Questions to Ask the Listing Agent Before a Duplex or Multiplex Showing

Before you book a showing of a duplex, triplex or fourplex home in Vancouver or Burnaby, ask the listing agent four groups of questions: what the home is, what papers come with it, how the seller is running the sale, and who the agent works for. Ask by email, so the answers arrive in writing and you can compare homes side by side.

This guide covers new and resale homes. For a pre-sale (a home you buy before it is finished), use our pre-sale question list instead.

We corrected this post on October 31, 2026. An earlier version described designated agency without the rule that sets it, quoted a BCFSA line on the Property Disclosure Statement that we could not find, and gave listing counts from October 8, 2026. The counts below are from October 28, 2026.

The short list

The home

• What year was it finished, and has anyone lived in it?
• Is it a strata home, and what is the monthly strata fee?
• Is there a suite, and did the city approve it?
• How many parking spaces come with it, and where is the storage?
• What does the floor area on the listing include?

The paperwork

• Is there a Property Disclosure Statement?
• Can you send the Information Certificate (Form B) and the strata bylaws?
• For a new home: who provides the home warranty, and what is the warranty number?

The sale

• How and when will offers be reviewed?
• Does the seller expect offers with no conditions?
• Is GST included in the price?
• What completion and possession dates does the seller want?

Know who is on the other end of the phone

The listing agent works for the seller. Every answer you get comes from someone whose duty is to the seller.

Section 30 of BC's Real Estate Services Rules says an agent must act in the client's best interests, keep the client's information confidential, and tell the client all known information that matters to the deal. The seller is the listing agent's client.

The BC Financial Services Authority (BCFSA), which licenses real estate agents, tells listing agents in its FAQ on the representation form to say early that they act for the seller and are "obliged to share with the seller any confidential information" they get from people who are not their clients. BCFSA's guidance on offers adds that an agent for the seller "would be obligated to disclose that the buyer will pay more" if the agent knows it.

The forms the agent must give you

Before an agent helps you buy, section 54 of the Rules requires them to tell you in writing whether they represent you. The form is called the Disclosure of Representation in Trading Services.

An agent who is only hosting an advertised open house, or only giving factual answers to general questions, can skip the form. That changes once the conversation turns to your reasons for buying, your finances or your needs; BCFSA's FAQ tells agents to stop at that point and give you the form.

If you have no agent of your own, section 55 adds a second form, the Disclosure of Risks to Unrepresented Parties. It explains the risks of getting help from the seller's agent, the limited help that agent can give, and recommends that you get independent professional advice. In our view, both forms deserve a slow read, because they describe in the regulator's words how far the seller's agent can go to help you.

Dual agency: one brokerage for both sides

Dual agency means one brokerage (the real estate company an agent works under) representing both the buyer and the seller in the same sale. It has been banned in BC since June 15, 2018, with one narrow exception.

BCFSA's guidance on conflicts between clients says dual agency has been banned in BC since June 15, 2018, except in rare cases. Section 63 of the Rules says "A brokerage must not engage in dual agency." Section 64 allows it only for a home "in a remote location that is under-served by licensees", where separate agents are impracticable, and only after written disclosure and a written agreement with each side.

In our reading of the Rules, a duplex in Vancouver or Burnaby falls outside that exception. The listing agent can deal with you as a non-client (someone they help without representing), or you can bring your own agent.

There is one more arrangement to know, called designated agency. Under section 32 of the Rules, a brokerage may agree in writing with a client to name one or more of its agents as that client's designated agent. The other agents at the brokerage then owe that client none of the section 30 duties. Section 63(2) says this is not dual agency unless the designated agent acts for both sides. So one agent at a brokerage can act for the seller and another agent at the same brokerage can act for you. BCFSA's consumer page on agency says most brokerages in BC work this way. Ask your own agent which arrangement their brokerage uses.

What the listing agent can and cannot do for you

A listing agent can give you facts and help you through the steps of a purchase. They cannot advise you on price or bargain for you.

BCFSA's consumer page on agency lists what an agent may do for a buyer with no agent:

• give factual information when you ask for it
• explain real estate terms, practices and forms
• help you screen and view homes
• prepare and present your offers as you direct
• identify and estimate the costs of buying

The same page says the agent "may not recommend or suggest a price" or negotiate on your behalf, and may not tell you the lowest price the seller will accept or share any other confidential information about the seller, unless the seller allows it.

