Tag Archive for: first-time homebuyers

First-Time Homebuyers with GST Relief

GST Relief: What First-Time Home Buyers in BC Need to Know

/in /by

Navigating the Requirements for GST Tax Relief

In British Columbia’s competitive housing market, GST relief provides the helping hand First-Time Home Buyers (FTHB) need to reduce the overall cost of purchasing a newly constructed home. If you’re shopping for your first home, the federal government is eliminating the GST on properties worth $1 million or less and reducing GST on homes between $1 million and $1.5 million. 

As a result, FTHBs will see savings of up to $50,000. This tax break may seem straightforward on the surface, but there are important details about who qualifies and how to apply that can significantly impact your chances of success.

Getting all the details right is crucial. Incomplete documentation could mean losing out on this valuable benefit. That’s why many buyers turn to local experts like D Fritz Appraisals to get accurate property valuations and guidance through the process, helping ensure you maximize your GST tax relief.


Key Takeaways

  • First-time buyers in BC can save up to $50,000 in GST on new homes.
  • GST is eliminated on homes under $1M; partial rebates for homes between $1M–$1.5M.
  • To qualify, you must be a first-time buyer, a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, and use the home as your primary residence.
  • Builder-purchased, owner-built and shares in co-operative housing are eligible, with different requirements.
  • Homes must be purchased or construction started on or after May 27, 2025, and before 2031.
  • This rebate is a one-time opportunity, so timing and documentation are key.

Breaking Down First-Time Home Buyer GST Savings

Three key parts shape the FTHB GST Rebate: your savings amount, property value limits, and timing rules.

Through Canada’s federal GST relief program, you’ll save up to $50,000 in GST when buying a new home worth $1 million or less. For homes priced between $1 million and $1.5 million, you’ll receive a smaller rebate that gradually decreases.

  • To be eligible, you must sign your purchase agreement on or after May 27, 2025, and before 2031.
  • The GST savings apply to both new builder-sold and owner-built homes, provided construction commences before 2031 and is mainly completed by 2036.
  • Please note that this rebate is only available once in a lifetime and must be used as your primary residence.

Key Eligibility Requirements for GST Relief for BC Residents

To qualify for the federal GST relief program, you need to meet several key requirements. These rules ensure the rebate benefits genuine first-time homebuyers and maintain the program’s smooth operation. Review these important qualifications before you apply:

  • You must be 18 or older and either a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident
  • You can’t have owned a home, nor lived in a home owned by yourself or your spouse/common-law partner, in the calendar year of purchase or in the four preceding years (in or outside Canada)
  • Your new home must cost less than $1.5 million 
  • You need to live in the property as your main home
  • If you’re married or have a common-law partner, they can’t have claimed the rebate before

Combined with the existing GST/HST New Housing Rebate, the FTHB GST Rebate provides full GST money back on homes valued up to $1 million, with smaller rebates for homes priced between $1 million and $1.5 million.

Maximizing Your GST Relief Savings on New Construction

Smart planning can maximize your GST relief benefits when building or buying new construction in BC.

To receive the full GST rebate of up to $50,000, your new home’s value needs to stay under $1 million. You might still qualify for a partial rebate if you’re looking at a property between $1 million and $1.5 million.

If you’re an owner-builder, timing your construction is crucial. Start building between May 27, 2025, and before 2031, and ensure substantial completion by 2036.

Keep thorough records of all GST paid on materials and labour. Since you can only claim this rebate once in your lifetime, it’s important to make the most of it.

When working with a builder, ensure your purchase agreement falls within the eligible dates and follows all program requirements.

Owner-Built Homes vs. Builder-Purchased Properties

First-time homebuyers in BC have a tough decision to make: whether to buy from a builder or build their own home. Both choices offer valuable GST tax relief of up to $50,000, but they follow different rules and have unique advantages.

