HOME BUYER’S GUIDE
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HOME BUYING. START
START HERE.
Buying a home is a big deal. For most people, it’s not something they do often.
This Home Buyer’s Guide is here to cut through the noise. It’s designed to give you clarity, confidence and clear path forward when buying a new home, whether it’s your first purchase or your first time buying from a developer.
Inside, you’ll find straight answers, practical considerations, and a clear overview of what to expect at every stage – from choosing the right home to move-in day and beyond. No jargon. No guesswork.
If you’re reading this, you’re already moving in the right direction. So dive in. When questions come up (and they will), the Anthem team is here to help.
BUYING A NEW HOME
HOME
Confidence comes from knowing what matters most.
Every buyer’s situation is different, but there are a few core decisions that shape a smart purchase – location, home type, affordability, timing and flexibility.
Understanding these early makes the entire process simpler and more predictable.
Here are the key factors to consider as you plan your next move –and why buying new often gives you more control along the way.
Location & Community
Type of Home
Price & Affordability
Deposits & Down Payment
Mortgage Pre-Approval & Financing
Flexibility & Timing
Floorplans & Home Features
Working with a Realtor
WHAT TO CONSIDER:
Location & Community
Where you live shapes how you live.
Before looking at floorplans or finishes, step back and look at the bigger picture:
• Neighbourhood & lifestyle – Does the area support your day-to-day life?
• Schools – Important now or in the future.
• Transit & commuting – Proximity to SkyTrain, major routes, or transit hubs.
• Amenities – Parks, shops, cafés, healthcare, and community spaces.
Many buyers are drawn to Anthem’s master planned communities, where homes, green space, retail, and amenities are designed together — and continue to evolve over time.
Price & Affordability
Affordability is about more than the purchase price. It’s about understanding ownership big picture.
Consider:
• Purchase price
• Monthly mortgage payments
• Property taxes and strata fees
• Utilities, insurance and ongoing living costs
Knowing your comfort zone early reduces stress and keeps your search focused.
Type of Home
New homes come in many forms, each offering different benefits depending on how you live.
Common options include:
• Concrete condominiums – durable construction, strong sound separation and elevated views.
• Wood-frame condominiums – lower-rise living with a more residential feel.
• Townhomes – multi-level homes with more space, private entrances and outdoor areas.
As you compare, think about space needs today and tomorrow, maintenance preferences and how you want to live.
Deposits & Down Payment
New homes typically use a structured deposit schedule rather than a single upfront payment.
In most cases:
• An initial deposit is paid at contract signing
• Additional deposits are paid at set milestones
• All deposits are held in trust and applied to the purchase price at completion
Deposit structures vary by community, and Anthem offers flexibility where possible. We are here to help buyers plan with confidence.
Mortgage Pre-Approval & Financing
Mortgage pre-approval is strongly recommended. It gives you clarity, confidence and fewer surprises later.
Pre-approval helps you:
• Understand your true budget
• Secure an interest rate for a set period (where applicable)
• Plan financing around completion timelines
Many buyers work with mortgage brokers to compare options and align financing with their new home timeline. Anthem can provide referrals if helpful. We’ve got you.
Floorplans & Home Features
This is where practicality meets personal preference.
Consider:
• Bedroom and bathroom count
• Layout and flow
• Natural light, exposure and views
• Outdoor space and amenities
Smart design can make a home feel larger, brighter, and more livable – regardless of size.
Flexibility & Timing
Timing matters—especially with new homes.
Ask yourself:
• Do you need to sell an existing home first?
• Do you need a firm move-in date or flexibility?
• Are you buying a move-in ready home or presale?
New homes often allow more time to plan, making it easier to coordinate life changes, financing, and transitions.
Working with a Realtor
Many buyers choose to work with their own realtor when purchasing a new home.
A realtor can help:
• Represent your interests
• Compare communities and options
• Explain contracts and timelines
Anthem works collaboratively with realtors and is happy to provide introductions if needed.
WHY BUY NEW
One of the first decisions buyers face is new versus resale. Both have value. Buying new offers clear advantages for buyers who want predictability, efficiency, and peace of mind.
Benefits of Buying a New Home
Designed for Today
Layouts reflect how people live now – open kitchens, flexible spaces, smarter storage.
Energy Efficient
Built to current standards, helping reduce long-term operating costs.
Built to Current Codes
New safety, structural, and environmental requirements provide added reassurance.
