How To Buy A House In Canada as a First-Time Home Buyer

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This detailed guide covers all the basics of how to buy a home in Canada as a first-time homebuyer.

When we decided it was time to buy our first home in Canada, little did we know that the ‘house purchasing business’ could be somewhat complicated.

Complicated, not because it’s impossible, but because there are several elements that must go hand in hand to ensure the overall process is successful.

You may wonder, “isn’t it just getting a realtor and choosing a house from the many houses on sale?” Well, no! We didn’t find it that easy and straightforward at all.

Some of the many questions that came up following the day we started considering the possibility of buying a house include the following:

  • Which was better financially: Rent or Buy?
  • What was the condition of the real estate market?
  • How much house could we afford to buy?
  • Which house characteristics were a must? Which were negotiable?
  • How much did we need for a home down payment?
  • How much money did we need in addition to our down payment?
  • Who to approach first? The bank/lender? A realtor…?

My first home-buying experience was an eye-opener for me: buying a house in Canada was a lot different from the system I was familiar with (being an immigrant to Canada), and I needed to do a lot of reading and research to ensure we were making the right decisions every step of the way. We did end up buying a house that we love and which meets the immediate and near-future needs of our family.

The knowledge I gained from reading countless resources online, talking to ‘more experienced’ folks who had already gone through the process, and learning from mistakes made while house hunting is what I have detailed in this house-buying guide.

Today, I definitely have a more robust understanding of how to go about buying real estate in Canada.

In this complete house purchase guide, I break down how to buy a home into a simple step-by-step process. I have also included some checklists you can follow as you proceed with looking for your dream home.

While my focus is on newcomers to Canada, the information contained in this post is useful to everyone, including non-residents, permanent residents, and Canadian citizens!

How To Buy a Home in Canada For First-Time Homebuyers Guide

Table of Contents

Step 1 – Is Homeownership Right For You?

Step 2 –  Mortgage Primer

Step 3 – Audit Your Finances and Plan Ahead

Step 4 – How Much House Can I Afford?

Step 5 – How To Save Up For Your Down Payment

Step 6 – Buying A Home? Remember the Closing Costs!

Step 7 – Mortgage Pre-Approval

Step 8 – Getting Professional Help

Step 9 – Finding A House And Closing The Deal

How To Buy a Home in Canada For The First Time

Step 1: Is Homeownership Right For You?

One of the questions that bothered me for months before we finally decided to buy a home was: Does it make sense to buy a home, or should we just rent a bigger apartment?

While the idea of owning a home may bring feelings of warmth, accomplishment, and success, it may not always be the smartest thing to do based on a “financial or investment” rationale alone.

The Rent vs. Buy debate is a valid one, and it’s worth taking a look at some of the arguments made by staunch supporters on both sides of the divide.

Rent vs. Buy

Proponents of renting highlight the following advantages:

1. Mobility: While a renter can simply change their apartment or house when the lease ends, it’s not as easy for a homeowner. For the individual whose work location can change very easily, or the adventure-seeking millennial, the stability in a “brick and mortar” house may become a liability.

Selling a house comes at a cost, especially if you have to sell the house in a hurry or less than five years after purchase.

2. Fewer responsibilities: Homeownership comes with a lot of responsibilities. You are stuck with paying for fixing everything, including that blocked toilet. Repair work, updates, and maintenance costs add up over time. For the renter, the landlord is usually on the hook for most repairs.

3. Fixed expense: A renter can create a reliable budget that includes their monthly rent, as it is usually fixed for a known period. Sometimes, utilities are also included in the rent, making budgeting relatively simple.

Not so for the homeowner! While your mortgage cost may be fixed; utilities, taxes, insurance, the-ever-waiting-to-happen surprise costs (e.g. roof suddenly springs a leak, frozen pipes and a flooded basement, broken garage door, etc.) add to an increased expense that the homeowner cannot easily budget for.

4. Opportunity cost of money: The opportunity cost of not investing the funds that will be spent on taxes, insurance, condo fees (if applicable), repairs, closing costs, down payment, maintenance, and so on can be significant.

5. Potential higher returns on investment: Real estate (your home) can be considered a type of investment. Historical studies of average returns in real estate put it at just about the rate of inflation, as shown by studies carried out by Yale professor and Nobel Laureate Robert Shiller in his book –  Irrational Exuberance.

On the flip side, if we assume that a disciplined renter puts all their savings from renting into the stock market and makes average historical real returns of 5.7% (after accounting for inflation), this means that they come out on top.

6. Diversification: A house is easily the biggest investment of the average homeowner. Imagine the disappointment felt by the U.S. homeowner who had no other portfolio except their house when the housing market crashed during the 2007-2008 financial crisis, and their perceived wealth in the home fell drastically.

Of course, stock markets, in general, were not spared from this crash. However, if your sole purpose for buying into real estate was about the investment benefits, as a renter, you could easily invest your “extra” funds into a diversified and more robust portfolio of financial assets, including Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs).

And for the quintessential Canadian dreaming of homeownership, some of the upsides include:

1. A major long-term investment: The average homeowner considers their home an investment. House prices rise over time, and if you live in your house long enough and sell while the market is hot, you can make significant returns on your investment. However, except in unique circumstances, the returns generated from the sale of your house are likely to be less than the stock market returns over the same period.

2. Pride of ownership: Few things signal you “have it made,” like buying your first home. Society has taught us to respect and value homeownership. For millennials buying their first home, it brings a sense of maturity, responsibility, and satisfaction. While these intangibles may not be easy to quantify in dollars, they are definitely important!

3. Discipline to save: The rationale that the renter can generate more in returns by investing their “excess” cash in the stock market is predicated on the assumption that they are actually doing some investing. It takes discipline for a renter to put all the savings they have from renting vs. buying to work by investing them.

However, for the homeowner, the discipline to pay your mortgage, even when inconvenient, comes easily. Not paying your monthly mortgage obligation means you lose the roof over your head – it’s as simple as that. Homeownership forces you to save in your home.

4. Build equity: Let’s look back at investing. A homeowner builds equity in their house over time. They can borrow against that equity at competitive rates and use the money to do other things, including investing it in the stock markets.

5. Income potential: Owning a home is not only about expenses. A homeowner can also start receiving an income from their home on Day 1 by renting out a portion of the house – for example, by renting out a room or the basement.

