Buy a Home with Jersey Li
If you're excited about buying your first condo, seeking a home that suits your changing lifestyle, or exploring properties for a long-term investment, I'm here to help you and guide you through the entire real estate buying process.
I understand that every client has a different budget, timeline, and reason for moving. With my experience helping people buy real estate in Greater Vancouver, I will make sure your real estate buying experience is easy to understand and guide you through each step to get your next property.
Book a consultation with me if you're ready to buy your next property. I will take the time to understand your needs and how the purchase aligns with your overall financial plans. Together, we can narrow your search, evaluate suitable options, and prepare for the decisions involved in making an offer.
Let's shop real estate.
The Buying Process
If you are wondering how the process of buying a home is, here is what you can expect:
01
Choosing the Right REALTOR®
Work with someone who understands your goals, budget, and the local market.
02
Determining Your Budget
Review your financing, down payment, and expected costs before starting your search.
03
Streamlining Your Property Search
Focus on homes that match your needs, preferred locations, and realistic price range
04
Crafting Effective Offers
Prepare an offer based on the property, recent sales, market activity, and your priorities
05
Negotiate Offers
Review the seller’s response and negotiate the price, terms, dates, and conditions carefully
06
Securing the Deal through Subject Removal
Complete financing, inspections, document reviews, and other conditions before making the purchase firm.
07
Finalizing the Deal
Coordinate with your lender and legal professional to complete the final paperwork and payment.
08
Settling In - Move In and Welcome Home!
Receive your keys, take possession, and get ready to make your new property home.
If you want a detailed guide to buy your next home, download our full guide below
What People Say
Amanda Armstrong
Bought a Single House in Coquitlam
"Jersey just helped us buy our dream home on Burke Mountain in Coquitlam! We first came across him through one of his videos and originally planned to purchase a presale condo through him. However, Jersey was very honest with us and advised that it was not the right time to buy a presale. He was right and understood the market before many others that it was not in our best interest to buy. We really appreciated him looking out for us and his honesty, despite it resulting in less business for him. In 2026, when we were ready to buy a single-family new build, we tried to secure this with our own efforts. We could not achieve priority status in a highly sought-after project, so we sought Jersey’s help, and we are so glad we did. Jersey worked his magic, helped set up the relationship with the developer, and successfully got us the exact home we wanted, which was in high demand with a long list of buyers within two weeks. His professionalism, honesty, and consistency guided us through and built trust with the developer. We are super happy with this purchase and so excited to raise our kids in our dream home. Jersey has integrity, honesty, and a way about him that brings good fortune around. We love Jersey and would be happy to refer him to our friends! We have every intention of using Jersey in the future!
Sam Shiviary
Bought an Apartment in Burnaby
"As first-time home buyers, Jersey is exactly the kind of realtor we had hoped for. His knowledge, professionalism, and genuine care for his clients truly set him apart. He clearly and smoothly walked us through every step of the buying process, making what felt overwhelming at first much more manageable. We originally didn’t think we could even afford to purchase, but Jersey consistently found opportunities and great deals that gave us confidence. What impressed us the most was his dedication even after we had an accepted offer on a condo in Burquitlam/Coquitlam. While we were ready to move forward with a decent option, Jersey continued searching for something better for us. Within just five days, he found an even better property at the same price in Brentwood, Burnaby—a superior location with a better view, a more vibrant community, and a much shorter commute for my wife. We truly appreciate Jersey not only as a highly capable realtor, but also as someone who genuinely cares like a friend. We would highly recommend him to anyone looking to buy a home."
David Lee
Bought an House in Burnaby
"Jersey is by far the most amazing realtor I have ever encountered. He listens and understands exactly what your needs are and takes care of them. And I mean COMPLETELY. Through our experience with selling our place and buying a new home, Jersey never said “no” to any of our concerns and tried his very best to not only satisfy but to even go beyond our expectations. With so much experience in this field, Jersey is very quick in action and brought nothing but peace and relief every time an issue came up related to the property. Jersey was always available at any time of the day whenever we reached out to him, so we especially thank him for that. Jersey is truly a person of respect and responsibility, and we are so blessed and thankful to have met Jersey. I would definitely recommend him to anyone seeking to buy or sell their property. It is always sunny with Jersey, and he is an experienced realtor you can absolutely trust. From Shally and David in Burnaby"
Feature Listing
Why
Buy With Jersey Li?