Fewer Surprises
Everything is new – systems, appliances, finishes – reducing early maintenance costs.
New Home Warranty (2-5-10)
New homes in BC and Alberta are protected by a comprehensive 2-5-10 warranty, which includes:
• 2 years on distribution systems (electrical, plumbing, HVAC)
• 5 years on the building envelope
• 10 years on structural components
This coverage offers reassurance that your investment is protected well beyond move-in day.
Considerations with Resale Homes
Resale homes may require:
• Immediate upgrades or renovations
• Aging systems or appliances
• Higher short-term maintenance costs
Understanding these trade-offs helps buyers make informed comparisons.
WHY BUY WITH ANTHEM
ANTHEM
When you buy with Anthem, you’re not just purchasing a home — you’re working with a team that’s been building communities 35 years and counting.
A Seamless Experience
Anthem is involved from vision and design through construction and homeowner care. That means clearer communication, stronger coordination, and fewer handoffs.
Quality, Backed by Experience
Our homes are built to meet — and often exceed — today’s standards. Quality isn’t an upgrade. It’s the baseline.
Flexibility Where It Matters
From deposit structures to timing, we work to align the process with real life — not force buyers into rigid boxes.
Established & Reliable
With thousands of homes delivered, Anthem is a name buyers trust to follow through — today and long after move-in.
Homeowner Care
Our Homeowner Care team supports you after move-in, addressing questions and warranty items as part of our long-term commitment.
THE BUYING PROCESS
Buying a new home should feel clear, supported, and predictable. That’s how we’ve designed the process.
Our goal is simple: help you make a confident decision and deliver a home you’ll feel good about for years to come.
1
Explore Our Homes
Start by:
• Visiting an Anthem Presentation Centre
• Exploring homes online
• Speaking directly with our Sales Team
With multiple communities and home types, buying new gives you choice — not just today, but on your timeline.
2
Review the Details
An Anthem Sales Team member will walk you through:
• Available homes and pricing
• Completion timelines
• Deposit structures
This is a conversation — not a pitch. Our role is to make sure you understand your options clearly.
PROCESS
3
Select Your Home & Purchase
When you’re ready:
• Review the Disclosure Statement
• Sign the Contract of Purchase and Sale
• Submit your initial deposit (held in trust)
Contracts are signed digitally, making the process simple and flexible.
4
Staying Informed
After purchase, you’ll receive updates and reminders around:
• Deposits
• Financing milestones
• Construction progress and completion timing
CONTRACT OF PURCHASE
Your Contract of Purchase & Sale is a legally binding document that outlines all the details of your home purchase. While it can feel formal, its purpose is to provide clarity and certainty for both you and the developer.
PURCHASE & SALE
What the Contract Covers
Your contract includes:
• Purchase price
• Deposit structure and schedule
• Estimated completion date
• Terms related to rescission, default, termination, and closing procedures
Anthem’s Sales Team will walk you through the contract before you sign, ensuring you understand what you’re agreeing to and have the opportunity to ask questions.
Deposits: How They Work
Rather than a single lump-sum payment, new homes typically involve scheduled deposits.
How this benefits you:
• Deposits are spread over time
• Funds are held securely in trust
• Deposits are applied toward your purchase price at completion
Staying aware of deposit due dates is important. Setting reminders and planning ahead helps ensure a smooth experience.
Completion Dates & Flexibility
One advantage of buying new is the ability to plan ahead.
Depending on the home:
• Completion dates may be estimated months or years in advance (presale)
• Move-in-ready homes may offer quicker possession
Anthem works to provide flexibility where possible, helping align completion timing with your life— whether that means coordinating a sale, a lease end, or a personal milestone.
ORIENTATION
Getting to Know Your New Home
Before move-in day, you’ll be invited to your Homeowner Orientation.
This is a guided walkthrough with Anthem’s Homeowner Care Team, designed to help you feel comfortable and confident in your new space.
During your orientation, you’ll:
• Tour your home and review finishes and features
• Learn how your appliances and systems work
• Identify any warrantable items, if applicable
• Ask questions before final handover
This orientation is your opportunity to understand your home inside and out before you receive your keys.
CLOSING AND MOVE-IN
As your completion date approaches, there are a few important legal and financial steps to finalize before move-in day.
Legal & Financial Requirements
You’ll need your own legal representation—either a lawyer or notary public—to handle the conveyance of your purchase.
