Country guide · Canada
Buying a home in Canada
Pre-approval, offer, conditions and closing costs – the usual path to ownership.
Updated: 04/10/2026
In brief
- Mortgage default insurance applies when the down payment is under 20%
- Offers normally include conditions for financing, inspection and documents
- Land transfer tax applies in Ontario and British Columbia and in some cities
- New homes can attract GST/HST
1. Financing
A lender pre-approval sets your budget and confirms the rate for a fixed period. With a down payment below 20 percent, mortgage default insurance is required and its premium is added to the loan.
2. Offer and conditions
Offers are made in writing on a provincial form and usually carry conditions such as mortgage approval, a home inspection and review of condominium or strata documents. Conditions must be satisfied by a stated date.
3. Condominium and strata documents
For condos and strata lots, review the status certificate or strata documents: budget, reserve fund, pending special levies, bylaws and any litigation.
4. Closing
Your lawyer or notary searches title, arranges title insurance, calculates adjustments for prepaid taxes and utilities, and registers the transfer. Land transfer tax and legal fees are due at closing; some provinces also levy a speculator or non-resident tax.
Common questions
Do I need a lawyer?
Legal work is required to register title in every province. Ontario and most provinces use lawyers; Quebec commonly uses notaries.
Are closing costs fixed?
No. They include land transfer tax where applicable, legal fees, title insurance and adjustments, and they vary with price and location.
Official sources and further reading
National starting points only. State, provincial and territorial rules may add further requirements.
Professionals in Canada
Documented profiles of agents, developers, managers, investors and architects, listed in a neutral order.
More guides for Canada
Other countries
General information, not legal, tax or financial advice.