How long does it take to buy a condo in Vancouver, start to finish?
Buying a resale condo in Metro Vancouver typically takes 5 to 10 weeks from an accepted offer to moving in: 5 to 10 business days to remove subjects, then 4 to 8 weeks to closing. Add the shopping phase, and most buyers spend 3 to 4 months from starting their search to getting keys.
How long does the subjects period take on a condo?
Most accepted offers in BC give the buyer 5 to 10 business days to satisfy their subjects before the deal becomes binding. That clock starts the day the seller signs back, not the day you wrote the offer.
Three things usually run at the same time during that window:
Financing: your lender orders an appraisal and finalizes the mortgage commitment. This is often the longest piece, closer to 10 business days.
Inspection: a licensed inspector visits, usually within a couple of days of booking, with a written report following shortly after.
Strata document review: for a condo, your lawyer or notary reviews the last 2 years of minutes, the depreciation report, and the reserve fund numbers, plus the Form B financial certificate. Under BC's Strata Property Act, the strata corporation has up to 2 weeks to hand over general records and 1 week for the Form B, though most respond faster.
If the strata takes the full 2 weeks, that subject alone can stretch the window toward 14 days. Ask your agent to request the package the day your offer is accepted.
How long between removing subjects and getting the keys?
Once subjects are removed and your deposit paid, the deal is firm, and the file moves to your lawyer or notary for the conveyancing period. In Metro Vancouver, that's commonly 4 to 8 weeks, negotiated as part of the original offer rather than fixed by any rule.
Completion day is when title and funds actually transfer. Possession, when you get the keys, is usually 1 to 2 business days after that, which gives the Land Title Office time to register the transfer before you move your things in.
How long does it take to actually find a condo before you write an offer?
This is the part with the widest range, and it depends on how competitive the specific building or neighbourhood is that week.
Looking at the sales of Metro Vancouver condos across Metrotown, Brighouse, Brentwood Park and nearby areas, the median listing sold after 32 days on the market, based on 104 sales with a recorded days-on-market figure. The average was higher, 44 days, pulled up by a handful of slower sales.
That figure measures how long the listing sat before an accepted offer went firm, not how long any one buyer personally shopped. Still, it's a decent read on pace. Roughly 1 in 4 of these condos sold in 14 days or less. If you find a unit you like in an active building, don't assume you have weeks to think it over.
What's the realistic timeline from starting your search to moving in?
Stack the pieces together. Shopping is the most variable part, anywhere from a couple of weeks for a buyer who moves fast on the right unit, to several months for someone being selective in a slower price range. Then add 5 to 10 business days for subjects and 4 to 8 weeks for closing.
My read: strata documents landing late, or a lender needing an extra week for the appraisal, are what catch first-time buyers off guard here. Build a buffer into both before you set a moving date with your landlord or your current lease.
Frequently asked questions
How many days do I have to remove subjects on a condo in BC?
Typically 5 to 10 business days, negotiated in the offer. Strata document review can push it toward 14 days if the strata is slow to respond, so ask your agent to request the package right away.
How long after subject removal do I get the keys?
Usually 4 to 8 weeks to completion, then 1 to 2 more business days to possession. The exact gap is set in the original contract, not fixed by any standard rule.
Can closing happen faster than 4 weeks?
It can, if both sides agree to a shorter completion date in the offer. It's less common on a condo because of the strata document turnaround, and your lawyer will want enough time to review title and prepare the transfer regardless.
How long does it take to find a condo before making an offer?
It varies by building and price point. In this data, Metro Vancouver condos that sold between June and September 2026 spent a median of 32 days on the market, based on 104 firm sales, though a quarter sold in 2 weeks or less.
What's the realistic total timeline from starting my search to moving in?
Most buyers land around 3 to 4 months: weeks to a few months of shopping, then 5 to 10 business days for subjects and 4 to 8 weeks to close. Build in extra time for strata documents and lender appraisals rather than assuming the fastest case.
Barton Lui is a REALTOR® with Real Broker in Vancouver. He works mostly with first-time buyers across Metro Vancouver and speaks English, Cantonese and Mandarin.
If you're getting ready to write an offer, book a consultation or read what closing costs to budget for as a first-time buyer and how strata fees work in Metrotown.
Reach him at 604-715-5568 or barton@bartonrealtor.com.
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