They can do short-term renting of the entire house while on vacation, etc. With the advent of services like Airbnb, this has become pretty easy to do. The income earned can be used to partially offset monthly mortgage payments or increase payments and lower the amortization period.

We can go on and on about the advantages and disadvantages of renting vs. buying and if homeownership is right for you or not. There is, however, no simple answer.

Some of the factors we considered when making our decision to buy a home include:

1) Are we ready to put down roots?

As the primary breadwinner in my family, I had to consider my job situation. Was it permanent and long-term? What were the chances that I would be looking for a new job in 5 years or less? Is this a city/province we would like to settle in? Of course, you cannot reliably predict the future 100%. However, your answers to these questions can make or break your final decision.

2) Renting costs vs. Homeownership

We wanted to know how much extra homeownership would cost us compared to what we spent renting. Can we afford the additional expenses? Are the benefits of homeownership worth the extra expense? Does it make financial sense?

3) How much house can we afford?

This involved doing the math to assess how much we could afford to spend on a home. What if the mortgage rates rise by one or more percentage points? Can we still afford the house?

4) Our specific circumstances

Buying a home is more than just running financial calculators. The rent vs. buy debate has probably existed before you were born and will likely continue long after you are gone. At the end of the day, you have to do what is right for you and for your family.

“The ache for home lives in all of us, the safe place where we can go as we are and not be questioned.” — Maya Angelou

how to buy a house in canada for dummies

Step 2: Learn about Mortgages

Before we go into the nitty-gritty details of how to go about your home purchase transaction, let us quickly familiarize ourselves with some mortgage terms you will keep coming across as you read on.

What is a Mortgage?

A mortgage refers to the loan that the lender (bank) provides to you for the purchase of a home (real estate). Because large sums of money are usually involved in these transactions, a mortgage also serves as a lien on the property.

This means that the property or home you have taken a mortgage on is also considered collateral or security in exchange for the loan. Therefore, if you cannot repay the lender or meet the terms of your mortgage contract, the lender has the right to take possession of the property.

A mortgage comprises two parts – the “principal,” which refers to the amount borrowed and “interest,” which is the cost of borrowing from the lender. After paying off your mortgage loan, the house becomes yours 100%.

Mortgagee and Mortgagor

A mortgagee is a term that refers to the lender (bank) who provides the loan to finance your house purchase, while a mortgagor refers to you, the borrower.

Mortgage Broker

It is easy to confuse a mortgage broker with a lender. They are different. The broker doesn’t loan you money and only serves as an intermediary between you and the lender. Their service includes shopping around for the best rates, giving advice, and assisting with putting together and completing required documentation.

The lender generally pays mortgage brokers commissions for their service. For non-prime mortgages, brokers may also charge a fee.

Major lenders also provide mortgage services directly to clients via their own in-house mortgage advisors. There are pros and cons of using a mortgage broker vs. working directly with a big bank.

Mortgage Lender

This is a financial institution that lends money for a mortgage. They may be a bank, credit union, trust company, mortgage finance company, etc.

Open vs. Closed Mortgages

An open mortgage is one that can be paid off either in part or in full at any time before the end of the term stipulated in the mortgage contract without incurring penalties. This type of mortgage may be appropriate for you if you plan to pay off your mortgage in full within a very short period of time or plan to change the terms of the mortgage.

Open mortgages are not as common as closed mortgages because not many people can pay off hundreds of thousands of dollars really quickly. Because of the increase in options available to the borrower, open mortgages usually have a materially higher interest rate than closed mortgages.

A closed mortgage is the more common type of mortgage and offers limited prepayment options compared to the open type. However, you are usually given room to make additional mortgage payments either monthly or annually up to a specified maximum of 5% to 30% of the original mortgage amount.

PRO Tip!

Prepayment: When you make a payment outside your regular mortgage payments to lower or pay down the principal owed on your mortgage, you are considered to have made a prepayment. Prepayments reduce the overall interest you pay on your mortgage loan and also shorten the length of the amortization period.

Conventional vs. High-Ratio Mortgage

When your down payment is 20% or more of the purchase price of the home, your mortgage is referred to as conventional, and you are not required to obtain mortgage default insurance. This type of mortgage is also called a traditional or low-ratio mortgage.

On the other hand, a high-ratio mortgage is when the borrower has a down payment that is less than 20% of the purchase price of the property. Since the loan-to-value ratio is higher than 80%, you are required to insure your mortgage loan.

Two of the largest providers of insurance in Canada include Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) and Genworth Canada. The mortgage default insurance is an additional cost to you. You can choose to either pay it upfront or do what most people do, add it to your mortgage loan!

To determine how much mortgage default insurance you will require, check out this CMHC calculator.

PRO Tip!

Down Payment: This is the amount of money you put down towards purchasing a house. The down payment is the difference between the purchase price of the house and the amount of the mortgage loan.

Mortgage Default Insurance

This insurance protects lenders if borrowers default on their mortgage loan. It is a mandatory requirement for all residential mortgage loans with a loan-to-value ratio of more than 80% (i.e. when the down payment is less than 20 of the purchase price).

Some lenders also insure their low-ratio mortgages, typically at the lender’s expense.

Loan-To-Value Ratio: The ratio of the mortgage loan compared to the appraised value of the home or the purchase price.

Fixed vs. Variable Rate Mortgage

The two main types of mortgage rates are fixed or variable rates. When you obtain a fixed-rate mortgage, it means that the interest rate on your mortgage loan is fixed for a period of time, usually between 1 and 5 years. Your monthly mortgage payments, including interest and principal, stay the same for the mortgage term.

Fixed-rate mortgages are the most popular mortgage type obtained by Canadians and account for about 55% of all mortgages.

Some of the pros of a fixed-rate mortgage include the following:

  • Your mortgage obligations are predetermined/fixed for the entire mortgage term, which makes it easier for you to budget and plan your finances.
  • You are protected against a rise in interest rates until maturity.
  • A downside to fixed-rate mortgages is that the interest rate is usually higher than for variable-rate mortgages of a comparable term. You may also have to pay more in penalties if you break your mortgage.

For a variable-rate mortgage, the interest rate on your loan fluctuates with the prime rate set by the lending institution. The prime rate, which usually tracks the overnight rate set by the Bank of Canada, may change from time to time.

