Property Transfer Tax in Nanaimo, BC (2026)

No fee everyday banking

Set up direct deposit and skip the monthly fee. Free to open, and the Easy plan has no monthly fee. Worth doing if you will actually move your pay or your CRA deposits over, not if the card sits unused. Code BREMO2026.

See how it works

Calculate your BC PTT, explore first-time buyer exemptions, and plan your purchase in Nanaimo.

BC Property Transfer Tax Calculator — Nanaimo

Use the free calculator below to instantly estimate your Property Transfer Tax (PTT) for a Nanaimo home purchase. Enter your purchase price, select your buyer type, and see a full breakdown.

Estimated Property Transfer Tax:

PTT Examples for Nanaimo Home Prices

Purchase PriceStandard PTTFTB New HomeFTB Resale
$600,000 $10,000 $00 (exempt) $2,000 (partial)
$800,000 $14,000 $00 (exempt) $14,000 (no exemption)
$1,000,000 $18,000 $18,000 (no exemption) $18,000 (no exemption)

What Is BC Property Transfer Tax?

British Columbia's Property Transfer Tax (PTT) is a provincial tax paid by the buyer when ownership of a property is transferred. It applies to virtually every real estate transaction in BC, including in Nanaimo. The tax is calculated as a percentage of the property's fair market value and is paid at closing.

The PTT rate structure in BC for 2026 is:

The Nanaimo Housing Market in 2026

Nanaimo's median home price sits near $680,000 in 2026, meaning PTT of approximately $11,600 — $2,000 on the first $200K and $9,600 on the remaining $480K at 2%.

Nanaimo is Vancouver Island's second-largest city and a major ferry hub to the mainland. Understanding your PTT obligation is a critical part of budgeting for your purchase in Nanaimo.

First-Time Buyer Exemptions in Nanaimo

BC offers two first-time buyer PTT exemptions that can save thousands — but they have important limits:

New Home Exemption

First-time buyers purchasing a brand-new home priced at $835,000 or less pay zero PTT. For new homes priced between $835,001 and $860,000, a partial exemption applies. Above $860,000, no exemption is available for new homes. Many resale homes in North Nanaimo and Hammond Bay are priced under $500K for FTB resale exemption eligibility.

Resale Home Exemption

First-time buyers purchasing an existing (resale) home priced at $500,000 or less pay zero PTT. A partial exemption applies on resale homes between $500,001 and $525,000. Resale homes above $525,000 do not qualify for the exemption.

Important: Both FTB exemptions require the property to be your principal residence. Recreational properties, investment properties, and vacation homes do not qualify — even if you're a first-time buyer.

Buying in Nanaimo: Local Tips

New townhome developments in south Nanaimo under $835K regularly qualify for the new-home FTB exemption. Here are key considerations for Nanaimo buyers in 2026:

PTT vs. Land Transfer Tax

British Columbia's PTT is the BC-equivalent of land transfer taxes charged in other provinces. Ontario charges a Land Transfer Tax (LTT) with similar tiered rates. Unlike Ontario, BC does not have a separate municipal land transfer tax in Nanaimo — you only pay the provincial PTT.

If you're comparing BC property costs to other provinces, see our full Canada Land Transfer Tax guide for a province-by-province comparison.

Save on Your Nanaimo Home Purchase with KOHO

Open a KOHO account to earn cashback on everyday spending and build your down payment faster. New users get a $100 bonus with referral code BREMO2026.

Every dollar saved on daily expenses is a dollar closer to your Nanaimo down payment goal.

Claim $100 Bonus with KOHO