The phrase “dual agency” causes a surprising amount of confusion in British Columbia real estate. Some people believe it means a REALTOR® cannot help a homeowner sell one property and then help that same client buy another. Others assume it is automatically a conflict whenever the same brokerage is involved on both sides of a transaction.

Neither belief tells the whole story.

The rules are designed to protect consumers when loyalties genuinely collide—not to prevent clients from receiving consistent advice as they move from one home to the next.

What dual agency actually means

Under British Columbia’s Real Estate Services Rules, dual agency generally occurs when a brokerage represents clients with opposing or conflicting interests in the same trade in real estate. The most familiar example is representing both the seller and the buyer of the same property.

It can also arise when a brokerage represents two or more buyers competing for the same property and their interests conflict.

The key ideas are the same transaction and conflicting client interests.

A seller wants the best possible price and terms. A buyer usually wants the lowest acceptable price and the most favourable protections and conditions. One professional cannot fully advocate for both objectives at the same time while also protecting each client’s confidential information.

That is the conflict the rules are intended to address.

Why the rules changed

Before 2018, limited dual agency was widely used in British Columbia. With informed consent, one licensee could sometimes represent both sides of the same transaction, although the licensee’s ability to advise and advocate for either party was necessarily restricted.

Concerns grew about whether consumers fully understood those limitations and whether one professional could realistically provide undivided loyalty to two clients whose financial interests were directly opposed.

Following a period of heightened concern about real estate practices and consumer protection in B.C., the province introduced stronger rules. Effective June 15, 2018, dual agency was generally prohibited, along with new disclosure and consumer-information requirements. A narrow exception was retained for certain remote or underserved locations where access to another licensee would be impracticable.

The change was not intended to suggest that every overlapping relationship is improper. It addressed a specific problem: trying to represent opposing clients in the same deal.

Selling your home and buying another is not dual agency

Having the same REALTOR® help you sell your current home and purchase your next home is not, by itself, dual agency or a conflict of interest. These are two separate transactions, and in both of them the REALTOR® is working toward the same client’s overall objective.

In fact, for many homeowners this is the right approach.

One REALTOR® can coordinate the timing of the sale and purchase, understand how the proceeds from the sale affect the next purchase, structure dates and conditions with the complete move in mind, and help reduce the risk of owning two homes—or no home—at the wrong time.

The same professional also knows your priorities, financing considerations, preferred communities and tolerance for risk. That continuity can be extremely valuable when a sale and purchase must work together.

The REALTOR® should still explain the agency relationship and identify any new conflict if circumstances change. But the simple fact that one professional is helping you sell one property and buy a different property does not create divided loyalty. You remain the client in both transactions, and your interests remain aligned.

What actually constitutes a conflict of interest?

A conflict exists when a real estate professional’s duties to one client—or the professional’s own interests—are incompatible with duties owed to another client.

Common examples include:

• Representing the seller while also attempting to represent the buyer of that seller’s property.

• Representing competing buyers who both want to purchase the same property when their interests conflict.

• Using one client’s confidential information to benefit another client.

• Having a personal, family or financial interest in a transaction that could affect the professional’s judgment.

• Receiving an undisclosed benefit or incentive that could influence the advice given to a client.

Not every connection is automatically a conflict. Two licensees from the same brokerage may be able to represent opposing parties through designated agency, provided the required safeguards are in place and each client has their own designated representative. The facts, the brokerage’s agency model and the duties owed to each client all matter.

What happens if your REALTOR® has the listing you want to buy?

This is where the distinction becomes important.

If your REALTOR® is already representing you as a buyer and is also the listing representative for a home you want to purchase, the REALTOR® generally cannot simply represent both you and the seller in that transaction. The conflict must be addressed in accordance with B.C.’s rules. Depending on the circumstances and the brokerage’s agency model, one party may need separate representation, or a consumer may choose to remain unrepresented after receiving the required disclosures.

This does not mean you have done anything wrong by viewing the property. It means the agency relationships must be clarified before confidential advice, strategy or representation continues.

The difference between assistance and representation

An unrepresented buyer may still receive limited factual or administrative assistance from a seller’s representative, but that representative’s loyalty remains with the seller. The listing representative cannot give the unrepresented buyer the same strategic advice that would be available from the buyer’s own representative.

Consumers should always ask a simple question: Who is this REALTOR® representing in this transaction?

The answer determines whose interests the professional must protect, what advice can be provided and how confidential information will be handled.