Variable rate mortgages can either be set as “prime plus(+)” or “prime minus(-).” Like its fixed-rate counterpart, your monthly payments usually remain unchanged for a variable-rate mortgage.

However, the proportion of mortgage payment applied towards principal and interest will vary as the interest rate varies.

For example, if the interest rate rises and your variable mortgage rate increases, more of your monthly payment will go towards paying interest. Historical studies have shown that variable-rate mortgages save homeowners money in the long run.

Another type of floating-rate mortgage is the Adjustable Rate Mortgage (ARM). In this case, your payment rises and falls with the prime rate.

Some pros of a variable mortgage include:

  • If the interest rate falls, you will benefit from paying off more of your principal loan (assuming it’s a variable-rate mortgage and not an ARM).
  • It is cheaper to break or renegotiate your mortgage.

A downside to a variable rate mortgage is that there is a higher short-term risk that interest rates may rise.

Mortgage Payment

After you take out a mortgage loan to finance your house purchase, you are required to make regular scheduled payments that will include both principal and interest owed. You can choose to make payments on a weekly, bi-weekly, semi-monthly, or monthly basis.

You can also decide to accelerate your payments to pay off your loan much quicker and therefore pay less interest overall, for example, through accelerated bi-weekly payments. Check out this article for tips on how to pay off your mortgage faster!

Your lender will ask you to submit a void cheque so they can set up automatic withdrawals from your bank account. To avoid any issues with funds being insufficient when the withdrawals take place (and NSF fees!), I set up my bi-weekly payments for the next business day after my paycheck hits my bank account.

Mortgage Term

While amortization refers to the total number of years it takes to pay off your entire mortgage, a mortgage term is a length of time (usually in years) during which you (the borrower) are bound by the conditions (e.g. rate) of a mortgage contract. The most common mortgage term in Canada is a 5-year fixed term.

At the end of your mortgage term, you must renew your mortgage for another term with similar or different conditions. You continue doing this until the mortgage is fully paid up. Therefore, a mortgage term is a subset of the amortization period.

Amortization

This is the number of years it’ll take to pay off your mortgage loan in full while making regular mortgage payments. The most common amortization schedule in Canada is 25 years. Longer amortization periods (up to 30 years) are available in some cases.

Longer amortizations are helpful if you need more flexibility in your cash flow. They let you redirect funds to their best use, which may include paying down higher-interest non-mortgage debt, investing in your RRSP or TFSA, etc.

Mortgage Renewal

Occurs at the end of a mortgage term, and you “renew” to set up another mortgage term with new conditions and terms agreed to by you and the lender. You can renew with the same lender or switch (transfer) to a new one.

Portable Mortgage

This refers to a mortgage that can be transferred from one property to another without incurring penalties. For example, when selling your current house and purchasing a new one.

It may be important to have this option included in your mortgage contract if you think you may need to change houses or relocate during the term of your current mortgage. Alternatively, you can choose a shorter term to limit the penalties for breaking your mortgage.

Pro Tip:  Some credit unions restrict porting to within their provincial lending area, which is important if you might have to move out of your province. Also, keep in mind that porting requires that you requalify for the new mortgage.

“Worm or beetle – drought or tempest – on a farmer’s land may fall, Each is loaded full o’ ruin, but a mortgage beats ’em all.” — Will Carleton

Step 3: Audit Your Finances and Plan Ahead

Buying a home should not be one of those decisions you make lightly. Remember that a mortgage is easily the largest debt you will ever take on in your life! Carefully planning ahead (for several months or even years) can make a world of difference and make your house-shopping experience a successful and memorable one.

Start your planning by conducting a thorough personal financial assessment. Ensure you are financially sound before approaching the lender (bank) for a mortgage loan.

Some questions you should have answers to include:

  • What is my monthly gross income?
  • What are my monthly expenses?
  • What are my debt obligations?
  • How stable is my employment?
  • Do I have access to liquidity (e.g., savings) if my income is interrupted or if I have a major non-housing expense?
  • How much do I have to spare every month after paying all my bills, including other monthly expenses such as childcare fees, car insurance, gas, etc.?
  • What are my current monthly savings/investing obligations? These may include putting money aside in an emergency fund, saving in your Tax-Free Savings Account (TFSA), funding your retirement account (RRSP), etc.
  • How much more can I pay over my current “rent” while meeting all obligations and living comfortably?
  • How much do I already have saved towards a down payment?
  • What are my closing costs?
  • What is my credit score? Do I need to improve my credit to qualify for a mortgage loan at competitive rates?

The purpose of this financial assessment is to determine if you are ready and able to buy a house and how much house you can afford.

In addition to answering the financial questions above and putting your finances in order, you should also be asking questions that pertain to the house itself. The questions you will need answers to depend on your personal circumstances, lifestyle, and family requirements. Your answers will also impact the financial outcome of your decisions.

  • What type of home meets my needs now and in the future? How big (square footage)? How many bedrooms? Bathrooms? Indoor or outdoor garage? Parking for how many cars? Family members with special needs? New home or previously owned? Starter home or permanent home? Etc.
  • Location, Location, Location!!! What neighbourhood do you want to buy into? Family-friendly (if you have kids)? Schools nearby? Are amenities available? Closeness to parks and recreation? Shopping? Neighbourhood character? Crime rate? And so on!

“By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.” –Benjamin Franklin

Step 4: Find Out How Much House You Can Afford

When you approach the bank and request a mortgage loan, they’ll determine how much they will lend to you. However, before you get to that stage, this is the point where you have that honest conversation with yourself after doing the math about how much you can afford to borrow.

How much are you able to put down towards your mortgage payments every month without feeling pinched? It is never a good idea to buy that “dream home” and then start living from hand to mouth, a nerve-racking situation also referred to as being “House Poor.”

Some ratios the bank will crunch in determining how much to lend you include:

Gross Debt Service Ratio (GDS)

This ratio combines your monthly housing costs, including mortgage payments (principal + interest), taxes and heating costs (PITH) plus 50% of your condo fees, if applicable, and divides them by your monthly gross income.

Preferably, your total housing costs should not exceed 32% of your gross income. However, some lenders would allow a GDS ratio of up to 39%, or even higher, if you pay non-prime interest rates.

