Buying a Home in Vancouver

Buying a home should feel exciting—and you should understand what you’re agreeing to at every step. Whether you’re purchasing your first condo or planning your next move, we’ll help you find a home that fits your life, assess its value and condition, and make informed decisions along the way.

We’re Ashley Macintosh and Susan Pockett, the mother-daughter team behind Peak to Pier Real Estate Group. We guide buyers in Vancouver and surrounding communities from their first questions through the search, offer, due diligence, and possession.

How the Home Buying Process Works

Every purchase is different, but these seven steps give you a clear path from your first questions to your new keys. We’ll guide you through each one at a pace that works for you.

01 · Get Financially Prepared

Review your savings, monthly expenses, down payment, and expected closing costs. Together, we’ll focus on a purchase price that feels comfortable for your life—not simply the maximum you may qualify to borrow.

02 · Get Pre-Approved

A mortgage professional can help you explore financing options and establish a working price range. Pre-approval helps focus your search, though final financing depends on the property and your lender’s review.

03 · Define Your Home Search

We’ll discuss your priorities, preferred neighbourhoods, budget, and timeline. Then we’ll separate your must-haves from the features where you can be flexible, so the homes you see fit what matters most.

04 · Tour Homes

We’ll arrange viewings and help you compare each home against your priorities. Together, we’ll look beyond the listing photos at condition, location, pricing, and potential resale considerations.

05 · Write an Offer

When you find the right home, we’ll review relevant comparable sales and build an offer strategy with you. Price matters, but so do the deposit, dates, conditions, and other contract terms.

06 · Complete Due Diligence

If your offer is accepted, we’ll help you work through the applicable checks before you make your final decision. These may include financing, an inspection, title and disclosure information, and strata documents where relevant.

07 · Complete and Get Your Keys

Your lawyer or notary will handle the legal transfer and closing funds. We’ll help you keep track of the important dates, prepare for possession, and know what to expect when it’s time to get your keys.

Bright living area in a Greater Vancouver home

Start With a Budget That Works for Your Life

A mortgage pre-approval is a useful starting point, but the highest amount a lender may approve isn’t necessarily the right purchase price for you. Your monthly payment, closing costs, savings, and future plans all deserve a place in the conversation.

We’ll help you understand the costs involved in a purchase and introduce you to a trusted mortgage professional if you need one. Once you have a comfortable working range, we can focus your search on homes that make sense for your goals.

Not sure where to start? You’re welcome to reach out before you’ve spoken with a lender.

Your First Home, Explained Step by Step

Buying your first home can bring up a lot of questions. How much do you need to save? What should you check before buying a condo? What happens after an offer is accepted?

We created our free 2026 Vancouver First-Time Buyer Guide to help you get oriented. Inside, you’ll find a buyer roadmap, upfront cost considerations, questions to ask about strata properties, an explanation of offer terms, and a closing-day checklist.

Cover of Peak to Pier's 2026 Vancouver First-Time Buyer Guide

Questions Buyers Often Ask

Should I get pre-approved before looking at homes?
It’s helpful to speak with a mortgage professional early. Pre-approval can give you a working budget and help you understand your financing options. Final approval depends on the specific property and your lender’s review.

What costs should I plan for besides the down payment?
Depending on the purchase, you may need funds for legal or notary fees, an inspection, an appraisal, insurance, adjustments, moving expenses, and property transfer tax if an exemption does not apply. We’ll help you identify which costs to ask about as you plan.

What should I review before buying a condo or townhouse?
The unit is only part of the purchase. Strata minutes, the depreciation report, financial statements, bylaws, insurance information, and possible special levies can all affect your decision. We’ll help you understand what to review and where to seek specialist advice.

When should I contact you?
Whenever buying starts to feel like a real possibility—even if your timing or budget is still uncertain. An early conversation can help you decide what to do first and what information you need.

Ready to Talk About Your Home Goals?

You don’t need to have your budget, neighbourhood, or timeline completely figured out before reaching out. Tell us what you’re hoping for and what questions you have. We’ll help you understand your options and decide on a sensible next step—with no pressure.

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