Advice Before Sales
I’ll tell you when a property is worth pursuing and when I think you should walk away. My job is to help you make a good decision.
Strategic Negotiation
Whether the opportunity calls for a firm offer, a patient negotiation, or simply waiting, I’ll give you the facts and strategy while keeping the final decision in your hands.
Local Market Knowledge
From Metrotown and Brentwood to Burquitlam, Lougheed and beyond, I help buyers understand the property, the neighbourhood, resale potential, future supply and long-term value.
Resale Thinking From Day One
Even when you’re buying your dream home, I’m already thinking about how another buyer may view it five or ten years from now. Location, floor plan, exposure, building reputation and future competition all matter.
Property-Level Due Diligence
Price is only one part of the decision. I look closely at strata documents, building history, layouts, deficiencies, upcoming expenses, comparable sales and potential resale concerns.
Long-Term Relationship
My involvement doesn’t end when you get the keys. I want to be someone you can call years later when you need market advice, contractor recommendations, rental guidance or your next move.
Frequently Asked Questions
01.
How much down payment do I need to buy a home in Burnaby or Metro Vancouver?
The amount of down payment you need depends on the purchase price of the property and your mortgage qualification. In Canada, buyers may be able to purchase with less than 20% down, depending on the property price and lender requirements. If your down payment is below 20%, mortgage default insurance may also apply.
Before we start viewing homes, I always recommend getting a proper mortgage pre-approval so we know your realistic budget. Also, when I work with buyers in Burnaby, Coquitlam and Metro Vancouver, I help them understand the full cost of buying so there are no surprises later.
02.
How much money do I need besides the down payment when buying a home in BC?
Your down payment is only one part of the total cash you should prepare. Depending on the property, buyers may also need to budget for Property Transfer Tax, legal or notary fees, home inspection, appraisal, moving expenses, strata adjustments and other closing costs. If you are buying a brand-new home or presale, GST may also apply.
Certain first-time buyers and qualifying purchasers may be eligible for exemptions or rebates, so it is important to review your situation before writing an offer. When helping my buyers, I like to calculate these costs early, so you know approximately how much cash you will need to complete the purchase.
03.
Is now a good time to buy real estate in Burnaby or Metro Vancouver?
In my view, time is currently on the buyer’s side. Metro Vancouver continues to have elevated housing inventory and relatively slow sales compared with stronger market cycles. That gives buyers more selection, more negotiating power and, in many cases, more time to conduct proper due diligence instead of rushing into a purchase.
My personal market outlook is that prices may continue to grind gradually toward a bottom through approximately 2028 as the market works through excess inventory. After that, I believe it could still take several years for supply and demand to become healthier. If economic conditions improve, interest rates become more supportive and immigration and population growth strengthen housing demand again, Metro Vancouver could be positioned for a healthier upward market cycle sometime after 2032.
That does not mean every buyer should simply wait. If you find the right property, at the right price, and plan to hold it long term, today’s slower market can create opportunities that may not exist when buyer confidence returns.
My philosophy is simple: don’t rush to buy—but be ready to act when the numbers make sense.
04.
What should I look for when buying a condo in Burnaby?
When buying a condo in Burnaby, I look at much more than the condition inside the unit.
The building itself is equally important. I review items such as strata meeting minutes, financial statements, contingency reserve funds, depreciation reports, insurance, bylaws, special levies and upcoming repairs.
I also consider the unit’s floor level, exposure, layout, parking, storage, noise, view, building age and resale potential.
A beautiful condo can still be a poor purchase if the strata has major financial or maintenance problems.
My job is to help you understand both the home you are buying and the building behind it.
05.
What strata documents should I review before buying a condo in BC?
