Guide, updated November 2026

Presale cash back in Vancouver and the Lower Mainland

Presale condos and townhouses are one of the easiest places to get cash back, because the developer, not a seller, pays the buyer's agent.

How developers pay

Most Lower Mainland developers pay a commission to the buyer's agent on a presale contract, typically a percentage of the price, sometimes split between signing and completion. The exact amount is set by the developer and can change from one release to the next.

The registration rule

Developers pay only if your agent is registered with you before or at your first visit. If you walk into the sales centre alone and fill in the sign-in form, many developers will not pay a commission later, and there will be nothing to rebate. Register with your agent first.

Timing

Some developers pay part of the commission when the contract goes firm and the rest at completion, which can be years later. Your rebate follows the same schedule.

Assignments

If you sell your presale contract before completion, the assignment is a separate sale with its own commission. A partner agent can list the assignment with a lower listing fee.

Check before you sign

• The disclosure statement and any amendments
• Deposit structure and where deposits are held
• Assignment fees and restrictions
• Completion date range and the developer's right to extend