction for primary residences, not a full exemption. This is accountant territory for anything beyond a straightforward long-held principal residence.

It depends heavily on price point, condition, and current market conditions — inventory has been elevated recently, which tends to lengthen days on market compared to a tighter seller's market. Manan will give you a realistic estimate based on current activity for your specific property type and area, not a generic average.

It depends on the return. Cosmetic work — paint, decluttering, minor repairs — almost always pays for itself. Major renovations rarely return their full cost at resale and can delay your listing. Manan will walk your property and tell you honestly what's worth doing and what isn't before you spend a dollar.

BC Assessment values are calculated once a year for property tax purposes and often lag the current market by months. List price is based on recent comparable sales and current demand, which is what your home will actually transact at. The two numbers can differ significantly, especially in a fast-moving market — don't anchor your expectations to your assessment notice.

Yes — this is common, and there are a few ways to structure it: a subject-to-sale offer on your purchase, a rent-back arrangement with your buyer after closing, bridge financing to cover the gap, or timing both completion dates to align. Manan coordinates this regularly for sellers who are also buying and will walk through which option fits your situation.