Two duties protect you anyway. Section 33 of the Rules says an agent "must act honestly". Section 59 says an agent acting for a seller must tell all other parties about any material latent defect the agent knows of, "promptly and before any agreement" is signed.

A material latent defect is a serious problem a reasonable inspection would miss. Section 59 includes a defect that makes the home dangerous or unfit to live in, one "that would involve great expense to remedy", a city notice saying something must be fixed, and "a lack of appropriate municipal building and other permits". Our guide to the Property Disclosure Statement covers this rule in more depth.

So ask it directly: "Do you know of any problem with this home that an inspection would miss?" The agent has to answer honestly.

Questions about the home

These answers decide whether the showing is worth your time.

Is it a strata home, and what is the fee? The owners of a strata home share some costs and rules. Our copy of the MLS® listings holds homes built in 2025 or later. On October 28, 2026, it showed 422 half duplex homes for sale in Vancouver and Burnaby, in 423 listings, because one home is listed twice. 341 were listed as strata homes, and 309 of those showed a monthly fee of $0 or left it blank. 32 showed a fee above $0, with a middle fee of $333.27.

A $0 fee means no monthly fee was entered on the listing; the shared costs still exist. For a home sold new by the company that built it, section 13 of the Strata Property Act requires a 12-month interim budget, with each home's monthly share, given to each buyer before they sign. Ask for it, or for the current budget on a resale. Our guide to listing terms explains the $0 fee further.

Is there a suite, and did the city approve it? Of the same 422 homes, 211 left the suite field blank. The City of Burnaby's secondary suite page says a suite first built without the City's approval must now get that approval, and that the BC Building Code does not allow a suite in a duplex where one home sits on top of the other. Ask for the city's approval record for the suite, then confirm it with the city.

How many parking spaces come with it? 13 of the 422 homes showed zero parking spaces, and 1 left the number blank. Ask whether the space is yours, assigned by the strata, or on the street. Ask where the storage is, too.

What does the floor area include? The finished floor area can include a lower floor or a suite. Our post on comparing price per square foot shows how much this changes a comparison.

Questions about the paperwork

Ask for documents before the showing, so you walk in knowing what to check.

Is there a Property Disclosure Statement? On this form the seller answers written questions about the home. BCFSA says BC has no required form for this. A seller may instead give a "Property No Disclosure Statement", and BCFSA says a buyer who gets one should treat it as a sign of a defect that needs more checking. Ask whether there is a signed Property Disclosure Statement and the date it was signed.

Can you send the Form B and the bylaws? The Information Certificate, called Form B, comes from the strata. Section 59 of the Strata Property Act says the strata must give it "within one week of a request by an owner, a purchaser or a person authorized by an owner or purchaser". It shows the monthly fees, any amount the owner owes, and any approved special levy (an extra charge on owners). Under section 36, the bylaws go to an owner or someone the owner authorizes in writing within one week, and other records within 2 weeks. Our post on questions for the neighbours and the strata explains what to look for.

For a new home: who provides the warranty? BC Housing's home warranty insurance page says all new homes from a licensed residential company must have home warranty insurance: 2 years for materials and labour, 5 years for the outer shell against water getting in, and 10 years for the structure. It adds that coverage "stays with the home" when the home is sold. Ask for the provider's name and the warranty number, then check them in BC Housing's New Homes Registry, which you search by street address and city.

Questions about the sale

These tell you how much time you have and what kind of offer the seller wants.

How and when will offers be reviewed? Ask whether offers are reviewed as they arrive or on a set date and time, and get any date in writing.

Are there other offers? BCFSA's buyer page on offers says sellers "do not have to disclose the fact that there are other offers", and that "A seller is not permitted to lie. They can only answer truthfully, or advise you that they do not want to share that information with you." Its guidance to agents adds that a listing agent may not share another buyer's offer terms without the seller's prior consent.

Does the seller expect an offer with no conditions? An offer with no conditions (often called subject-free) has no clause that lets you cancel if your financing or inspection fails. BCFSA warns that it "comes with several risks". If the seller wants one, finish your inspection and mortgage approval before the offer date. Our guide on how to make an offer on a resale duplex covers each condition.

