Put the contract dates in one calendar
Start with deposit, condition, completion and possession deadlines.
- Add signing appointments, lender requirements and insurance arrangements.
- Ask your conveyancing professional what each date means.
More on put the contract dates in one calendar
Completion and possession may be different dates.
Confirm the last three arrangements
Check the details with the professionals handling your purchase.
- Confirm the amount of money needed and the secure payment process.
- Book signing appointments and bring the requested identification.
More on confirm the last three arrangements
Arrange movers and utilities around the agreed possession terms.
The basics
Completion, possession and adjustment in plain words
Your contract names a completion date. That is the day legal ownership passes to you in exchange for the price. The possession date is when you can move in. BC’s real estate regulator notes these two dates are not always the same day.
Between the accepted offer and completion, your lawyer or notary handles conveyancing, which is the legal work of transferring title. They search the title at the Land Title and Survey Authority, prepare transfer documents and the Property Transfer Tax return, and prepare a statement of adjustments showing what you owe.
Why it matters
Why one missed step can delay the keys
Completion only happens when every piece lines up. The mortgage must be registered, the seller’s old mortgage discharged if needed, and the final funds delivered. A late document or a slow wire on your side can push the whole chain back.
The seller has a chain too. They may be buying another home the same day. Clear communication between both lawyers or notaries keeps everyone moving.
How it works
The path from accepted offer to keys
Pay the deposit
Pay it on the date your contract sets and keep the receipt. See paying a deposit.
Work through your subjects
Book the inspection, send documents to your lender and review strata records. Remove subjects in writing once satisfied.
Hire your lawyer or notary
Send them the contract soon after subject removal. They also need your lender’s details.
Arrange insurance
Most lenders require property insurance. Ask your lender what coverage it needs, and have proof ready.
Sign and pay
Meet your lawyer or notary to sign. Bring the ID they request and the funds shown on the statement of adjustments.
Registration and keys
After funds move and you are registered as owner, keys are released on the possession terms in your contract.
Avoid these
Timeline slip-ups
Booking movers for completion day
Completion and possession can differ. Book movers around possession, not the completion date.
Hiring a lawyer late
Conveyancing takes time. A lawyer or notary hired days before completion may not have enough of it.
Forgetting property transfer tax
Your lawyer or notary prepares the tax return for the transfer. Estimate the amount early with the property transfer tax calculator.
Bank limits on final funds
Ask your bank how large transfers work well before signing day.
Example
A sample timeline
Every contract sets its own dates. This sample shows the order of events, not standard time frames.
| Day 0 | Offer accepted; rescission period begins |
|---|---|
| Within 3 business days | Rescission period ends |
| Contract date | Deposit due |
| Subject date | Financing, inspection and documents reviewed; subjects removed in writing |
| After subject removal | Lawyer or notary instructed; insurance arranged |
| Days before completion | Signing appointment; final funds delivered |
| Completion date | Title registered in your name |
| Possession date | Keys released per the contract |
Your lawyer or notary and realtor will confirm the real dates and who does each task.
Questions to ask
Questions to keep on track
Your lawyer or notary
- When do you need my mortgage instructions and insurance proof?
- When will I see the statement of adjustments?
- How should I send the final funds safely?
- What ID should I bring to signing?
Your realtor
- What are my exact completion and possession times?
- Who confirms the keys are ready?
- What happens if the seller is late?
FAQ
Common questions
What is the difference between completion and possession?
Completion is when ownership transfers and money is paid. Possession is when you can move in. BC’s real estate regulator notes they can fall on different days.
What is a statement of adjustments?
It is a document your lawyer or notary prepares listing all money owed by you, including adjustments for costs like property tax, and the funds you need to complete.
What does a lawyer or notary do in a purchase?
They search title, obtain strata documents like the Form B Information Certificate, prepare transfer documents and the Property Transfer Tax return, register your mortgage and deliver the money.
How long does it take from offer to keys?
It depends on the dates you and the seller agree. Ask your realtor what fits your lender, your lease and the seller’s plans.
A practical example
Prepare a one-page handover calendar
List dates, required funds and named contacts in a format you can check quickly.
- Include the signing appointment, insurance arrangements, banking steps and possession details.
- Share changes with the professionals who need to know.
Keep a separate list of questions so that your calendar contains confirmed actions rather than tentative assumptions.
A detail to keep in mind
Booking a mover is a practical step; it does not change the possession terms in your agreement.
Official information
Start with these resources, then confirm the details for your property and circumstances.
BC Financial Services Authority: buying a homeBC Financial Services Authority: Completing your purchaseBC Financial Services Authority: Are you ready to purchase?BC Financial Services Authority: Home Buyer Rescission PeriodReference review: October 6, 2026