#Home Buying Guide

First time BC homebuyer reviewing CMHC mortgage insurance premium breakdown on a tablet at home

CMHC Insurance BC 2026: Premiums, Calculator & When You Pay

CMHC mortgage insurance kicks in any time your down payment is below 20 percent. On a $1.1M Metro Vancouver condo at 10% down, the premium is $30,690 rolled into your mortgage. Here is how the 2026 rates work and the $1.5M insurable cap.

Hamidreza EtebarianMay 8, 2026

BC homeowner at desk with two mortgage rate documents, considering variable versus fixed options

Variable vs Fixed Mortgage in BC 2026: Math, Penalties, BoC Outlook

5-year variable in BC is 3.35%, fixed is 4.04%. Variable saves money if the Bank of Canada holds at 2.25%. Fixed wins if hikes return. Here is how to pick.

Hamidreza EtebarianMay 7, 2026

BC couple touring a Metro Vancouver presale condo construction site reviewing floor plans`

Presale Condos Vancouver 2026: Deposits, GST Rebate & Assignment Risks

Vancouver presale condos median $1,065,000 with new low-rise at $1,541/sqft. Full BC buyer guide: deposit schedules, the new $50K GST rebate, REDMA protections, assignment risk, and a pre-purchase checklist for 2026.

Hamidreza EtebarianMay 6, 2026

BC couple reviewing mortgage affordability and qualifying rate calculation in their Vancouver kitchen`

Mortgage Stress Test Canada 2026: Qualifying Rate, How Much You Can Afford

The federal stress test forces you to qualify at roughly 2 percent above your real mortgage rate. With best 5-year fixed near 4.04% in May 2026, that means qualifying at 6.04%. Here is the math, the GDS/TDS ratios, and how a $100K BC household stacks up.

Hamidreza EtebarianMay 5, 2026

Quiet main street in a small British Columbia town with mountains in the background, representing affordable BC cities

Cheapest Places to Live in BC 2026: Median Prices by City

The 10 cheapest cities to live in British Columbia right now, ranked by live MLS median prices, from $326,500 in Dawson Creek to $549,900 in Port Alberni.

Hamidreza EtebarianMay 5, 2026

Non-Canadian buyers reviewing residential property documents outside a Vancouver condo building under the Foreign Buyer Ban`

Foreign Buyer Ban Canada 2027: Exemptions, Extensions and Who Can Still Buy

Canada's Foreign Buyer Ban runs until January 1, 2027, but real exemptions exist for work permit holders, students, refugees, spouses of Canadians, and rural BC properties.

Hamidreza EtebarianApril 30, 2026

BC homeowners selling principal residence Burnaby capital gains exemption

Principal Residence Exemption BC: Save $100K+ in Capital Gains Tax

The Principal Residence Exemption shelters BC homeowners from capital gains tax when they sell. Here's how the T2091 form, plus-one rule, and 45(2) election work in 2026, plus the BC-specific traps that can shrink your exemption.

Hamidreza EtebarianApril 29, 2026

Glass condo tower beside a row of modern BC townhouses with North Shore mountains in background

Condo vs Townhouse in BC: Costs, Strata Fees & Which Holds Value Better

Metro Vancouver condos median $665K, townhouses $1.04M. Townhouses cost 60% more overall but 25% less per square foot. Compare strata fees, appreciation, and financing across BC.

Hamidreza EtebarianApril 28, 2026

BC contractor inspecting a new home exterior for 2-5-10 warranty coverage

BC 2-5-10 New Home Warranty: What It Covers, Gaps & How to Claim

The BC 2-5-10 warranty is mandatory on every new home built by a licensed BC residential builder. Here's what each tier actually covers, where it falls short, and how to file a claim before your deadline runs out.

Hamidreza EtebarianApril 27, 2026

New construction condo building exterior with buyers reviewing GST rebate documents, BC mountains background

GST on New Homes in BC: Rebate Thresholds, Who Qualifies & How to Claim

First-time buyers pay $0 federal GST on new BC homes up to $1M thanks to the 2025 FTHB rebate. See who qualifies, how it phases out to $1.5M, and how to stack it with the BC PTT exemption.

Hamidreza EtebarianApril 24, 2026

BC flipping tax home sold sign suburban Metro Vancouver

BC Flipping Tax 2026: Rates, Exemptions & How to Avoid Paying 20%

Sell a BC home within 730 days and the province takes up to 20% of the profit. Here is the exact rate formula, every exemption, and how to file.

Hamidreza EtebarianApril 23, 2026