For example, if your household’s gross monthly income is $10,000, your total housing costs should ideally not exceed $3,200.

GDS = (Principal + Interest + Taxes + Heating + (0.5 x condo fees)/Gross Income ≤ 32%.

Total Debt Service Ratio (TDS)

Following the GDS ratio, lenders also look at what your entire monthly debt load looks like. In addition to housing costs, they add other fixed monthly debt obligations like credit cards and lines of credit payments, alimony, child support, car payments, student loans, etc.

The maximum allowable TDS ratio is 44%. However, you should aim to keep TDS to 40% or less of your gross monthly income.

Using the same analogy above, on a monthly gross income of $10,000, your entire monthly debt load should not exceed $4,000.

TDS = (Housing expenses + credit card payments + car payments + other debts)/Gross Income ≤ 40%.

There are several calculators and tools online that you can utilize to simulate what your homeownership costs will be. Compute how much you will potentially be spending every month and try to part with that amount for a couple of months to see if you can cope.

You can also utilize the CMHC calculator for GDS and TDS here.

It’s notable that the stress test helps ensure you can afford a house, but TDS calculations don’t factor in non-debt expenses and the potential for partial/full income loss.

In addition to calculating these two ratios, lenders also look at other factors, including:

  • Your credit history and credit score
  • The down payment you have saved
  • Your employment history
  • Credit score and history
  • The property characteristics

credit score is a three-digit number ranging from 300 to 900 points. A credit report summarizes your use of credit and debt, including credit cards, personal loans, and mortgages. It details when you opened your credit facilities, how much you owe, whether you make payments on time or miss payments, credit inquiries on your account, and much more.

Lenders utilize credit scores to assess the creditworthiness of a borrower, i.e. the probability that they could default on their loan. Having a high (very good to excellent) credit score will help you qualify for competitive interest rates and terms because lenders view you as being a lower credit risk. You’ll usually need at least a 680-700 credit score to get a reasonable mortgage rate.

There are several strategies you can deploy to improve your credit score before approaching the bank for a loan. Some things you can do to keep your credit score looking great include paying your bills on time, increasing your credit limit, keeping credit cards open, and diversifying your credit mix.

Having a solid credit score is not something that happens overnight. You can also read my detailed articles on improving your credit score and how your credit score is calculated. You should request and review your free credit report regularly so you are updated on how lenders view your financial health and start working on clearing out any kinks or errors if required.

Banks/lenders are often willing to lend you more money than you should spend on a home. This is why you should definitely be asking yourself the questions I posed earlier and ensure you have satisfactory answers to them before proceeding.

“No man’s credit is as good as his money.” — Edgar Howe

how to buy a home

Step 5: How To Save Up For Your Down Payment

As you should be well aware, you must bring something (cash!) to the table when buying a house. In Canada, depending on the purchase price of the house, you are required to pay down a minimum of 5% or more of the value of the property before closing.

Planning ahead for your down payment is a part of the financial planning that should be done before you start shopping around for a house.

Potential strategies to save for your down payment include:

1. Set A Savings Goal and Start Saving

Let’s start with basic old-fashioned savings. To save up for your down payment on that “dream house,” start with setting a savings goal, budgeting, and then spending less than you earn. Cut your expenses, open a savings account, and start saving. Setting up an automatic saving schedule can help with sticking to the plan and staying disciplined.

There are several ways different people can cut their expenses. A few that come to mind include: packing a lunch for work and eating out less, spending less on luxury items, avoiding expensive vacations, etc.

2. First Home Savings Account (FHSA)

The Tax-Free First Home Savings Account (FHSA) allows first-time homebuyers to save up to $40,000 in a tax-free account and put the funds toward purchasing a home.

You can contribute up to $8,000 annually and $40,000 in total. Contributions are tax-deductible, and you can carry unused contribution room to future years.

Returns earned on the investment are tax-free. Like the TFSA and RRSP, you can hold various investments in an FHSA, including cash, GICs, stocks, ETFs, and mutual funds.

Based on currently available information, the FHSA can be combined with the Home Buyers Plan. Canadians can begin using the FHSA starting in April 2023. Learn more here.

3. Tax-Free Savings Account (TFSA)

If you are at least 18 years of age, you are eligible to contribute to a TFSA account. The TFSA comes with many advantages, including that investment income earned is tax-free, and you can withdraw funds from your account at any time without any tax implications.

TFSA contributions can be carried forward from one year to the other. If you have never contributed to a TFSA (and have been eligible since its inception in 2009), your total contribution room in 2023 is $88,000.

You can invest in almost anything through your TFSA, including mutual funds, Guaranteed Investment Certificates, stocks, bonds, high-interest savings accounts, etc. Since interest earned on investments in a TFSA savings account is tax-free, your savings goal may be realized earlier. Remember to tailor your investments with your investing time frame in mind.

4. Borrow From Your Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP)

You can borrow up to $35,000 from your RRSP to purchase your first home. This is made possible through the Home Buyers’ Plan (HBP).  With this plan, a first-time homebuyer can dip into their RRSP and withdraw up to $35,000 (or $70,000 for a couple) to purchase a home.

You have up to 15 years to repay the amount withdrawn back to your RRSP. Repayments to your RRSP are expected to start from the second year after you made the withdrawal. If repayments are made as at when due, there is no tax implication or penalty for withdrawing the funds. Read more about RRSPs.

5. Monetary Gifts and Windfalls

Nearly 30% of first-time homebuyers received some level of financial assistance (gifts from parents and family members). Saving monetary gifts can go a long way to meet your down payment savings goal.

Additionally, saving other financial windfalls that come your way, such as a bonus or raise at work, will help you reach your savings goal much faster.

6. Create Additional Streams of Income

Have you been considering taking on that side gig or freelance work? Well, maybe it’s time to get on it. Increasing your income will definitely make it easier for you to meet your down payment savings goal.

Consider selling off items you no longer need on portals like Kijiji, etc. This way, you can de-clutter and increase your savings simultaneously.

RelatedPart-Time Jobs in Canada to Make Extra Cash

7. Save Your Tax Refund

When you file your taxes, what do you do with the tax refund? Depending on your income, tax deductibles, RRSP contributions, etc., a tax refund can make a significant impact on your down payment goals.

