Moving Into Your First Home in Metro Vancouver: A Complete Guide

Buying your first home in Metro Vancouver is a significant milestone. After months of searching, offers, and paperwork, moving day is finally here. Here is what to expect and how to make it go smoothly.

Understanding Completion Day vs. Possession Day

In BC real estate, there are two key dates:

Completion day — The day the sale legally closes. Money transfers, title changes hands. This usually happens 1–3 days before possession.

Possession day — The day you get the keys and can move in. This is your moving day.

Do not book your movers for completion day — book them for possession day. Confirm the possession time with your realtor (it is usually noon or 1pm, but it varies).

Book Your Movers Early

Once your offer is accepted and the dates are set, book your movers immediately. In Metro Vancouver's active real estate market, a lot of moves happen on the same days — particularly end-of-month and end-of-quarter dates. Good crews fill up fast.

Before Possession Day

Arrange utilities. Contact BC Hydro, FortisBC, and your internet provider to set up service at the new address starting on possession day. Do not wait until after you move in.

Change your locks. You do not know how many copies of the keys exist. Changing the locks on possession day is standard practice and worth the cost.

Do a pre-possession walkthrough. Most purchase contracts allow a final walkthrough 24–48 hours before possession to confirm the property is in the agreed condition. Do this.

Arrange home insurance. Your mortgage lender will require proof of insurance before advancing funds. Have this in place before completion day.

Moving Day

Get the keys first. Your realtor will arrange key handover — usually through a lockbox or in person. Confirm the process in advance so there are no delays when the moving crew arrives.

Do a walkthrough before unloading. Before the crew starts bringing things in, walk through the home and note anything that needs attention. Check that all appliances are present and working.

Protect your new floors. Lay down floor runners or old towels before the crew starts moving furniture in. New hardwood and laminate scratch easily.

Your First Week

Update your address with ICBC (required within 10 days), CRA, your bank, Canada Post, and your employer.

Test everything. Run all appliances, check all faucets, test the heating and cooling, and check that all windows and doors open and close properly. Report any issues to your realtor promptly.

Meet your neighbours. A friendly introduction goes a long way, especially in a strata building where you will share common areas.

Find your local services. Nearest grocery store, pharmacy, transit stop, and emergency services. Knowing these in the first week saves time later.

Ready to Book Your Move?

4 You Moving handles first-home moves across Metro Vancouver 7 days a week. Call 778-200-8825 or get a free quote online.

Get a free moving quote from 4 You Moving — we serve all of Metro Vancouver 7 days a week. View our service areas.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should first-time homebuyers in Vancouver know about moving day? Confirm your completion date with your lawyer and do not book movers until the date is firm. Possession is typically at noon on completion day — plan your move for the afternoon or the following day to be safe.

How much does it cost to move into a new home in Metro Vancouver? A typical 2-bedroom move in Metro Vancouver costs $450–$750 with 4 You Moving at $149/hr for 2 movers and a 3-ton truck. A 3-bedroom home typically runs $750–$1,200 depending on how long the job takes.

What is the difference between completion day and possession day in BC? Completion day is when the money transfers and the sale legally closes. Possession day is when you get the keys — it is usually the same day or the day after completion. Confirm both dates with your realtor and lawyer.

Do I need to be present during the move into my new home? You do not need to be present the entire time, but you should be available to let the crew in, direct where items go, and do a final walkthrough. Having someone at both the old and new address speeds things up.

What utilities should I set up before moving into my new Vancouver home? Set up BC Hydro, FortisBC (if applicable), internet, and water at least a week before your move. Contact the City of Vancouver or your municipality to transfer utility accounts if needed.

Should I change my address before or after moving? Start the process 2–3 weeks before your move. Update your address with Canada Post, CRA, your bank, driver's licence, ICBC, and any subscriptions. Canada Post mail forwarding is a useful backup while you update everything.