The bottom line

B.C.’s dual-agency rules are about protecting clients when interests conflict within the same real estate transaction. They do not prevent a trusted REALTOR® from helping you sell your current home and purchase your next one.

Using the same professional for both sides of your move can provide better continuity, stronger coordination and a clearer overall strategy. The important thing is not whether your REALTOR® is involved in more than one transaction. It is whether that professional can remain loyal to you, protect your confidential information and advocate for your interests in each transaction.

When in doubt, ask your REALTOR® to explain the agency relationship before you share confidential information or make an offer. Clear representation is not merely paperwork—it is the foundation of sound advice and informed decisions.

This article provides general information about real estate agency in British Columbia and is not legal advice. Agency relationships can depend on the circumstances of a particular transaction. Consumers should obtain independent legal advice when needed.

Sources

• Real Estate Services Rules, B.C. Reg. 209/2021—definitions and sections 64–65

• BCFSA: Real Estate Rules amendments effective June 15, 2018

• BCFSA: Current Real Estate Services Rules

Moving from one home to another involves two major transactions—and one important decision: should you sell your current home before buying the next one?

There is no single answer that works for everyone. The right strategy depends on your finances, your comfort with risk, the type of home you own, what you hope to buy and the conditions in your specific neighborhood. In a market where buyers have more choice and homes can take longer to sell, planning the order carefully can protect both your budget and your peace of mind.

The Case for Selling First

For many Fraser Valley homeowners, selling first is the safer approach.

Once your sale is firm, you know how much equity you will have available for your next purchase. That gives you a clearer buying budget, makes financing conversations more accurate and reduces the risk of carrying two properties longer than expected.

Selling first may be especially sensible when:

• You need the proceeds from your current home for the next down payment.

• Your financing depends on paying out the existing mortgage.

• Similar homes in your area are taking longer to sell.

• Your current property is unusual or may appeal to a smaller group of buyers.

• You would be uncomfortable owning two homes at the same time.

The main drawback is timing. If you sell before finding the right home, you may need a longer completion period, temporary accommodation or a short-term rental. That inconvenience can be frustrating, but it may still be preferable to making a rushed purchase or accepting less than your home is worth because another closing date is approaching.

The Case for Buying First

Buying first gives you the freedom to wait for a home that genuinely fits your needs. This can be attractive when you are searching for something scarce, such as an acreage, a rancher, a home with a legal suite, a particular school catchment or a property in a tightly held neighborhood.

Buying first may work when:

• You have enough income and equity to qualify while still owning your present home.

• You have access to sufficient funds for the deposit and down payment.

• Your lender has reviewed the complete scenario, including the possibility of carrying both homes.

• Your current property is likely to attract strong buyer interest.

• You can tolerate the financial and emotional risk if the sale takes longer than expected.

The risk is that your current home may not sell as quickly—or for as much—as anticipated. If you have committed to a purchase, that can create pressure to reduce your asking price, accept less favourable terms or arrange short-term financing. Before buying first, ask your lender to explain the carrying costs, qualification requirements and backup options in writing.

What About an Offer Subject to the Sale of Your Home?

A purchase offer can sometimes be made subject to the successful sale of the buyer’s existing property. This can reduce risk by connecting the two transactions.

However, the seller of the home you want may continue marketing the property and may require a time clause. If another acceptable offer arrives, you could have a limited period to remove your sale condition or step away from the purchase. In a competitive situation, a seller may also prefer an offer without this condition.

This strategy can be useful, but its strength depends on the market, the appeal of your current home and the motivation of the seller.

Five Questions to Answer Before Deciding

1. How saleable is your current home?

Look beyond a general Fraser Valley headline. Recent comparable sales, active competition, condition, price range and neighbourhood demand all matter. A well-priced townhome in Sardis may face a very different market from a rural acreage or luxury property.

2. How difficult will your next home be to find?

If your wish list is flexible, selling first may be easier. If you need a rare property type or a very specific location, buying first may deserve consideration.

3. Can you qualify while carrying both properties?

Speak with your lender or mortgage broker before writing an offer. A general pre-approval may not account for the mortgage, taxes, strata fees, insurance and other obligations attached to both homes.

4. What happens if the sale price is lower than expected?

Build your plan around a realistic net figure, not the highest possible selling price. Include mortgage payout, legal costs, real estate fees, moving expenses and any adjustments that may affect the funds available for the next purchase.

