Sean Phillips, REALTOR® · Coldwell Banker Executives Realty · Vernon, BC · Text Sean: 236-599-5898
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Selling an Okanagan home from the UK: costs to know

2:30 · Published September 3, 2026 · Sean Phillips, REALTOR®, Coldwell Banker Executives Realty

About this video

Selling a home in the Okanagan while living in the UK? Non-resident sellers face extra steps, including the CRA clearance certificate and withholding. Here are the costs to plan for so there are no surprises.

🇬🇧 Selling Property in the Okanagan from the UK? Avoid Costly Surprises! 🏔️🇨🇦

If you're an expat or property owner from England or the wider UK looking to sell real estate in British Columbia, the Canadian conveyancing process works quite differently than the UK system.

In this video, Sean Phillips (Chalet Sean on the ski hills & Captain Sean on Okanagan and Kalamalka Lakes) breaks down the true cost of selling, how commission splits work, and why your residency status dramatically impacts how much cash lands in your bank account on closing day.

📌 What You'll Learn in This Video:

🚫 No Gazumping in BC: Why deals in British Columbia are 100% legally binding once written subjects are removed—no last-minute offer poaching or broken promises.

💰 The Real Costs to Sell ($600K Example): A full transparent breakdown of brokerage commissions, 5% GST, legal conveyancing fees, title discharges, and Strata Form F certificates.

🤝 Zero Upfront Costs: Why there is no "standard" commission in BC, how brokerage fees are negotiated, and why Sean covers 100% of upfront marketing and advertising.

⚖️ The Non-Resident Tax Trap (CRA Section 116): Why UK tax residents face a mandatory 25% gross holdback by Canadian law until a CRA Certificate of Compliance is issued—and how to plan for it.

🔑 Completion vs. Possession: Why legal closing and moving day do NOT happen at the same time in British Columbia.

⏱️ Video Chapters:

In this video

  1. 0:00🇬🇧 Welcome UK Sellers: The Okanagan Reality
  2. 0:30🛑 What is Gazumping? (And Why BC Contracts Are Firm)
  3. 1:00📊 Selling Costs Breakdown on a $600,000 Sale
  4. 1:45🤝 Commission Splits, Marketing & Brokerage Trust Protection
  5. 2:30📑 Canadian Resident vs. UK Non-Resident Payouts (CRA 25% Rule)
  6. 3:20🗓️ Staggered Completion vs. Possession Dates Explained
  7. 4:00🏔️ Connect with Sean: Next Steps for Your Property

Read the full page: Taxes when you sell a home in BC

Questions about your own home? Call or text Sarah, my AI assistant, 24/7 at 236-599-5898, or get a free home evaluation.

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Common questions

Answered by Sean Phillips, REALTOR®, Coldwell Banker Executives Realty. Updated October 2026.

How much is withheld when a UK resident sells Okanagan property?

A mandatory 25% gross holdback applies when UK tax residents sell Okanagan property, until the CRA issues a Certificate of Compliance. This is required by Canadian law under CRA Section 116 for non-resident sellers. In his video published September 3, 2026, Sean Phillips explains that residency status dramatically affects how much cash reaches your bank account on closing day, so it pays to plan for it. Confirm your own situation with the CRA or a cross-border tax professional.

Is gazumping a risk when selling a home in BC?

No, gazumping isn't a risk in British Columbia once written subjects are removed, because the deal is legally binding. Sean's video says deals are 100% legally binding at that point, so there is no last-minute offer poaching or broken promises. The Canadian process works quite differently from the UK system, which is why he covers it for UK sellers. Confirm the details of your own contract with a BC lawyer or notary.

Is there a standard real estate commission in BC?

No, there is no standard real estate commission in BC; brokerage fees are negotiated. In the video, Sean Phillips explains how commission splits work. He says he covers 100% of upfront marketing and advertising, so there are no upfront costs to the seller.