BC's Home Buyer Rescission Period still applies to most homes in this guide. BCFSA's consumer guide says a buyer can cancel within three business days after acceptance by paying the seller 0.25% of the price, and that the right "cannot be waived by the buyer or the seller". Our rescission period guide has the details.

Is GST included? GST is 5% in BC, per the Canada Revenue Agency's GST/HST rate table, and it applies to new homes. On a $1,600,000 home, that is $80,000. Of the 422 homes, 313 marked GST as not included, 5 marked it included, and 104 left the field blank.

What dates does the seller want? Completion is the day money and ownership change hands; possession is the day you get the keys. Our guide to completion, possession and adjustment dates explains how they fit together.

What to keep to yourself

Everything you tell the listing agent can reach the seller. Hold back:

• the highest price you would pay
• a date by which you must buy
• the amount your lender approved
• that you have already sold your current home

If the agent asks about your budget or your reasons for buying, they should first give you the representation form. That is a good moment to decide whether you want your own agent. Our post on having your own realtor explains what a buyer's agent does, and our open house guide covers the visit itself.

An email you can copy

"Hello, I would like to book a showing of [address]. First, could you please send: the year it was finished; whether it is strata, with the monthly fee and budget; whether there is a suite, with the city's approval record; the parking spaces; the Property Disclosure Statement, if any; the Form B and bylaws; the warranty provider and number; whether GST is included; and how and when offers will be reviewed. Thank you."

What this comes down to

• The listing agent works for the seller and must pass on what you tell them. Ask for facts; keep your price private.
• The agent must act honestly and tell you about any known serious hidden problem before you sign.
• Dual agency has been banned in BC since June 15, 2018, except in remote, under-served areas.
• In our view, the question that saves the most time is how and when offers will be reviewed. It tells you whether you have a week or a weekend.

Frequently asked questions

What should I ask the listing agent before viewing a house?

Ask whether the home is strata and what the fee is, whether any suite was approved by the city, how many parking spaces come with it, whether there is a Property Disclosure Statement, how offers will be reviewed, and whether GST is included. Ask by email, so you have the answers in writing.

Does the listing agent work for me or the seller?

The seller. Section 30 of BC's Real Estate Services Rules requires the listing agent to act in the seller's best interests and keep the seller's information confidential. BCFSA says they must share with the seller any confidential information they get from buyers who are not their clients.

Can the listing agent represent both the buyer and the seller in BC?

Generally, no. Dual agency has been banned in BC since June 15, 2018. Section 64 of the Real Estate Services Rules allows it only for homes in remote locations under-served by agents, with written disclosure and agreement from both sides. In our reading, homes in Vancouver and Burnaby fall outside that exception. Another agent at the same brokerage can act for you as a designated agent (sections 32 and 63(2)).

Do I need my own agent to view a duplex?

No. You can book a showing with the listing agent yourself. The agent will treat you as a non-client and should give you the Disclosure of Risks to Unrepresented Parties form. Your own agent would owe you the loyalty and confidentiality that the listing agent owes the seller.

Will the listing agent tell me if there are other offers?

Only if the seller allows it. BCFSA says sellers do not have to disclose that other offers exist, and a seller is not permitted to lie, so the answer will be truthful or a statement that they do not want to share. Sharing another buyer's offer terms needs the seller's consent.

Can the listing agent tell me what price to offer?

No. BCFSA says an agent dealing with a buyer who is not their client may not recommend or suggest a price, negotiate for that buyer, or reveal the seller's lowest acceptable price. They can explain forms, help you view the home and estimate the costs of buying.

Does the listing agent have to tell me about problems with the home?

Yes, for serious hidden problems they know of. Section 59 of the Real Estate Services Rules requires an agent acting for a seller to disclose any known material latent defect, promptly and before any agreement is signed. That includes missing city approvals. Section 33 requires them to act honestly.

Should I tell the listing agent my budget?

We suggest you keep it to yourself. BCFSA tells listing agents to make clear that they must share confidential information from non-clients with the seller, and says an agent for the seller is obligated to tell the seller if a buyer will pay more. Give only what the agent needs to book the showing.

Is GST included in the price of a new duplex?

