Buying Vancouver Real Estate as an American Buyer
If you are a U.S. resident looking to buy a house in Vancouver, there are important rules, exemptions, and taxes you should understand before entering the market. Whether your interest is in buying a detached house in North Vancouver, a condo downtown, or a duplex in West Van, working with an experienced Vancouver real estate agent will make the process smoother and ensure you meet all legal requirements. Mint Home Team is here to help answer your questions!
The Foreign Buyer Ban
Canada introduced the Prohibition on the Purchase of Residential Property by Non-Canadians Act, commonly called the foreign buyer ban.
- Applies until January 1, 2027.
- Prevents non-Canadians from buying most residential property with three units or fewer (single-family homes, duplexes, condos).
- Applies within major metropolitan areas, including East Vancouver and most of Metro Vancouver.
Exemptions to the Ban
There are several ways U.S. buyers can still purchase property in Vancouver and BC.
- Property Type: Homes with four or more units and vacant land are exempt.
- Location: Properties outside designated metropolitan zones may be allowed.
- Status in Canada:
- Holders of valid work permits (183+ days remaining).
- Students who meet tax-filing and residency requirements.
- Spouses or common-law partners of Canadian citizens or permanent residents.
- Special Cases: Purchases through inheritance, divorce settlements, or gifts.
An experienced real estate team in Vancouver can guide you through whether your situation qualifies.
Taxes US Buyers Should Know
Purchasing real estate in Vancouver comes with additional costs.
- Property Transfer Tax (PTT)
- Standard tax applied to all real estate transactions in BC.
- Foreign Buyer Tax (BC)
- 20% of the purchase price on top of the Property Transfer Tax.
- Applies in areas like North Vancouver real estate, East Vancouver real estate, and the Vancouver Westside.
- Speculation and Vacancy Tax (SVT)
- Annual tax for properties that sit empty.
- Higher rate for foreign buyers.
- Empty Homes Tax (EHT) (City of Vancouver only)
- Additional municipal tax if the property is not occupied or rented out.
These taxes can significantly increase the cost of buying property, so it’s best to plan with the help of a trusted Vancouver realtor.
Selling a Home as a US Owner
If you later decide to sell a home in Vancouver, there are withholding tax requirements.
- The buyer’s lawyer must withhold up to 25% of the sale price for non-resident sellers.
- You can reduce this by applying to the Canada Revenue Agency for a Certificate of Compliance, which bases the tax on actual capital gains instead of gross proceeds.
- U.S. sellers must report the sale to both Canadian and U.S. tax authorities.
When you work with experienced Vancouver real estate agents like the Mint Home Team, you’ll have the support needed to navigate these obligations smoothly.
Why Work With a Local Realtor
Buying property in Vancouver as a U.S. resident is complex, but the right support makes it possible. A skilled Vancouver real estate agent will:
- Help you determine whether the foreign buyer ban applies to your purchase.
- Provide clarity on taxes in areas like West Vancouver, North Vancouver, and Downtown Vancouver.
- Guide you through the resale process if you want to sell a house in Vancouver in the future.
- Connect you with cross-border tax and legal experts.
Whether your dream is to buy a house in Vancouver, invest in East Vancouver real estate, or explore opportunities for a future home in North Vancouver, working with Mint Home Team means you’ll have knowledgeable Vancouver real estate agents on your side every step of the way. Contact us today for more details of how buying a home in Canada doesn’t have to be scary – you just need the right support!
*Please note all information is correct as of October 2025. Things can change quickly – reach out to us for assistance!
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What Our Clients Say
“My husband and I worked with Nicola to sell our newly renovated townhouse. I was pushing for the sale, and my husband agreed on the term that we would list for his dream price. Nicola navigated our multiple offer situation and negotiated with calm, thoughtfulness and focus. We couldn’t believe it when we sold for 20% over our asking dream price!!”
– K.B.
“Georgia and Nicola were fantastic to work with in finding our forever home. My husband and I were picky about what we wanted, but Georgia was always there to answer our questions, make inquiries of the selling agent, and provide us timely updates. We made offers on several properties, and they consistently kept us in the loop and gave us advice about how to be strategic. They never pushed us over our boundaries with price but helped us be better prepared the next time around. They also kept us grounded and realistic about prices, expectations, and the market. We must have viewed over 50 homes in a few months, but we never felt rushed or pressured to buy. We were so glad to have them on our side as they noticed things at the viewings we missed, and which would have been a headache down the road. We highly recommend the MINT Home Team - you definitely want them protecting your interests when you buy.”
– I.T. & H.B.
“Simply the best!! Having worked with Nicola and Georgia on both the buying and selling side of multiple properties, we don’t have enough good things to say about them. Not only are they best in class at understanding client needs and finding the dream house to match, they are incredible people who genuinely care about making sure their clients are happy. We wouldn’t ever consider working with anyone else and are in our dream home thanks to their hard work and dedication to get us in here.”
– C.J.
“Nicola is knowledgeable and professional - a skilled negotiator that works diligently to get results. She also keeps a very positive outlook and manages the inevitable client stress with ease. Excellent service and results.”
– C.W.
“My wife and I used Nicola to sell a house in North Vancouver. It was a complete cold call to her and we couldn't be happier with the result. The experience was beyond our expectations and I have no hesitation recommending her to anyone wanting to move their property quickly for max dollars.”
– M. O.
“I would highly recommend Nicola. She is very knowledgeable, professional and friendly! I appreciated her ongoing confidence in selling my property especially in terms of understanding the nuances of this particular property. Nicola was recommended to me by friends who indicated they were also very happy with her work.”
– L. B.
“Nicola and the MINT Home Team were excellent! They made the whole process smooth and stress free. Nicola knows the market and her advice was very beneficial both for preparing our home for sale and throughout the negotiating process. She and her team were thoughtful of our time. I wholeheartedly recommend the MINT Home Team.”
– J. & C. W
“Nicola exceeded my expectations. She has excellent communication skills, good market insight, and an eye for the details that matter. The entire team at MINT delivers outstanding service every time.”
– C. W.
“Nicola Campbell was once again awesome. She knows houses, knows what to look for in terms of deficiencies, knows what is selling and knows how to get your house to that point. I can’t recommend her enough.”
– M. T.
“Nicola was knowledgeable, helpful and efficient. Her research on our behalf was extensive and well-presented. She and her team kept a positive attitude that was reassuring while we faced challenging decisions and transactions. Everything went more smoothly than we could have imagined”
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“I loved working with Nicola. She was so patient over a couple years of back and forth about when to sell our place. When it came to it she got us the best price and we were happy with our sale. When buying she and her team worked diligently to get us the perfect home in a very tight window.”
– C.C.
“Working with Nicola was an absolute pleasure and incredibly easy. Nicola helped us navigate negotiations and worked with us on a strategy we felt comfortable with. She is knowledgeable and has her finger on the real estate pulse. She gave us full confidence and was always thinking five steps ahead. As first time home buyers, we felt very lucky to have her on our side!”
– J.J.
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