“We had a fantastic experience working with Craig, who was recommended by a friend. He patiently guided us through the process to purchase our family forever home in Vancouver, explaining all the steps and answering all of our many questions. He was always responsive and available whenever we needed him and always felt like he wanted the absolute best for us.”Susie N
Coquitlam buying & selling playbook — the process behind every deal
Buying or selling a home in Coquitlam isn't a single decision — it's a sequence of decisions, each one with real money attached. This playbook organises the resources buyers and sellers ask about most often, from the first 'how do I pick the right REALTOR®' question to the final closing-day handover.
5.0 across 35+ Google reviews Top 1% Team — Greater Vancouver REALTORS®, 2023–2025 47+ years in the Tri-CitiesChoosing the right REALTOR®
The REALTOR® you hire is the single highest-leverage decision in any Coquitlam transaction. A strong fit shapes pricing accuracy, negotiation outcome, days on market, and the actual experience of the deal. The wrong fit costs real money.
- How to choose a Coquitlam REALTOR®The framework that actually works — past results, market knowledge, communication style.
- Working with Craig — CoquitlamCraig's track record, approach, and what working with him looks like.
- Working with Craig — Burke MountainBurke Mountain–specific track record from a 9+ year resident.
- Working with Craig — Port MoodyPort Moody and Heritage Mountain expertise.
- Working with Craig — Westwood PlateauWestwood Plateau and Eagle Ridge market specialty.
- Best REALTOR® in Heritage MountainHeritage Mountain / Heritage Woods market specialty.
Quick Answer
What should you know about the Coquitlam buying and selling playbook?
Step-by-step process resource for Coquitlam buyers and sellers — choosing a REALTOR, staging, multiple-offer strategy, closing day, and the questions that decide every deal. Craig Johnston, Top 1% Team — Greater Vancouver REALTORS®, 2023–2025 and 47+ year Tri-Cities resident, can walk you through the local context. Free Strategy Call ends with a written one-page plan in 24 hours.
The buying process — start to close
Buying in Coquitlam has a defined sequence: financing pre-approval, neighbourhood and inventory shortlist, offer strategy, subject-period work, and closing. Each phase has its own decisions and its own risks.
- Buyer onboardingThe first conversation, the search brief, and the working agreement.
- How much house can I afford?Affordability math for the Coquitlam market.
- Most affordable Coquitlam neighbourhoodsWhere first-time and entry-tier buyers actually win.
- Most expensive streets in CoquitlamWhere the luxury inventory lives and why.
- Why is Coquitlam so expensive?The honest answer — supply, schools, transit, and master-planning.
- Coquitlam open-house strategyHow buyers and sellers should each approach open houses.
- Bidding war strategy (BC)Province-wide rules and tactics.
- Presale assignment rulesCoquitlam-specific rules for buying and assigning new construction.
- What happens on closing day in BCBuyer and seller mechanics on completion day.
- Burke Mountain presale homesWhat to know before signing on a Burke Mountain presale detached.
- Burke Mountain presale townhomesPre-sale townhome decisions — buy or skip.
- Coquitlam rent vs. buy calculator (2026)Break-even math for renting vs. buying in Coquitlam.
- BC home inspection checklistWhat's actually inspected and what to flag before subject removal.
- How much home can you afford in Coquitlam?Affordability math with current rates.
- How much house can you move up to?Move-up affordability framework for current Coquitlam owners.
- Detached vs. townhome — families in CoquitlamThe trade-off for family buyers picking between formats.
The selling process — list to close
Selling in Coquitlam has a parallel sequence: pricing strategy, prep and staging, marketing and showings, offer review, and closing. The seller decisions that move the dial most: pricing day-one, what to fix vs. leave, and how to position the property to the right buyer pool.
- Sell your home in Coquitlam — full guideThe complete seller playbook for the Tri-Cities market.
- Sell your home — Tri-CitiesSeller process across Coquitlam, Port Moody, and Port Coquitlam.
- How to stage a Coquitlam homeWhat actually moves the needle on staging budget.
- How long does it take to sell?Current market timing for Coquitlam sellers.
- When is the best time to sell?Seasonality, school cycle, and macro timing factors.
- Why isn't my home selling?Honest diagnosis when an active listing is stale.
- What it costs to sell — line by lineNet-proceeds math after commissions, legal, discharge.
- Should I sell or refinance?The downsize-or-stay framework.
- The Coquitlam Move-Up ProtocolSell-first vs. buy-first sequencing for upsizers.
- Equity needed to upsizeDown-payment and bridge math for move-up sellers.
- Should I sell now or wait in Coquitlam?Timing framework for sellers on the fence.
- Should you sell your home in 2026?Macro and seasonal sell-timing read.