For builder-purchased homes:

  • Need a purchase agreement between May 27, 2025, and 2031
  • The builder must finish the majority of construction by 2036
  • You must be the first person to live in the home
  • The builder takes care of most construction details
  • Less hassle with paperwork and coordination

For owner-built homes:

  • Must begin construction between May 27, 2025, and 2031
  • Need to meet specific completion deadlines
  • You must be the first person to live in the home
  • You get more control over design and customization

The builder-purchased route offers a more straightforward path, while owner-built homes give you more freedom to create exactly what you want. This spec vs custom home article does a good job of explaining the difference. 

Your choice may depend on how much time and effort you’re willing to invest in the building process.

Getting an independent appraisal of your property’s value is crucial for making informed decisions about asset division and future property investments.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Can I Combine the FTHB GST Rebate With Other Provincial First-Time Buyer Incentives?

Yes, you can combine the FTHB GST rebate with other provincial first-time buyer programs. The rebate is designed to work alongside existing incentives, maximizing your savings when you purchase your first home.

  • What Happens if My Marital Status Changes During the Rebate Application Process?

If your marital status changes (for example, you get married or become common-law) while applying for the GST relief, you must disclose your spouse’s or partner’s homeownership history. To remain eligible, neither you nor your spouse/common-law partner can have owned a home, or lived in a home owned by either of you, in the year of purchase or in the previous four calendar years. 

  • How Long Does It Typically Take to Receive the Rebate After Applying?

Processing times for the FTHB GST rebate typically range from four to six weeks after sending in your completed paperwork. Please note that if you’re missing any documents or if your application requires additional review, the wait time may be longer than average.

A Smart Step Toward Affordable Homeownership

Whether you’re buying from a builder or planning to build your first home yourself, navigating the GST relief process with confidence starts with understanding your property’s true value.

At D. Fritz Appraisals, we help first-time buyers across BC with accurate, timely valuations that support rebate eligibility and informed decision-making. Our appraisers are certified with the Appraisal Institute of Canada (AIC) and professionally insured for liability according to the Canadian Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (CUSPAP). 

Have questions or need an appraisal as part of your tax relief planning? Contact us today to get started.

first-time homebuyers BC

Why Are First-Time Homebuyers Struggling in BC?

/in /by

How to Break Into the BC Housing Market

Breaking into the real estate market in British Columbia is not easy. With soaring prices, stiff competition, and constantly shifting market conditions, maximizing first-time homebuyers’ purchasing power has become critically important. At D. Fritz Appraisals Inc. we strive to make the process of purchasing or selling a home less stressful for our clients by providing timely and accurate appraisals that can assist with making sound real estate decisions.

Come along as we discuss the challenges facing first-time homebuyers in BC and learn some effective strategies that can help in the journey toward home ownership. 

Victoria BC is a Tough Real Estate Market

As of July 2024, the British Columbia Real Estate Association indicates that a first-time homebuyer in BC will pay upwards of $950K. High prices combined with increased borrowing costs, have left many homebuyers delaying the purchase of their dream homes. It’s become commonplace for homebuyers to seek lower-cost alternatives such as moving away from major centers to more affordable communities or partnering with a friend or family member to purchase a house.

Though housing costs, monthly rentals, and property taxes are on the rise, solutions to housing insecurity may be just around the corner. While new government initiatives aim to decrease barriers to the housing market rollout, here are a few strategies first-time homebuyers are adopting to secure a home in Victoria BC, one of the most desirable places to live in the world.

Who Are The Average First-Time Homebuyers In BC?

It might come as a surprise to you to learn that first-time buyers in BC are getting older. Though people buying a home for the first time are made up of a diverse group of young professionals and families looking to settle down, the age range spans mainly the late 20s to early 40s. With the increase in purchase prices, it’s taking first-time buyers longer to save and young people are living with their parents longer.

