What is a Vancouver Presale and Why Buy One?
A presale is when a condo developer sells the suites of the development before it has been completely built and often before construction has even begun. You, the buyer, purchase the right to the future property. While ultimately, you are responsible for paying the full purchase price, you do not have to take out a mortgage on the property immediately but are only responsible for a deposit.
this deposit usually ranges from 5 to 10% of the purchase price at the time you buy, with another 10 to 15% paid in installments over the course of construction. The developer does not gain access to this deposit money, which is held in a trust account, until completion. If the developer does not follow through with the construction project, the full deposit will be returned to the buyer.
Why would anyone buy a condo that does not yet exist?
The answer depends on your goals, which we explore in more detail below, but there are three key reasons that should interest all potential buyers:
- you take possession of a brand new property upon completion
- you often have the ability to customize your suite in ways that are unavailable in the resale market
- you are able to lock in a price at the purchase date, with the potential to benefit from a rising real estate market, without the costs of monthly mortgage payments, property taxes, and maintenance fees
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Is it safe to buy a condo that does not yet exist?
The presale market in the province of British Columbia is governed by the Real Estate Development Marketing Act and ensures a considerable level of protection for buyers. If you have concerns or questions about a specific developer, you can contact Mike at 604-763-3136 or get in touch with the Home Owner Protection Office.
Apart from a highly regulated marketplace, potential Buyers should be aware of 3 important facts about buying a pre-sale property.
- You, the Buyer, have the right to cancel the contract to purchase the property for 7 days after the offer has been accepted. This right is part of provincial law and is known as the “7 Day Rescission Period.” It allows you to walk away from the purchase for any reason at all — you are worried about future financing, you fall out of love with the development, or you decide to bet your entire deposit on a Vancouver Canucks game. No matter the reason: you have the right to cancel the contract on the spot.
- The developer does not gain access to your deposit until construction is complete. This money is placed in a lawyer’s trust account for the duration of construction, meaning that your deposit is returned to you if a problem with construction emerges or if the developer declares bankruptcy.
- The developer must provide you with a Disclosure Statement and you should be sure to read it. This statement contains important information about the future property, such as what is included with your purchase, the size of your suite, and what the building will look like upon completion.
What are the advantages of pre-sale properties for investors?
Presales offer many advantages for investors. Below we outline six attractive features of the presale market.
1. Leverage
You often can secure the purchase of a presale for as little as a deposit of 5 to 10%. Should the property increase in value before completion, you could see a significant return for very little money actually invested. For example: you decide to buy a $300,000 condo home with a planned completion date for 5 years in the future. To secure the property, you make a 10% deposit of $30,000. Due to an increase in the real estate market, your condo is worth $360,000 2 years later and you decide to sell the property (this is known as selling the assignment of contract). You walk away with your $30,000 deposit along with the value-added to the property – that is, 60,000 or a 200% return on your initial investment.
Now say you decide to hold on to that same property and the price remains constant until your completion date. The property is still valued at $360,000 when you go to your broker to see about acquiring a mortgage. Because you have more than 20% in equity ($60,000 + $30,000 = $90,000 or 33.3% of your $270,000 mortgage) you can avoid costly CMHC high ratio insurance premiums that are required for properties purchased with less than a 20% down payment. In this case, you managed to have a 33.3% down deposit on your mortgage with only putting 10% down initially.
2. Low Hassle Investing
Presale properties follow real estate market trends, with prices rising and falling just as the existing property does. The difference between holding a presale and an existing property lies in the fact that an investor can benefit from the potential capital appreciation without the worry of tenants, the cost of property taxes, and the monthly maintenance fees.
3. Low Cost of Ownership
New condos built by reputable developers will usually not require costly repairs or maintenance on the part of an owner/investor for a considerable period after completion. The same cannot always be said for older buildings.
4. Warranty Protection
All presale construction receives BC’s 2-5-10 Year Home Warranty Insurance. This warranty does not begin until the building is complete and, in most cases, assures the investor low costs and low hassles for the duration of the warranty.
5. Newly Built = Popular with Tenants
Newer buildings are usually very popular with tenants for fairly obvious reasons — modern design, new fixtures, and appliances; no need for repairs or troublesome and costly maintenance; and the conveniences that come with many newer buildings, such as swimming pools, workout centres, saunas, hot tubs, concierge, etc.
6. Newly Built and Popular = Higher Rent
Very often tenants are willing to pay a premium to rent a recently constructed suite over an older unit for the reasons detailed above.
Vancouver Presales FAQ
- What is a presale condo in Vancouver? A presale condo is a unit sold before its construction is completed, allowing buyers to invest in property development early. This often comes with benefits such as input on finishes and potential market value increases before completion.
- How does the deposit structure work for a presale condo? The deposit for a presale condo typically ranges between 5-20% of the purchase price, paid in installments. This deposit secures your purchase and is held in a trust account until completion.
- What are the benefits of buying a presale condo? Buyers can enjoy newer properties with modern amenities, the potential for customization, and possibly significant appreciation in property value by the time the development is completed.
- Can I sell my presale contract before completion? Yes, selling a presale contract, known as an assignment, is possible. However, it’s subject to developer approval and may be governed by specific rules, including taxes and fees.
- Are there any risks involved in buying a presale condo? While presale condos can be lucrative investments, there are risks such as construction delays, changes in market conditions, or differences in the final product from the initial plans.
- What legal protections do buyers have with presale condos in Vancouver? The Real Estate Development Marketing Act (REDMA) offers protections, including a 7-day rescission period, ensuring that deposits are protected and outlining requirements for disclosure statements from developers.
- How can I finance a presale condo purchase? Financing a presale condo typically involves securing a mortgage approval closer to the completion date. Initially, buyers are required to pay a deposit, not the full mortgage.
- What should I look for in a presale contract? Important details include completion dates, deposit structure, warranties, assignment rights, and any conditions that allow for changes in finishes or construction details.
- How do GST and property taxes apply to presale condos? GST applies to new properties, including presale condos, and buyers may be eligible for rebates depending on the purchase price. Property taxes become applicable once you take possession.
- What happens if the developer fails to complete the project? In such cases, deposits are protected and must be returned to buyers. Additionally, developers are often required to have insurance or other guarantees in place to protect buyers’ investments.
- Can you Sell Your Presale? Yes you can. Selling a presale is called an assignment of presale contract and may be possible. Best first step is to review the contract to see if assignments are possible.
Vancouver’s new condo (or presale condos, as it is often termed) market offers an array of exciting opportunities for buyers—from those aspiring to homeowner status for the first time to experienced real estate investors. The presale market, however, is a bit different from the resale market. Here we will outline the buying process as well as the advantages and disadvantages of these homes for potential buyers. If you have any questions at all, please don’t hesitate to give us a call at 604-763-3136.