5. How much uncertainty can you comfortably handle?

Some homeowners are comfortable managing overlapping dates and financing. Others would rather accept temporary housing than feel pressured by two major commitments. The financially possible strategy is not always the emotionally right strategy.

A Practical Fraser Valley Strategy

Before choosing either route, we recommend completing three pieces of preparation:

1. Obtain a current market evaluation of your home based on recent local sales and active competition.

2. Have your lender calculate the buy-first and sell-first scenarios using realistic sale proceeds and carrying costs.

3. Identify your preferred timing, acceptable backup plan and maximum level of financial exposure.

With those answers, you can choose a strategy based on evidence instead of guesswork.

The Bottom Line

In a balanced or buyer-favored market, selling first is often the more conservative choice because it gives you certainty about your equity and negotiating position. Buying first can still make sense when the right property is difficult to replace and your finances can comfortably support the overlap.

The best solution is a coordinated plan involving your Realtor, lender and legal professional before you commit to either transaction.

Thinking about moving within Chilliwack or elsewhere in the Fraser Valley? Kim Parley and Laura Lindstrom can help you compare both options, estimate your likely sale proceeds and build a practical timeline for your move.

Kim Parley & Laura Lindstrom PREC
eXp Realty
People Moving People
www.besthomesonearth.ca

Chilliwack has become one of the Fraser Valley’s most appealing destinations for homebuyers—and it is easy to understand why.

Surrounded by mountains, rivers and some of British Columbia’s most beautiful outdoor spaces, Chilliwack offers a lifestyle that can be difficult to find closer to Vancouver. Buyers are discovering that they do not necessarily have to choose between comfortable living, everyday amenities and access to nature.

More Home for Your Money

Affordability remains one of the biggest reasons buyers consider Chilliwack.

Although prices vary considerably by neighbourhood and property type, buyers can often find more living space, a larger yard or a newer home than they could purchase for a similar price closer to Metro Vancouver.

Chilliwack offers an extensive selection of real estate, including:

• Condominiums and townhomes

• Family homes in established neighbourhoods

• Newer homes with modern layouts

• Properties with basement suites

• Acreages and rural homes

• Gated and retirement communities

• Luxury homes with mountain and valley views

This variety makes the community attractive to first-time buyers, growing families, downsizers, investors and people relocating from more expensive markets.

An Outdoor Lifestyle

Living in Chilliwack means having exceptional recreation close to home.

Residents can walk or cycle along the Vedder River, hike local mountain trails, spend the day at Cultus Lake or explore nearby fishing, camping and boating destinations. Many neighbourhoods are designed around parks, trails and natural spaces, making outdoor activities part of everyday life.

Communities such as Rivers Edge, Garrison Crossing and areas throughout Sardis are especially popular with buyers who want walkability and convenient access to recreation.

Neighbourhoods for Different Stages of Life

Chilliwack is not a one-size-fits-all market. Each neighbourhood offers a different combination of housing, amenities and lifestyle.

Sardis is popular with families because of its schools, shopping, parks and access to the Vedder River. Promontory offers hillside living, beautiful views and a variety of family homes. Fairfield Island provides a quieter residential setting close to the Fraser River, while Downtown Chilliwack continues to evolve around District 1881 and the surrounding shops, restaurants and services.

The right location depends on more than the home itself. Commute requirements, schools, recreation, future plans and the character of the neighbourhood should all be considered.

A Growing Community with Everyday Convenience

Chilliwack continues to grow while maintaining a strong sense of community.

Residents have convenient access to shopping, restaurants, healthcare, recreation facilities and schools. Highway 1 provides connections throughout the Fraser Valley, while Abbotsford International Airport is within convenient driving distance for many travellers.

Remote and hybrid work have also given some buyers more flexibility. For those who do not need to commute into Metro Vancouver every day, Chilliwack can offer an appealing balance between housing, lifestyle and accessibility.

Is Chilliwack Right for You?

Choosing where to live is a personal decision. The best neighbourhood is the one that matches your lifestyle, budget and long-term plans.

Local knowledge becomes especially important because pricing, property characteristics and market conditions can vary considerably from one part of Chilliwack to another. Understanding those differences can help you make a more confident decision and avoid focusing on price alone.

If you are thinking about buying, selling or relocating to Chilliwack, we would be happy to help you explore your options.

Kim Parley & Laura Lindstrom PREC
eXp Realty 
People Moving People
www.besthomesonearth.ca

604-217-7781