Selling a Condo Checklist: 15 Steps from Decision to Closing Day
Selling a condo in Kelowna is a 15-step process that takes about 3 to 4 months from start to finish. This is the exact checklist I walk my clients through, step by step.
Updated: May 2026
Giuseppe Gaspari
REALTOR® | Okanagan Real Estate Specialist
Born and raised in Kelowna. Helping families find their perfect Okanagan home.
Last updated: May 2026
A selling a condo checklist keeps you from missing the steps that cost time and money. Forgotten strata documents add 3 weeks to your timeline. Skipping professional photos costs you thousands in sale price. Pricing too high means sitting on the market while buyers move on.
I've broken the condo selling process into 4 phases and 15 steps. Follow them in order and you'll avoid the mistakes I see sellers make every month in the Kelowna market.
Before You List
Steps 1-5
Going Live
Steps 6-9
Under Contract
Steps 10-13
Closing
Steps 14-15
Steps 1-5: Getting Ready to Sell
This is the phase most sellers rush through, and it costs them. The prep work you do in the first 2 to 3 weeks sets the tone for the entire sale.
1Decide if now is the right time
Check your mortgage terms for prepayment penalties. Review current market conditions. If you bought within the last year, the federal anti-flipping rule means 100% of your profit is taxed as business income.
2Interview and hire a REALTOR
Meet with 2 to 3 agents. Ask about their condo experience, marketing plan, and commission structure. A good agent pays for themselves in better pricing and fewer days on market.
3Get a Comparative Market Analysis (CMA)
Your REALTOR pulls recent sold data for comparable condos in your building and neighbourhood. This is how you set a realistic asking price, not by looking at what your neighbour listed for.
4Order strata documents early
Request the Form B (Information Certificate), engineering reports, depreciation report, minutes from the last 2 years, and financial statements. This takes 2 to 3 weeks, so start now. Buyers and their agents will ask for these on day one.
5Prep your condo for sale
Declutter ruthlessly. Deep clean every surface. Fix minor issues like leaky faucets, scuffed baseboards, and burnt-out bulbs. Consider professional staging if your condo is vacant or the furniture is dated.
Steps 6-9: Your Condo Hits the Market
This is when weeks of preparation pay off. The first 7 to 14 days on market generate the most showings and the strongest offers.
6Professional photography and virtual tour
This is non-negotiable in 2026. Over 95% of buyers start their search online, and your listing photos are the first impression. Professional photos, drone shots of the building and views, and a 3D virtual tour are standard for competitive Kelowna condos.
7Set your listing price
Use the CMA data from step 3. Price just below a common search bracket ($499,000 instead of $505,000) to appear in more filtered searches. Overpricing is the single biggest mistake I see in the Kelowna market.
8Launch on MLS and start marketing
Your listing goes live on the MLS, Realtor.ca, and your agent's website simultaneously. Good agents also run targeted social media ads, send the listing to their buyer database, and coordinate with other agents in the building.
9Showings and open houses
Keep the condo show-ready at all times. Be flexible with showing times. Check your strata bylaws for showing rules (some buildings restrict open house hours or require notice to the strata manager). Leave during showings so buyers can speak freely.
Not sure where you are in the process?
I'll review your situation, tell you what's already done, and map out the remaining steps with realistic timelines.
Steps 10-13: The Deal Is in Motion
You have an accepted offer. Now the clock is ticking on subject removal, appraisals, and legal work. This phase is where deals either come together or fall apart.
10Review and negotiate offers
Offers typically include the price, deposit amount (5% is standard in BC), subject conditions, and a completion date. In a multiple-offer situation, your REALTOR presents all offers and helps you compare them. Price is not the only factor; a subject-free offer at a lower price may be stronger than a higher offer loaded with conditions.
11Subject removal period
The buyer has 7 to 10 business days to complete their due diligence: financing approval, home inspection, strata document review. During this period, the deal is conditional. You can continue to accept backup offers. Once subjects are removed, the sale is firm.
12Buyer's lender orders appraisal
The buyer's mortgage lender sends an appraiser to confirm the condo's value supports the loan amount. If the appraisal comes in low, the buyer may need to renegotiate or come up with a larger down payment. This is handled during the subject period.
13Hire a lawyer or notary
You need a real estate lawyer or notary to handle the legal transfer. They prepare the Statement of Adjustments, pay out your mortgage, handle property tax and strata fee prorations, and register the title transfer. Budget $1,500 to $2,500.
Steps 14-15: Finish Line
Subjects are removed, the deal is firm, and closing day is on the calendar. Here is what happens in the final stretch.
14Closing day
You sign the transfer documents at your lawyer or notary's office. The buyer's funds are transferred. Your mortgage is paid out. The remaining proceeds are deposited to your account. You hand over the keys, fobs, and any garage remotes.
15Post-sale housekeeping
File your Principal Residence Exemption (PRE) on your tax return if applicable. Cancel or transfer utilities, internet, and insurance. Notify the strata management company of the ownership change. Redirect your mail through Canada Post.
Complete Checklist at a Glance
Print this or screenshot it. Every step, the timeline, and the phase in one table.
| # | Step | Timeline |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Decide if now is the right time | Week 1 |
| 2 | Interview and hire a REALTOR | Week 1 |
| 3 | Get a Comparative Market Analysis (CMA) | Week 1-2 |
| 4 | Order strata documents early | Week 1-3 |
| 5 | Prep your condo for sale | Week 2-3 |
| 6 | Professional photography and virtual tour | Week 3 |
| 7 | Set your listing price | Week 3 |
| 8 | Launch on MLS and start marketing | Week 3 |
| 9 | Showings and open houses | Week 3-6 |
| 10 | Review and negotiate offers | Week 4-8 |
| 11 | Subject removal period | 1-2 weeks after accepted offer |
| 12 | Buyer's lender orders appraisal | During subject period |
| 13 | Hire a lawyer or notary | After subjects removed |
| 14 | Closing day | Completion date |
| 15 | Post-sale housekeeping | After closing |
My honest take:
The sellers who have the smoothest experience are the ones who start step 4 (strata documents) before they even think about listing. I cannot tell you how many times I've seen a deal delayed by 2 to 3 weeks because the strata docs were not ready when a buyer made an offer. The documents take time to compile, and some strata management companies are slower than others.
The other thing I'd say is this: do not skip professional photography to save $300 to $500. In a market where Kelowna condos average $510,000, that investment will pay for itself many times over. Listings with professional photos sell faster and for more money. I have seen the data, and I have seen it firsthand in every building from downtown to Rutland.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to sell a condo in Kelowna?▼
What if my subject-free offer falls through?▼
Do I need a real estate lawyer or notary in BC?▼
Continue Your Research
Sell Your Kelowna Condo
Full seller's guide: pricing, staging, marketing, and closing
Cost of Selling a Condo
Commission, legal fees, and total costs broken down
Condo Staging Tips
10-point staging checklist that sells condos faster
Capital Gains Tax Guide
PRE exemption, inclusion rates, and condo-specific scenarios
Ready to Start? Giuseppe Walks You Through Every Step.
No pressure, no obligation. I'll review where you are in the process, tell you what to tackle first, and give you a realistic timeline for your specific condo and neighbourhood.
Book a Free Consultation