Before purchasing a strata property in BC, buyers should carefully review the available strata documents. Important documents may include the Form B Information Certificate, recent council and AGM meeting minutes, financial statements, bylaws, rules, insurance documents, depreciation reports and information about existing or proposed special levies.
I pay particular attention to recurring maintenance problems, water leaks, building envelope concerns, insurance claims, legal disputes and large upcoming expenses. The goal is to understand the building’s overall condition and financial health so you can make an informed decision before removing your subjects
06.
Which neighbourhoods in Burnaby are best for buying a condo?
There is no single “best” neighbourhood in Burnaby. It depends on your budget, lifestyle and long-term plans.
Metrotown is one of Burnaby’s most established urban centres. In addition to SkyTrain, shopping and restaurants, it tends to attract more established families, long-term residents and buyers who value being close to schools, parks and everyday amenities.
Brentwood generally has a younger, more modern feel. It is especially popular with younger professionals who like newer high-rise buildings, restaurants, transit access and a more contemporary urban lifestyle.
Lougheed and Burquitlam can offer better value for buyers who want newer construction or SkyTrain access without paying the same prices as some comparable properties in Brentwood or Metrotown. Depending on the building, buyers can often find a lower price per square foot in these areas.
Edmonds and Highgate are also worth considering for buyers who prefer more established residential neighbourhoods while remaining close to transit and shopping.
When I advise buyers, I look at your budget, building quality, future supply, redevelopment, transit, schools, lifestyle and resale demand to determine which area offers the best overall value for you.
07.
How do I know if a property is overpriced?
The listing price does not necessarily represent the property’s actual market value. To determine whether a home is reasonably priced, I compare it with recently sold properties. For condos, I look at factors such as price per square foot, building age, floor level, exposure, view, parking, renovations, layout and strata condition.
For houses and townhomes, lot size, land value, condition, location and redevelopment potential may also matter.
Before my buyers make an offer, I normally prepare a comparable market analysis and explain what I believe the property is worth. That allows you to negotiate based on evidence instead of emotion.
08.
How much should I offer below the asking price in a buyer’s market?
There is no standard percentage that every buyer should offer below the asking price. Some properties may already be priced aggressively, while others may have unrealistic asking prices. I look at recent comparable sales, days on market, previous price reductions, seller motivation, competing properties and whether there are other interested buyers. Sometimes offering 5% below asking may make sense. Sometimes even 10% below may still be too high.
In other situations, a well-priced property may be worth paying close to asking. My approach is to determine the property’s real market value first and then build a negotiation strategy around the specific situation.
09.
Should I buy a presale condo or a resale condo?
I generally approach presales differently depending on how far away the completion date is. If you are buying a presale that will not complete for several years, I believe you should approach it with more caution because a lot can change between the day you sign the contract and the day you receive the keys, including property values, interest rates, mortgage qualification, government policies, construction timelines and your own personal circumstances.
You are essentially committing to today’s purchase without knowing exactly what the market will look like several years from now.
However, brand-new homes that have just completed construction or are very close to completion can be much more interesting opportunities. You still receive many of the benefits of new construction, but much of the construction and timing uncertainty has already been removed. In a slower market, there can also be opportunities to negotiate with developers who have completed but unsold inventory. With a resale property, the major advantage is certainty. You can physically see the home, understand the building, review the strata history and compare it directly with recent sales before making your decision.
My view is not that presale is good or resale is good. It is about how much uncertainty you are being asked to accept for the price you are paying. The further away the completion date, the more cautious I would be.
10.
What happens after my offer on a home is accepted?
Once your offer is accepted, the next stage is usually due diligence. Depending on the contract, this may include arranging financing, conducting a home inspection, reviewing strata documents, confirming insurance and completing any other buyer subjects.
If everything is satisfactory, the buyer removes subjects, and the contract becomes firm. Your lawyer or notary will then prepare the closing documents and handle the transfer of funds and ownership on the completion date.
After completion, possession usually takes place according to the date and time written in the contract.
I stay involved throughout the entire process, from the first showing to negotiation, subject removal, completion and possession, so you always know what comes next.
