Your buyer checklist
Your buyer checklist
Keep the essentials close. Open each stage as you go.
0 of 16 essentials checked
Before you start
While you explore
Before you commit
Before the keys
Checks last while this page is open. Print to keep a copy.
The basics
Why a checklist beats memory
Buying a home has dozens of small deadlines that run in parallel. Your lender, your lawyer or notary, the seller and sometimes a strata all need things from you, often in the same week. A written list stops a missed form from costing you a deposit or a tax exemption.
This page adds the paperwork behind each stage of the checklist above. Use it to gather documents early, so each step is a quick yes rather than a scramble.
Why it matters
Some deadlines cannot be fixed later
A few dates are set by law, not by the contract. A resale rescission notice must reach the seller within three business days of acceptance. BC’s first-time buyer exemption needs you to move in within 92 days of registration. An Home Buyers’ Plan home must be bought or built before October 1 of the year after the withdrawal. Miss one and the option may be gone.
Presales add a clock of their own. BC’s real estate regulator gives presale buyers seven days to cancel, counted from the later of signing the contract and acknowledging the disclosure statement. Write that end date on your list the day you sign, and confirm it with your lawyer or notary.
How it works
Documents to gather at each stage
Before you start
Photo ID for every buyer, income records, recent bank statements and a list of debts. Match these to the exact list your lender or mortgage broker gives you.
Program paperwork
Your housing history for the first-time tests, FHSA and RRSP statements, and dates of recent RRSP contributions, since CRA says money added in the 89 days before an Home Buyers’ Plan withdrawal may not be deductible.
While you explore
For strata homes, ask for minutes, bylaws, the budget and the depreciation report. Our strata documents guide shows what to read first.
Before you commit
A pre-approval letter, deposit funds ready to move, and your lawyer or notary’s contact details for the contract.
After subjects
Signed subject removal, the deposit receipt from the trust holder, and home insurance quotes.
Before the keys
The statement of adjustments, proof of insurance, wire confirmation and your move-in plan.
Avoid these
Checklist gaps that cause trouble
No deposit receipt
BC’s real estate regulator advises asking the holder of your deposit for a receipt and making sure it is held in trust.
Forgetting the rescission fee
If you rescind a resale offer, you owe the seller 0.25% of the offer price. Have the funds before you act.
Leaving insurance late
Ask your lender when it needs proof of home insurance. Arrange quotes as soon as the deal is firm so funding is not held up.
Losing the paper trail
Keep every contract version, amendment and receipt in one folder. You may need them at tax time.
Questions to ask
Questions to tick off with your team
Your lender or mortgage broker
- Which documents do you still need from me?
- What conditions remain before final approval?
- When will funds reach my lawyer or notary?
Your lawyer or notary
- When do I need to sign completion documents?
- How much should I send, and how?
- Will you claim my transfer tax exemption on the return?
Your real estate agent
- When is the deposit due, and to whom?
- What are the subject removal dates?
- When can I do a final walk-through?
FAQ
Common questions
How long do I have to cancel a resale purchase in BC?
For most home types, BC’s real estate regulator says buyers have three business days after acceptance, excluding weekends and holidays. You must give written notice and pay 0.25% of the offer price.
Who holds my deposit?
It is negotiable. BC’s real estate regulator says the buyer’s brokerage usually holds it in trust until completion. Read the paying a deposit guide for more.
When should I tell my lawyer or notary about my purchase?
As soon as the offer is accepted, or before you sign a presale. They need time to review the title, prepare documents and claim any exemption.
What goes in a lender’s document request?
Requests often cover ID, income, bank statements and down payment records, but each lender sets its own. Ask your lender or mortgage broker for their exact list, and send it through a secure channel.
Where do presale deposits go?
BC’s real estate regulator says presale deposits are held in trust by a lawyer, notary or real estate brokerage. Add the name of the trust holder and each due date to your list, and file every receipt with your contract.
Sources
Reviewed October 6, 2026. General information only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Rules change, so confirm the details for your purchase or sale with the official source and your own professionals.
Go deeper at each stage
A guide for every step.
Checklist questions
Using this checklist.
Is my progress saved?
Checks last while this page is open. Print or save the page as a PDF to keep a copy.
Does this replace legal advice?
No. The checklist helps you prepare questions. Your lawyer or notary advises on the contract and completion.