A straightforward walkthrough of the process — from your first questions, through pre-approval and offers, to the day you get your keys.
Buying a home is a big decision made up of a lot of smaller ones. This guide walks through the process step by step — so you know what's coming, what it costs, and where I fit in along the way.
When purchasing your next home, these are the six most common questions buyers have:
Let's get these answered for you — that's exactly what the rest of this guide covers.
I'm an active, full-time realtor. I can promise you two things: no one out-works me, and I will always tell you the truth. When you work with me, you also gain access to the collective knowledge of roughly 100 realtors at Royal LePage Supreme — I out-sell the average realtor 8 to 1, and my niche is guiding first-time buyers, up-sizers, and investors. I stay sharp through ongoing real estate coaching, mandatory courses, and continuing education.
I can also assist with anything listed on MLS, assignment sales, For Sale by Owner / private sales, and new construction sites represented by builders.
Let's get that sorted first — it's the foundation everything else builds on.
Book a Free Consultation →Canada currently has a federal restriction limiting certain foreign buyers from purchasing residential real estate until January 1, 2027. Under the Prohibition on the Purchase of Residential Property by Non-Canadians Act, many foreign nationals, non-permanent residents, and foreign-controlled private corporations are restricted from purchasing residential properties in major urban markets across Canada.
Exemptions include: Canadian permanent residents, refugees/protected persons, certain temporary workers with valid work permits, some international students meeting eligibility requirements, buyers purchasing jointly with a Canadian citizen or permanent resident spouse/partner, and publicly traded Canadian corporations.
In addition, Ontario currently applies a 25% Non-Resident Speculation Tax (NRST) to certain foreign buyers purchasing residential property in the province. If any of this might apply to you, let's talk it through early.
At a high level, it looks like this: Search → View → Offer. From there, an offer is either rejected, countered (which can loop a few times), or accepted. Once accepted, the deal moves through financing, inspection, title search, and due diligence before becoming a firm deal — followed by signing documents and moving in.
You may think negotiating in this market doesn't happen on the buyer side, but whether you're competing with other offers or not, negotiating still plays a role. Being prepared when offering is a must — having a pre-approval letter, a picture of your deposit cheque, and a letter to the sellers thanking them for the opportunity are a few ways to stand out.
Rapport between agents is a key factor, and it's something I take seriously. If your offer isn't selected, we move on — the right home finds you and works out exactly as it's supposed to.
| Item | Amount to Budget For | Due Date |
|---|---|---|
| Deposit | Negotiated amount (5% is desirable) — must be liquid and immediately available | Within 24 hours of accepted offer |
| Legal fees | ~$2,000 | At completion (closing) |
| Appraisal | ~$500 | Upon offer acceptance |
| Home inspection | ~$500 | Upon acceptance (or before offer night) |
| Land Transfer Tax | Varies by price & location | At completion |
| Insurance | Varies (title + home insurance) | At completion |
| Adjustments | Varies on pre-paid items (lawyer itemizes, e.g. property taxes) | At completion |
| Moving costs | Varies on your move | At time of your move |
Land Transfer Tax varies by purchase price and location — use this calculator to estimate yours.
Not all incentives can be combined — consult your lender, lawyer, or accountant for details specific to your situation.
As a realtor, I'm employed by Royal LePage, and the brokerage has policies I follow. The broader governing body is the Real Estate Council of Ontario (RECO), which protects you as a client.
Before we start seeing homes together, we'll define our relationship by signing the appropriate documents — this signs you on as my client and means I take on real obligations toward you. Along with the Buyer Representation Agreement, you'll also sign a RECO information guide covering key points like self-representation, designated representation, multiple representation, the length of the contract, and how an open offer process works. I'll walk you through all of it — nothing gets signed without a clear explanation first.
Let's talk through your goals, timeline, and budget — no pressure, no obligation.
Book a Free Consultation →This guide is intended to provide a general overview of the home buying process. It is not legal, financial, or tax advice. For anything specific to your situation, I'm happy to connect you with the right professional alongside my own guidance.
This guide is intended to provide a general overview of the selling process. It is not legal, financial, tax or accounting advice. Whenever specialized advice is required, I'll gladly connect you with the appropriate professional — including a real estate lawyer, licensed paralegal or accountant — while continuing to guide you through every stage of the sale.