If you plan to use the Home Buyers’ Plan, maximizing your RRSP contributions will increase your tax refund and the funds in your RRSP that are eligible for withdrawal.

How much down payment should I budget for?

The answer to this question is easy – as much as you can afford to put down. While there is a minimum 5% down payment required when purchasing a house that is $500,000 or less, the higher the down payment you can put down, the lower the interest you will pay over the life of your mortgage.

Additionally, if your down payment is less than 20% (i.e. high-ratio mortgage), you must obtain mortgage default insurance which becomes an additional add-on cost of homeownership. In the long run, the decision is yours to make.

When we purchased our home, the 5% down payment was all we could afford, plus closing costs. Therefore, we were required to obtain mortgage loan default insurance.

“You must learn to save first and spend afterwards.” — John Poole

Step 6: Remember the Closing Costs

While planning to buy a house, the down payment was the main cost at the forefront of our deliberations and financial planning. That was until I came across the term “closing costs” while surfing the internet on a cold wintry day! Uh oh! What?!

I was shocked to learn that these unexpected additional costs easily amount to another 1.5-4% of the purchase price of the house. Don’t be caught off-guard. Closing costs on the house should be part of your planning early on.

What are Closing Costs When Buying a Home?

Pro Tip: Closing costs are additional expenses incurred when buying a home. These costs can add up to anywhere from 1.5% to 4% of the purchase price of the property.

Some of the closing costs to prepare for include:

1. Home Inspection Fees

While not mandatory, having a professional home inspection done is smart, especially if you are a first-time buyer. The home inspector will inspect the condition of the house with respect to structure, plumbing, ventilation, heating, etc. A full home inspection will cost you approximately $500 on average plus GST/HST.

2. Property Appraisal/Valuation Fees

Your mortgage lender may require you to obtain a professional appraisal of the property to determine its worth. A property appraisal may cost anywhere from $250 to $500. Some lenders choose to pay the appraisal fee. Insured mortgages generally don’t require an appraisal since the insurer auto-values the property, which saves you a little money.

3. Property Survey Fee

A survey shows the boundaries of the land and indicates the location of major structures and any encroachments on the property. A mortgage lender may require that you provide a survey, or you may just want one for keeps to ease your mind, especially if newer structures or additions have been added to the house. A survey costs between $1000 and $2000.

4. Title Insurance

Title insurance covers potential issues arising after the purchase, from title defects, survey errors, existing liens on the property, encroachment issues, zoning issues, etc. Title insurance will set you back $300 or more.

5. Land Transfer Tax (LTT)

Land transfer tax is charged whenever you buy a home. The cost varies based on the province and is usually a percentage of the purchase price. Some provinces (including Alberta and Saskatchewan) do not charge a traditional LTT, while some cities (e.g. Toronto) charge an additional municipal land transfer tax.

Land transfer taxes are easily the second-largest expense after the down payment when considering closing costs. In Winnipeg, for example, buying a $425,000 house would attract a $6,150 tax bill.

6. Legal Fees

A lawyer is needed to help you sort through the legal paperwork to ensure it is accurate and makes sense. Your lawyer will also likely conduct a title search and sort out the title insurance on your behalf. These costs may be billed separately or combined with the legal fees. Clarify this with your lawyer before you start.

Legal fees vary, with basic fees starting at around $500. After incorporating other expenses, including mailing, photocopying, etc., expect your final bill to be approximately $1000 to $1500 or more.

7. Adjustment Costs

A statement of adjustments is drawn up by your lawyer to ensure that prepaid costs like utility bills, property taxes, condo maintenance fees, and other bills are adjusted fairly. The seller gets a credit back if they have already paid some bills past the date when you take ownership of the property.

8. Home Insurance Premium

Mortgage lenders will ask for proof of home insurance before they release funds on closing day. Home or property insurance covers the cost of replacing your home and its contents. It may be billed monthly or annually.

The cost will vary depending on the value of your home, its contents, location, the type of coverage required, your deductible, the presence/absence of an alarm system (fire and burglary), etc.

9. PST/HST on Mortgage Default Insurance

If you put down less than 20% of the purchase price as a down payment, your mortgage is considered a high-ratio mortgage and requires buying a mortgage loan insurance. The premium can be financed through the mortgage; however, where applicable, the Provincial Sales Tax/Harmonized Sales Tax on this insurance must be paid upfront.

10. Tax on New Homes

If you are buying a brand-new house, you may be subject to both federal and provincial taxes. The tax is often incorporated into the sale price, but it’s better to confirm before proceeding. You may qualify for a partial rebate on taxes when filing your income tax return, but you will need to pay it upfront when buying the house.

11. Property Taxes

While this is an ongoing annual cost, you may be required to pay back a significant amount to the owner in adjustment costs if they have already paid the full taxes for the year in advance.

Property taxes are required on a house you own. The tax is levied annually by the municipality where your house is located and must be paid either monthly or annually. The amount of property tax differs based on the assessed value of your home.

12. Estoppel Certificate Fee

This fee is applicable if you are buying a condominium. Also known as a status certificate, the estoppel certificate is a document detailing important information relating to the specific condo unit and the condominium corporation.

The information includes bylaws, rules and regulations, insurance information, property management and ownership, financial statements, etc. This fee may cost up to $100 or more.

13. Other Costs

There are many other direct and indirect costs of buying a house. They include moving costs, new appliances, decorations and new furnishings, renovations, repairs, utility hookup fees, hand tools, vent cleaning, house cleaning, and many more. These costs may range anywhere from a few hundred dollars to several thousand dollars. You should plan for them in your budget.

From the list above, you can see why it is not a good idea to forget about how much funds you really need to have at hand when buying a house. If you were initially planning on saving down 5% of a $500,000 mortgage, i.e. $25,000, adding on a further 1.5-4% now puts your savings goal at $32,500 to $45,000.

Closing costs are not optional. You will likely spend all the funds you have set aside for this expense.

“Beware of little expenses: a small leak can sink a great ship.”  — Benjamin Franklin

PIN For Later.

Are you looking at buying a home? This guide takes you through the home buying process step-by-step. See how much house you can afford, how to be financially prepared for homeownership, questions to ask before closing on a house, and more. There are also several useful checklists to guide you along the way. #FirstTimeHomeBuyer #BuyAHome #RealEstate

Step 7: Get Your Mortgage Pre-Approval

Obtaining a pre-approval mortgage is a crucial step in buying a home. It starts with finding a lender willing to provide you with a mortgage loan and putting a number to exactly how much they are willing to lend you, with conditions.