In the weeks leading up to completion, you’ll:
• Sign legal documents with your legal representative
• Finalize mortgage documents with your lender (if applicable)
• Review closing adjustments and costs
MOVE-IN
HOME WARRANTY
WARRANTY & INSURANCE
Your new home comes with a 2-5-10 Home Warranty, providing coverage for:
• Distribution systems
• Building envelope
• Structural components
You’ll also need to arrange home insurance prior to completion to ensure coverage from day one.
WELCOME TO YOUR
Welcome home. This is where planning turns into living.
Upon move-in, you’ll receive:
• A digital Homeowner Manual
• Access to Anthem’s Homeowner Care portal
• Contact information for ongoing support
Our Homeowner Care Team is here to assist with warranty-related items and questions as you settle into your new home.
YOUR NEW HOME
STAY CONNECTED
WITH ANTHEM
Buying with Anthem doesn’t end at move-in.
We offer ongoing support and we continue investing in the neighbourhoods we create, ensuring they thrive and grow for generations to come.
Ongoing Support & Opportunities
As an Anthem homeowner, you’ll have access to:
• Continued Homeowner Care support
• A dedicated Homeowner Care Portal to submit any service requests
• Referral opportunities for friends and family
• Early access to future Anthem communities
ABOUT ANTHEM
Founded in 1991, Anthem is a team of more than 850 people driven by creativity, passion, and direct communication. Anthem has invested in, developed, or managed—alone or in partnership—more than 400 residential and commercial projects across North America.
Our growing residential portfolio includes over 44,000 homes that are complete, in design, or under construction, spanning mixed-use residential, townhome, rental, and single-family communities.
Anthem is a real estate development, investment, and management company that strives, solves, and evolves to create better spaces and stronger communities.
We are Growing Places.
GLOSSARY
Appraisal An independent estimate of a property’s market value, often required by lenders.
Amendment A change or update to the original Disclosure Statement that the developer must share with buyers about the project.
Addendum An addendum is an extra document added to your contract that includes new terms or changes both you and the developer agree to and was not part of the original contract.
Adjustment date The date you start paying for things like taxes, utilities, and strata fees.
Closing Costs Additional fees incurred during the home purchase, including legal fees, land transfer tax, and insurance.
Closing Procedures The steps involved in finalizing your home purchase, including signing legal documents, transferring funds, registering the title, and officially transferring ownership to the buyer.
Completion Date The day you pay for your new home and officially become the owner.
Contractual Amendments or updates made to your original contract of purchase and sale. Changes These changes must be agreed upon in writing by both the buyer and the developer.
Disclosure A detailed document prepared by the developer that gives you important Statement (DS) information about the project.
Default When a party fails to fulfill their obligations under the contract (e.g. missing a deposit deadline or failing to complete the purchase), which may result in penalties or contract termination.
Deposit An upfront payment made by the buyer as a sign of good faith to secure the purchase. It’s applied toward the final purchase price.
Home Orientation The Homeowner Orientation is typically scheduled near the time of your home’s completion. It is the first and only opportunity for you to walk through your new home with the Anthem Homeowner Care Team. During this appointment, you will: learn how to operate your home systems, review the finishes and features and identify any warrantable deficiencies, if any.
Land Transfer Tax A government tax paid when transferring property ownership. It varies by province/region.
Legal A real estate lawyer or notary who handles the legal aspects of the purchase Representation and ensures title transfer and documentation is accurate.
Mortgage A lender’s confirmation of the amount a buyer can borrow, giving confidence Pre-Approval and leverage during the home search.
Offer to Purchase/ A formal contract outlining the price, conditions, and timeline agreed upon between Purchase Agreement buyer and seller.
Possession Date The date the buyer officially takes ownership of the home and can move in.
Rescission The legal right to cancel your contract of purchase and sale within a specified period, as outlined in the contract or under provincial legislation (e.g. the 7-day rescission period for presale homes in BC).
Strata Fees Monthly payments for shared property maintenance in condominiums or townhomes.
Statement of A legal document that outlines the final financial breakdown between the buyer Adjustments and seller, including deposit, property taxes, and utility adjustments at closing.
Subject Removal The process where a buyer confirms or waives all conditions (financing, inspection, etc.) in the purchase agreement to finalize the deal.
Title A legal document proving ownership of the property.
Termination The formal ending of a contract, either mutually agreed upon by both parties or triggered by a breach (such as default). May involve financial or legal consequences depending on the circumstances.