In Canada, the minimum down payment depends on the purchase price of the home:

• 5% for homes under $500,000

• 5% on the first $500,000 and 10% on the remainder for homes between $500,000–$1.5 million

• 20% for homes priced at $1.5 million or more

If your down payment is less than 20%, mortgage loan insurance is required. A larger down payment can lower your monthly mortgage and insurance costs.

Closing costs are the extra expenses you’ll need to cover on top of your down payment — usually around 1.5% to 4% of the home’s purchase price. They can include:

• Land Transfer Tax

• Legal fees and disbursements

• Title insurance

• Home inspection and appraisal fees

• CMHC insurance (if applicable)

These costs vary by location and mortgage type, so it's important to budget for them in advance.

First-time buyers in Canada can access several programs to help with affordability, including:

• First-Time Home Buyers' Tax Credit – A non-refundable $10,000 tax credit (worth up to $1,500 back).

• Home Buyers' Plan (HBP) – Withdraw up to $60,000 from your RRSP to put toward your down payment, tax-free.

• Land Transfer Tax Rebates – Available in Ontario and some municipalities, offering up to $4,000 back.

• First Home Savings Account (FHSA) – Save up to $8,000/year (to a $40,000 max) tax-free for your first home.

• GST/HST New Housing Rebate – A partial rebate on taxes paid for certain newly built or renovated homes.

These programs can help reduce your upfront costs and support your journey to homeownership.

The process can take anywhere from a few weeks to several months — it really depends on your budget, flexibility, preferred location, and the type of home you're looking for. Our goal is to find the right home that fits your needs and lifestyle, within your timeline. We’re with you every step of the way to keep things organized, informed, and moving smoothly to avoid delays.

I help you explore school zones, parks, commute times, and local amenities so you can feel confident about where you’re planting roots.

If you’re buying a home, you typically don’t pay out of pocket for your realtor’s services — our commission is usually paid by the seller. That means you get expert guidance, local insight, and full support throughout the buying process at no direct cost to you.