Why bring your own agent to Ellison Landing

Who works for whom at Predator Ridge

In August 2026 Predator Ridge opened a branch of Unison Jane Hoffman Realty at the resort, and in September announced the brokerage as its partner for both new-home and resale sales, with Ellison Landing as the first focus (Vernon Morning Star; GlobeNewswire). When you walk into the sales centre at 100 Mashie Crescent, the licensees you meet are acting for the developer.

That is normal and legitimate. It just means nobody in that room is working for you.

What BC’s rules say

Dual agency has been prohibited in BC since 2018: one licensee can’t represent both buyer and seller in the same trade, except in narrow circumstances. A licensee who deals with an unrepresented buyer must tell that buyer about the risks of dealing with someone who represents the other side (BCFSA). If you arrive unrepresented, you’ll be asked to acknowledge that you understand this. Read it carefully before you sign.

What a buyer’s agent does on a new-build purchase

• Compares the whole market. Woodside against Vale, Ellison Landing against resale elsewhere at Predator Ridge, and Predator against the rest of the North Okanagan.
• Chooses the right lot. Slope, orientation, sun, privacy, fairway exposure, the neighbours still to be built, and how each affects resale.
• Runs the full cost. GST, rebates, transfer tax, fees and carrying costs, so the number you negotiate on is the real one.
• Negotiates. Price, incentives, upgrades, deposit structure, completion dates, subject clauses and a subject-to-sale if you have a home to sell.
• Reads the documents with you. The disclosure statement, amendments, contract and specification sheet, working with your lawyer during the seven-day rescission period.
• Keeps the builder accountable. Tracks construction updates, attends the walkthrough, and follows up on the deficiency list.
• Sells your current home on a schedule that matches your completion date.

Who pays the buyer’s agent?

On new-construction sales in BC, the developer usually pays the buyer’s agent’s commission out of its marketing budget, so representation typically costs the buyer nothing directly. That is usual, not guaranteed. Predator Ridge has not published a policy on cooperating commissions for Ellison Landing, so confirm it before you visit. Sean will confirm it for you, in writing, before you commit to anything.

Register your agent at first contact

Many developers only pay a buyer’s agent who was named at the buyer’s first visit or first registration. If you visit alone first, you may lose the chance to have your own representation paid for by the developer. So before you:

1. fill in the online registration form,
2. walk into the showhome or sales centre, or
3. call or email the sales team,

…decide who your agent will be. Then either bring your agent to the first visit, or write your agent’s name and brokerage on the registration card. If you’ve already visited, tell Sean; it may still be possible to arrange representation, but it depends on the developer’s policy.

Questions to ask on your first visit

Whether or not you bring an agent, get answers to these in writing:

• Is the price plus GST or GST included? And will the builder credit any GST rebate on closing?
• Can I have the disclosure statement, contract and specification sheet to take away?
• What is the deposit, who holds it and when is it due?
• What are the monthly fees? Community, landscape and any strata fees.
• Which features in the showhome are upgrades?
• What is the completion date, and how can it change?
• What incentives are available now, and do they apply to this home or homesite?
• What are the rental rules, including short-term rentals?
• Do you pay a buyer’s agent, and how do I register mine?

Common questions

Will having my own agent make the home cost more?

On developer sales, the price list is normally the same whether or not you have an agent, and the developer usually pays the buyer’s agent from its own budget. Confirm this for Ellison Landing before you register; Sean will do it for you.

Can the sales centre team represent me too?

No. BC has prohibited dual agency since 2018, with very limited exceptions. The on-site brokerage represents the developer. You can deal with them unrepresented, but they must tell you the risks of doing so.

I already toured the showhome. Is it too late?

Not necessarily. Call Sean before you sign anything. Whether the developer will recognize an agent introduced after your first visit depends on its policy, and he will ask for you.

Do I still need a lawyer if I have an agent?

Yes. Your agent helps you choose, negotiate and manage the purchase; your lawyer or notary reviews the legal documents, holds and moves funds, and registers title. On a REDMA sale, book your lawyer before you sign so the seven-day rescission period can be used properly.