There are two terms you may come across when you approach a lender/mortgage broker: mortgage pre-qualification and mortgage pre-approval. There are significant differences between the two, and what you really want to have in place is a mortgage pre-approval.

Mortgage Pre-qualification

This is different from mortgage pre-approval. It is an initial step in the mortgage process where you meet with a mortgage broker or advisor and discuss your plan to get a mortgage. The lender will ask for information relating to your income, assets, and liabilities.

Without requesting hard evidence of your finances or running a credit check, the lender will give you an estimate of how much you may qualify for. There is no commitment on the lender’s part, and their assessment may change once they have more information on your financial position and credit history/score.

Mortgage Pre-approval

This is a step ahead of mortgage pre-qualification. Here, the lender will ask for documentation relating to your assets, income, and liabilities. They’ll also access your credit history after getting your consent. Once pre-approved, the lender will determine the maximum amount they will loan you, subject to certain conditions.

You can lock in a mortgage rate against increases for some time, and the lender may provide you with a written confirmation or pre-approval certificate.

Benefits of obtaining a mortgage pre-approval

  1. Saves you time: Having a pre-approval gives you an idea of how much house you can afford and what the potential monthly mortgage payment will be. This will narrow down your search and save time.
  2. Realtors take you seriously: Real estate agents do not want to waste their time on buyers who are not “finance-ready.” When you have a mortgage pre-approval, realtors consider you to be a serious buyer and are more willing to assist you through the buying process.
  3. Lock-in mortgage rate: A mortgage pre-approval will lock in mortgage rates anywhere from 90-130 days. This means that if interest rates rise during this period, your mortgage lender will honour the lower locked-in rate. If their mortgage rates fall, they will adjust your rates lower accordingly. Essentially, you are hedged against a potential rate spike for 3 to 4 months.
  4. Sellers are willing to negotiate: A seller may give your purchase offer priority if you have a pre-approval letter showing you can likely able to close the deal. They may also be willing to negotiate on price and other terms than they would with a buyer who doesn’t have one.
  5. No commitment: Getting a pre-approval is free and doesn’t mean you are committed to obtaining your mortgage through the lender. There are no financial repercussions or penalties if you choose to go with another lender or even decide to postpone your house purchase plans.

The Mortgage Pre-Approval Process

Getting a mortgage pre-approval is a relatively quick process that should take no longer than 1 to 2 days if you have all your paperwork on hand. Be prepared to provide lots of documentation and confirm from the lender that your documentation is “fully reviewed” to avoid surprises later. That’s important because some lenders merely provide a “rate hold” without underwriting but call it a “pre-approval.”

Whoever it is you work with, i.e. via a mortgage broker or directly with the lender, they will be request documentation relating to the following:

  • Your personal information and identification: Photo ID and Social Insurance Number.
  • Proof of income: Pay stubs, T4 slip or Notice of Assessment.
  • Employment verification: A letter of employment stating your current position, salary, type of employment (temporary or permanent) and length of employment. If self-employed, you may be required to provide additional documents, including financial statements for your business.
  • Proof of down payment: Recent bank and investment account statements.
  • Proof of other assets: Vehicles, property, jewelry, etc.
  • Debts and liabilities: Including credit card balances, lines of credit, student loans, car payments, personal loans, liens, spousal or child support, and current monthly mortgage or rent obligations.

They will also run a hard credit check with your consent. This is done to determine your overall creditworthiness. If you are buying a house with a spouse or partner, they will also be required to provide all the above documentation.

When obtaining a mortgage pre-approval, you should also be clarifying what the conditions of the mortgage are: rate, term, prepayment options and penalties, mortgage portability, appraisal fees, broker fees (if applicable), other fees, etc.

A mortgage pre-approval doesn’t guarantee that the mortgage lender will approve your final mortgage application. Several things can still go wrong. Changes in your financial circumstances may cause the lender to change their mind about lending you money, including:

  • You lose your job or change jobs.
  • Your credit score takes a hit, e.g. you miss bill payments on a loan.
  • You add new debt or credit – obtaining a new credit card, line of credit, new car lease, etc., will jack up your debt-to-income ratios and may also adversely impact your credit score.
  • Providing false or partial information about your financial position that becomes evident at closing.
  • You do not have adequate cash reserves to cover your closing costs.

If you are unable to find a house you like or close on a deal within the rate-lock period (90-120 days) contained within your pre-approval certificate, you may be able to reset the pre-approval to extend the rate for a few more months, depending on the lender and market conditions.

A quick word about Mortgage Life Insurance

Your bank or lender will also try to convince you to take on ‘mortgage life insurance’ so your family is protected if you pass away unexpectedly. The idea is that the mortgage insurance will pay off any outstanding mortgage balance on your account.

mortgage life insurance is a declining benefit and is very expensive. Instead, choose a life insurance coverage that stays unchanged, is cheaper, and offers better protection. Compare the lowest life insurance rates in Canada at PolicyMe.

“A man builds a fine house and now he has a master, and a task for life; he is to furnish, watch, show it, and keep it in repair, the rest of his days.” — Ralph Waldo Emerson.

Step 8: Get Professional Help

We have come this far, and since it appears that you are considering opting for buying a house vs. renting one, we will carry on!

Buying a home can be an intimidating task. However, you can convert it into a fun and rewarding experience if you have all your “ducks in a row” right from the start.

To start the process, let’s talk about the professionals you will need to make the entire process work out smoothly.

  • Realtor
  • Lawyer
  • Home Inspector
  • Insurance Broker
  • Appraiser
  • Land Surveyor
  • Lender
  • Mortgage Broker

Realtor

Your need for a realtor depends on how you decide to go about the process, i.e. to go it alone or not. While I’m all for the DIY approach to most things, we worked with a realtor when buying our first house because we were newbies and were leery of making any fundamental errors during our first try at purchasing real estate in Canada.

In Canada, realtors are licensed professionals who are members of a local board and The Canadian Real Estate Association. Generally, a realtor interviews you to know what type of house you want to buy, the location you prefer, your price point, and other characteristics/features you want in the house.

