Written by Gurjit Ghai, REALTOR®
Rexara Realty Inc.·Published: September 3, 2026·Buying Farmland
A farm offer should carry subjects that protect you on the things that make or break a farm purchase, and these are heavier than a residential offer. The core subjects are financing, inspection, water rights review, ALR and zoning confirmation, and, for some properties, septic feasibility, environmental review, or a review of quota and leases.
What I see go wrong is a buyer using a residential subject set, which checks the house but not the farm, and then discovering after subjects are removed that the water licence is too small or the land cannot be used as planned. A farm offer needs the agricultural due diligence written in, because the standard residential conditions do not cover it.
I help clients build a subject list that matches the property, so the water, ALR, soil, and financing questions are all answered before the offer goes firm. Read our Due Diligence and Buying a Farm guides for the checklist, and do not waive subjects you do not understand on a farm purchase.
Important: This answer is general professional guidance for educational purposes and is not legal, tax, financial or regulatory advice. ALR rules, water licensing, zoning and farm-classification requirements can change and depend on your specific property. Always verify with the relevant BC authorities and qualified professionals before making decisions.
Gurjit Ghai, REALTOR®
Personal Real Estate Corporation
Brokerage: Rexara Realty Inc.
Gurjit Ghai is a BC real estate professional specializing in agricultural land, ALR properties, and farm operations across British Columbia. He helps buyers and sellers navigate water rights, soil capability, farm classification, and the unique due diligence that farmland transactions require.