A Victoria BC Presale FAQ Buyers Should Know
Buying a presale in Victoria, BC often means choosing your home before it physically exists. That is exciting, but it also means there can be changes along the way.
So, can a developer change your home after you sign the presale contract?
The short answer is yes, sometimes.
What can change?
Your presale contract and disclosure statement should explain what changes the developer may make. Depending on the project and contract, this can include things such as the layout, dimensions, finishes, materials, appliances, amenities, or other aspects of the development.
BCFSA specifically advises presale buyers to review their contracts carefully to understand whether and how a developer can alter the size, layout and finishing of a unit.
That does not mean a developer can simply change anything they want. The contract and applicable disclosure requirements matter.
What happens if something changes?
This is where the Disclosure Statement becomes especially important.
In BC, developers must provide purchasers with a disclosure statement before entering into a presale purchase agreement. It contains important information about the development and your contractual rights.
Since April 1, 2025, BCFSA has also required the Summary of Pre-sale Risks and Buyer Rights to be attached to the beginning of applicable disclosure statements, making key purchaser rights easier to identify.
There can also be specific cancellation rights when certain material changes occur. For example, BCFSA notes that buyers may have a right to cancel within seven days after receiving disclosure of a building permit that contains a material change to the unit, development or a major common facility, where that right applies under the contract and legislation.
The takeaway for Victoria presale buyers
Before signing a presale in Victoria, Langford, Colwood, Saanich or elsewhere in Greater Victoria, don’t just look at the floor plan and price.
Look closely at the Disclosure Statement and purchase contract and ask:
- What can the developer change?
- What happens if the floor plan changes?
- Which finishes are guaranteed?
- What happens if amenities change?
- What are my cancellation rights?
This is one reason working with a Victoria presale specialist can be valuable. At Victoria New Homes, Colleen Ferguson helps buyers understand the details behind a presale opportunity, not just the marketing brochure.
Thinking about a presale in Victoria, BC? Before you fall in love with the floor plan, make sure you understand what you’re actually agreeing to.
This article is for general information only and is not legal advice. Presale contracts and disclosure statements can vary by development. Buyers should obtain independent legal advice before signing.
