Step By Step Guide to Selling Your Home in Surrey in 2025

Selling your home in Surrey, British Columbia, can feel like a big task. With changes in the real estate market and new rules in 2025, it is important to understand each step clearly. This guide will help you prepare your home, set the right price, market it effectively, and handle all the legal steps so your sale is smooth and successful.

Preparing Your Home for Sale

A well-prepared home sells faster and often at a higher price. Buyers in Surrey are looking for move-in-ready spaces, so first impressions matter.

• Declutter and Clean

  Start by removing extra items, personal belongings, and clutter. A clean and open home helps buyers imagine themselves living there. Deep clean every corner, including kitchens, bathrooms, carpets, and windows.

• Repair and Upgrade

  Fix small issues such as leaky taps, squeaky doors, or chipped paint. These small details can leave a strong impact. If possible, consider affordable upgrades like fresh paint, modern light fixtures, or updated cabinet handles.

• Stage Your Home

  Staging makes your property more attractive. Arrange furniture to maximize space and light. Neutral colours and simple décor usually appeal to the widest group of buyers. If it’s a detached home, also focus on curb appeal by trimming lawns, power washing, and adding simple plants.

• Gather Key Documents

  Before listing, collect documents that buyers will request. These may include:

  • Title documents and past permits.
  • Utility bills and property tax statements.
  • For condos or townhomes, strata documents such as Form B (Information Certificate), Form F (Certificate of Payment), bylaws, rules, and recent meeting minutes.

Having these documents ready speeds up the process and builds buyer confidence.

Setting the Right Pricing Strategy

Pricing is one of the most important steps in selling your home. The wrong price can make your property sit on the market too long, while the right price can bring multiple offers.

• Use Market Data

Sukh Brar Real Estate Group helps to prepare a Comparative Market Analysis (CMA). This report compares your home to recently sold properties in your area, current listings, and overall market trends. This gives you a realistic range of what buyers are paying.

• Understand BC Assessment vs. Market Value

Remember, the BC property assessment is not the same as market value. It is used for tax purposes and may be higher or lower than what buyers will pay. Rely on real sales data instead.

• Choose a Pricing Approach

• Market Value Pricing: Best for a balanced market. List at the estimated fair value.
• Competitive Pricing: List slightly below market to attract more buyers and possibly spark bidding.
• Room for Negotiation: List slightly higher if you expect buyers to negotiate, but avoid overpricing.

Your strategy should reflect Surrey’s 2025 market conditions, which can change depending on interest rates, supply, and demand.

Marketing Your Home

Marketing is how buyers discover your property. In 2025, buyers in Surrey expect modern tools and strong exposure.

• Professional Photos and Videos

High-quality photos, videos, and 3D tours are essential. They create the first impression online and encourage more in-person visits.

• Floor Plans and Virtual Tours

Buyers often compare homes online before booking a showing. Providing floor plans and 3D tours helps them visualize the space and builds trust.

• Effective Listing Description

A strong property description highlights the lifestyle benefits. Mention nearby schools, parks, shopping centres, transit connections like SkyTrain or bus routes, and community features. Point out upgrades, layout, and outdoor areas.

• Online and Offline Marketing

• Your property should be listed on MLS® and other platforms.
• Social media marketing helps target local and international buyers.
• Open houses and private showings give potential buyers a closer look.

• Neighbourhood-Specific Focus

Surrey has unique communities such as Fleetwood, Cloverdale, Whalley, and South Surrey. Tailor your marketing message based on what buyers value in each neighbourhood, whether it’s schools, transit, or larger yards.

Legal Steps in Selling a Home

In Surrey, real estate transactions follow specific legal rules. Understanding them helps avoid delays and problems.

• Hiring a REALTOR® and Lawyer/Notary

Your first step is to sign a listing agreement with a licensed REALTOR®. You will also need a Surrey lawyer or notary to handle the legal paperwork, closing documents, and transfer of funds.

• Anti-Money Laundering Checks

You must provide valid identification and basic details for federal anti-money laundering checks. This is standard for all sellers and buyers.

• Offers and Contracts

Offers are written using the Contract of Purchase and Sale (CPS). Many offers include “subject clauses,” such as financing approval, inspection, or review of strata documents. Once the buyer removes these subjects, the deal becomes firm.

• Home Buyer Rescission Period (Cooling-Off Period)

Since 2023, BC has had a three-business-day rescission period for most residential properties. This means a buyer can cancel the contract within that time, though they must pay a small fee (0.25% of the purchase price). Sellers should keep this in mind when planning their next steps.

• Closing and Conveyancing

Once the deal is firm, your lawyer or notary prepares the closing documents. They ensure the title transfer, mortgage payout, and distribution of funds are handled correctly. On the possession date, the buyer receives the keys, and you move out unless otherwise agreed.

• Tax Considerations

• Capital Gains Tax : Applies if the home is not your principal residence.
• GST : Usually does not apply to resale homes, but may apply to new or substantially renovated properties.
• Speculation and Vacancy Tax : If your property is located in a designated area, you must file your declaration for the year of sale.
  

Selling a Tenanted Property

If your home has tenants, special rules apply. You cannot simply end a tenancy because you plan to sell. A tenancy continues even after the property changes hands, unless the buyer needs the property for themselves or a close family member. In such cases, proper written notice and compensation are required. Make sure you and your buyer understand these rules to avoid disputes.

Your Step-by-Step Checklist

Here’s a quick checklist to keep you on track:

• Declutter, clean, and repair your home.
• Stage the property for better presentation.
• Collect documents like strata forms, title search, and warranties.
• Decide on a pricing strategy with your REALTOR®.
• Approve professional photos, videos, and floor plans.
• Market your home online and offline.
• Review offers carefully, including rescission periods and subject clauses.
• Work with your lawyer or notary to complete the closing.

Selling a home in Surrey in 2025 is all about preparation, pricing, marketing, and following the legal process carefully. With new rules like the 3-day Home Buyer Rescission Period and continued buyer demand in Surrey, a step-by-step plan makes the journey smoother.

If you’re planning to sell, the Sukh Brar Real Estate Group, which comes in the Top 10 highly rated agents in Surrey, BC, can guide you through every detail, from preparing your property to negotiating offers and managing the legal process. With experience in Surrey’s diverse neighbourhoods, we make sure your home is sold with confidence and care.