Your First Home Starts Here.

Buying your first home is exciting, but there’s a lot to figure out along the way. From down payments and mortgage options to first-time buyer programs and closing costs, I’m here to help make the process easier to understand.

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Clear answers. Practical guidance. No pressure.

Your First-Time Home Buyer Roadmap

Not sure where to begin? Here's what the journey from thinking about buying to getting your keys typically looks like.

1

Know Your
Budget

Understand what you can comfortably afford and what your mortgage payments could look like.

2

Build Your
Down Payment

Learn how much you'll need and which sources of funds you may be able to use.

3

Explore Buyer
Programs

Discover first-time buyer programs, rebates and savings options that may be available to you.

4

Get Pre-
Approved

Understand your potential price range and prepare before you start seriously shopping.

5

Find & Buy
Your Home

Shop with confidence, make an offer and work through the financing conditions.

6

Finalize & Get
Your Keys

Complete your mortgage, prepare for closing costs and get ready for closing day.

Let’s Make a Plan!

Buying your first home comes with a lot of questions — how much you can afford, how much you need for a down payment, what programs are available and what your mortgage options look like.

I’ll help you understand the numbers, explore your options and build a clear plan for moving forward — at your pace, with no pressure.

LET'S TALK →

How Much Do I Need for a Down Payment?

Your minimum down payment depends on the purchase price of your home. Here's a simple breakdown of Canada's current minimum requirements.

$500,000 or Less

5%

Minimum Down Payment

The minimum down payment is 5% of the home's purchase price.

$500,000 to Under $1.5 Million

5% + 10%

Tiered Down Payment

5% on the first $500,000, plus 10% on the portion of the purchase price above $500,000.

$1.5 Million or More

20%

Minimum Down Payment

Homes priced at $1.5 million or more require a minimum down payment of 20%.

Here's an Example

If you're buying a $700,000 home, the minimum down payment would be $45,000: 5% of the first $500,000 ($25,000), plus 10% of the remaining $200,000 ($20,000).

Good to know: If your down payment is less than 20%, you'll typically need mortgage loan insurance. Your individual mortgage qualification and lender requirements may also affect the amount you'll need.

First-Time Home Buyer Programs & Incentives

Buying your first home may come with valuable programs, tax credits and rebates that can help you save, reduce upfront costs and make homeownership more affordable.

Save for Your Home

First Home Savings Account

Up to $40,000

The FHSA helps eligible first-time buyers save toward their first home with tax-deductible contributions and qualifying tax-free withdrawals.

Home Buyers' Plan

Up to $60,000

Eligible buyers can withdraw funds from their RRSP through the Home Buyers' Plan to help purchase or build a qualifying home.

Save on Taxes & Closing Costs

Ontario Land Transfer Tax Refund

Up to $4,000

Eligible first-time buyers may receive a refund of Ontario land transfer tax when purchasing a qualifying home.

Home Buyers' Amount

$10,000 Tax Claim

Eligible buyers may claim up to $10,000 through the federal Home Buyers' Amount when filing their income tax return for the year they purchase a qualifying home.

Buying New Construction?

You May Qualify for Additional GST/HST Relief

First-time buyers purchasing or building a qualifying new or substantially renovated home may have access to federal and Ontario GST/HST rebates. Depending on the home price, agreement date and eligibility requirements, these programs could significantly reduce the tax cost of purchasing a new home.

Buying in Toronto? Eligible first-time buyers may also qualify for a City of Toronto Municipal Land Transfer Tax rebate in addition to Ontario's provincial land transfer tax refund.

Closing Costs to Plan For

Your down payment isn't the only cash you'll need. Planning for closing costs ahead of time can help you avoid surprises when it's time to get the keys.

Your Closing Budget

A helpful planning range

1.5%–4%

of the purchase price is a useful general range to consider when budgeting for closing costs.

Example

On a $700,000 Home

≈ $10,500–$28,000

This is a planning estimate, not a fixed amount. Your actual closing costs will depend on your property and transaction.

Common Closing Costs

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Land Transfer Tax

Ontario land transfer tax applies to most purchases. First-time buyer refunds may reduce the amount you pay.

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Legal Fees & Disbursements

Your real estate lawyer handles the legal transfer, mortgage registration and other closing requirements.

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Title Insurance

Often arranged through your lawyer to provide protection against certain title-related risks.

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Home Inspection

An optional but common cost when having a property professionally inspected before completing the purchase.

✓

Appraisal, If Required

Some lenders or mortgage situations may require a professional property appraisal.

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Property Tax & Other Adjustments

You may need to reimburse the seller for prepaid property taxes, utilities or other applicable adjustments.

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Don't forget your down payment. Closing costs are generally funds you'll need in addition to your down payment. Building some extra room into your savings can also help cover moving expenses, utility setup and other costs that come with getting settled into your new home.

Closing costs vary by property, municipality, lender and individual transaction. The percentage shown above is a general planning estimate and is not a guarantee of your actual costs.

READY TO TAKE THE NEXT STEP?

Ready to Start Your First Home Journey?

Buying your first home comes with a lot of questions. You don't have to figure everything out on your own. Let's talk about your goals, what you may qualify for, and the steps you can take to get ready.