Tri-Cities context — beyond Coquitlam
Many Coquitlam buyers and sellers are also evaluating the adjacent communities — Port Moody, Port Coquitlam, Anmore, Belcarra. Understanding when each community is the better fit is part of the process.
- Anmore village guideAcreage, semi-rural, and the upper end of Tri-Cities luxury.
- Belcarra waterfront village guideIndian Arm waterfront and the smallest Tri-City.
- Coquitlam vs. Port MoodySide-by-side for Tri-Cities relocators.
- Best Coquitlam neighbourhoods for familiesFamily-oriented neighbourhoods ranked by trade-off.
- Best Coquitlam neighbourhoods for retireesDownsizer-friendly pockets across the Tri-Cities.
- Anmore luxury homes for saleUpper-end Anmore inventory and acreage context.
- Moving to Anmore 2026 — luxury acreage guideRelocator's reference for Anmore — acreage, schools, commute.
- Burke Mountain vs. Coquitlam CentreFamily-fit comparison for buyers torn between the two.
- Burke Mountain vs. Heritage MountainCoquitlam vs. Port Moody side of the Burke-Heritage decision.
- Burke Mountain vs. Port CoquitlamSide-by-side for buyers comparing the two.
- Burke Mountain vs. Westwood PlateauThe two highest-demand family detached areas, compared.
- Heritage Woods (Port Moody) vs. CoquitlamHeritage Woods Secondary catchment on the Port Moody side.
- Port Moody vs. Coquitlam — detached homesDetached-home comparison for relocators.
- Westwood Plateau vs. Heritage MountainSide-by-side for family buyers.
- Coquitlam vs. Burnaby — honest comparisonCompanion long-form comparison.
- Coquitlam vs. Maple Ridge — honest comparisonCompanion long-form comparison.
- Coquitlam vs. New WestminsterAdjacent-city comparison for relocators.
- Coquitlam vs. Port CoquitlamTri-Cities-internal relocator comparison.
- $1.5M vs. $2M — what each gets you in CoquitlamPrice-tier inventory comparison.
Investment & strategy decisions
Some Coquitlam decisions sit between buying, selling, and investing — the calls where the framework matters more than the transaction. This section covers the most-asked strategy questions.
- Coquitlam vs. Vancouver as an investmentThe investor math for choosing between the two.
- Fixer-upper investing in CoquitlamWhat to look for, what to avoid.
- House hacking strategiesBuying with a legal suite for income.
- Multi-family investingWhere to look, what to verify.
- Best Coquitlam neighbourhoods for investorsInvestor returns by area.
- Como Lake neighbourhood guideMature central-Coquitlam pocket with strong inventory diversity.
- Cash offer vs. financed offer in CoquitlamHow each plays in a multiple-offer scenario.
- Joint tenants vs. tenants in common (BC)Ownership-structure framework for couples and co-buyers.
- BC Assessment vs. market valueWhy the tax-notice number rarely matches sale price.
- Mortgage broker vs. bank in CoquitlamWhich financing channel suits which buyer profile.
Frequently asked questions
How long does the average Coquitlam home transaction take from offer to close?
Typical Coquitlam transactions run 30–60 days from accepted offer to completion, with subject removal usually 7–14 days in. Cash or subject-free deals can close in 21 days; pre-sale and new construction can stretch to 12+ months. The exact timeline depends on financing, inspection, and the seller's date flexibility.
What's the difference between a buyer's market and a seller's market in Coquitlam?
A buyer's market means more inventory than demand (sales-to-active ratio sustained under about 12%) — buyers can negotiate, sellers must price sharply. A seller's market is the opposite (ratio above ~20%) — multiple offers and over-asking sales become common. Coquitlam typically swings between these states 2–3 times a year; current conditions are covered in the latest market update on the blog.
Do I need a REALTOR® to buy a new construction home in Coquitlam?
Technically no, but practically yes. Developer sales staff work for the developer. A buyer-side REALTOR® costs you nothing (compensation comes from the developer's marketing budget) and brings independent advice on pricing, deposit structure, contract terms, assignment rules, and resale considerations.
Should I sell my current home before buying the next one?
It depends on your equity, your risk tolerance, and the inventory you're targeting. Sell-first gives certainty and full purchasing power but creates a temporary-housing gap. Buy-first removes the housing gap but exposes you to bridge financing and double-carry risk. The Coquitlam Move-Up Protocol page walks through the decision framework.
What are the most common Coquitlam buyer mistakes?
Three repeat patterns: under-budgeting for closing costs (typically 1.5–2% of purchase price on top of the down payment), buying outside the right school catchment because the listing description was vague, and waiving subjects without proper pre-work (inspection, financing confirmation, legal review). Each is avoidable with the right preparation.