In Ontario, the minimum is 5% on homes up to $500,000. From $500K to $1.5M, it's 5% on the first $500K and 10% on the rest. Above $1.5M, you need at least 20% down. Anything under 20% also requires mortgage default insurance (CMHC), which gets added to your mortgage. We'll walk through what makes sense for your situation.

Budget roughly 1.5–4% of the purchase price on top of your down payment. The big ones: Ontario Land Transfer Tax, Toronto Land Transfer Tax if you're buying in the city, legal fees, and title insurance. First-time buyers can get a rebate on both land transfer taxes — we'll make sure you take full advantage of that.

Technically no — but practically, yes. Pre-approval gives you a realistic budget, locks in a rate for 90–120 days, and makes your offer a lot more credible in a competitive situation. I'd strongly recommend getting it done before we book showings. I can point you toward a mortgage broker I work with if you need one.

It's not required, but I'd highly recommend it. It gives you an honest picture of what you're actually buying. In competitive situations, we can arrange a pre-inspection before offer night so you still get that peace of mind without adding a condition.

Your deposit goes in — usually within 24 hours. From there, you work through any conditions (inspection, financing), your mortgage gets finalized, and your lawyer handles the legal transfer. About 24–48 hours before closing, we do a final walkthrough to make sure everything's as expected. Then it's keys day.

I look at recent comparable sales in your area, factor in your home's condition and any updates, and what buyers are actively looking for right now. Pricing is part data, part strategy — price too high and you sit; price right and you attract serious buyers fast. I'll walk you through my full analysis before we list anything.

It depends on the market, the price, and the property — but with the right preparation and pricing, most well-positioned homes sell within the first couple of weeks. Some sell faster. I'll give you a realistic timeline based on what's actually happening in your area.

In most cases, yes. Staged homes consistently sell faster and for more money. It doesn't always mean a full professional staging — sometimes it's decluttering, a coat of paint, and rearranging a few things. I'll give you honest guidance on what's worth doing and what isn't.

Professional photography, a listing video, featured placement on HouseSigma where over 5 million buyers are actively searching, paid social ads, open houses, and print materials. Before we list, I also do a pre-listing walkthrough with you to make sure the home shows its best. The goal is to get your home in front of the right buyers — not just any buyers.

Lenders qualify you at either the Bank of Canada's benchmark rate or your contract rate plus 2%, whichever is higher. In practice, it means you qualify for less than the headline rate might suggest. Your mortgage broker will walk you through exactly how it affects your numbers.

Honestly, it depends on your situation and risk tolerance — there's no universal right answer. Fixed gives you predictability; variable can save you money if rates drop. This is one to go through in detail with a mortgage broker. I can connect you with someone I work with.

It affects both whether you get approved and what rate you qualify for. Generally, 680+ puts you in solid territory with traditional lenders. Lower scores aren't always a dealbreaker — lenders look at the full picture. Your mortgage broker will tell you exactly where you stand.

With a freehold, you own the home and the land — no condo fees, full control. With a condo, you own your unit but share ownership of common areas, managed by a condo corporation. You'll pay monthly maintenance fees covering building upkeep, amenities, and the reserve fund. Both have tradeoffs depending on your lifestyle and budget.

It's specific to condos. A status certificate gives you a snapshot of the building's financial health — reserve fund balance, any upcoming special assessments, pending lawsuits, and the rules of the building. Your lawyer should always review it before you firm up on a condo purchase.

The short answer: comparable sales. We look at what similar homes have actually sold for — not listed for — in the same area, recently. I pull that data before every offer and every listing so you're never guessing. If a number doesn't make sense, I'll tell you.

Yes — it's legally required in Ontario. Your lawyer handles the title search, reviews all closing documents, and manages the transfer of funds on closing day. Budget roughly $1,500–$2,500 in legal fees. If you don't have one, I can point you in the right direction.