Your realtor shops around for properties on sale that meet your needs and schedules appointments to view house listings. They may provide an “informal” home inspection by pointing out the pros and cons of each property and neighbourhood you visit and advise on the current state of the real estate market in general.

If you decide you like a house, your realtor will help write up the offer and any counteroffers, negotiate with the seller or seller’s agent and coordinate the closing. Realtors may also assist with other things depending on the realtor and your particular circumstances.

Having highlighted what the realtor can do for you, I have to say my experience with our realtor was not entirely positive. Remember, your realtor is an expert salesperson and may just want to close the deal, any deal, as soon as possible.

After looking at about a dozen houses and not deciding on any of them, our realtor shifted from pointing out the “pros and cons” to just plain trying to sell us a house even when it didn’t meet what we were looking for. I don’t blame him; he just wanted to make a sale!

Another thing to note is that although the property seller generally pays the commissions to the realtors (or real estate agents), you are indirectly footing the bill. There may be a significant difference between the listed price on a house directly advertised for sale by the owner and that of a comparable house listed on REALTOR.ca.

One reason for a potential difference in the listed price (or final closing price) is that the seller of the owner-listed house can save on commissions of 5% or more (of the selling price) they would have paid to realtors. Thus, they can pass on some of these savings to the buyer. Therefore, if you are buying a house directly from a seller, plan to negotiate a significant discount whenever possible.

Note: Some research shows that privately listed homes are often priced higher than fair value. At a minimum, a realtor can be a helpful middleman when negotiating down sellers.

In summary, if you are new to real estate, it’s probably a good idea to find yourself a good realtor and learn from their experiences. Shop around for a realtor you feel you can work with and who is willing to work with you. Ask for references from friends and family.

If I had to buy another house in the future, with the experience I now have under my belt, I would likely go the DIY route.

Lawyer

A lawyer is a key player when buying a house, even more so than a realtor. Look for a lawyer specializing in real estate transactions to make things work out easier and cheaper.

Your lawyer does several things, including conducting a title search to ensure there are no title defects or liens against the property and preparing legal paperwork and closing documents. They also help coordinate purchase title insurance (because title search is not infallible), payment for land transfer tax, PST/HST on CMHC insurance, the remainder of your down payment, and transfer of funds from your lender to the seller on closing.

If you have decided not to use a realtor, your lawyer can also help you review the offer-to-purchase agreement to ensure you are well-protected before handing it over to the seller.

Legal fees will vary depending on the complexity of the transaction and additional services provided by your lawyer. To avoid surprises, ask your lawyer to give you an all-inclusive quote before you start.

Home Inspector

Here is another key player to the success of your home purchase. If you are not an expert and this is your first home, get a home inspection done. Your realtor can recommend a home inspector, or you can solicit references from friends and family, co-workers, etc.

The home inspector will conduct a visual inspection of the property and tell you if any problems or repairs need to be carried out. They may be able to give you an estimate of repair costs and also note how soon repairs or replacements are required.

Insurance Broker

The insurance broker helps you arrange your home insurance which is a requirement that must be in place before closing. Shop around for the best rates and coverage that meet your needs. Home insurance costs can be paid monthly or annually.

Appraiser and Land Surveyor

Your lender may require that you obtain a property appraisal and a recent property survey as part of your financing conditions. In my case, neither was required, and I could avoid this expense. However, since the seller did not have a property survey, obtaining title insurance was high on my list of things to do.

Appraisal: Refers to an estimation of the fair market value of a property by a certified professional (appraiser). When getting a mortgage, the estimated market value is known as the “appraised value.” It is also referred to as the lending value and may not necessarily equal the market value. As noted earlier, a lender may request an appraisal before approving your mortgage loan.

Lender

They make funds (i.e. the mortgage loan) available to you to complete your real estate transaction. A lender could be any financial institution, including banks, credit unions, trust companies, mortgage finance companies, insurance companies, etc. The lender may have in-house mortgage advisors who work with you in setting up the loan. Your mortgage payments are made to the lender based on the agreed payment schedule.

Mortgage Broker

As I mentioned, a mortgage broker is an intermediary between you and the lender. They are not always required. If you go directly to your bank (e.g. RBC, CIBC, TD), they have mortgage advisors or loan officers who will set up your loan. However, big banks rarely post the best mortgage rates available, and bankers only sell their own products. They will rarely tell you if a better deal exists at another bank.

This is where mortgage brokers come into play. They have vast knowledge, tools, and lending options that they can use to secure competitive mortgage rates. It is a free service to you.

For competitive mortgage rates in Canada, check out Nesto and Neo Mortgage.

“Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain.” — Psalm 127:1

checklist for buying a house for the first time

Step 9: Find a House and Close the Deal

With funding and professional help ready to go, it’s time to start your search.  If you are using a realtor, they will use the criteria you have indicated to look for houses that meet your requirements.

You can also conduct your own search on the side using readily available tools, including online searches on real estate websites like – realtor.ca, point2homes.com, remax.ca, royallepage.ca, and century21.ca, and many more; classified ads in local newspapers, and houses with “FOR SALE” signs in the neighbourhood you’re interested in.

Offer to Purchase

When you find a house you want to buy, it’s time to submit an offer. The Offer to Purchase (OTP) is an important legal document and should be treated as such. It details the terms and conditions under which you are willing to purchase the property.

Your offer may make your purchase of the house contingent on a satisfactory home inspection, financing approval, the ability to sell your existing home, certain items being included or excluded in the sale price, a favourable appraisal, etc.

To be safe, you will want your realtor or lawyer to prepare or review your OTP before it is submitted. This should be done to ensure that your rights and interests are well-protected. If accepted by a buyer and signed by both parties, an OTP becomes a legally binding document.

Counter-Offer

After your offer (OTP) is submitted, the seller may accept it as is, reject it, or make a counteroffer to negotiate the price, terms, and/or conditions. If the seller is sending a counteroffer your way, you can decide to accept, reject, or counter their counteroffer.

There is usually a time limit on when to respond to a counteroffer. There is no limit to the number of counteroffers that can be exchanged between the buyer and seller. It is negotiation time!

Home Inspection

If the seller accepts your offer, it is time to carry out the all-important home inspection by hiring a home inspector. They should provide you with an inspection report upon completion.

