Buying in Whistler

Let us guide you through this experience

Buying In Whistler

Whistler and Pemberton are exempt from the Federal Foreign Buyer Ban, the 20% foreign buyer tax, the BC Speculation and Vacancy Tax, and Vancouver’s Empty Homes Tax. This makes them some of the most accessible and attractive markets in British Columbia for both local and international buyers.

Why buy in Whistler

Whistler is a world-class, year-round resort town with over 3 million visitors annually and a strong base of full-time residents. Whether you're looking for an investment property, vacation home, or permanent residence, Whistler offers long-term value, consistent rental demand, and a unique mountain lifestyle.

Whistler and Pemberton stand out because:

They are not affected by the Federal Foreign Buyer Ban
Foreign buyers do not pay the additional 20% property transfer tax
No Speculation or Vacancy Tax applies
No Empty Homes Tax applies
Strong short-term rental and long-term investment potential

Why work with us.

We are experienced local agents who understand the unique zoning, property types, and transaction details specific to Whistler and Pemberton. We help buyers navigate every step of the process and ensure all decisions are informed and strategic.

Our services include:

Full access to all MLS listings and off-market properties
Guidance through local zoning and permitted uses
Strong negotiation and contract management
Access to trusted professionals including lawyers, inspectors, and contractors

BUYING PROCESS

Property short list – we work closely with you to establish a search criteria, while also seeking to understand your objectives from purchasing property in Whistler. Our intimate knowledge of Whistler allows us to recommend the right choice for our clients; from friendly neighbourhoods for a family-orientated buyer to condos presenting the maximum ROI for a client with investment in mind.

Property preview – we will schedule a shortlist of potential properties for buyers to preview. For clients out of town, our use of high resolution imagery and videography can provide a valuable insight into each property.

Offer – Once you have found the property for you, we will prepare an offer to be presented to the Sellers Agent. This will either be accepted or ‘countered’ by the sellers with a counter-offer.

Counter Offer – A seller may counter your offer with different terms and conditions including (but not limited to) different pricing or dates of completion. At this point the buyer has the choice to either accept these terms or re-counter with their new terms e.g. a different price. This negotiation process will continue back and forth until both parties can agree.

Accepted – This is once both the buyer and seller agree to all the terms and conditions in the contract. Once a contract is accepted, we will begin our due diligence including reviewing strata documents, completing a building inspection etc. At this time, additional subjects such as ‘securing financing’ may be included in the contract.

Subject Removal – If subjects were included in the accepted offer, this is the time when they would be removed and the contract becomes firm and binding. Examples of subjects include securing financing or conducting a building inspection. We can connect you with the appropriate professionals to assist in completing your home purchase.

Deposit – Depending on the contract a deposit is paid either on upon acceptance or subject removal to be held in trust by the buyers’ Real Estate Company, as a sign of good faith of the buyers’ intent to complete.

Closed – Title has be transferred and you are now the proud owner of your new Whistler home. Congratulations!

Understanding Whistler's Zoning

The following is designed to be a guide to some of the more commonly used terms when looking at Whistler real estate. Buyers are advised to confirm the zoning and permitted use of the real estate they are looking to buy.

Phase 1 and Phase 2, are zoning pertaining to nightly rental properties.

Phase 1 properties allow unlimited nightly rental potential, and unlimited owner use. These properties are highly desirable and often cost 20-25% more than phase 11.

Phase II properties allow limited owner use (56 days per year) and are otherwise rented through hotel management. These are ideal for hands-off investment buyers. We will help you determine what zoning type is right for your goals.

Fees and Taxes to consider.

Property Transfer Tax (PTT)
Property Transfer Tax is a provincial tax applied when a property changes ownership. It is calculated based on the property's purchase price at the following rates:

1% on the first $200,000
2% on the portion between $200,001 and $2,000,000
3% on the portion between $2,000,001 and $3,000,000
5% on any amount over $3,000,000

The additional 20% tax for foreign buyers does not apply in Whistler or Pemberton. This tax is only charged in certain areas of Greater Vancouver.

Property Taxes
Annual property taxes are charged by the Resort Municipality of Whistler. These are based on assessed value and are typically due in July each year.

Strata Fees
Strata (or HOA) fees are monthly payments that go toward the upkeep of shared areas and amenities in condo or townhouse complexes. Occasionally, special levies may be charged to cover major repairs or upgrades not included in the regular budget.

Tourism Whistler Fees
Properties located on Resort-designated lands are required to pay annual fees to Tourism Whistler. These are based on the number of bed units (e.g. a one-bedroom unit counts as two bed units) and vary depending on whether the property is used residentially or commercially. The fees help fund the marketing and promotion of Whistler as a global destination.

Goods and Services Tax (GST)
A 5% federal tax may apply to new builds and resale properties that are used for short-term or nightly rentals. If GST was previously deferred by the seller, it becomes payable on resale unless the buyer plans to continue short-term renting the unit at least 90% of the time and registers for GST.

Transactional Fees
Other typical closing costs include:

Legal fees: $2,000 to $4,000
Home inspection: $600 to $2,000
Less common costs may include appraisals or site surveys, depending on your lender’s requirements.

Underused Housing Tax (UHT)
The UHT is a federal tax of 1% on certain residential properties owned by non-resident, non-Canadians that are considered vacant or underused. In some cases, Canadian citizens or residents may also have filing obligations. Speak with your accountant to determine if this applies to you.

Finding The Right Home For You

Once you've been pre-qualified and know what price range you want to stay in, we can help you determine which properties fit your needs by using the online tools available to locate them

We have the best possible resources and communication systems available today to help you locate the homes on the market that match your specifications.

Real Estate The Right Way

I will help you complete your financing and inspections, and close on the transaction. My top priority is to make sure that your home buying experience is pleasant, cost-efficient, and successful.

Whistler Property Sisters