Considerations Before Making An Offer 

Get Your Credit Score Up

It might not be what a first-time homebuyer wants to hear, but delaying the purchase of your first home might be the option that makes the most sense. Instead of going further into debt with a home purchase, focus on paying down any outstanding loans you might have and improving your credit score. A healthy credit score will make you more attractive to lenders.

Get Pre-Approved

It’s also important to get pre-approved for a mortgage before you start shopping around. Having less debt and a good credit score improves your chances of getting an appropriate mortgage to purchase a home. Knowing which homes are within your grasp helps significantly in the home search and also prevents the disappointment of touring homes that end up being out of your budget. 

Tax Incentives

In addition to saving and getting pre-approved for a mortgage, there are several tax incentives that first-time homebuyers may qualify for to stretch their purchasing dollars. Though the Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) has discontinued its first-time homebuyer’s incentive as of March 31, 2024, there are a number of other tax breaks that could help ease your monthly mortgage payments. 

To qualify for any of these incentives, administered through the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA), you must first file an income tax return.

  • First Home Savings Account (FHSA) – a registered plan that allows potential homebuyers to save, buy, or build a qualifying home tax-free (limits apply)
  • Homebuyers’ Plan (HBP) – allows withdrawals of up to $60K from an RRSP to buy or build a home. If the withdrawal is paid back into the RRSP within the required timeframe, it’s tax-free
  • First-Time Homebuyer’s Tax Credit (HBTC) – a tax credit of up to $1500 for eligible homebuyers
  • GST/HST New Housing Rebate – a rebate for individuals who have bought a new home or used a builder to substantially renovate their house, condo, duplex, mobile home, or floating home

Getting advice from a professional property appraiser like D. Fritz Appraisals Inc. before you purchase is an excellent idea. Professional property appraisers will let you know the home’s true value compared to the asking price and how it might change over time.

Thinking Outside The Box

A growing trend among first-time homebuyers is the increasing reliance on financial help from family and provincial and federal government programs to come up with the large down payments required. Co-owning properties with someone other than a spouse or significant other is one-way first-time homebuyers are breaking into the market. According to Royal LePage Real Estate Service, 6% of the 500 respondents surveyed co-owned their home and 41% have borrowed money from family.

In addition to cohabitation, and seeking help from the Bank of Mom and Dad, first-time homebuyers today have had to get more creative. Here are a few unusual strategies eager buyers are employing to break into the housing market:

  • Home Hacking – purchasing a multi-unit property, living in one unit, and renting out the remainder to cover the cost of the mortgage payment
  • Crowdfunding – do you have a large social media following? Then a crowdfunding platform to raise money for a down payment might be the answer.
  • Alternative Financing – seller financing, where the seller acts as the lender may be an option for buyers who don’t qualify for traditional mortgages.

While unconventional, these approaches might be just the extra help you need to get your foothold into the competitive housing market here in Victoria BC.

What Does the Future Hold?

In British Columbia, the changes to zoning laws for multi-family projects will increase the number of high-density developments. These changes should reduce the barriers to entry for first-time homebuyers and middle-income earners. For a deeper look, read our recent blog on Missing Middle, Affordable Housing.

Stronger BC, as part of the BC Homes For People Action plan, has committed $12 billion (2023 budget) over ten years to minimize the strain on homebuyers. See how your tax dollars are being spent here for a more detailed look.

Trust D. Fritz Appraisals Inc. For Fast And Accurate Mortgage Appraisals

When buying a home for the first time, one of the best ways to ensure you have prepared the winning offer is to consult with a real estate appraiser. D. Fritz Appraisals Inc. works with first-time homebuyers to provide the highest level of residential appraisal service on Southern and Central Vancouver Island. Our mortgage financing appraisals let you know the fair market value of the property you’re interested in purchasing. 

With turnaround times often coming in within 24 hours, our quick and comprehensive home appraisal reports will give your offer a competitive edge. To find out more about our mortgage appraisal services contact us online or give us a call at (250) 413-7319.