In most listings it is added on top, so ask. Of the 422 half duplexes for sale in Vancouver and Burnaby on October 28, 2026, 313 marked GST as not included, 5 marked it included and 104 left it blank. GST is 5% in BC, or $80,000 on a $1,600,000 home.

What is the Disclosure of Representation in Trading Services form?

A form, required by section 54 of the Real Estate Services Rules, on which an agent tells you in writing whether they represent you. An agent hosting an open house or answering general questions can skip it until the talk turns to your finances or reasons for buying.

Can I cancel an offer on a resale duplex after it is accepted?

Usually, within three business days. BC's Home Buyer Rescission Period lets a buyer cancel by paying the seller 0.25% of the price, and BCFSA says the right cannot be waived. It does not apply to homes sold under a court order, at auction or on leased land.

What does a $0 strata fee on a listing mean?

It means no monthly fee was entered on the listing. On October 28, 2026, 309 of the 341 strata half duplexes for sale in Vancouver and Burnaby showed $0 or left it blank. For a home sold new, the Strata Property Act requires a 12-month interim budget given to buyers before they sign. Ask for it.

How can I check if a new duplex has a home warranty?

Ask the listing agent for the warranty provider's name and the warranty number, then search BC Housing's New Homes Registry by street address and city. The Registry shows whether the home has home warranty insurance. BC Housing says coverage stays with the home when it is sold, so a resale buyer gets what remains.

Talk to someone on your side

The listing agent can answer questions about the home. For advice on price, timing and which homes are worth seeing, you want someone working for you. Browse new duplex, triplex and fourplex homes on our properties page, or contact our team and we will help you prepare your questions before your next showing.

General information only. The GST, strata and right to cancel figures on this page are as of October 31, 2026, and the listing counts are from October 28, 2026. They are not legal or tax advice. Speak to a real estate lawyer before you make an offer.

Sources

• BC Laws, Real Estate Services Rules, B.C. Reg. 209/2021, sections 30, 32, 33, 54, 55, 59, 63 and 64, current to October 27, 2026, read October 31, 2026.
• BC Financial Services Authority, "Disclosure of Representation in Trading Services Form FAQs", published November 1, 2022, read October 31, 2026.
• BC Financial Services Authority, "Offers", published April 6, 2021, read October 31, 2026.
• BC Financial Services Authority, "Real Advice: Addressing Conflicts of Interest When Acting for Multiple Clients", published May 11, 2018, read October 31, 2026.
• BC Financial Services Authority, "Agency, Your Real Estate Licensee, and You", no date shown, read October 31, 2026.
• BC Financial Services Authority, "Offers to Sellers", no date shown, read October 31, 2026.
• BC Financial Services Authority, Advisory 25-026, "Updates to BCFSA's Disclosures and Material Latent Defects Guidance", July 24, 2025, read October 31, 2026.
• BC Financial Services Authority, "Home Buyer Rescission Period Consumer Guide", published October 17, 2022, read October 31, 2026.
• BC Laws, Home Buyer Rescission Period Regulation, B.C. Reg. 175/2022, current to October 27, 2026, read October 31, 2026.
• BC Laws, Strata Property Act, Part 3, section 13: interim budget, current to October 27, 2026, read October 31, 2026.
• BC Laws, Strata Property Act, Part 4, sections 36 and 59, current to October 27, 2026, read October 31, 2026.
• City of Burnaby, "Secondary Suite Program", no date shown, read October 31, 2026.
• BC Housing, "Home Warranty Insurance: What Homeowners Need to Know", content current as of September 22, 2026, read October 31, 2026.
• BC Housing, "Using the New Homes Registry", content current as of September 22, 2026, read October 31, 2026.
• Canada Revenue Agency, "GST/HST calculator (and rates)", page dated April 1, 2025, read October 31, 2026.
• MultiLiving count of Active MLS® listings in Vancouver and Burnaby of the type "Half Duplex", using the ownership, strata fee, suite, parking and GST fields of each record, counted October 31, 2026, 9:26 AM PT, from listings last updated October 28, 2026, 10:33 PM PT. 2 3657 West 11th Avenue, Vancouver, is listed twice (R3177336 and R3177329, same parcel identifier) and counted once. Our copy of the MLS® listings holds homes built in 2025 or later.