It’s a common question for couples starting a new life together: Should I sell my home when we get married—or keep it? There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. The right choice depends on your finances, long-term plans, and how BC’s property laws handle homes owned before marriage.
Here’s how to think through the decision from both a personal and financial perspective, with insight into what makes sense under the Family Law Act and current BC market conditions.
Marriage changes your financial landscape. Combining two households means new opportunities—but also new responsibilities. The first question to ask is: What makes the most sense for us financially and emotionally?
Some couples choose to keep one home as a rental or investment, while others prefer a fresh start in a new space together. Both can work well—it depends on your goals, equity, and comfort with being a landlord.
If you owned your home before getting married, it’s considered excluded property under BC’s Family Law Act. That means you keep its original value if you ever separate. However, any increase in value after the marriage is considered family property and is generally divided equally.
Example: You bought a condo for $600,000 before marriage. It’s worth $900,000 a few years later. If you sell after separation, the $300,000 increase in value would typically be shared 50/50, while the original $600,000 remains yours.
If you decide to keep the property after marriage, keeping clear records of its value at the time of marriage is essential to preserve your excluded share.
Sometimes, selling before or shortly after marriage is the most practical and fair choice. It can simplify finances, clarify ownership, and help you start fresh together. Selling may be the right move if:
Many couples find it easier to buy a new home together where ownership and investment are shared equally from day one.
Keeping your existing home can also make financial sense, especially if it’s well-located or mortgage-free. You might choose to:
If you keep the home, decide early whether you’ll add your spouse to the title. Doing so changes ownership rights and could convert your excluded property into family property. If you’d rather maintain it separately, keep documentation and avoid mingling funds (for example, don’t use joint savings for renovations or mortgage payments).
For many newlyweds, starting fresh in a new space helps mark the beginning of married life. A home that’s “ours” rather than “mine” can strengthen the sense of partnership and equality.
Still, if your existing home already feels like the right place for both of you—and it fits your future plans—keeping it can be just as meaningful. The key is communication: make the decision together and ensure you’re both comfortable with the reasoning behind it.
If you sell your home after getting married, the Principal Residence Exemption protects most couples from paying capital gains tax, as long as it was your main residence. However, once you’re married, you’re considered one “family unit” for tax purposes, meaning you can only claim one principal residence exemption between you per year.
If both spouses own separate homes, you’ll need to choose which one gets the exemption for overlapping years. An accountant can help determine which option minimizes future tax exposure.
When buying a new home together, lenders assess your combined income, credit, and debt. If you’re carrying an existing mortgage, that can impact your borrowing power for your next purchase. Selling first often simplifies financing and allows both partners to start fresh with a new joint mortgage.
Ask yourselves three questions:
When the answer to all three lines up, you’ve found your direction.
Decisions involving real estate and marriage often overlap with financial, tax, and legal questions. Surround yourself with professionals who understand both sides—lawyers, mortgage specialists, and realtors experienced in family property law.
At Mansour Real Estate Group, we’ve helped many couples navigate these transitions smoothly, ensuring the process is fair, transparent, and tailored to your goals.
Whether you sell or keep your home when getting married in BC depends on your goals, finances, and future plans. Selling can simplify ownership and create a fresh start, while keeping the home may make sense if it’s financially strategic and clearly documented.
If you’re unsure which path is right for you, reach out to Mansour Real Estate Group. We’ll help you weigh your options, understand the legal and financial implications, and create a plan that protects your investment and your relationship.
The Mansour Real Estate Group, led by Mohamed Mansour, MBA and Associate Broker, is one of the Top 1% real estate teams in the Fraser Valley and a trusted authority in life-stage real estate planning—from first homes and newlywed purchases to family transitions and estate sales. With over 20 years of experience and more than $750 million in transactions, we deliver exceptional results with professionalism and care across Surrey, Langley, Delta, White Rock, and Abbotsford.
Address 15595 24 Avenue, Surrey, BC, V4P 1H5
