Ask a lender
Your lender is the right source for anything about borrowing, rates, mortgage rules and your monthly payment. Ask them before you tour.
- What can I borrow, and what should I borrow? Those are different numbers.
- What is the minimum down payment at the price I am considering, and does mortgage insurance apply? What part of that is paid at closing?
- Which first-time buyer rules apply to my mortgage right now, and does a new home change anything?
- Can you give me an estimate that includes property tax, insurance and utilities, not just the mortgage?
- How long is my rate held, and what happens if the build runs past it?
- How do you want a withdrawal from a savings program documented, if I am using one?
- If an offer or incentive is attached to a home, what does the payment look like with it and without it?
Ask a lawyer, and an accountant
In Ontario a lawyer reviews your agreement during the review period and handles closing. An accountant can confirm which rebates and programs you qualify for.
- Are the development charges, levies and connection fees in this agreement capped?
- How are HST and the rebate handled in this agreement, and how will they appear on my closing statement?
- What will my closing costs be, including land transfer tax, and will you claim the first-time buyer refund at registration?
- Is this home freehold or condominium, and what does that change?
- Do I qualify as a first-time buyer for each program, given my history and my closing date?
Ask us
Our sales team answers anything about the home, the community and the process.
- Which communities and home types are selling now, and which have quick possession homes?
- Is this home freehold or condominium, and is there a monthly fee?
- How is HST handled in this price?
- What is included in this home, and what is a design centre option?
- What is the deposit schedule, and when is each payment due? Is there a separate deposit on upgrades?
- How long will this home take, and what are the stages?
- Is there a pre-drywall walkthrough, and when is the pre-delivery inspection?
- How do I reach customer care after possession, and how do warranty requests work?
[to confirm: that the Ontario sales team is comfortable fielding each of these, and the agreed answers for tenure, HST handling, deposits and inclusions]
Ask the city, the corporation or a broker
A few answers come from public offices and published documents. They are free, and worth a look before you sign.
- The City of Ottawa: the property tax rate, how assessment works on a new home, and how a supplementary bill is handled.
- The condominium corporation, if the home is a condominium: the current fee, what it includes, the declaration and rules, and the latest budget.
- An insurance broker: what home insurance will cost on this address, and what it covers.
- Tarion: what the new home warranty covers and the forms and deadlines after possession. Their guide is written for homeowners.
Your next step, by stage
| Where you are | Your next step |
|---|---|
| Just starting | Talk to a lender and get pre-approved. Then read what it costs, so you know the lines to ask about. |
| Narrowing down | Pick two communities that fit on area and home type. Visit both, walk the model homes, and ask the tenure question on the homes you like. Where to start. |
| Choosing new or resale | Compare one specific new home against one specific resale listing on total monthly cost, not price. The comparison. |
| Signing | Have a lawyer review the agreement during the review period. Confirm caps, HST handling and the closing date terms. The process. |
| Under contract | Book the design appointment, keep your lender updated on timing, arrange insurance for possession day, and put the inspection date in your calendar. |
| Moved in | Read the Tarion forms and note the deadlines, learn your home's systems, and set money aside for the supplementary tax bill. |
[to confirm: whether a printable version of this checklist will be produced, and whether it is gated]
Questions first-time buyers ask
What if I do not have a lender yet?
Any bank, credit union or mortgage broker can pre-approve you. Choose one who works with first-time buyers often, and ask them the questions above. Our sales team can tell you how buyers in our communities typically finance a new home. [to confirm: whether the Ontario team refers buyers to lenders, and how to describe that]
Do I need a real estate agent?
Many buyers work with one and many do not. What matters more is having your own lawyer review the agreement during your review period. That is the professional whose work protects you most on a new-build purchase.
Why do you send me to an accountant for rebate questions?
Because the HST rebates, the land transfer tax refund and the savings programs have eligibility tests that depend on your own history and your closing date. We can tell you how HST is handled in a price. Whether you qualify for a rebate is a question for the people who can see your whole picture.
Ready for the first conversation?
Pick a community, bring your questions, and let the sales team walk you through a specific home.
Internal review notes — what must be confirmed before this page publishes
- [to confirm] That the Ontario sales team is comfortable fielding each question under 'Ask us', and the agreed answers for tenure, HST handling, deposits and inclusions.
- [to confirm] Whether the Ontario team refers buyers to lenders, and how to describe that.
- [to confirm] Whether a printable checklist will be produced, and whether it is gated. This page replaces the former 'Guide & checklist' page.
- [to confirm] The Ontario contact URL. The CTA currently points at the regional page.