It’s a good idea to be present during the home inspection. This way, you can ask the home inspector questions, see what they do, pick their brain on how to maintain the house, and get an estimate on the cost of any necessary repairs the inspection unveils. From my experience, you will learn a lot by tagging along.

The outcome of a home inspection may vary. The report may give the house a clean bill of health, leaving you ecstatic and proceeding directly to closing. Alternatively, the home inspector may point out moderate issues (usually the case). Depending on the issues, you may want to negotiate with the seller to cover the cost of some or all of the repairs.

Unfortunately, a home inspection may also turn up significant problems that make buying the house an onerous proposition. For instance, significant structural problems may require an expensive fix and cost tens of thousands of dollars or even make the house unsafe. In such cases, your decision may be to walk away.

Also note that major deficiencies—for example, mould, large cracks in the foundation, knob and tube wiring, and asbestos insulation—may prevent you from mortgaging the property.

Closing the Deal

Your lawyer will typically start handling things at this stage. You will need to finalize your mortgage loan at the lenders and sign all required documentation. You will be required to obtain homeowners insurance. Your lawyer is the intermediary between you, the lender, and the seller (or the seller’s agent/lawyer).

Functions your lawyer carries out at this stage may include a review of your offer to purchase, title search, purchase of title insurance, setup of property tax payment to the municipality, preparing a statement of adjustments, facilitating the transfer of funds from the lender to the seller, register the house in your name, collect the keys from the seller and deliver it to you, provide you with a report of their dealings on your behalf.

Closing Day

All accounts are settled. You have prepared to pack and move your belongings into your new home. Your pulse is racing, and your emotions are running high. Today is the day you take legal possession. Your lawyer hands you the keys!

Congratulations, you are now a homeowner! 

It is advisable to do a final walk-through of the house just before the closing day to ensure everything is as it should be, i.e. agreed-upon repairs were done, no obvious damage has occurred since the home inspection was conducted, appliances are still working, etc.

“If I were asked to name the chief benefit of the house, I should say: the house shelters day-dreaming, the house protects the dreamer, the house allows one to dream in peace.” — Gaston Bachelard

Conclusion

That’s it, ladies and gents! While not intended to be an exhaustive guide, I’m hopeful this summary will simplify the house-purchasing process and make it less intimidating for you.

I believe that the basics contained in this guide will be helpful to all Canadians who are considering becoming first-time homeowners. Specifically, I hope that “new” Canadians and immigrants to Canada will find this guide useful as they proceed to settle and plant roots in this beautiful country.

While this guide cannot guarantee that you can purchase (or afford) your dream home, it will get you started on your homeownership journey!

Here are a few other articles you may also find useful:

Tax-Free First Home Savings Account (FHSA) Explained

How To Use Your RRSP To Buy a Home

Understanding How The Smith Manoeuvre Works

Is Mortgage Life Insurance Worth It?

Best Real Estate Apps For Canadians

Understanding The Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC)

First-Time Home Buyers’ Tax Credit

RRSP 101: The Home Buyer’s and Lifelong Learning Plans

How To Save For Your Down Payment

How To Pay Off Your Mortgage Fast

20 Money-Saving Tips Around Your Home

Author

Photo of author
Enoch Omololu, MSc (Econ)

Enoch Omololu, personal finance expert, author, and founder of Savvy New Canadians, has written about money matters for over 10 years. Enoch has an MSc (Econ) degree in Finance and Investment Management from the University of Aberdeen Business School and has completed the Canadian Securities Course. His expertise has been highlighted in major publications like Forbes, Globe and Mail, Business Insider, CBC News, Toronto Star, Financial Post, CTV News, TD Direct Investing, Canadian Securities Exchange, and many others. Enoch is passionate about helping others win with their finances and recently created a practical investing course for beginners. You can read his full author bio.

About Savvy New Canadians

Savvy New Canadians is one of Canada's top personal finance platforms. Millions of Canadians use our site each year to learn how to save for retirement, invest smartly, maximize rewards, and earn extra cash. We have been featured in prominent finance media, including Forbes, Globe and Mail, Business Insider, CBC, MSN, Wealthsimple, and TD Direct Investing. Learn more about Savvy New Canadians.

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9 thoughts on “How To Buy A House In Canada as a First-Time Home Buyer”

  1. Gravatar for Morgan Homehow

    I would not recommend you to buy a house alone as there are a lot of technicalities involved in the process. The best way is to contact a real estate agent for advice in this matter.

  2. Gravatar for Stefan Bradley

    I am glad you brought up being “house poor” in this article, something that should be avoided at all costs. I was not warned about being house poor until after it was too late, I bought my first house and needed to scrape by for quite a while. Having the perfect house is nice, but it’s also important to do the math.

  3. Gravatar for Priyanka Patel

    Great content really liked the way you explained the closing the deal, recently I accepted an offer and negotiated with the seller even he agreed upon selling the house but after a few days he denied to make the offer proposed, so should I continue making negotiations or should leave them after a final offer is made.

  4. Gravatar for Bridgedale

    This simplified guide is magnificent, and as I am moving to Canada next week, this guide will help me to locate the perfect home for me. I want to thank the person who shared all this valuable information here.

  5. Gravatar for Chris

    I don’t think buying a property classifies as a DIY project. It is not like building a deck in your backyard. You mentioned the type of realtor you experienced. I would recommend shopping for a realtor that you feel comfortable working with, do some due diligence, ask for references and call them. Would you buy stocks on the stock market all by yourself?

    • Gravatar for Enoch Omololu

      @Chris: Good point on finding a realtor you are comfortable with especially if you are a first-time homebuyer.

      Also, yes, buying stocks on the stock market all by myself is actually a hobby 😉

  6. Gravatar for Royal Property Realty

    I admire how transparent you are about buying property in Canada. That’s very useful and straightforward, particularly for people who are not Canadian. Thanks a lot for providing your perspectives.

  7. Gravatar for Jess

    Truly appreciate this breakdown. I have so much anxiety around purchasing a home and I feel like these steps have helped me understand what I need to do first, and check the rest on my list. I appreciate you taking the time to write this thoughtful article. Do you find any of this has changed for 2022?

    • Gravatar for Enoch Omololu

      @Jess: I believe most of the information is up-to-date, but you may want to double-check the stress test rates for mortgages.

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